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Weeklong Guide To Celebrating A Philly Phourth Of July

Between the Wawa Welcome America Fest and Philly's Old City district, there will be plenty of live entertainment and fireworks displays to help celebrate the fourth of July all week long. Here's where you can find it all in Philadelphia:

MONDAY, JUNE 27

Free Museum Admission at Benjamin Franklin Museum
143 S. 3rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Museum opens at 9 a.m.

Ralph Archbold
Ben Franklin re-enactor Ralph Archbold makes a presentation during a press tour of the renovated Franklin Museum in Old City. (credit: Pat Loeb)

Museum admission is free as part of the Wawa Welcome America Fest. Families can have fun learning about Ben Franklin, how he made his mark on the city of Philadelphia and of course his famous inventions through interactive displays.

"Our Flag Unfurled" Mural Dedication
500 North Columbus Blvd
Philadelphia PA, 19123

Head to the corner of North Columbus Boulevard and Noble Street to see the unveiling of the "Our Flag Unfurled" mural by artist Meg Saligman. The city's Mural Arts Program and Philadelphia STYLE Magazine will be there to help dedicate the public work of art as well as Americana-themed refreshments and music to help celebrate the masterpiece.

Watch "The Good Dinosaur" at Xfinity LIVE!
1100 Pattison Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19148
Fun starts at 5 p.m.

Plenty of activities for kids to enjoy starting at 5 p.m. including a kid-friendly menu. Parents will be happy to know that parking is free during the event and free popcorn will also be handed out! The movie starts at 6.

Watch "Finding Nemo" at Franklin Square
200 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Starts at 8:30 p.m.

Another Philly @ the Movies special, this movie is the perfect opportunity to spend a night with the fam!

 

TUESDAY, JUNE 28

 

Watch "The Legend of Tarzan" at the Kimmel Center
300 S Broad St
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Starts at 7:30 p.m.

Kimmel Center
(credit: Jeff Goldberg/ Esto)

Lucky winners can score advanced screening passes to see the movie ahead of its July 1 release date. Click here to enter.

 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29

 

Free Museum Admission at the Rodin Museum
2151 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Museum opens at 10 a.m.

rodin reopens _dunn
"The Thinker" sits in front of the main entrance to the Rodin Museum, near 22nd and the Parkway. (credit: Mike Dunn)

Visitors will be able to enjoy the Rodin Museum for free on June 29 as part of the Wawa Welcome America Fest. The Rodin is nestled between the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Free Library of Philadelphia and features more than 100 sculptures. Don't forget to check out the newly renovated garden which features eight statues including "The Thinker."

Rocky on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Fun starts at 7 p.m.

Art Museum
Art Museum steps in Philadelphia. (credit: John McDevitt)

Running up the art museum steps is a right of passage for Philadelphians but have you ever watched a movie on the steps? If not now's your chance. The movie starts at 9 p.m. as part of the Wawa Welcome America Fest's Philly @ the Movies series. They're also hosting activities before the showing starting at 7 p.m. Remember to bring a chair or blanket!

 

THURSDAY, JUNE 30

 

Free Museum Admission at the National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Museum opens at 9: 30 a.m.

ncc
National Constitution Center (Associated Press)

Admission to the National Constitution Center is free thanks to Wawa and there's plenty of patriotic things to do and see. Click here for a full list of events.

Free Hoagie Day at Independence Mall
599 Market St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Noon to 5 p.m.

wawa hoagie
(Credit: Tim Jimenez)

This year marks the 24th annual Free Hoagie Day. Wawa will be handing 5 tons worth of their delicious sandwiches after a salute to military men and women as well as some of Philly's finest firefighters and police officers.

Watch "Creed" at Tustin Recreation Center
5901-29 W. Columbia Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19151
Starts at 7 p.m.

creed
Sylvester Stallone talks about the latest installment in the Rocky series, "Creed" (credit: CBS3)

The newest Rocky movie "Creed" will be shown at the Tustin Rec Center as part of Wawa Welcome America Fest's Philly @ the Movies series.

Summer Mummer Concert at the Mummer Museum
1100 S 2nd St
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Fun starts at 7:30

Annual Mummers Parade
Annual Mummers Parade (credit: William Thomas Cain/Getty Images)

On Thursday evenings from May to September people gather on the lawn outside of the Mummer Museum for some refreshments and live music. The string band starts playing at 8 p.m.

Watch "National Treasure" at Penn's Landing
101 S Christopher Columbus Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Starts at 9 p.m.

Wawa Welcome America Fest's Philly @ the Movies wraps with a showing of "National Treasure." Viewers will definitely some of the scenes in the movie which is largely set in Philadelphia.

 

FRIDAY, JULY 1

 

Free Admission at African American Museum
701 Arch St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Museum opens at 10 a.m.

african american museum
(credit: CBS 3)

Learn about African American history, culture and heritage for free! The museum has a variety of authentic artwork on display.

Music and Fireworks at Penn's Landing
101 S Christopher Columbus Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Starts at 8 p.m.

Sounds of Inspiration at Penn's Landing
File photo (credit: Randall E. Scott)

The Philadelphia Orchestra will take to the River Stage to play patriotic favorites as part of the Wawa Welcome America Fest. The neighborhood concert will be followed up by a fireworks show with KYW 1060 carrying the soundtrack for the night. No tickets are required for this free event and seating is general admission on a first come first serve basis.

Storytelling: Once Upon A Nation at Independence National Historic Park
Park sites stretch from 2nd to 7th Street
and from Arch Street to Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

There are 13 story benches throughout the park that families can visit to hear stories from the city's past.

 

SATURDAY, JULY 2

 

Free Museum Admission at the National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Museum opens at 9: 30 a.m.

Admission to the National Constitution Center is free thanks to Wawa and there's plenty of patriotic things to do and see. Click here for a full list of events.

Music and Fireworks at Penn's Landing
101 S Christopher Columbus Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Starts at 8 p.m.

The U.S. Army Concert Band and Army Voices will hit the stage to perform patriotic tunes as part of the Wawa Welcome America Fest, followed by a fireworks show with KYW 1060 carrying the soundtrack for the night.

 

SUNDAY, JULY 3

 

Free Museum Admission at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
2600 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Museum opens at 10 a.m.

(credit: Pat Loeb/KYW)

There's always something new to see at the iconic Philadelphia Museum of Art. There are impressive collections for adults to enjoy as well as a few exhibits geared toward kids like the "Art Splash." And don't forget to hit up the food truck outside featuring food like the "Rocky Balburger."

Historic Philadelphia Block Party in the Vicinity of Independence Hall
520 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
1 p.m. - 8 p.m.

The Historic Philadelphia Block Party will take place right around Independence Hall on 5th and 6th streets between Market and Chestnut as part of the Wawa Welcome America Fest. As with any good block party, there will be plenty of food, refreshments and live entertainment to be enjoyed by all ages.

philly pops
Thousands are in Old City to celebrate Independence Day. (Credit: David Spunt)

Later on, the Philly POPS will take the stage right outside of Independence Hall to perform patriotic favorites to help celebrate America's birthday.

 

MONDAY, JULY 4

 

Celebration of Freedom Ceremony at Independence Hall
520 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Starts at 10 a.m.

Tony Honors Cocktail Party Presenting The 2016 Tony Honors For Excellence In The Theatre And Honoring The 2016 Special Award Recipients - Arrivals
(credit: Gary Gershoff/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)

Many people will return to Old City Monday morning for the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony at 10 which honors everyday heroes. Broadway actor and Philly native, Leslie Odom Jr., will join in this year's festivities.

Family Fun at Franklin Square
200 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
12 p.m. - 3 p.m.

fountain_franklinsquare_mclaughlin
A fountain, flanked by a carousel and mini golf course, is the centerpiece of Franklin Square. (Credit: Timothy McLaughlin)

Between noon and 3 p.m. there will be independence day-themed fun for families. Stop by the Living Flame Memorial which honors fallen firefighters and police officers -- Philly's own heroes.

Independence Day Parade at the Independence Visitor's Center
1 N Independence Mall W
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Starts at 11 a.m.

The Independence Day Parade, part of the Wawa Welcome America Fest starts at the Independence Visitor's Center and travels through historic Philadelphia. Every year the event attracts people from all over the Delaware Valley and some nationwide.

Ben_Franklin_Parkway5156103
Ben Franklin Parkway (credit: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images)

A Party and Fireworks  on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

On the fourth, people will no doubt be flocking to the Party on the Parkway, the largest, free, outdoor concert in America. Food and games can be enjoyed starting between noon and 5 p.m., followed by music from Gamble & Huff at the Philly POPS. The party will wrap up with the culmination of the Wawa Welcome America Fest -- a fireworks show at 10 p.m.

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