Things to Do This Week For America’s 250th

Your curated list of the best semiquincentennial events, exhibits, and activities happening in and around Philly

By Christina Griffith
Guest Commentary

Pomp, Parade and Posterity

The interim CEO of the Constitution Center urges us to mark our calendars for a celebration that reminds us of a fundamental truth: having fun is our civic duty, too

By Vince Stango
Citizen Recommends

Celebrate PA’s 250th at Carpenters’ Hall

Sure, the nation’s turning 250 this year. But so is our state’s most vital document — and Pennsylvania’s Constitution is, in many ways, the ultimate bulwark of your freedoms

By Courtney DuChene

History Floats

Ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary, the historic tall ship Gazela celebrates getting to 125 — with a little help from her friends

By Isaac Pollock
Guest Commentary

Taking the Stage that Trump Set

When The Wilma Theater set out to put on plays to challenge how we view the country’s 250th anniversary, they never imagined how prescient they were being, says the theater’s co-artistic director

By Lindsay Smiling
Overheard at Fitler

The Laverne & Shirley of the 250th

Visit Philly's Angela Val and Philadelphia Visitor Center's Kathryn Ott Lovell talk celebrating democracy with Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

By J.P. Romney

Breaking Bread For Citizenship

The Welcoming Center’s 2026 dinner series will bring immigrants and native-born Philadelphians together to explore the themes of neighborliness and good citizenship while bonding over the most human of activities: eating

By Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

What Should Philly Look Like in 2076? Ask an Eighth Grader

Breakthrough and Penn asked 20 young teens to imagine Philadelphia in 50 years. They created a vision for the future —and hope for the kids themselves

By Courtney DuChene
Citizen of the Week

Alison Grove, Hype Woman

You won’t see her dressed like Betsy Ross or scoring a goal on the World Cup soccer pitch, but behind the scenes, she’s made a career of transforming thousands of proud Philadelphians into expert — and excited — volunteer hosts

By Courtney DuChene

Whose 250th Is This Anyway?

The nation was birthed in Philly, and we do have some great parties — and soccer! — planned. But, as democracy teeters, are we really owning the semiquincentennial?

By Larry Platt