This year, the United States of America celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding. The American Revolutionary War was fought between April 1775 and September 1783, though the war for independence wasn’t “formalized” until the next year, when the Second Continental Congress, right here in Philadelphia, passed the Lee Resolution for Independence on July 2, and adopted the Declaration of Independence at what is now known as Independence Hall on July 4, 1776. Philadelphia’s unique place of honor in American history centers the celebration of this milestone in our streets, squares, and parks.

This year’s Independence Day celebrations promise to be the party of a lifetime. Or at least, one not seen in at least 50 years. Throughout 2026, institutions and organizations around the Greater Philadelphia area are marking the semiquincentennial with art installations, theater, exhibits, performances, storytelling, and much more. Each week, The Philadelphia Citizen is highlighting events that exemplify what we stand for: good citizenship, civic engagement, and the celebration of everything that makes Philly the greatest city in America.

For literally everything happening around our semiquincentennial, check out Visit Philly’s comprehensive list: A Once-In-A-Lifetime-Year: Philly’s Signature 2026 Events.

Celebrating the semiquincentennial February 26 through March 5

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN! DIG INTO THE ORIGINS OF AMERICAN GARDENING. This is your last chance to catch The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show, the nation’s largest and longest-running horticultural event and fundraiser returns to the Pennsylvania Convention Center to celebrate the semiquincentennial with Rooted: Origins of American Gardening, featuring the world’s best floral, garden, and landscape designers. Open Daily through March 7 from 10am to 8pm; March 8 until 6pm. $20-$54 (flex, late entry, and full event passes available). 1101 Arch Street

SEE A NEW MUSEUM EXHIBIT. The National Liberty Museum explores the freedom of assembly through iconic events, people, and artwork in its new exhibit The Forgotten Freedom: America at 250, opening March 6 from 10am to 5pm Wednesday to Monday. A ticketed VIP Preview Party kicks off the exhibit March 5 from 5:30 to 9pm with food, cocktails, and special guest sports legends. Museum admission $10; preview party tickets $125. 321 Chestnut Street

MAKE AND TAKE ART IN NORTHEAST PHILADELPHIA. Mural Arts presents Northeast 250: Threads of History March 6 from 6 to 8pm. Join artists from the Northeast Philadelphia community to make a series of flags and other make-and-take traditional crafts. Free; Registration required. 6918 Torresdale Avenue

ATTEND A FIRSTIVAL IN HONOR OF THE FLOWER SHOW. Our 52 Weeks of Firsts continues with The First Flower Show, which happened right here in 1829. Celebrate this Firstival on March 7 from 11am to 1pm at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown. Free. 1201 Market Street

UNDERSTAND THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF BASL. The Free Library presents Phila 250 Freedom of Expression and Black American Sign Language on March 7 at 2pm in Parkway Central Children’s Storyhour Room, an introduction to Black American Sign Language (BASL) as both a linguistic and cultural expression of Freedom of Speech, highlighting how language functions as a powerful tool for identity, resistance, and self-expression. Free. 1901 Vine Street, Room 22

LEARN EVEN MORE ABOUT BEN FRANKLIN. The Wagner Free Institute of Science of Philadelphia celebrates the legacy of our hometown founding father with a series of classes taught by Professor Thomas Twardowski at the Free Library on Wednesdays at 6pm. On March 11 the course covers aquatic innovations. Sign up here for Revolutionary Science, Revolutionary Scientist: Benjamin Franklin’s Scientific Innovations with Professor Thomas Twardowski. Free. 1901 Vine Street, Room 202

LEARN HOW THE MEDIA COVERED THE REVOLUTION. In celebration of America250, The Free Library hosts Evening Editions 250, a unique opportunity to see how local press covered the fight for independence. On March 12 from 2 to 4pm, the Newspaper and Microfilm Department spotlights July 1786 Weekly Editions of the the Pennsylvania Evening Herald and the Independent Gazetteer. Free. 1901 Vine Street, Room 214

ONGOING THINGS TO DO TO CELEBRATE THE SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL

EXPERIENCE GERMANTOWN’S PLACE IN AMERICAN HISTORY. Historic Germantown honors America’s 250th anniversary with 26 Tours in 2026. These guided tours dive deep into local history, architecture, and untold stories of the neighborhood, including some of the most iconic historic sites. Most tours are free; registration required. Various locations

ATTEND A NEW EXHIBIT ABOUT INDEPENDENCE. Changing Faces of Independence: Pennsylvania in the 1800s is on view at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania through April 24. Learn how the make-up of who is an American has changed since the American Revolution. Free. 1300 Locust Street

BEFORE THE SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL, LEARN MORE ABOUT THE BICENTENNIAL. Open now through May 15 at the University of Pennsylvania’s Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center, Celebrate or Demonstrate: Philadelphia and Bicentennial Discontent is a new exhibit looking back on the bicentennial, sharing perspectives from those who protested and critiqued the wholly celebratory approach to American history. Free

VISIT AN EXHIBIT ABOUT A VITAL FREEDOM. The National Liberty Museum explores the freedom of assembly through iconic events, people, and artwork in its new exhibit The Forgotten Freedom: America at 250. Museum hours are Wednesday through Monday from 10am to 5pm. $8-$15. 321 Chestnut Street

FOLLOW THE DECLARATION’S JOURNEY. The Museum of the American Revolution presents The Declaration’s Journey, an exhibit exploring the history and global impact of the Declaration of Independence from 1776 to today. The exhibit is open to the public through January 3 2027 daily from 10am to 5pm. $14-$25. 101 S. Third Street

LEARN ABOUT THE NATIVE PEOPLES WHO LIVED HERE BEFORE US. The Penn Museum celebrates the first Americans with an expansive new gallery, Native North America. Long before colonists from Europe began settling in what would become America, Indigenous civilizations thrived. This exhibit explores their political, religious, linguistic, and artistic self-determination. Museum Hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm. $14-$23. 3260 South Street

CREATE A BADGE. Are you looking for a neat new profile pic? Something current to tack onto your email signature? How about a cool Philly themed window-decal (while supplies last?) Visit Philadelphia’s Make a Custom Badge has you covered. Check out mine above. Free. 

CAN YOU DO 250,000 THINGS FOR 2026? Philadelphia Zoo is challenging everyone to help it complete 250,000 Actions for Animals before the end of 2026. You may already be doing these things in your neighborhood if you’ve been keeping up on your things to do each week to make a better city, but there are more ideas here for you to make the world a better place for us and them, many of them at the Zoo. 

MORE THINGS YOU CAN DO