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 celebrations are much more than parades, music, and fireworks on the Fourth of July. 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 September 3 through September 10

CATCH A PHOTO EXHIBITION AT THE WATERFRONT. From September 4 through September 27, Cherry Street Pier hosts 20/20 Call for Entry: Transforming Landscapes, a call for entry exhibit juried by Philadelphia-based photographer Andrew Piccone, showcasing works that reflect on the evolution of the American landscape over the past 250 years. Coinciding with the 20/20 Photo Festival, the pier also hosts an opening reception September 12 from noon to 5pm. Free. 121 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard

ATTEND THE MOST FIRST (AND ONLY) OF FIRSTIVALS. The National Constitution Center will celebrate the signing of the first (and only!) U.S. Constitution with a Firstival September 5 from 11am to 1pm. Enjoy tours, book talks, meet Benjamin Franklin, spin the trivia wheel, play colonial-era games, and more. Free. 525 Arch Street

SPEND LABOR DAY WEEKEND AT THE MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. Labor Day Weekend 2026 at the Museum features living history presentations, 10-minute talks, family friend activities, and more highlighting the history of labor in the United States. Happening September 5 through 7 from 9:30am to 5pm. Children under 12 get free admission! $14-$25. 101 South Third Street

EXPLORE A GROUNDBREAKING APPROACH TO INCARCERATION. Eastern State Penitentiary continues its Justice 101 series on September 8 from 5:30 to 7:30pm with Justice 101: Redefining Rehabilitation — From Norway to Pennsylvania, Speakers from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Villanova, Norwegian Red Cross, and a justice advocate will discuss how dignified institutional design and dedicated post-release support can transform corrections and redefine justice. This event will also be livestreamed. Free. 2027 Fairmount Avenue

LET’S TALK ABOUT FREE SPEECH AND CIVILITY. Join Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox at the Kimmel Center September 9 at 5:30pm for The First at 250, a conversation on the First Amendment, free expression and how to foster civil dialogue, moderated by Lulu Garcia-Navarro of the New York Times. Presented by the Knight Foundation in partnership with Disagree Better and the National Constitution Center. Free, reservations required. 300 South Broad Street

CELEBRATE THE PHILADELPHIA PHOTO COMMUNITY. The 20/20 Photo Festival returns September 10 through September 19. The festival itinerary includes city-wide exhibitions, workshops, artist talks, photo walks, a book fair, and more. The 20/20 Photo Festival is a volunteer-run. All events are free, but registration is required. Free. Various locations.

PERFORMANCES, EXHIBITS, AND MORE ONGOING THINGS TO DO TO CELEBRATE THE 250TH

SIT DOWN FOR SOME STORYTELLING. Historic Philadelphia proudly celebrates the 20th anniversary of Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches. Professionally trained, costumed interpreters deliver 3- to 5-minute stories filled with historical insights and facts from eight (mostly) outdoor benches all summer until September 7. Free. Various locations in Old City

KICK OFF SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL SUMMER AT THE DELAWARE RIVER WATERFRONT. Spruce Street Harbor Park and RiverRink Summerfest is open for the season with Roots of Resilience, an exhibition of bold and beautiful flags created by international artists celebrating Philadelphia’s immigrant history, on view through September 7. The park is open 7 days a week from 11am to 10pm and until 11pm Friday and Saturday. Free. 301 S. Columbus Boulevard

TAKE A FREE TOUR JAWN. Philadelphia250 is celebrating the semiquincentennial neighborhood by neighborhood all summer long with Neighborhood Jawnts.  All tours begin and end at the Independence Visitor Center and run most mornings and afternoons Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Free; registration is required. 599 Market Street

LET FREEDOM RING. The next installation in the Delaware River Waterfront’s public art series this summer is at the entrance to the Cherry Street Pier, where artist Paul Ramírez Jonas has erected a giant bell visitors can ring to play the final note of “My Country ’Tis of Thee.” Let Freedom Ring will be on view through September 27. Free. 121 N. Christopher Columbus Boulevard

GET INTO THE SPIRIT(S) OF 1776. Through September 30, over 30 hotel bars citywide are on the Spirit of 76: The Philadelphia Cocktail Trail, offering up themed cocktails and mocktails to celebrate our founding. Even cooler, if you register with Visit Philadelphia and check in as you make your stops along the trail, Visit Philadelphia will donate $2.50 to PHL Cares for each participant check-in (up to $5000). Pay as you go. Check the interactive map for participating locations

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 every other Thursday from 2 to 4pm. Free. 1901 Vine Street, room 214. 

VISIT THE NEW INDEPENDENCE EXHIBIT AT HSP. The Historical Society of Pennsylvania’s new exhibit Paths to Independence, 1765–1787 explores the development of the independence movement in the colonies in the decade before the Revolutionary War. Opening May 7, viewing hours are 10am to 4pm Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 1pm to 7pm Wednesdays. Free. 1300 Locust Street

SEE A NEW PHILLY HISTORY (AND FUTURE) EXHIBIT AT THE PARKWAY CENTRAL LIBRARY. Philadelphia For the People explores the infrastructure, parks and public art, and more in the City of Brotherly Love’s development by and for the people. Opening May 2 and on view through January 2, 2027 from 9am to 8pm Monday through Thursday and 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday in the Second Floor West Gallery. Free. 1901 Vine Street

SEE AN EXHIBITION THAT ASKS HOW WE DEFINE FREEDOM IN THE 21ST CENTURY. Regional contemporary artists reflect on the shifting meaning of freedom today in the new exhibit at St. Joseph’s Frances M. Maguire Art Museum, Evolving Freedoms: Exploring Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness, open  through December 13. Public gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm. Free; donations are appreciated. 50 Lapsley Lane, Merion

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. 3rd Street

EXPLORE THE FIRST 50 YEARS OF OUR DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. The American Philosophical Society’s These Truths: The Declarations of Independence tells the story of America’s founding through early Declaration printings and treasured artifacts. Open through January 3, 2027. Museum hours are Thursday through Sunday 10am to 5pm. Free, donations welcome. 104 S. 5th Street

VISIT A SITE-SPECIFIC INSTALLATION AT THE BARNES. In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, an installation of 11 new works by the American artist Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk Nation/Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians) at the Annenberg Court on the Barnes grounds explores and interrogates the American experience and its histories. Sky Hopinka: Red Metal Dust at the Barnes opens March 21 and will remain on site until January 18, 2027. Hours are Thursday through Monday from 11am to 5pm. Get some inspiration for your own public art. Free. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

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

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. 

LEARN THE ORIGINS OF THE AMERICAN PHARMACY. The Mütter Museum marks the nation’s 250th birthday with a new special exhibition embracing the College as “the birthplace of American medicine.” Revolutionary Botany examines the origins of the American pharmacy and American botanical medicine. On view through 2026 Wednesday through Monday from 10am to 5pm. $2-$20. 19 S. 22nd Street

APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY AND HISTORY OF SACRED PLACES. Now through December, Founding Faiths: Historic Sacred Places Celebrate America’s 250th opens the doors to 17 historic churches and synagogues and invites visitors to learn their stories and their role in the Revolutionary era. Free-$100. Various locations.

REVISIT THE 1876 EXHIBITION. The first World’s Fair in North America was held in Philadelphia, attracting millions of visitors. The Centennial Exposition of 1876: Recreated on Market East allows you to experience that event at the historic LITS building now through December Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm. Free, donations appreciated. 8th and Market Streets

PICTURE THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION THROUGH ART. Open now at the Michener Museum through January 10, 2027, The Crossing: Picturing the American Revolution showcases new perspectives on the legendary vision of Washington Crossing the Delaware first painted by Emanuel Leutze in 1851. Works by local, national, and international artists commemorate the 250th anniversary of what might be the most significant event of the Revolutionary War. $0-$15. 138 S. Pine Street, Doylestown

SEE THE LATEST EXHIBIT AT INDEPENDENCE SEAPORT MUSEUM. Opening March 20, Seeking Profit and Power: Philadelphia, China Trade, and the Making of America will examine the immediate aftermath of the Revolutionary War from an economic standpoint as part of the country’s 250th birthday celebrations. Museum hours are 10am to 5pm daily, closed Wednesday. $18-$33. 211 S. Columbus Boulevard

LEARN HOW GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO WORK. The National Constitution Center opens Governing the Nation, a new permanent gallery, on May 15 at 10am. Explore the checks and balances of our three branches of government and how the Constitution has been interpreted, contested, and applied across American history. Free-$19.95. 525 Arch Street

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