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 November 5 through November 12

EXPLORE THREE CENTURIES OF GARDENING HISTORY. Immigrant seed traditions, trailblazing women, neighborhood greening movements, and the Philadelphia Flower Show are all woven into the Bouquet of Stories: Celebrating Philadelphia’s Gardening Heritage exhibit, opening November 6 through January 30 at the The Athenaeum of Philadelphia. This joint project between The Athenaeum and Pennsylvania Horticultural Society shares the stories that made Philadelphia one of America’s great gardening cities. Hours are Monday 9am to 7pm, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 9am to 5pm, Wednesday 10am to 5pm, and Saturday 10am to 3pm. Free. 219 S. 6th Street

COME TO A THANKSGIVING FIRSTIVAL. The first Thanksgiving Day Parade took place right here in Philly in 1920. And it was Gimbels, not Macy’s. Commemorate the occasion at The Weitzman November 7 from 11am to 1pm with a Firstival celebration offering a rare opportunity to view artifacts from the Gimbels department store. Free. 101 South Independence Mall East

HONOR VETERANS AT A PARADE AND FESTIVAL. On November 8 from noon to 3:30pm, Philadelphia’s 12th Annual Philadelphia Veterans Parade marches up Ben Franklin Parkway and ends just past the Philadelphia Art Museum at Eakins Oval for the festival. It will also be televised on Channel 6. Free. From 21st Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway

JOIN THE CITIZEN FOR A DOCUMENTARY SCREENING. Join The Philadelphia Citizen at The Filter Club November 9 at 5:30 for a happy hour and Citizen Movie Screening: In Pursuit, Episode 9, Liberation (1968-1990). This is a pivotal episode in Sam Katz’s documentary, traversing years of startling upheaval and profound struggle in the nation’s birthplace. $6.12. 1 South 24th Street

CELEBRATE CRAFT MONTH RIGHT HERE IN THE NATION’S CONTEMPORARY CRAFT CAPITAL. On November 12 from 9:30am to 5pm, CraftNOW caps its semiquincentennial programming with Symposium 2026: Radical Americana Throughlines at The Galleries at Moore College of Art. This year’s theme considers how Philadelphia’s craft traditions, objects, and ideas connect the city’s past with the work of artists today. You can also attend virtually. Free-$25. 1916 Race Street

COME TO A DOCUMENTARY SCREENING ON THE STORY OF JUSTICE IN AMERICA. On November 12 from 5:30 to 8pm, Eastern State and WHYY present a screening of the documentary series Crime and Punishment in America and panel discussion hosted by WHYY’s Cherri Gregg with series director Lynn Novick and Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. Free, registration required. 150 N. 6th Street

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

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN GRASSROOTS ARTISTIC EXPERIMENTATION. Through November 15, Philadelphia’s network of artist-run spaces, DIY venues, and community-based initiatives hosts Collective Futures, a collaboratively organized project bringing together more than 40 independent spaces and organizations across the city through exhibitions, performances, workshops, and public programs citywide. Many events are free; locations citywide.

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

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

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

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. 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

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

SEE A NEW EXHIBIT ABOUT FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE. The National Constitution Center’s newest exhibit Pennsylvania’s Founding: How a City and a Colony Shaped America’s Civic DNA, shares the story of how Pennsylvania and Philadelphia helped shape the ideas that would become the foundation of America. Open through January 3, 2027. National Constitution Center hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10am to 5pm.  $2-$14.95. 525 Arch Street

SEE THE CHANGING FACES OF INDEPENDENCE. The Changing Faces of Independence: Pennsylvania in the 1900s examines the experiences of immigrant and migrant communities in Pennsylvania during the decades surrounding the 150th and 200th anniversaries of the Declaration of Independence. It’s on view at The Historical Society of Pennsylvania through January 8, 2027. Visitor hours are 10am to 4pm Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and 1pm to 7pm on Wednesdays. The exhibit opens with a reception October 1 at 5pm, register to attend here. Free. 1300 Locust 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 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

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

MORE THINGS GOOD CITIZENS CAN DO