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 April 23 through April 30

VIEW MISSION-BASED PRINTSHOP ARTWORK. America Today: Voices in Contemporary Print brings together more than 30 artists from six mission-based printshops to explore civil rights, social justice, racial equality, and political engagement through contemporary art at The Print Center. The exhibition opens with a reception and gallery talk April 23 starting at 5:30pm, and is open April 24 through July 25. Gallery hours are 11am to 6pm Tuesday through Saturday. Free. 1614 Latimer Street

COMMIT TO LITERACY AS LIBERATION. Historic Fair Hill hosts the Reading is Freedom Festival April 25 from noon to 4pm, celebrating the power and joy of reading and Historic Germantown’s abolitionist roots with local authors, literacy activities, book giveaways, and more. Free. 2901 Germantown Avenue

EXPERIENCE LIVING HISTORY. On April 25 from 10am to 5pm the Museum of the American Revolution hosts Makers of Revolutionary Philadelphia Living History Day 2026. Over a dozen historical tradespeople will demonstrate 18th-century skills and trades like engraving, woodworking, and pepper-pot soup selling, and guests will enjoy hands-on activities. $14-$25. 101 S. Third Street

ATTEND A BEN FRANKLIN FIRSTIVAL. Among many, many other things, Benjamin Franklin became Philadelphia’s first postmaster in 1737, and our First Postmaster General in 1775, creating the postal system that made growing our new nation possible. Celebrate this first in Philly April 25 from 11am to 1pm at Franklin Court. Free. 322 Market Street

DISCUSS THE ROLE OF CIVIC EDUCATION FOR AN INFORMED CITIZENRY. Join the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) and the Museum of the American Revolution for Educating for a More Perfect Union, an evening panel discussion focused on the milestone opportunity to reinvigorate history and civics education happening April 30, 2026 from 5 to 8pm. Free. 101 S. 3rd Street

ONGOING THINGS TO DO TO CELEBRATE THE SEMIQUINCENTENNIAL

SEE THE FIRST AMERICAN COMEDY. The Philadelphia Artists’ Collective proudly presents The Contrast, America’s first hit comedy production, written in 1787. It opens at the Bluver Theatre at The Drake through April 26 with performances at 7pm and 3pm. $18-$35. 302 S. Hicks 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

OFFEND SOMEBODY, DAMMIT, THIS IS OUR SEMIQUICENTENNIAL! Packed with history, romance, comedy, and tension, the classic award-winning 1776 The Musical is open through May 31 at The Walnut Street Theater with performances in the morning, afternoon, and evening. $31-$209+. 825 Walnut Street

EXPERIENCE SOME RADICAL AMERICANA. Philadelphia-based ceramic artist, activist, and educator Roberto Lugo’s solo exhibition American Crib: What’s Happening? opens at The Clay Studio as part of their citywide semiquincentennial initiative, Radical Americana. American Crib is an immersive celebration of Lugo’s culture and upbringing in Philadelphia. On view through July 16, gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 11am to 5:30pm and from 11am to 5pm on weekends. Free. 1425 N American Street

EXPLORE BLACK AMERICAN HISTORY AND IDENTITY. The Barnes Foundation presents Freedom Dreams, a multimedia exhibition by Black artists that deconstructs race, gender, and class in American history. On view through August 9. Gallery hours are Thursday through Monday, 11am to 5pm. $5-$30. 2025 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

VIEW YOUR VISIONS OF LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. Printmaking by the People: Posters for a Reimagined Declaration of Independence is an exhibition of hundreds of posters created by Philadelphians who were asked to share their visions of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” This special exhibition at the Parkway Central Library is part of Printmaking by the People, Philadelphia’s largest 2026 public art and community engagement project inspired by the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding. The exhibit is open through August 2026. Free. 1901 Vine Street

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

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

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 April 10 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

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

MORE THINGS YOU CAN DO