Your Guide to Philadelphia's Wawa Welcome America 2019: The Schedule Highlights Featuring Meghan Trainor And Jennifer Hudson For July 4th Concert

By NBC10 Staff

There's no better place to celebrate the United States of America's birthday than in the place where our nation was founded -- Philadelphia.

Philly throws the best Fourth of July party with the annual Wawa Welcome America celebration, which this year features six days of culture, food, music and world-class performances from Meghan Trainor and Jennifer Hudson. The best part? It's all free!

This year, you and your family can enjoy more than 50 events ranging from movies to live music performances to fireworks. You can check out the full rundown of events here and check out some of the highlights below:

SATURDAY, JUNE 29

United State Army Band "Pershing's Own" Concert

The U.S. Army Band kicks off the week of concerts at Penn's Landing with a patriotic performance that concludes with a firework display over the Delaware River Waterfront.

Gospel on Independence Concert

This event will send a message of love through song with performances by more than 100 singers from Philly, the Philadelphia Men's Fellowship Choir and Sisterly Love.

SUNDAY, JUNE 30

Philadelphia's Historic District Block Party

Philly loves a block party and this year's edition highlights the City of Brotherly Love's signature music, art, entertainment, history, culture and food. A Kids' Stage and Kids' Zone for family-friendly entertainment, dozens of food trucks, pop-up performers and other activities make this an all-ages favorite.

Philly @ the Movies: "Rocky"

There's no movie more Philly than "Rocky," and now you can watch the titular character duke it out with Apollo Creed right on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. We can't promise that the nearby Rocky statue won't inspire a few people to run up the steps and jump up and down with their arms in the air.

MONDAY, JULY 1

PECO Go 4th and Learn at Penn Park

Experience fun and free interactive activities including pop-up classes and performances promoting "healthy living, fitness, culture and the arts."

Philly @the Movies: "Invincible"

Ever wanted to play for the Eagles? Of course you have. And so did Vince Papale. Enjoy this movie based on Papale's life and his unlikely path toward playing for the Birds, at Franklin Field, where they shot parts of the film.

The United States Army Field Band Concert

The Great Plaza at Penn's Landing will play host to the U.S. Army Field Band, who will perform a rendition of "Let Freedom Ring." But before the band takes the stage, you won't want to miss the Army's official parachute team, the Golden Knights, as they make one of their signature daring jumps.

TUESDAY, JULY 2

Wawa Hoagie Day

Enjoy an 8-ton hoagie salute, FREE Wawa hoagies, a performance by the USO Show Troupe and hoagie building competition between police and firefighters. Hoagie Day will be celebrated at Independence Mall and the National Constitution Center lawn. 

Free Museum Day at the National Constitution Center

Learn about the U.S. Constitution and how the Founding Fathers emblazoned our freedoms in law with a free visit to the only museum dedicated to the most important document in our nation. Take in the new Civil War exhibit that examines the constitutional debates after the war and includes more than 100 artifacts and even original copies of the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments.

Kimmel Center's Great American Party on the Plaza

Festival-style activities will abound at this party on the Kimmel Center Plaza. There will also be live performances from casts direct from Broadway and the U.S. Navy Band Cruisers, all under the Kimmel Center's signature glass ceiling. Fans of the hit play "Hamilton" will also be able to belt out their favorite songs as part of the Hamilton's Hamiltunes Sing-a-long.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3

POPS on Independence Concert

With Independence Hall as the dramatic backdrop, conductor Todd Ellison will lead the 65-piece Philly POPS orchestra in a patriotic, entertaining performance with Tony-nominated actress and singer Susan Egan. The Philadelphia tradition draws thousands of locals and visitors each year. Presented by Comcast NBCUniversal, this performance is part of the POPS Salute Series, an expanding portfolio of programs performed on American holidays, celebrating those who serve our country, its cities, and communities.

Girls.Like.nicethings Pop-Up Exhibit

This is new art exhibit will feature works from some of Philly's best female visual artists. The 21-and-over exhibit will also feature an artist chat and jam session.

THURSDAY, JULY 4

Party on the Parkway

This 5-block party on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will feature fun for both the younger and older crowds. Families can enjoy an interactive Kids' Zone featuring a zip-line, acrobatic dunkers, bungee jumping, games and food from Tastykake and Popsicle. Those 21 and over, meanwhile, can take advantage of the multiple beer gardens.

Celebration of Freedom at Independence Hall

The City of Philadelphia's Office of the City Representative and Independence National Historical Park will present the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony at Independence Hall. Mayor Kenney will present the Magis Award. And The Wawa Foundation will present the Wawa Foundation Hero Award, totaling $80,000 to four non-profit organizations committed to serving the Greater Philadelphia area.

Salute to America Independence Day Parade

Immediately after the Celebration of Freedom ceremony, around 4,000 marchers, floats and military personnel will make their way through Independence Mall.

Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert featuring Meghan Trainor and Jennifer Hudson

Billboard Hot 100 chart topping-Meghan Trainor will be joined by Academy Award-winning Jennifer Hudson on the main stage as co-headliners of the biggest annual party on Philadelphia's calendar. Trainor will be up first, and after her set, Hudson will Philly play a special set with the Philly POPS Big Band.

July 4th In Philadelphia 2016 Means Three Fireworks Shows, Four Free Concerts And A Huge Block Party

s, parties, parades and stars to celebrate the red, white and blue in Philly...

Summertime is almost here — and it just wouldn’t be summer in Philadelphia without huge Fourth of July celebrations and the return of the Wawa Welcome America! festival, which celebrates our nation’s Independence Day annually.

The blowout celebration returns this summer for a full week, from June 27 through July 4, 2016, eight days of festivities — all family-friendly — that will attract more than 500,000 residents and visitors.

Wawa Welcome America Fast Facts

• The citywide July 4th celebration hits June 27-July 4, 2016
• Festival highlights include four free concerts, three fireworks shows and free museum admission
• Wawa Welcome America July 4th Fireworks will go off at 10 p.m. over the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Over the course of the week, a wealth of patriotic activities will take over the city — think three fireworks shows, four free concerts, free museum admission, a festive parade and huge Historic Philadelphia Block Party.

Three Huge Fireworks Shows and Four Free Concerts

This year, celebrations around Independence Day in Philadelphia include not one, but three pyrotechnic displays.

On Friday, July 1, watch a free Philadelphia Orchestra concert along the Delaware River waterfront at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. After the show, turn to the skies for the first of three fireworks displays.

On Saturday, July 2, return to the Delaware River waterfront for another patriotic performance from The US Army Band “Pershing’s Own” followed by fireworks display number two.

Come Sunday night, the skies won’t light up with fireworks, but Independence Mall will fill with music and crowds for the annual POPS! on Independenceconcert.

(Photo by J. Smith for Visit Philadelphia)

The Philly POPS! will perform for free not one, but three times during 2016 Wawa Welcome America celebrations.

Of course, Monday, July 4th brings the final free concert and fireworks display. In 2016, the annual Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert goes with a family-friendly lineup including Kidz Bop Kids Live in the afternoon and an evening show with Broadway’s Hamilton star Leslie Odom, Jr., Yazz the Greatest from TV’s Empire, a Gamble and Huff tribute and The Philly POPS.

Plus, additional artists are expected to be announced in the coming weeks, so stay tuned.

Following the concert, the Wawa Welcome America July 4th Fireworks will hit the skies at 10 p.m. — an hour earlier than in recent years.

Other Festival Highlights

Beyond the blowout shows, Independence Day festivities in Philadelphia include citywide family-friendly happenings.

Free Movies and Museum Admission

Each day of the festival, free museum admission will be available to one or more Philadelphia museums including The Barnes Foundation, the National Constitution Center, the African American Museum in Philadelphia, the Ben Franklin Museum, the National Museum of American Jewish and the Rodin Museum.

Plus, seven locations around town like Franklin Square, the Piazza at Schmidt’s and the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing will host free Philly @ the Moviesscreenings throughout the festival.

(Photo by G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia)

Fourth of July in Philadelphia by the numbers…

3 Huge Fireworks Shows

8 Days of Free Museum Admission

4 Free Outdoor Concerts

1 Historic Philadelphia Block Party

1 City of the Founding Fathers

Historic Philadelphia Block Party

At the new Historic Philadelphia Block Party, the streets around Independence Hall will be filled with live entertainment, food vendors, kids’ games and more on Sunday, July 3 just before the POPS! on Independence concert.

Independence Day Parade

On the Fourth of July, the day-long festivities begin right where the Founding Fathers worked to establish this country: Independence Hall. The Independence Day Parade steps off at 5th and Chestnut streets for its annual stars-and-stripes filled promenade through Historic Philadelphia.

Check back for more information about upcoming Wawa Welcome Americaevents and how to celebrate the Fourth of July in Philadelphia.

Map data ©2016 Google

Terms of Use

Wawa Welcome America!

When:June 27-July 4 

Where:Party on the Parkway and Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert, Benjamin Franklin Parkway; Other events, citywide 

Cost:Free

WWW.WELCOMEAMERICA.COM 

The Best Places To Celebrate The Fourth Of July

For many Americans, July Fourth is a family holiday -- it involves backyard barbecues, maybe a parade through town, and a local fireworks show. Some people, however, have grander dreams of celebrating the nation's birthday with more pizzazz. Thankfully, there are plenty of options around the country that deliver Fourth of July festivities worth traveling for.

So, where to celebrate the Fourth of July? These 11 places around the US each offer something special for July Fourth, whether it's a stunning backdrop for fireworks or a party that makes you forget the fireworks altogether.

Philadelphia

What better place to start a tour of excellent places to celebrate July Fourth than in the city where the country was born? The Philadelphia festivities run from 5-11 p.m. and include a parade through the historic city center and a concert on the Parkway. Got a few days in Philly? Tour national landmarks like Independence Hall to really get an appreciation for the holiday. The city's fireworks display is over the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is a reminder that this is the city that gave rise to another independent spirit -- Rocky.

Read about what to eat in Philadelphia.

Boston

Boston may be more famous for the whole tea party aspect of the American Revolution, but this city celebrates July Fourth with a couple different kinds of bangs. The fireworks display, which takes place over the Charles River, is the obvious one -- the other bang is a musical one, with the Boston Pops providing live musical accompaniment to the pyrotechnic show. Not content to camp out on the riverbank all day for a good view? Hop on a dinner cruise of Boston Harbor -- you'll get a meal, an up-close peek at the historic tall ships in the harbor, and a prime viewing location for the fireworks show.

Washington, D.C.

Not to be outdone by Boston, the nation's capital puts on a pretty spectacular July Fourth celebration too. Washington, D.C.'s "A Capitol Fourth" starts with a parade on the National Mall, continues with a performance by The National Symphony Orchestra (and plenty of famous invited guests), and finishes with a flourish as the orchestra plays along while the fireworks display lights up the sky over the city's monuments. Forget about arguing politicians for a moment and you'll feel pretty patriotic.

Read more about things to do in Washington DC.

New York City

When you hear "Macy's" and "New York," you might automatically think of the Thanksgiving parade -- but did you know Macy's is also behind the city's July Fourth celebrations? The fireworks show takes place over the Hudson River, and there are plenty of places on the West Side of the river from which to get a good view, and you can certainly have a memorable evening with a great view offireworks from a New York dinner cruise -- but it's hard to beat overlooking the whole city while the fireworks are going off. This special July Fourth VIP ticket takes you to the rooftops of NYC for an unforgettable view of the fireworks display. Be prepared with someone to kiss.

Learn more about Fourth of July events in New York. 

Bristol, R.I.

Take part in a little bit of American history by joining the throngs in Bristol, Rhode Island, the scene of the oldest continuous July Fourth celebration in the country. The first parade was held in 1785, and they haven't missed a year since -- in fact, they've increased the size of the celebrations. Technically, the kick-off is roughly three weeks earlier on Flag Day on June 14, with a series of public events (such as baseball games, concerts and fun runs) held right up until July Fourth. The fireworks are on July 3, but the historic July Fourth parade is really the centerpiece of this celebration.

Las Vegas

If there's any city that will take advantage of any excuse to party, it's Las Vegas -- and July Fourth is no exception. There are special July Fourth parties throughout the city, sure, but feel free to take your pick of any of the world-class shows or events that Vegas is known for already. There are a few fireworks displays to choose from, and although none is terribly long, let's be honest -- that's not why you came to Vegas for July Fourth. No, you came for things like the pool parties, which are an excellent way to celebrate the Fourth without overheating. Pick up a pool party pass for July Fourth and get into nine pool parties, 13 lounges and 16 nightclubs throughout the city. Fireworks? What fireworks?

Read about the Best Pool Parties in Las Vegas.

San Francisco

The states on the West Coast may not have been part of the country back in 1776, but that doesn't mean they don't know how to party on July Fourth. San Francisco's Independence Day celebrations take place at Fisherman's Wharf. There's a free concert starting at 4 p.m., with the fireworks being launched not far from Pier 39. Locals may tell you there are more interesting areas of the city in which to spend your stay than Fisherman's Wharf, but on July Fourth there's no better place to be.

Book a San Francisco Fourth of July fireworks cruise.

Gatlinburg, Tenn.

Want to get a head start on celebrating July Fourth? Then you'll want to be in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, home of the country's first Independence Day parade each year. The parade kicks off at midnight, as it has since 1976, and this small town attracts people from far beyond its zip code. You might need a brief nap after the parade to be sure you're bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for the River Raft Regatta at noon (you can enter "anything floatable") and the fireworks display over downtown Gatlinburg.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Spending July Fourth in Hawaii may make you feel like you're light years away from the country's independence celebrations, but most Americans don't get to brag about snorkeling or surfing by day and watching fireworks that night. To make friends and family even more jealous with your holiday travel tales, book a spot on a luxury Oahu dinner cruise for July Fourth -- you get a lavish seven-course dinner, live jazz music performances and a great view of the fireworks over Oahu.

Key West

Key West is a known as a great party destination all year round, and the small island gets even more festive for the Fourth of July holiday. The day starts with the 5k run, and in the afternoon there's an annual Harbor Walk bar crawl or the annual picnic on the beach to choose from. But of course, the real action starts once the sun goes down, and fireworks light up the night sky over the blue waters of the Caribbean.

St. Louis

You'd expect a city the size of St. Louis to have an all-day party on July Fourth that culminated in a fireworks show, but they take it a step further, extending the celebrations for several days after the Fourth. It's a party you may need some stamina to survive. The festivities kick off with a fun run, and other activities on the Fourth include an air show and music concerts. The fireworks display caps off the evening of the actual holiday, but pyromaniacs take note -- St. Louis repeats the evening fireworks show twice more during the three-day party.

Mount Rushmore

For a more subdued Independence Day, consider Mount Rushmore. With some of the nation's founding fathers serving as a backdrop, the Independence Day celebration at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial (which primarily takes place on July 3) includes ceremonies honoring U.S. military veterans and POWs, impressive military flyovers and cultural celebrations of American heritage. Due to the risk of wildfire, there aren't any fireworks at Mount Rushmore -- but that doesn't make the celebrations any less impactful.

- Jessica Speigel

Photo Credits: Photos courtesy of Jim Cairns via Flickr, U.S. Navy Imagery via Flickr, John Athayde via Flickr, H.C. Williams via Flickr, Andrew via Flickr, Brad Coy via Flickr, Kyle Nishioka via Flickr, Patrick Yodarus via Flickr, all other photos courtesy of Viator.

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