*For the complete list of Wawa Welcome America events and road closures, visit our Welcome America Road Closure Press Release.

On Monday, July 4, the Welcome America July 4th Concert and Fireworks returns to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the culmination of the two-week independence celebration.

Attendees can explore the 2022 Welcome America story map on the City’s website to review important public safety information. The map helps members of the public find Parkway amenities such as water stations, jumbotrons, and porta-potties. It also indicates stations for medical help and lost and found. The story map, available at phila.gov/america, also includes road closure maps for the Parkway area and Old City.

Stay connected to important information from the City, like weather and event-related details. Text “AMERICA” to 888-777 to receive free Welcome America alerts from the Office of Emergency Management.

 

The Events

Party on the Parkway

Noon – 7 p.m. | Benjamin Franklin Parkway

This day-long party features local food trucks, activations, giveaways and two performance stages – Pennsylvania Lottery Groove Stage and the Rumba 106.1 Dance Party. 

Kids can enjoy fun games and activities at the PECO Kids Zone. There will be a book giveaway courtesy of Books in Homes USA and before the concert begins, and be sure to check in with PA Turnpike for a chance to win access to the front section of the July 4th Concert via the E-ZPass Fast Pass.

July 4th Concert and July 4th Fireworks

Concert begins at 7 p.m. | Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Fireworks begin at 9:45 p.m. | Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Following the Party on the Parkway, Philadelphia’s legendary July 4th Concert returns to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and stars award-winning singer/songwriter Jason Derulo, multiple-platinum selling popstar Ava Max, and Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter Tori Kelly.

The concert will be broadcast live on NBC10.

The July 4th Concert will be followed by a large, public firework display over the iconic Benjamin Franklin Parkway courtesy of Wawa beginning at 9:45 p.m.

The firework display will be fully synced with a DJ set courtesy of DJ Ghost and Q102. The Wawa Welcome America Fireworks Spectacular courtesy of Wawa will be broadcast live on NBC10.

Please view the Wawa Welcome America Festival Brochure for more detail about the events.

 

How to enter the Parkway events

The Party on the Parkway/Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert & Fireworks is open to the public and free to attend.  Guests will be directed to enter the event venue at one of the secured entry points at the following locations:

  • Logan Circle (north and south sides)
  • 20th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway (north and south sides)

Guests are encouraged to arrive early to avoid any traffic delays or heavy pedestrian traffic. 

 

What to Expect

Venue Rules and Safety Information

The vicinity of the Party on the Parkway/Wawa Welcome America July Fourth Concert & Fireworks (a boundary from at least 19th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and adjacent areas), will be secured and protected for a safe and fun celebration. Throughout the Wawa Welcome America festivities, the City will provide enhanced law-enforcement and emergency medical services. The City and Welcome America are coordinating with local, state and federal public safety authorities to ensure everyone can safely enjoy the Fourth of July.

For the safety of event attendees and participants, unauthorized sUAS/drone usage is prohibited over crowds by the FAA. If you see a drone at an event, please report it to the nearest police officer with a location and description of the operator.

Plan Ahead

Be familiar with the Parkway location signs and reference them when reporting an incident to 9-1-1, police, or medics. These location markers help first responders quickly identify where help is needed.

“Location markers” will be posted to easily identify a location on the Parkway and Eakins Oval (by letter and number, for example, K-1) to facilitate communication during the activities, especially in the event of an emergency. 

Know where to find law enforcement and medical help along the Parkway. Private security posts and information booths can also call for help. 

Have important phone numbers memorized. 

If you see something – say something!

 

Weather and heat precautions

With potential high temperatures, there is a risk of heat-related health issues. Many heat stress or heat exhaustion issues can be avoided by taking simple precautions.

Attendees should follow all proper precautions to protect themselves and their families against the heat. All festival-goers should stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, and avoiding alcoholic beverages, caffeine, and excessive layers of clothing.

Consider the Three L’s Rule: light-colored, lightweight and loose-fitting. Wear garments made of natural fibers like cotton.

For more tips on how to beat the heat, visit welcomeamerica.com and the City’s heat guide. 

 

COVID-19 Safety Considerations

Attendees are encouraged to stay home if they feel sick. Participants can find more Covid-19 event safety tips online.

 

What Can I Bring?

The following items are permitted at Welcome America events:

  • Picnics
  • Small personal coolers
  • Pets on leashes
  • Chairs and blankets (not permitted in ticketed front section)

Please note: all persons and/or their belongings are subject to search as a condition of entry into Party on the Parkway and the July 4th Concert & Fireworks. 

When in doubt, leave it home! 

Keep possessions and bags with you always and do not leave them unattended.

Items NOT allowed inside the festival footprint

For the safety of event attendees and staff, the following items are prohibited:

  • Weapons and contraband of any kind regardless of permitting, e.g. Right-to-Carry permits will not be honored, and entry will be denied.
  • Fireworks, firecrackers, or explosives (including sparklers)
  • Open flame of any kind
  • Illegal or illicit substances of any kind
  • Flyers, handbills, posters, stickers (no solicitation allowed)
  • Unauthorized commerce
  • Items that would obstruct others’ view (large signs, banners, etc.)
  • Drones and any other unmanned and remote-controlled devices
  • Skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles, segways, hoverboards, and similar items (cannot be brought into the event space)
  • Glass Containers
  • Laser pointers
  • Selfie Sticks
  • Any other item or action deemed dangerous or inappropriate by production or security management

 

Lost children

Parents or guardians should report a missing child to the nearest law enforcement officer, medic, private security representative, or information booth as soon as possible.

Public safety officials will coordinate the search for missing children with the full support of the Philadelphia Police Department.

Be sure to take a photo of your child before arriving at the Welcome America events. If separated, this will be very helpful for those searching for your child. It’s also recommended to have children memorize their parent’s cell phone numbers.

 

Lost and found

If you’ve lost a personal belonging, look for the nearest information booth where you last had the item. Wawa Welcome America staff can check if the item has been returned there or at other information booths.

Any items found after the start of the concert will be taken to the Welcome America security trailer at the southeast corner of N. 22nd Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

After July 4, lost items can be reclaimed by contacting the Welcome America office at information@welcomeamerica.com.

 

Getting to the Parkway events

Philadelphia’s mass transit system, SEPTA, offers two subway lines, regional rail service to and from the surrounding suburbs, and bus service throughout the city.

Regional rail service, the Market Frankford Line, and the Broad Street Line will operate on a Sunday schedule with additional cars added to increase rider capacity at the break of the event. Check the Regional Rail extended train service schedule and the SEPTA website for more details.

At approximately 4:15 p.m. on Monday, July 4, SEPTA will stage buses for those leaving the Parkway at the following locations (to depart upon event conclusion):

  •  21st Street – West side of the street facing south between Winter and Race Streets

Additional SEPTA changes for July 4:

  • Extra trains will run on the Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines prior to the events to help get people to the Parkway.
  • Bus Detours: Due to road closures, buses that travel on or near the Parkway will be detoured starting at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 3 through 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5. Routes detoured: 2, 7, 32, 33, 38, 43, 48 and 49.

Check SEPTA’s website, septa.org, for full details on transit options. For information on NJ Transit routes and schedules on July 4, visit njtransit.com.

SEPTA CCT

Due to the numerous road closures, SEPTA CCT will have two designated rendezvous points at 2299 Arch St and 560 N 20th St. From 3:00 PM July 3rd to 4:00 AM July 5th, these locations are to be used to coordinate CCT pick up and drop off for neighborhoods impacted by the Parkway road closures.

  • South at 2299 Arch St. and the other North
  • North at 560 N. 20th St. (20th Brandywine SW Corner)

CCT Reservations has pre-established landmarks with the common name “Welcome America” to book these trips for any Customers needing service to/from events on the Parkway.

ADA Pick-Up and Drop-Off

ADA vehicles are encouraged to pick-up/drop-off along 22nd Street for the July Fourth Concert and along 18th Street for the Party on the Parkway, However, there is no parking available at these locations.

Philly PHLASH

The Philly PHLASH Downtown Bus Loop will operate a special holiday service on Monday, July 4. For updated holiday route detour and schedule information, visit ridephillyphlash.com.

Taxi & Rideshare

Designated rideshare and taxi drop-off points for the July Fourth Concert and Party on the Parkway will be 17th and Callowhill Streets or 19th and Callowhill Streets.