June 29, 2016
Source/Wawa Welcome America! festival
Fireworks above the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Independence Day.
With Independence Day 2016 right around the corner, the eight-day Wawa Welcome America! festival is already underway — one of several holiday entertainment options in the Philadelphia area.
Related Article: A guide to Fourth of July weekend in Philly and at the shore
The festival's main event, the July 4th concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, features Leon Bridges and a tribute to Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's Philadelphia Sound, led by The O’Jays, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes, The Intruders, and backing by The Sounds of Philadelphia Orchestra. DJ Biz Markie will also be on hand throughout the night, which culminates with patriotic tunes from the Philly POPS orchestra.
Here's what you need to know about road closures and travel restrictions surrounding the week's events, which primarily impact Independence Mall, Penn's Landing and the Parkway.
Friday, July 1 & Saturday, July 2: Evening activities at Penn’s Landing — Philadelphia Orchestra Neighborhood Concert and Fireworks and U.S. Army Band Pershing’s Own Concert & Fireworks
A concert will be held on both nights at Penn's Landing (Delaware Avenue/Columbus Boulevard), each ending with a fireworks display. There are no road closures, but drivers should expect heavy pedestrian traffic and congestion in the area.
Saturday, July 2: Preparation for the July 4th concert and fireworks in Ben Franklin Parkway area
The inner lanes of the Parkway will be closed, between 20th and Eakins Oval, from July 2 at 2 p.m. through 5 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5.
Sunday, July 3: Historic Philadelphia Block Party & the Philly POPS concert on Independence Mall
5th Street, between Market and Chestnut streets, and 6th Street, between Arch and Chestnut streets, will be closed to vehicular traffic, from 7 a.m. until midnight.
Chestnut Street, between 5th and 6th streets, will be closed to vehicular traffic, from 7 a.m. on Sunday, July 3 through Monday, July 4 at 5 p.m.
Monday, July 4: Celebration of Freedom Ceremony, Parade & other day-long activities in the Independence Mall area
Chestnut Street, between 5th and 6th streets, will be closed to vehicular traffic, from 7 a.m. on Sunday, July 3 through Monday, July 4 at 5 p.m.
The following road closures will be in effect — all times approximate — to accommodate the parade.
From 5 a.m. to 11 a.m.:
• Chestnut Street
• 5th to Front streets
• 3rd Street from Chestnut to Walnut Street
• 4th Street from Market to Chestnut streets
• Front Street from Market to Walnut streets.
From 10:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.:
• Chestnut Street, from 6th to 9th streets
• 9th Street, from Chestnut to Market streets
• Market Street, from 9th to Front streets
• All cross streets (8th, 7th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd) will be closed during the parade one block back from the parade route to allow traffic to be diverted around the route.
Monday, July 4: Party on the Parkway & Philly 4th Concert & Fireworks in the Benjamin Franklin Parkway area
• A limited-access perimeter — event participants and residents only — will be established on July 4 from 18th to 25th streets and from Race Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, from 5 a.m. to midnight
• The entire width of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be closed to vehicular traffic, from 5 a.m. to midnight
• The Parkway, from 20th to 25th streets, will be closed for extensive cleanup overnight until about 5 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5
Due to the traffic closures and limited parking, city officials are urging all festival goers to either walk to events or take SEPTA. All SEPTA Regional Rail, bus, trolley, Market-Frankford and Broad Street Line Service will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday, July 4, with additional late-night service to accommodate spectators leaving from activities on the Parkway.
Market-Frankford Line: A total of eight extra trains will be deployed to provide service every five-to-seven minutes starting at 12:30 p.m. These extra trips will run until 12:30 a.m. to help customers get home after the event. Market-Frankford Line Night Owl buses will replace trains at 12:30 a.m. SEPTA’s 15th Street Station provides riders access to and from the Parkway festivities.
Broad Street Line: Eight extra trains will be dispatched to provide service every five-to-seven minutes starting at 12:30 p.m. These service levels will remain in effect until 12:30 a.m., when Night Owl bus service will replace trains. Several Broad Street Line stations are within walking distance of the event, including Spring Garden, Race-Vine and City Hall.
Regional Rail: SEPTA will extend its Regional Rail service for customers leaving Center City after the fireworks. A total of 19 trains will depart from Suburban Station between 10:45 p.m. and 12:35 a.m. Trains will make all local stops. An Independence Day Late Night Service Schedule is available here.
Trolleys: Additional trips will be added on Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36 after the fireworks as needed. Please note that the Route 10 is currently using buses in place of trolleys due to construction.
Buses: Bus riders should be on alert regarding detours that will be in place for road closures related to the festivities on the Parkway and around Center City. Details about bus detours are posted on the System Status section of SEPTA’s website here. System Status lists information for all scheduled bus detours, and will also include updates on any unexpected service adjustments.
Additional information about the Wawa Welcome America! festival can be found here.
