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June 27, 2016

A guide to Fourth of July weekend in Philly and at the shore

Get ready for a weekend of Wawa Welcome America! events and fireworks

Events Fourth of July
fireworks J. Fusco/Visit Philadelphia™

Fireworks mark the end of Philadelphia's Fourth of July celebration.

There's nothing like Fourth of July in Philly, the birthplace of America. The city doesn't hold back when celebrating the holiday, pulling out all the stops on Independence Day. 

Over the 2016 Fourth of July weekend (and leading up to the date) Wawa Welcome America! will throw fireworks shows, free concerts, free movie screenings, a parade and a block party.

While the finale fireworks at the Wawa Welcome America! concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway are the biggest and brightest, those who will be at the shore over the holiday can still catch a fireworks show. The roundup below includes shore towns that are throwing celebrations.

Philly @ The Movies

"Finding Nemo" at Franklin Square is scheduled for June 27 at 8:30 p.m.

"The Good Dinosaur" at Xfinity Live! is scheduled for June 28 at 5 p.m.

"The Legend of Tarzan" advance screening at the Kimmel Center is scheduled for June 28 at 7:30 p.m.

"Rocky" on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art is scheduled for June 29 at 7 p.m. 

"National Treasure" at Penn’s Landing is scheduled for June 30 at 9 p.m.


Fireworks Show Times

Atlantic City, NJ – View fireworks on July 4 along the beach, boardwalk and marina at 9:30 p.m.

Avalon, NJ – On July 3, fireworks will be at  dusk on the 30th Street beach. On July 4th, Avalon will host its popular Boat Parade at 11 a.m.

Battleship New Jersey – View fireworks on July 1, 2 and 4 at 9:30 p.m. from the battleship for $10 admission. There is also a Battleship Blast Party from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 2.

Benjamin Franklin Parkway - On July 4, the Wawa Welcome America! July 4th Fireworks will be at 10 p.m.

Camden, NJ – 4th of July fireworks at the Camden Waterfront will take place at 9:30 on July 4. There is also a Freedom Festival.

Cape May, NJCape May will have fireworks on Congress Beach at 9 p.m. on July 4.

Citizens Bank Park - After the Phillies game on both July 1 and July 2, there will be fireworks over the stadium.

Margate, NJ - Fireworks start at 9 p.m. on July 4 at Huntington Avenue Beach. Rain date is July 5.

Ocean City, NJ – On July 4 there will be a kite flying competition at 6 p.m. followed by entertainment. A boardwalk fireworks display tops off the evening at 10 p.m.

Penn's Landing - On both July 1 and July 2, there will be Wawa Welcome America! Waterfront Fireworks at 9:30 p.m.

Sea Isle City, NJ  – Fireworks can be seen on July 4 at 50th Street beach at 9pm. Rain date is July 5.

Stone Harbor, NJ – View fireworks on July 4 at 80th Street beach at dusk.

Wildwood, NJFIREWORKS POSTPONED; DETAILS HERETim McGraw headlines Wildwood's Celebrate America Weekend at 8 p.m. on July 4.


Philadelphia Orchestra Neighborhood Concert at Penn’s Landing

As part of the Neighborhood Concert Series, the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra will perform a free concert at 8 p.m on July 1. Stick around to view Wawa Welcome America! Waterfront Fireworks after.


Pershing's Own Concert at Penn's Landing

The United States Army Band, one of the nation’s premier musical organizations, returns to the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing on July 2 at 8 p.m., followed by the Wawa Welcome America! Waterfront Fireworks.


POPS at Independence Hall

On July 3 at 8 p.m., enjoy a patriotic and entertaining performance by music director Michael Krajewski and the 65-piece Philly POPS orchestra. Broadway and opera talents Allison Blackwell and Justin Hopkins will accompany.


Independence Day Parade

On July 4, the Independence Day Parade will take off at 11 a.m. from 5th and Chestnut streets. View floats and other entertainment as the parade winds through the historic area of Old City.


Celebration of Freedom Ceremony

On July 4 beginning at 10 a.m., there will be music, speeches and a celebrity reading of the Declaration of Independence outside of Independence Hall.

The celebrity guest will be Philadelphia’s own, Leslie Odom Jr., best known for portraying Aaron Burr in the Broadway Musical "Hamilton."


Historic Philadelphia Block Party

On July 3, beginning at 1 p.m., a free block party will take place in the Historic District. There will be 20 food trucks, two stages and a kids' activity area. The block party will take place around 5th and Chestnut streets.

Look out for appearances by 18th-century citizens too.


Party on the Parkway

Festivities start at noon on July 4 at the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, leading up to July 4th Concert. Different stages will feature various local artists, including a Kidz Bop performance.


Wawa Welcome America! July 4th Concert

On July 4, beginning at 5 p.m., the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will host the annual free concert. The lineup can be viewed here.

Updated Wednesday, June 29 at 10:24 a.m.

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