Philadelphia 250

2026 permanent changes

While Philly's marquee events are over, some improvements the city made for 2026 are here to stay

Philadelphia 250

For over 150 years, the Philadelphia Zoo has been a pioneer in its field

Philly Zoo

New documentary, '1776 Seconds,' examines Philly life during America's 250th birthday

City Hall 1776 Seconds

WXPN taps 12 local musicians for 'Philly Anthems' album

WXPN Philly anthems

Philadelphia 250

The first organized baseball team formed in Philadelphia nearly 200 years ago

First baseball team Philly

Salute to Independence Parade in Center City canceled due to extreme heat

salute to independence parade

Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross get bobbleheads for America's 250th birthday

Benjamin Franklin bobblehead

Franklin Fountain is selling Statue of Liberty sundaes for $17.76

Franklin Fountain special

Philadelphia 250

Six decades ago, the Pride movement began taking shape in Philadelphia

Annual Reminder Demonstration

President's House gets $25,000 grant for mobile display and documentary on preservation efforts

President's house preservation documentary

The Philly airport is preparing for an influx of travelers this summer. Here's how many it expects

PHL airport 2026

Over 30 Philly hotels to host 'cocktail trail' for America's 250th birthday

Cocktail trail Philly

City unveils 20 walking tours to explore art, culture and food of neighborhoods

Neighborhood Jawnts

Philadelphia 250

Historic Union Pacific steam train to visit Philly for Fourth of July

Union Pacific Locomotive

Philadelphia 250

First Mother’s Day celebration was held in Philly 118 years ago

Anna Jarvis Mother's Day

WXPN will count down top 250 songs with Philly ties over Fourth of July weekend

WXPN Philly 250

Weitzman Museum shines a light on tiny Caribbean island that helped fuel the American Revolution

Weitzman Museum 250 exhibit

Two museums are looking back on the entire history of American art through political teapots and a 'death cart'

No Stamp Act teapot

Philadelphia 250

Smith Memorial Playground is collecting letters from kids for a time capsule that won't be opened until 2076

Smith Playground time capsule

Philadelphia 250

Franklin Field, the country's oldest collegiate stadium, has been at the forefront of innovation for 130 years

Franklin Field 1926

Philadelphia 250

The city wants to turn your block party into a celebration of America's 250th birthday

Block Party Mayor Parker

Flashlight tours and crafts headline Family Fun Night at Constitution Center

Flashlight Tours Constitution Center

Another 250 cherry blossom trees are nearly all planted in Philly, just in time for the annual festival

Cherry blossom trees

Philadelphia 250

Pope Leo XIV to deliver speech on America's founding ideals as part of Philly's July 4th celebrations

Pope Leo XIV

76ers, Comcast pause demolition of Market East buildings, allowing for summer pop-up shops

Market Street Summer

Philadelphia 250

175 years ago, the world's first medical college for women graduated its inaugural class in Philly

Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania

Brew N’ History Tour will bring beer and Revolutionary stories to Christ Church Burial Ground

Burial History Tour

The Museum of the American Revolution will turn spring break into two weeks of interactive history

Visitor poses in The Declaration's Journey selfie station

Philadelphia 250

Old City's reenactors charm tourists with tidbits of American history. But first they undergo a weekslong training course

Benstitute actor training

LGBTQ+ visitor center to help tourists plan itineraries, purchase tickets and find destinations

LGBTQ visitor center

President Trump gives nod to Philly's history during State of Union address focused on economy, immigration

Trump state of the union

Carpenters’ Hall adds monthly food tastings to after-hours whisky tours

Whisky Tour #3.jpg

Will the 'Trump slump' in U.S. tourism continue in 2026 and keep World Cup fans away?

Tourism FIFA trump

Philly Phlotilla will bring 100 kayakers to the Schuylkill for America250 celebration

SRG Paddlers Philly Phlotilla

Philadelphia 250

In 1688, a group of immigrants in Germantown drafted the first petition against slavery in America

first slavery petition

Philadelphia 250

Victory Brewing is making a beer for America's 250th birthday

Victory 250

Black History Month

African American Museum plans special events for Black History Month

Lottery for Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run runs Feb. 1-13

2023_Broad_Street_Run_file_4.original - Edited

Eastern State marks America’s 250th with yearlong ‘A Time for Liberty’ series

Eastern State - A Time for Liberty

A fireworks history exhibition is coming to Old City for America’s 250th

Science History Institute - Fireworks

Philadelphia Zoo

The Philadelphia Zoo is offering a $500 behind-the-scenes tour of areas usually closed to the public

Philadelphia Zoo - Rhinos

Philadelphia 250

The first professional basketball league formed in Philly in 1898, but the game didn't look anything like it does today

NBL sculpture Philly

Philadelphia 250

Philly invests $11.5 million for graffiti removal, murals and landscaping ahead of 2026 events

tree-of-life mural

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