Wawa Welcome America Festival: What You Need To Know

PHILADELPHIA – Wawa's Welcome America festival is taking over Philadelphia and is packed with events now through July 4.

Several fireworks displays are planned for the festival, as well as a free concert on the Ban Franklin Parkway, and of course an Independence Day Parade

Here are the details for fireworks displays this weekend:

Friday, June 30

• Fireworks on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing and a free Philadelphia Orchestra Concert, 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

• Wawa Welcome America Fireworks at the Delaware River Waterfront, 9:30 to 10 p.m.

Saturday, July 1

• Fireworks on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing and US Army Band “Pershing’s Own” Concert, 8 to 9:30 p.m.
• Wawa Welcome America Fireworks at Delaware River Waterfront, 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Tuesday, July 4

• Freedom Festival Fireworks at Delaware River Waterfront, 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Wawa Welcome America July 4th Fireworks, 2451 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Before the Wawa Welcome America July 4th Fireworks will be the Welcome America July 4th Concert, also on the parkway.

The free concert begins at 7 p.m. and will feature performances from The Philly POPS honoring Boyz II Men, Mandy Gonzalez, Tony DeSare, and Mary J. Blige.

The Independence Day Parade will be held Tuesday, July 4 from 11 a.m. to noon.

The parade will step off at Independence Mall, at Chestnut Street between 4th and 5th streets. The parade will head west on Chestnut, turn north up 9th Street, head east on Market, and make a final turn south on Front Street.

More than 50 total events are planned for the festival, including block parties, concerts, outdoor movies, free museum days, food and drink events (including happy hours), and even a naturalization ceremony for kids.

You can see a full breakdown of Wawa Welcome America's events online here.

With many events taking place this weekend, numerous streets across the city will close.

Thankfully, the city has a comprehensive list of closures available online here so you can avoid a traffic headache.

"When you think of July Fourth, you think of Philadelphia first,” Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said. “With our history and iconic beauty, Wawa Welcome America! showcases our nation’s birthplace – from the patriotic pageantry on the most historic square mile in America at Independence Mall to the fantastic fireworks over the Rocky steps of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway."

Visit the Welcome America festival website for more information on the festival, including getting around the city, accommodations, frequently asked question and more.

Image via Shutterstock