July 4 events in Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Baltimore and State College

Fireworks illuminate the sky over the U.S. Capitol building and the Washington Monument during Fourth of July celebrations, on Friday, July 4, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

If you’re heading out of town for the Independence Day holiday, here are some events you might want to check out in nearby cities.

Philadelphia

As the birthplace of American independence, Philadelphia will of course be going all out for July 4th.

The Wawa Welcome America Festival has featured several events throughout the past few weeks, starting with Juneteenth celebrations on June 19 and continuing through Independence Day.

On July 4, there will be a Celebration of Freedom ceremony from 10-11 a.m. at Independence Hall, at Sixth Street between Chestnut and Walnut streets. The event will include special guests, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and an award presentation with Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney. The event is free but the limited seating is available on a first come, first served basis.

At 11 a.m., the Salute to America Independence Day Parade begins, running down Market Street in Philly from Second Street to City Hall, ending at Broad Street. Emma Broyles, Mis America 2022, will serve as the grand marshal for the parade, which will include floats, marching bands, dancers, units from the United States military, ad historical characters. Click here to see the full parade route.

There will also be free admission at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on July 4, and free admission from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Christ Church and Burial Ground, where famed figures such as Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross and Benjamin Rush are buried.

Starting at noon, the Party on the Parkway begins, with events scheduled until 7 p.m. along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Live performances will be presented throughout the afternoon on two stages, along with games, food trucks and giveaways. Guests can enter at Logan Square. See the full schedule of events here. The party culminates with the Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert, which begins at 7 p.m. on the parkway and features performances by Jason Derulo, Ava Max and Tori Kelly.

And the festivities of course end with fireworks, and the Welcome America Fireworks Spectacular starts at 9:45 p.m. over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Guests can begin gathering from Eakins Oval to Logan Circle at 8 p.m.

For more info on the Wawa Welcome America Festival, click here.

Washington

Our nation’s capital won’t be left behind when it comes to holiday festivities, though.

Guests can start arriving at 9 a.m. to the National Archives, with live music performances leading up to a reading of the Declaration of Independence at 10 a.m. with reenactors of some of the Founding Fathers.

There will also be a presentation of colors with the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard and the Continental Color Guard, leading up to the National Independence Day Parade at 11:45 a.m. The parade starts at Seventh Street and Constitution Avenue and ends at 17th Street, with an estimated end time of around 2 p.m.

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival will take place from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the National Mall between 7th and 12th Streets, with a full day’s schedule of events ranging from falconry, cooking demonstrations, film screenings and live performances.

The Sylvan Theatre near the Washington Monument will also have activities for children from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., where they can earn a Junior Ranger badge by competing a booklet full of activities.

Gates for this year’s A Capitol Fourth concert will open at 3 p.m. on Third Street near the Capitol’s West Lawn, and the concert begins at 8 p.m. Artists including Gladys Knight, Renee Fleming, Vanessa Williams, Yolanda Adams and Kermit the Frog will join the National Symphony Orchestra and U.S. Army Band. Get more info here.

And the fireworks start at 9:09 p.m., launched from near the Lincoln Memorial’s Reflecting Pool. Get details on the fireworks and how to watch them here.

Baltimore

Baltimore is not to be left behind when it comes to July 4 events, either.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the American Visionary Art Museum for the Pet Parade & Animal Talent Show, which starts at 9 a.m. Animals are invited to come dressed in their most patriotic outfits.

At 1 p.m., the Cherry Hill Arts & Music Waterfront Festival begins, with live music, food trucks, exhibits, vendors and a fireworks presentation in the evening. The event’s theme is Tubman 200, in honor of the bicentennial of Harriet Tubman’s birth.

For fans of Major League Baseball, the first pitch of the game between the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers takes place at 1:05 p.m. at Camden Yards. The game is preceded by a performance of the Star Spangled Banner by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. For more info, visit the Camden Yards website.

A presentation of Frederick Douglass’ famed “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” essay will be delivered at the BGE Pavilion at Rash Field Park beginning at 7:30 p.m. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra will then perform a free Star Spangled Celebration at Rash Field Park at 8 p.m. More info on that show can be found here.

And fireworks begin at the BGE Pavilion mainstage around 9:30 p.m. For more info on Baltimore’s events, click here.

State College

State College celebrations aren’t to be left out, either.

The Central PA 4th Fest is back this year, and starts at 4 p.m. at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park. The event includes live music, a “Human Cannonball”, kids activities and food and beverage vendors.

The event will be streamlined compared to pre-pandemic events - this year’s fest does not include a State College Spikes game, the 4K run, or the parade. However, the fireworks finale will still take place starting at 9:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15 each, with four-packs starting at $40. Parking is included with tickets and free with a Penn State parking pass, or available after 7 p.m. for $10 per vehicle. No tailgating is permitted. For tickets, visit statecollegespikes.com, and check out the Central PA 4th Fest for more info.

Want more July 4 events?

Check out these Independence Day round-ups in our own area:

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

X

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

If you opt out, we won’t sell or share your personal information to inform the ads you see. You may still see interest-based ads if your information is sold or shared by other companies or was sold or shared previously.