A previous issue of this release erroneously stated that the Philadelphia Parking Authority would not be enforcing meters, kiosks, or residential parking time limits on Tuesday, July 5.

PHILADELPHIA — City officials released information about road closures, safety, and public transportation associated with the Wawa Welcome America Festival. The 2022 Wawa Welcome America Festival begins on Sunday, June 19 and goes through Monday, July 4, encompassing 16 days of free multicultural and multigenerational, diverse and inclusive events.

Returning this year, The Party on the Parkway is the culmination of the two-week-long celebration. The day-long party features local food trucks, activations, giveaways and two performance stages – Pennsylvania Lottery Groove Stage and the Rumba 106.1 Dance Party. 

Attendees can explore the 2022 Welcome America story map on the City’s website to review important public safety information. The map helps members of the public find Parkway amenities such as water stations, jumbotrons, and porta-potties. It also indicates stations for medical help and lost and found. The story map, available at phila.gov/america, also includes road closure maps for the Parkway and Old City.

July Fourth Concert and Fireworks

Following the Party on the Parkway, this year’s legendary July Fourth Concert also returns to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and stars award-winning singer/songwriter Jason Derulo, multiple-platinum selling popstar Ava Max, and Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter Tori Kelly.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast live on NBC10.

The July Fourth Concert will be followed by a large, public firework display over the iconic Benjamin Franklin Parkway courtesy of Wawa beginning at 9:45 p.m. The firework display will be fully synced with a DJ set courtesy of DJ Ghost and Q102. The Wawa Welcome America Fireworks Spectacular courtesy of Wawa will be broadcast live on NBC10.

Stay connected to important information from the City, like weather and event-related details. Text “AMERICA” to 888-777 to receive free Welcome America alerts from the Office of Emergency Management.

With potential high temperatures, there is a risk of heat-related health issues. Many heat stress or heat exhaustion issues can be avoided by taking simple precautions.

Attendees should follow all proper precautions to protect themselves and their families against the heat. All festival-goers should stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, and avoiding alcoholic beverages, caffeine, and excessive layers of clothing.

Consider the Three L’s Rule: light-colored, lightweight and loose-fitting. Wear garments made of natural fibers like cotton.

For more tips on how to beat the heat, visit welcomeamerica.com and the City’s heat guide . 

Attendees are encouraged to stay home if they feel sick. Participants can find more Covid-19 event safety tips online .

For the safety of event attendees and participants, unauthorized sUAS/drone usage is prohibited over crowds by the FAA. If you see a drone at an event, please report it to the nearest police officer with a location and description of the operator. 

In the event of weather or incident-related postponements or cancellations, the road closures are subject to change and this list will be updated accordingly. Below are the street closures for the 2022 Wawa Welcome America events:  

Juneteenth Block Party: Celebrating the Legacy of Emancipation

In partnership with Wawa, Welcome America, Inc., and VISIT PHILADELPHIA®, the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP) will host a daylong, family-friendly outdoor festival that features a rich lineup of the region’s best and brightest creative luminaries. Courtesy of Wawa, AAMP will also offer FREE admission to the Museum with online registration.

Rebuild Philadelphia Fishtown Pool Ribbon Cutting & Block Party

In partnership with Rebuild Philadelphia and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Welcome America invites neighbors near and far to celebrate the grand opening of the newly renovated Fishtown Pool and Sprayground. 

Produced in partnership with nicethingsMUSIC and East Market, celebrate women in music and the arts with high energy performances from a selection of Philly’s most talented women.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their chair or blanket to 26th and the Parkway and enjoy a Philly-centric night under the stars at the famous steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

*Depending on crowd size, additional lane closures may go into effect per Philadelphia Police Department recommendations. 

The U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus on Independence Mall

The U.S. Army Field Band & Soldiers’ Chorus presents “America the Beautiful,” a celebration of all there is to love about our nation. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket and can enjoy entertainment, food, and fun outside of The Bourse Food Hall before the start of the show.

PNC Presents: Avenue of the Arts Block Party @ the Kimmel Cultural Campus

The Avenue of the Arts Block Party features live entertainment from world-renowned artists, kid-friendly activities including Mural Arts Philadelphia chalk art and a 120-foot slide and 300-foot- zip-line, and food and drink from local food trucks and restaurants.

Gospel on Independence presented by VISIT PHILADELPHIA® in partnership with the Kimmel Cultural Campus

This year’s performance, starring Yolanda Adams, is an Ode to Freedom,

celebrating the 200th Anniversary of Harriet Tubman. Limited seating is available on a first-come first-serve basis. Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and/or blankets.

Join Wawa for historic Hoagie Day Tributes to our Local Heroes, featuring 7-tons of FREE Wawa Hoagies served at Noon along the Independence Mall, and a performance by the Six String Soldiers of The United States Army Field Band.

Bus Detours: Due to road closures, buses that travel on or near the event will be detoured starting at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, June 29 through 6 p.m on Wednesday, June 29. Routes detoured: 9, 21, 42 and 38

Summer Solstice White Party @ AAMP

AAMP’s Summer Solstice will welcome international recording artist and Philadelphia icon, Barbara Sheree, as host for a night of live music, performance, and improv.

In preparation for the July 4th Concert and Party on the Parkway, the following road closure will be in effect beginning 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 30 until approximately 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5:

Our America Now: Expressions of Freedom & Waterfront Fireworks

Set along Philadelphia’s iconic waterfront, this immersive experience brings to life pivotal moments of Indigenous, Black, LatinX, Asian, Immigrant, LGBTQ community rights, and women’s history and tells the stories of influential individuals through diverse voices. This event features DJs, food trucks, live artistic performances, and interactive activities, with a grand fireworks finale.

The Philly POPS return to Independence National Historical Park in their 43-year tradition with POPS on Independence. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair

Bus Detours: Due to road closures, buses that travel on or near the event will be detoured starting at 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 3 through 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 3. Routes detoured: 9, 21, 38 and 42

In preparation for the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony the following road closure will be in effect:

In preparation for the July 4th Concert and Party on the Parkway, the following road closure will be in effect beginning 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 3 until approximately 4 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5:

Salute to America Independence Day Parade

The parade returns with a new route and dynamic elements featuring lavish floats, United States Military units, marching bands, cultural groups, dance performances, historical characters, and much more.

The following streets will be closed for the formation area of the parade:

The following streets will be closed from 10:30 a.m. until conclusion of parade: 

Bus Detours: Due to road closures, buses that travel on or near the parade route will be detoured starting at 5 a.m. on Monday, July 4 through 2 p.m. on Monday, July 4. Routes detoured: 4, 5, 16, 17, 21, 42, 23, 45, 27, 31, 32, 33, 38, 44, 47, 47M, 48, 57, 61, 124 and 125

Celebration of Freedom Ceremony presented by Freedom Mortgage supported by VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

Kick-off Philadelphia’s premier celebration of July 4th where it all began – Independence Hall – with a patriotic ceremony celebrating those who make Philadelphia, the region, and our country a better place. This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required. Limited seating is available on a first-come first-served basis. The ceremony will be televised at 6 p.m. on NBC10.

Party on the Parkway and July Fourth Concert & Fireworks

The following inf ormation is related to the Party on the Parkway and July Fourth Concert & Fireworks.

All closures listed below are in effect from approximately 5 a.m. on Monday, July 4 to 4 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5 unless otherwise noted:

All closures listed below are in effect from approximately 5 a.m. on Monday, July 4 to 2 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5 unless otherwise noted:

The following roads will be closed on Monday, July 4 beginning at approximately 1 p.m. until approximately 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5:

Due to public safety interests relating to the fireworks show, all roads listed below will be closed from 8 p.m. on Monday, July 4 to approximately 1 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5, unless noted otherwise:

Note:  Parkway closures may begin earlier in the evening, depending on crowd size. 

The Philadelphia Parking Authority will not be enforcing meters, kiosks, or residential parking time limits on Monday, July 4. Safety regulations, however, will remain in effect. 

Philadelphia’s mass transit system, SEPTA, offers two subway lines, regional rail service to and from the surrounding suburbs, and bus service throughout the city.

Regional rail service, the Market Frankford Line, and the Broad Street Line will operate on a Sunday schedule with additional cars added to increase rider capacity at the break of the event. Check the Regional Rail extended train service schedule and the SEPTA website for more details.

At approximately 4:15 p.m. on Monday, July 4, SEPTA will stage buses for those leaving the Parkway at the following locations (to depart upon event conclusion):

Additional SEPTA changes for July 4:

Check SEPTA’s website, septa.org , for full details on transit options. For information on NJ Transit routes and schedules on July 4, visit njtransit.com .

ADA vehicles are encouraged to pick-up/drop-off along 22nd Street for the July Fourth Concert and along 18th Street for the Party on the Parkway, However, there is no parking available at these locations.

The Philly PHLASH Downtown Bus Loop will operate a special holiday service on Monday, July 4. For updated holiday route detour and schedule information, visit ridephillyphlash.com .

Designated rideshare and taxi drop-off points for the July Fourth Concert and Party on the Parkway will be 17th and Callowhill Streets or 19th and Callowhill Streets.

Venue Rules and Safety Information

The vicinity of the Party on the Parkway/Wawa Welcome America July Fourth Concert & Fireworks (a boundary from at least 19th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and adjacent areas), will be secured and protected for a safe and fun celebration. Throughout the Wawa Welcome America festivities, the City will provide enhanced law-enforcement and emergency medical services. The City and Welcome America are coordinating with local, state and federal public safety authorities to ensure everyone can safely enjoy the Fourth of July.

Those attending the Fourth of July activities can do their part by making a plan regarding driving, public transit, parking, supervision of children and wearing comfortable, seasonal attire.

The Party on the Parkway/Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert & Fireworks is open to the public and free to attend. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to avoid any traffic delays or heavy pedestrian traffic. Upon arrival, guests will be directed to enter the event venue at one of the secured entry points at the following locations: 

A designated ADA viewing area will be located to the left of the main stage.

To ensure the safety of all event-goers, persons and/or belongings will be subject to search at the entry-points listed above. The following are lists of permitted and prohibited items at the Party on the Parkway/Wawa Welcome America July 4 th Concert & Fireworks:  

For the safety of event attendees and staff, the following items are prohibited:

The following items are permitted at festival events:

Please note: all persons and/or their belongings are subject to search as a condition of entry into Party on the Parkway and the July 4th Concert & Fireworks. 

When in doubt, leave it home! 

Keep possessions and bags with you always and do not leave them unattended.

In emergencies or to report a suspicious person, activity or item (a backpack, package, or container), notify a police officer immediately or call 9-1-1. Do not try to open, move, cover or touch a suspicious item.

Parents or guardians should report a missing child to the nearest law enforcement officer, medic, private security representative or information booth as soon as possible.

Public safety officials will coordinate the search for missing children with the full support of the Philadelphia Police Department. 

Be sure to take a photo of your child before arriving at the Welcome America events. If separated, this will be very helpful for those searching for your child. It’s also recommended to have children memorize their parent’s cell phone numbers.

If you’ve lost a personal belonging, look for the nearest information booth where you last had the item. Wawa Welcome America staff can check if the item has been returned there or at other information booths.

Any items found after the start of the concert will be taken to the Welcome America security trailer at the southeast corner of N. 22nd Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

After July 4, lost items can be reclaimed by contacting the Welcome America office at information@welcomeamerica.com

“Location markers” will be posted to easily identify a location on the Parkway and Eakins Oval (by letter and number, for example: K-1) to facilitate communicating during the activities, especially in the event of an emergency.

Media are invited to cover all festival events; however, Media Credentials are required for select events, Media can apply for applications here . 

Media Credentials are required for the following events:

Application Deadline: All applications must be received by Monday, June 20, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

For information about free events celebrating Independence Day in Independence National Historical Park and Historic Philadelphia, visit the Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market Streets (open 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.), or online at PHLvisitorcenter.com .

The July 4th schedules for cultural institutions along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway vary; some museums will maintain normal hours for the holiday, while others are closed.  For more information, visit parkwaymuseumsdistrictphiladelphia.org or the museums’ individual websites.