July 4th Celebrations with "Wawa Welcome America!"

Wawa Welcomes America again this year with a full lineup of great events celebrating the birth of the nation in the City of Brotherly Love, culminating in a spectacular fireworks show on July 4th. With plenty to do between June 25th and July 4th, the entire family can be entertained and educated while getting ready for America's biggest holiday.

For all Wawa Welcome America events from June 23- July 3, click here

• Celebration of Freedom Ceremony (July 4, 2012)
  

Where: Steps of Independence Hall, 6th and Market Streets

When: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Come pay tribute to our great nation with a celebration of music, inspiring remarks and a reading of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, among other special elements.

• Philadelphia Independence Day Parade (July 4, 2012)
  

Where: Throughout Historic Philadelphia

When: 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

An annual Philadelphia classic takes freedom to the streets with more than hundreds of participants from states across the nation, including marching bands, floats, military organizations and several special performing teams. This visual feast is the most diverse Fourth of July Parades in the country, and people of all ages will surely enjoy the patriotic pageantry as it winds through the nation’s most historic square mile.

Come witness Patriotic Pageantry as over 5,000 participants from across the nation celebrate America’s Birthday in America’s Birthplace. This year’s parade features a “Heroes Salute” honoring the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 – The United States Military, veterans, firefighters and police officers. You won’t want to miss the 2012 Independence Day Parade!

• Party on the Parkway (July 4, 2012)
  

Where: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 20th Street to Eakins Oval

When: 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.

The highly anticipated day-long Party on the Parkway kicks off at noon on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 20th Street to Eakins Oval, featuring blocks and blocks of exciting and educational activities, games, entertainment and food for the whole family until 7 p.m.

The festival offers three music stages, a wealth of music programming throughout the day, sporting events, an art pavilion incorporating an array of eclectic talent that performs and interacts with the crowd and many more activities. A Go 4th & Learn area for children presented by Radio Disney also will be offered, bringing education to life through interactive games, make-and-take arts and crafts, a Radio Disney Music Stage and face-painting. Food vendors will fill the Parkway cooking up delicious food to delight the whole family.

• Philly 4th of July Jam and Grand Finale Fireworks (July 4, 2012)
  

Where: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 20th and Eakins Oval

When: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.

The Roots will serve as the house band for the Wawa Welcome America! Philly 4th of July Jam – “The Largest Free Concert in America.” The festival’s Musical Director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson will perform alongside an incredibly talented array of the brightest and boldest talent on the national music scene including Queen Latifah, Daryl Hall, Common, Joe Jonas and more special guests, on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Following this spectacular performance will be an amazing fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Need help getting around Philly for the events? Check out travel information here.

Need a place to stay for the festivities? Check out hotel information here.