Red, White, & Blue To-Do on July 2

It’s the first-ever Red, White, & Blue To-Do!

This July 2nd celebration– featuring the Red, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade, festooned decor, concerts, games, extended visitation hours at area historic attractions, restaurant specials, and much more– commemorates a day of “pomp and parade,” as declared by John Adams in 1776, encouraging visitors to celebrate independence in the place where it all began.

Red, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade

Everyone is encouraged to pre-register to march in the Red, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade (registration is required to march, but everyone is invited to watch along the parade route.) Stations will be available at each of the Philadelphia Historic District attractions and partner organizations for visitors to festoon themselves for the parade.

July 2, 2024: Red, White, & Blue To-Do Schedule of Events

This is a long series of lists. Buckle up.

• 9 – 11am: Flag raisings, museums and historic sites openings, special recognitions, and Children’s Naturalization Ceremony at the Betsy Ross House
• 11am: Red, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade kicks off at the National Constitution Center, traveling along Independence Mall
• 11am – 3pm: Welcome America’s Go 4th & Learn: Carpenters’ Hall 250th Anniversary
• 2 – 5pm: Musical performances at four locations throughout the Historic District (Arch Street Meeting House, African American Museum in Philadelphia, National Liberty Museum, and Elfreth’s Alley – full schedule below)
• 4 – 7pm: Extended hours and special events at various historic sites and food and drink specials throughout Old City

July 2 Philadelphia Historic District Attractions

• Children’s Naturalization Ceremony, Betsy Ross House 9am: Thirteen children from around the world take the Oath of Citizenship during this moving ceremony in the courtyard. Free.
• 300 Years of the Carpenters’ Company, Athenaeum of Philadelphia 9am – 7pm: Stop in to explore three centuries of the Carpenters’ Company and informal building tours. Free.
• Scavenger Hunt, Arch Street Meeting House 10am – 7pm: Explore the burial ground and building as you follow clues and explore the hidden history of the Meeting House. The activity is fun for all ages, especially kids. Free.
• Welcome America Lego Event, Carpenters’ Hall 10am – 4pm: Make Lego buildings with help from members of the Carpenters’ Company, leading architects, engineers, and contractors, plus family-friendly activities in the courtyard. The event is presented in partnership with the Franklin Institute, whose first exhibit in 1824 was held in Carpenters’ Hall. Free.
• Satire as Political Speech, Historical Society of Pennsylvania 10am – 5pm: Drop-in activities will explore the ways Americans have used cartoons to poke fun at political opponents and to draw attention to serious issues. Draw our own cartoons to make sure your voice is heard. A special appearance by Pulitzer-winning cartoonist Signe Wilkinson at 2 pm. Free.
• Red, White, & Blue To-Do Happenings at the Museum of the American Revolution 10am – 7pm: Meet historical figures, create your own flag and more! Plus, enjoy outdoor activities on the plaza all day long. Outside activities are free; others are free with admission.
• Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness, National Liberty Museum 10am – 7pm: Outside the museum, find games and activities and inside, a Creation Station with button making, a photo booth, and a collaborative art experience all designed to focus on art as civil dialogue. Free with admission.
• Science of the Revolution, Science History Institute 11am – 3pm: The Science History Institute will host an exhibit exploring the science of the Revolution. Free.
• Red, White, & Blue To-Do Special Offerings at Independence Seaport Museum 11am – 3pm: Join the museum for special Seaport Storytimes at 11 am and 1 pm, and a special Triple 6-pounder salute from Olympia to celebrate the occasion at 1 and 3 pm. Free with admission.
• Colonial Kids’ Quest from Historic Philadelphia, Inc., 18th Century Garden 11:30am: The Declaration of Independence has gone missing. Help track it down during this fun, interactive puppet show. Free.
• Old-Fashioned Carnival Games, Betsy Ross House 12 – 4pm: Try your hand at some old-time carnival games in the courtyard and leave with patriotic prizes. Free.
• Red, White, & Blue To-Do Craft Fair, Independence Visitor Center 11 am – 4 pm: Curated by and for local artists, the Red, White, & Blue To-Do Craft Fair features Philly-themed souvenirs, locally made crafts, and fun gifts. Stop by for a showcase of the best of the City’s contemporary makers and artisans. Curated by Art Star. Pay-as-you-go.
• Red, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade, National Constitution Center 11 am: A highlight of the Red, White, & Blue To-Do, the parade kicks-off at the Constitution Center with a variety of youth performance troupes, miniature, hand-decorated floats, and community members decked out in patriotic flair. Free.
• Fun With the Declaration, Signers’ Garden 11am – 3pm: The American Philosophical Society sponsors fun activities related to the Declaration of Independence. Don’t forget to stop by the museum from 10 am – 5 pm. Free.
• Red, White, & Blue To-Do Special Offerings at Franklin Square 1 – 3pm: Meet and greet with Wonder Woman, patriotic red, white, & blue temporary tattoos, and free fun for children. Hear true stories of history at the eight Once Upon A Nation Storytelling Benches around Historic Philadelphia and receive a star for each one on the Once Upon A Nation 13-star flag. Redeem the completed flag at Franklin Square for a free carousel ride and special surprises.
• Red, White & Blue To-Do at AAMP, African American Museum in Philadelphia 2 – 8pm: The party kicks off with Mad Beatz Philly’s Block party on the plaza and continues in the gallery with light bites and music by DJ Lady FX at 5 pm. A historical interpreter portraying Frederic Douglass asks, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” in a thought-provoking program at 6:30 pm, followed by a discussion led by local scholars. The current exhibit, Imprint: Dox Thrash, Black Life & American Culture will be open for tours. $19 adults; $15 child/senior/student/military.
• Colonial Muster by Historic Philadelphia, Inc., Signers’ Garden 2 & 3 pm: The Continental Army is looking for a few good kids. New recruits will join a Revolutionary War soldier to learn what it takes to fight for freedom. Free.
• 18th Century Games at Independence Mall 4 – 7pm: Independence Historical Trust, in partnership with Independence National Historical Park invites you to try your hand at games including Hoop & Stick, Graces, Ball & Cup and Jacob’s Ladder on the lawn next to Independence Visitor Center. Free.
• Taste of History Trivia Night, National Constitution Center 5 – 7pm: Enjoy free food, games, tours, and a trivia contest as the Center kicks off Civic Season 2024. Free.
• Twilight Tour, Independence National Historical Trust 5:15pm: Join the Twilight Tours for a free one-hour walking tour of Philadelphia’s National Park. Explore the people and sites where America united in support of liberty, vigorously pursued independence and, ultimately, formed “a more perfect Union.” Free.
• What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? African American Museum in Philadelphia 5 – 7pm: This dramatic reading and reenactment addresses this fascinating topic, embracing the spirit of Frederick Douglass, who first asked the question. Enjoy bites and beverages and a tour of the current exhibit. Free.
• 1776 at American Philosophical Society 6 – 8:30pm: End the day with a screening of the 1972 movie musical 1776 in Benjamin Franklin Hall. FREE. Register here.

July 2 Red, White, & Blue To-Do Musical Performances

Elfreth’s Alley

• 3:00 – 3:45pm Dan Blacksberg’s Freilachs Music (Klezmer)
• 4:00 – 4:45 pm Callahan, McComiskey and Kelly (Irish)

National Liberty Museum

• 2:15 – 3:00pm Spirit Wing (indigenous storytelling and dancing)
• 3:15 – 4:00pm Los Bomberos de la Calle (Puerto Rican bomba y plena)
• 4:15 – 5:00pm Dolphin and LaPrelle (Appalachian songs and ballads)

African American Museum in Philadelphia

• 2:00 – 4:00pm Mad Beatz Drumline Hip Hop Block Party (drumline and live hip-hop)

Arch Street Meeting House

• 2:15 – 3:00pm Philly Suns Lion Dancers (Chinese Lion Dance)
• 3:15 – 4:00pm Rubble City String Band (old-time)
• 4:15 – 5:00 pm Project Capoeira (Brazilian Capoeira)

July 2 Red, White, & Blue To-Do City Specials

Full list of restaurants and their specials here.

About

The official Independence Day—July 2, 1776—came to be when the Second Continental Congress voted in Independence Hall to approve a resolution declaring: “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”

John Adams thought July 2 should be marked as a national holiday for generations to come: “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival…It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade with shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this continent to the other from this Time forward forever more,” Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail Adams.

The Declaration of Independence was signed by representatives from the Colonies two days later, on July 4, 1776.