Happening Holidays: Philly’s 4th of July Guide 2015

Brought to you by Pasitficio Homemade Pasta Co.
^{Your Philly Happening 4th of July Guide is presented by South Philly’s Pastificio Homemade Pasta Co., located in the Packer Park Shopping Center. Pastificio is home to some of Philly’s most sought-after Italian specialties including fresh homemade pasta and made-daily mozzarella.Their mouth-watering sandwiches – including Italian hoagies; meatball parmigiana; and sausage, peppers, & onions – were voted the best sandwiches in the city in the 2015 Philly Happening List! Check out their deli trays, delivery, and catering options online at http://www.pastificiophilly.com/. Follow Pastificio Deli on Facebook, @PastificioDeli on Twitter, and @pastificiophilly on Instragram for all of the latest specials.}

: The Roots

: Fireworks at the Art Museum (Photo Courtesy of Wawa Welcome America Philadelphia)

: Wawa Hoagie Day

There is no better place to celebrate Independence Day than in America’s birthplace, Philadelphia, a city that was recently selected as No. 3 among the New York Times must see destinations in the world for 2015.

Here are some fun things happening in Philadelphia on and leading up to the 4^th of July:

Monday, June 29
FREE Admission to the Franklin Institute
9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
222 North 20^th Street, Philadelphia
All are invited to enjoy FREE general admission to The Franklin Institute, including access to three floors of interactive exhibits, explosive science shows and hands-on demonstrations, and a show in the Fels Planetarium.

Go 4th and Learn About Science
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Franklin Institute, 222 North 20^th Street, Philadelphia
Enjoy special readings, book giveaways and educational fun. The first 800 children will receive a free book.

Kick-Off for Philly @ The Movies Series with “Big Hero 6”
8:30 p.m.
Franklin Square, 222 N. 20^th Street, Philadelphia
For the kick-off of the 2015 Philly @ The Movies series, attendees can view one of this year’s must-see films for children and adults alike, Disney’s “Big Hero 6”.

Tuesday, June 30
FREE Admission to the Philadelphia History Museum
10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
15 S. 7^th Street, Philadelphia
Come out and learn about the rich history of the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection at the Philadelphia History Museum.

Go 4th and Learn About Philadelphia
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Franklin Institute, 222 North 20^th Street, Philadelphia
Enjoy special readings, book giveaways and educational fun. The first 800 children will receive a free book.

Philly @ The Movies Series – “Annie”
8:30 p.m.
Dilworth Park at City Hall, 1 S. 15th Street, Philadelphia
The Philly @ The Movies series continues with a free screening of the newly adapted version of “Annie,” a tale of a precocious orphan girl with a big personality and heart of gold.

Wednesday, July 1
FREE Admission to the African American Museum in Philadelphia
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
701 Arch Street, Philadelphia
Visit the African American Museum in Philadelphia to experience the richness and vibrancy of African American heritage and culture in four exhibition galleries filled with exciting history and fascinating art.

Go 4th and Learn About Fitness
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, 3500 Reservoir Drive, Philadelphia
Enjoy a morning of fitness and fun at the Smith Memorial Playground and Playhouse, a 6.5 acre playground that includes the Ann Newman Giant Wooden Slide and more than 50 unique, child-friendly, and accessible pieces of play equipment. The first 800 children will receive a free book.

Philly @ The Movies Series – “Rocky”
9:00 p.m.
Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia
Philly @ The Movies continues with a free screening of “Rocky,” the iconic boxing film shot in and around Philadelphia. Movie-goers will watch this classic from the very steps that made Rocky a lifelong legend.

Thursday, July 2
FREE Admission to the National Constitution Center
9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
525 Arch Street, Philadelphia
Enjoy a day of FREE admission to the National Constitution Center. Enjoy an array of patriotic festivities surrounding Independence Day, including the interactive Independence Day show, exploring the history of the Declaration of Independence and how the definition of “We the People” has expanded since Thomas Jefferson penned the famous words “…all men are created equal…” in 1776.

Go 4th and Learn About History
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia
Enjoy special readings, book giveaways and educational fun. The first 800 children will receive a free book.

Philadelphia Photo Exhibition
10:00 a.m.
Philadelphia International Airport, Terminal A-East, 8000 Essington Avenue, Philadelphia
About Philadelphia” is a photo exhibition that celebrates the City’s historic American firsts. Travelers going through the Airport can visit the exhibit to learn more. This exhibit is open to ticketed passengers only.

Wawa Hoagie Day
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Independence Mall, Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets, Philadelphia
Any and all visitors can feast on FREE Wawa hoagies in honor of local and national heroes including members of the military, fire and police departments. Meet Food Network Chef Robert Irvine and enjoy performances by NBC’s The Voice contestants Matthew Schuler and Audra McLaughlin along with the USO Show Troupe.

Philadelphia Orchestra Neighborhood Concert & Fireworks
8:00 p.m.
Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 S. Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia
Now in its 8th year, the world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra will perform a FREE Neighborhood Concert on the RiverStage at the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing. Following the orchestral show, enjoy a land-side fireworks display on the Delaware River Waterfront.

Philly @ The Movies Series – “The Sixth Sense”
9:00 p.m.
Rittenhouse Square, 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia
The Philly @ The Movies series concludes with “The Sixth Sense,” directed and written by Philadelphia native M. Night Shyamalan and also filmed throughout Philadelphia. In this spooky tale, a young boy communicates with spirits that only he can see.

Friday, July 3
Liberty Block Party
1:00 – 8:30 p.m.
5th and 6th Streets between Market and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia
The largest block party of the summer, the Liberty Block Party offers Philadelphia residents and visitors an opportunity to explore the city’s diverse food scene and some of its finest live entertainment. Entry and entertainment are free; however, food and drinks must be purchased.

POPS! On Independence
8:00 p.m.
Steps of Independence Hall, 6th & Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia
The Philly POPS! return to celebrate America’s birthday with POPS! On Independence, a free concert at Independence Hall. Conductor Michael Krajewski and guest soloists Capathia Jenkins and Darius de Haas will take part in this year’s show. Seating is first-come, firstserved, and concert goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to enjoy one of Philadelphia’s most popular Fourth of July traditions.

Saturday, July 4
Celebration of Freedom Ceremony
10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Steps of Independence Hall, 6th & Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia
Philadelphians and visitors can pay tribute to our nation at the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony featuring music, inspiring remarks, and a reading of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, among other special elements. This year’s ceremony commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first LGBTQ protest, the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the 150th anniversary of the 13th Amendment.

Independence Day Parade
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Throughout Historic Philadelphia
You won’t want to miss the largest Independence Day Parade in decades as it comes to life in Philadelphia’s Historic District. Over 6,000 participants will march through the nation’s most historic square mile. Special guests include Miss America and more!

Party on the Parkway
12:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 20th Street to Eakins Oval, Philadelphia
A day-long Party on the Parkway features blocks of exciting activities, games, entertainment, and food for the whole family. You can even learn the ropes of extreme sports from the experts at XPogo. Party on the Parkway offers a wealth of music programming throughout the day on the Global Music and Questlove stages.

Let Freedom Ring Ceremony
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Independence National Historical Park, 6th and Market Streets, Philadelphia
Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence and Pennsylvania Society’s Sons of the Revolution take part in this special event in the shadow of Independence Hall. The morning celebration concludes with symbolic tapping of the Liberty Bell at 2 p.m.

Philly 4th of July Jam and Grand Finale Fireworks
7:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Benjamin Franklin Parkway at Eakins Oval, Philadelphia
The Philly 4th of July Jam, known as the “Largest Free Concert in America,” is back starring THE ROOTS with special guests MIGUEL and JENNIFER NETTLES, plus other surprise acts! Their performance on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway is followed by a spectacular fireworks display over the Philadelphia Museum of Art brought to you by Discovery’s “Shark Week”.

Here are some great places to view the grand finale fireworks from:

Benjamin Franklin Parkway (the entire street is shut down in honor of the celebration)
Paine’s ParkMartin Luther King Drive
Schuylkill River Park
Lemon Hill in Fairmount Park
Kelly Drive
Belmont Plateau
Embassy Suites Philadelphia