Rooted in community, Mayor Parker’s citywide semiquincentennial initiative will enhance commercial corridors through Activations, Beautifications, and Celebrations—placing Philly’s people, culture, and future at the center of America’s 250th
PHILADELPHIA — The City of Philadelphia today launched Ring It On! One Philly, A United Celebration—a sweeping initiative that puts the city’s neighborhoods at the forefront of America’s 250th anniversary and celebrations while delivering transformative investments across the city.
Ring It On! uplifts and showcases the vibrancy of Philadelphia’s communities, cultures, and small businesses through a coordinated series of economic and cultural investments. These investments focus on three key pillars: Activations, Beautifications, and Celebrations, and aim to boost civic pride, strengthen neighborhood economies, and create lasting impact well beyond 2026.
“Philadelphia is ready for America’s 250th – Ring it On!” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “My Administration is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for residents across our great city to enjoy this historic milestone, while sharing in the economic, cultural, and civic benefits of 2026. With over $100 million invested and partnerships spanning more than 60 community and cultural organizations, we’re ensuring that everyone—residents and visitors alike—can see, touch, and feel the vibrancy of America’s 250th anniversary through stunning public art, unforgettable events, and much more. This is a celebration worthy of America’s Birthplace.”
“Philadelphia, America’s birthplace, is putting our residents at the heart of the nation’s 250th birthday,” said Michael Newmuis, 2026 Director, City of Philadelphia. “Not only are we hosting a year of exciting major events, but we’re creating lasting opportunities for our communities while showcasing Philadelphia to the world. We’re seizing a once-in-a-generation chance to attract global attention, investment, and energy, ensuring a celebration that uplifts our city and its people for years to come.”
ACTIVATIONS
A yearlong calendar of cultural festivals, attractions and experiences rooted in community
Ring It On! will support community festivals and events, celebrating the cultural richness and character of Philadelphia’s neighborhood by creating new events or enhancing existing cultural festivals and celebrations along targeted commercial corridors throughout the city.
The goal of the activations is to engage residents, attract visitors, and promote local businesses by driving foot traffic and visibility to Philadelphia neighborhoods while building the capacity of supporting community organizations. These community events will be featured in a public calendar of 2026 Ring It On! events, engaging residents where they live and offering memorable experiences that create lasting impact.
BEAUTIFICATIONS
Enhancing Commercial Corridors with Physical Improvements
The Philadelphia Department of Commerce, in partnership with community stakeholders, will lead targeted enhancements across 20 commercial corridors selected in partnership with Philadelphia City Council district offices. Each location will receive a series of physical improvements to promote the growth of small businesses, enhance quality of life for residents, and incentivize new commercial development. Professional design experts are working directly with community organizations to set priorities for each corridor and make recommendations for investment.
Beautification projects may include decorative banners promoting the neighborhood brand and semiquincentennial anniversary; custom-designed 250th commemorative benches; large planters featuring seasonal installations; and other streetscape improvements to create clean, safe and welcoming spaces for residents, visitors, and shoppers to enjoy.
CELEBRATIONS
Philly’s Stories, Voices, and Culture on Full Display
Ring It On! will bring the 250th directly into neighborhoods through a series of engaging public programs designed to spark joy, elevate local culture, and deepen civic engagement.
Bells Across PA: America250PA’s “Bells Across PA” program will highlight the histories, cultures, traditions, and heroes of Philadelphia’s neighborhoods. In partnership with Mural Arts, local artists will design 20 large replica Liberty Bells. The designs will be informed by community stakeholders and will reflect each neighborhood’s unique identity, while also celebrating and commemorating the semiquincentennial. Once completed, the bells will be displayed along commercial corridors and public parks creating a treasure map which residents and visitors can use to visit these works of art across the city.
Block Party BONANZA!: A beloved Philly tradition is getting a historic upgrade in 2026 through the Block Party Bonanza, a partnership with the City’s Office of Clean and Green and the Philadelphia Streets and Sanitation Departments. 250 block party applicants will receive “Life, Liberty, and Happiness” kits filled with 250th-themed swag, decorations, toys, games, healthy living tools and resources, and other “surprise and delight” elements. These kits are designed to spark celebration and civic pride.
In addition to the kits, the 25 block participants in the City’s annual “Most Beautiful Block” Contest will be offered super-sized block parties with exciting add-ons like DJs, treat vendors, inflatables, and other types of entertainment. A call for local vendors to provide these amenities will create opportunities for neighborhood entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Neighborhood Tour Series: In the spring and summer of 2026, a special 20-week tour series will celebrate Philadelphia as the ‘City of Neighborhoods.’ Each week, a different community will take center stage, showcasing its vibrant cultural treasures, local restaurants, unique shops, scenic parks, and historic landmarks that make it truly one of a kind.
Experienced tour guides will collaborate with residents and community historians to co-create the tours—shaping routes, writing scripts, and training local guides. The goal is to elevate neighborhood stories and encourage tourism beyond Philadelphia’s Historic District and Center City and build skills that can support career pathways in tourism and hospitality.
“The Parker Administration is making unprecedented investments ensuring the benefits of America’s 250th anniversary are felt across our city and its commercial corridors,” said Karen Fegely, Acting Director, Department of Commerce. “In collaboration with Philadelphia250, City Council district offices and community organizations, we’re creating vibrant, welcoming enhancements that celebrate the unique character of our neighborhoods while driving economic growth to our local businesses. This partnership is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together to uplift our communities and build a stronger, more connected Philadelphia.”
In collaboration with the City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia250, a program of the Philadelphia Visitor Center, is the City’s Ring It On! implementation partner, supporting the planning and execution of the initiatives while raising philanthropic funds to leverage the City’s investments in neighborhood activations for the semiquincentennial. These supporters include: the Philadelphia Funders Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial, Comcast NBCUniversal, Independence Blue Cross, Fulton Bank, Wells Fargo, PCOM, ShopRite/Wakefern and Hilco Global/The Bellweather District.
Updates on Philadelphia’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary will be available on phila.gov/2026.