The 2016 Wawa Welcome America! calendar provides eight days of enticing events for Philadelphia residents and visitors alike from June 27th to July 4th. The schedule brings attendees free, family-friendly events in the days leading up to the Fourth of July, and will prove why Philadelphia is the best place to celebrate America’s birthday. Citywide events will celebrate everything Philadelphia — from history to entertainment.

This year’s festival includes six Go 4th & Learn events for children, five movie screenings, the Historic Philadelphia Block Party, and THREE fireworks shows (July 1st, 2nd and 4th).

On the morning of July 4th, the City of Philadelphia will host the annual Celebration of Freedom Ceremony in front of Independence Hall. Mayor Jim Kenney and CIty Representative Sheila Hess will be joined by special guests including Bobby Hill, the Philly POPS, and Tom Verica — Executive Producer/Director of Scandal and star of How to Get Away with Murder. 

Festival attendees will have the chance to see more live music than ever before with free performances from a wide range of artists including Philadelphia’s own Tony-nominated Hamilton star and recording artist, Leslie Odom Jr., Yazz the Greatest from FOX’s Empire, soul singer Leon Bridges, and more. There will also be a high-energy celebration of the “Sound of Philadelphia” with a tribute to music icons Gamble & Huff featuring performances by The O’Jays, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes and The Intruders with the Urban Guerrilla Orchestra.

All events are free and curated to be family-friendly and inclusive. For a full list of events and additional festival details, visit the Wawa Welcome America! website.