The Bells Across Philadelphia Scavenger Hunt is a free, app-based scavenger hunt. The City of Philadelphia runs it through in partnership with America250PA’s Bells Across PA initiative. You can play only on the free 2026 Access Philly mobile app.

The Hunt invites residents and visitors to find Liberty Bell replicas made by local artists. The bells are placed in neighborhoods across the city.

Each bell shares the story of its neighborhood. The Hunt stretches from Overbrook Park to Tacony, from Chinatown to El Centro de Oro, and from Germantown to the South 9th Street corridor. It invites Philadelphians and visitors to get to know the city’s neighborhoods.

These Philadelphia bells are part of a statewide Bells Across PA initiative. The initiative celebrates the people, places, and stories across all 67 Pennsylvania counties in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.

The Hunt is live now on the 2026 Access Philly app. It ends on December 31, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, or sooner if all prizes are awarded first.

Prize drawings will happen throughout the Hunt period.

Here are the event and prize dates announced so far: 

• Foo Fighters — August 13
• UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry — August 15
• Phillies with Flo Rida Postgame Concert — August 18
• Le Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia — August 20
• RUSH — August 21
• Keyshia Cole — August 27
• Patty Jackson’s Party in the Park — August 29
• Bruno Mars — September 1
• Sound of Philadelphia: Tribute to Kenney Gamble, Leon Huff and Thom Bell:  September 3 — Dell Music Center
• Bryson Tiller — September 18
• Ed Sheeran — September 19
• Mt. Joy — September 25
• AC/DC — September 29
• Johnny Blue Skies — October 15

Joining the Hunt is free and takes only a few minutes. 

Step 1 — Download and register

Download the free 2026 Access Philly app from the Apple App Store or Google Play and create a valid user account. 

Step 2 — Find the Bells

Visit each bell in any order. Tap “I’m Here” when you arrive to check in with your phone’s GPS. Take a moment to learn about the community that inspired the bell and explore the area around it.

Step 3 — Unlock prize tiers

Each bell you find counts toward higher prize tiers. The more bells you discover, the more prizes you can unlock. Each bell can be claimed once per account.

The Hunt offers prizes at every level. The more bells you find, the more prizes you can enter to win.

Find 5 Bells — drawing entry

A pair of passes to one of the following:

• The Franklin Institute
• Philadelphia Zoo
• African American Museum in Philadelphia
• Museum of the American Revolution
• Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show

Plus a pair of tickets to the City’s suite for one of the following events:

• Foo Fighters at Lincoln Financial Field — August 13
• UFC 330: Makhachev vs. Machado Garry at Xfinity Mobile Arena — August 15
• Philadelphia Phillies with Flo Rida Postgame Concert at Citizens Bank Park — August 18

Find 10 Bells — drawing entry

• Reservations for Le Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia
• Philadelphia City Cruises brunch or dinner tickets

Find 15 Bells — first come, first served

The first 50 eligible participants choose a pair of tickets to one of the following upcoming shows at Freedom Mortgage Pavilion:

• Bryson Tiller — September 18
• Mt. Joy — September 25

Find 20 Bells — drawing entry

• Tickets in the City’s suite for the Philadelphia Phillies (2026), 76ers (2026–27), Flyers (2026–27), and ticket to the Philadelphia Union (2026)
• MLB All-Star swag, including autographed memorabilia from Orion Kerkering and Christopher Sanchez

Rolling City Suite drawings

Throughout the Hunt, additional drawings will award City suite tickets to concerts featuring RUSH, Keyshia Cole, Patty Jackson’s Party in the Park, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, AC/DC, and Johnny Blue Skies.

Be one of the first 2,500 users to finish the Hunt, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for great prizes.

• The Hunt is open to anyone who downloads the 2026 Access Philly app and creates a user account. 
• Employees and immediate family members of the City of Philadelphia, America250PA, Philadelphia 250, and prize-contributing partners can’t enter the prize drawings. 
• You can’t trade prizes for cash. 
• You can’t resell prizes. 
• Winners must reply to the notification email within 72 hours to claim their prize. 
• Using GPS spoofing or more than one account may get you disqualified. 
• The City may change or end the Hunt at any time. 

Read the full Bells Across Philadelphia Scavenger Hunt Rules and Regulations (PDF).

The Office of Special Events manages a list of upcoming road closures that have been issued special event permits. Jump to the posts on this page for details about large-scale events with multiple road closures, parking restrictions, and public safety measures.

StreetsSmartPHL is your go-to portal for viewing information about Streets Department activities. Residents can get up-to-date information on:

• Street and sidewalk closure permits.
• Paving operations.
• Trash and recycling collection.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) web page features helpful region- and event-specific resources, along with event maps dedicated to monitoring traffic conditions on primary travel routes to each event.

You may need a specific permit for your event or block party. Some permits are handled by different City departments. Review the following information carefully.

Block party permit

Residents can apply to close their street for a block party. This application requires signatures from your neighbors and is permitted by the Streets Department. You can contact the Streets Department at (215) 686-5500 or (215) 686-5502 Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Block Party Bonanza program

Block Party Bonanza applications are open! Learn more about the program and how your block can be considered by visiting our Block Party Bonanza blog post. Eligible block parties must take place between May 23 and October 3.

Special event application

For larger events in business corridors, including street festivals, a Special Event Application may be required and is permitted by the Office of Special Events. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Special Events at (215) 686-3488.

Other event permits

For events taking place in Parks & Recreation sites, such as parks, fields, or rec centers, you need permits from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation.

If you have any issues with City services, contact 311. The City will continue to provide day-to-day services for residents throughout the summer during major events. Additional sanitation services and resources will be made available during peak summer months in anticipation of increased visitor traffic.

Emergency contacts

• Medical, police, or fire emergencies: call 911 
• SEPTA Transit Police: call (215) 580-8111 or text-a-tip to (215) 234-1911
• National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988

Police and fire stations

• Find a police district
• Find a fire station

Non-emergency and City service information

• Visit Philly311’s website or call 311

Whenever you go to a big event, keep these tips in mind to ensure the safety of yourself and others:

• Look for the nearest exit and alternative options. If you’re with a group, discuss an emergency meet-up location in case you get separated.
• If bringing children, ensure they wear bright colors or distinctive clothing. Take a picture of them before leaving and email it to yourself. Write your phone number on a bracelet, on their wrist, or on a piece of paper in their pocket.
• If you see something suspicious, report it right away. See Something Send Something (See Send) is a nationwide suspicious activity reporting (SAR) tool for citizens to help in the fight against terrorism. Download the See Something Send Something app.

Check out the Office of Emergency Management’s safety guide for special events.

• The City issues different types of heat alerts, depending on the weather. During very hot weather, the City may declare a heat health emergency.
• During very hot weather, the City can declare a Code Red to protect people who are homeless. A Code Red also affects dog shelter requirements.

Human trafficking can happen anywhere, and major transit hubs are often used in trafficking situations. Learn how to recognize signs of human trafficking.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. To contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline:

• Call (888) 373-7888 (phone interpretation services are provided).
• Send a text to 233733.
• Use the hotline website’s live chat.