FunTimes Magazine: ‘Culture & Entertainment’ column, week of June 30, 2025.
“In the unlikely story that is America, there has never been anything false about hope.”
— Former U.S. President Barack Obama (Presidency: 2009-2016)
Family, food, fun, fireworks. Can’t beat it!! It’s easy to get fired up for the Fourth. From the beginning in the 1700s, those fireworks have been a big part of the Fourth of July. The first time they were used in Philadelphia was during the Revolutionary War in 1777. It’s a great way to celebrate America’s strength, bravery, and commitment to freedom, as we roll up on its 249th birthday. And arguably no place does the Fourth of July like Philly does. So, strike up the marching bands, or at least the barbecue grill, and enjoy these free concerts, parades, flag-raisings, block parties, and more in the nation’s birthplace.
Red, White & Blue To Do at the African American Museum
Here’s A Cool Activity To ‘Red, White, & Blue To Do’
Wednesday, July 2, 2025. It’s truly a treat any time that you can visit the African American Museum in Philadelphia, which will be a half-century old next year. Here’s your latest chance. Get on down to the museum for a dynamic day of history, music, art, and community at Red, White, & Blue To Do. The event is part of the annual Wawa Welcome America festival celebrating America’s birthday. And FunTimes Magazine is the museum’s media event partner. Stroll through the galleries with Revolutionary War hero re-enactor Ned Hector, who will share stories from his life as a soldier. Step back in time with photographer Maurene Cooper, who will create 19th-century-style tintype portraits of visitors. Slots are open on a first-come basis. Pre-registration is required: aampmuseum.org. Chill to the tight beats of MadBeatz Philly outside of the museum, with live drumming in the afternoon. Gather for a powerful fireside chat exploring the roles and legacies of Black and Indigenous communities during the Revolutionary War era. Free admission: 10 a.m. EST to 7 p.m. EST. (Tintype portrait session: 11 a.m. EST to 5 p.m. EST; MadBeatz Philly performances: 3:30 p.m. EST to 5:30 p.m. EST. African American Museum in Philadelphia, 701 Arch St. 215-574-0380 or https://www.aampmuseum.org/
Photo courtesy of Wawa Welcome America
More Red, White, & Blue To Do
Wednesday, July 2, 2025. While the African American Museum in Philadelphia is the place to be, there are other options in Philadelphia’s historic district. Put this on your Red, White, & Blue To Do list. Celebrate America’s birthday in its birthplace in the nation’s “most historic square mile.” Get your pomp and patriotism on at flag raisings at historic sites and museums and the Red, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade. Be dazzled by the red-wagon floats, a block party, live music, happy hours, a Naturalization Ceremony, and all of the historical attractions ending with a patriotic concert on Independence Mall. Check out the All-American Block Party supported by Bank of America on 3rd Street between Chestnut and Walnut streets. Enjoy the hot vibes of DJ Sophia Rocks and games at this old-fashioned city street shindig with a patriotic twist. Free, 10 a.m. EST to 9 p.m. EST. Independence National Historic Park/ Independence Mall, Near 6th & Market streets. https://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/red-white-blue-to-do-philadelphia-pa
The War and Treaty To Give A Salute To Service
Wednesday, July 2, 2025, The Grammy-nominated husband and wife duo, The War And Treaty, headline the Salute to Service: The United States Army Field Band presented by American Airlines on Independence Mall. The War and Treaty’s Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter will join the Army Field Band for a patriotic salute honoring the service of the U.S. military, active soldiers, and veterans. The War and Treaty has taken the country music genre by storm. The couple was nominated for the “Best New Artist” and “Best American Roots Song” at the 2024 GRAMMY Awards. The pair was nominated for “Duo of the Year” at the Country Music Awards (CMA) two years running, and for “Vocal Duo of the Year” at the American Country Music Awards. Free, no tickets required; first-come basis. 7: p.m. EST. Bring a chair or blanket. Independence Concert Series Stage presented by VISIT PHILADELPHIA®, Independence National Historical Park, 6th & Market streets. www.july4thphilly.com
Photo courtesy of Wawa Welcome America
Who Loves A Parade?
Friday, July 4, 2025. Philly will roll out the red, white, and blue carpet at the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony supported by VISIT PHILADELPHIA® — the kickoff of July 4th festivities in America’s birthplace in front of Independence Hall, the site of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Celebrate Independence Day with patriotic music and speeches including remarks by Mayor Cherelle Parker. Be there for the presentation of the Mayor’s One Philly Award and The Wawa Foundation Hero Award. Both awards recognize community difference-makers. Enjoy musical guests DJ Diamond Kuts and Suzann Christine. After the ceremony, get ready for the Salute to Independence Parade around Independence Mall. See a dance production set to the music of “America My Home Sweet Home!” a stirring song written by longtime parade producer Todd Marcocci. The parade will feature floats, entertainers, military, and marching bands like the World Champion Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Corotegas Latin Marching Band from Honduras. Get free goodies from Wawa along the parade route. Celebration of Freedom Ceremony: Free admission & seating, 10 a.m. EST to 11 a.m. EST, followed by the Salute to Independence Parade. Celebration of Freedom Ceremony: 5th Street, between Chestnut and Walnut streets. Parade: Kick off at 5th and Chestnut streets to Independence Hall, onto 6th Street, and then to Market Street, ending at Broad and Arch streets. www.july4thphilly.com or https://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/red-white-blue-to-do-philadelphia-pa
Photo courtesy of Wawa Welcome America
Get Fired Up at July 4th Concert & Fireworks
Friday, July 4, 2025. The 2025 Wawa Welcome America Festival will be in full swing by the time the evening rolls around on July 4th on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. That’ll be the time to drop the mic with Hip-Hop trailblazer LL COOL J, with DJ Z-Trip on the turntables, and GRAMMY® Award-Winning R&B songstress Philly’s own Jazmine Sullivan. Kicking off the show will be JoJo, a multi-platinum recording artist, and two-time Latin GRAMMY-nominated superstar Álvaro Díaz. The concert will be followed by a spectacular musical fireworks show over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert and Fireworks will be produced by Live Nation. Free; tickets are not required to enter the Parkway but are needed for seating at the sections in front of the stage. (Get free tickets for the front sections through American Airlines’ Priority July 4th Ticket Giveaway on Wawa Welcome America’s social media (Instagram & X: @july4thphilly / Facebook: Wawa Welcome America), or through Daily Ticket Giveaway presented by Bank of America on-site at select festival events during the festival before July 4th. Main concerts: 7 p.m. EST, fireworks: 9:30 p.m. EST. Jumbo TV screens along the Parkway for viewing. The concert and fireworks also will be broadcast live on NBC10 and simulcast from 7 p.m. EST to 10 p.m. EST on NBC Sports Philadelphia+ and COZI TV; Also, concert and fireworks will be live- streamed on NBC10 Philadelphia News channels on Peacock, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Fire TV, Pluto and Xumo Play, as well as www.nbc10.com and the NBC10 app. Gates open: 4 p.m. EST. General public entrance: Logan Square, 20th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. www.july4thphilly.com
Photo courtesy of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation
Flags That Tell A Story
Through August 31, 2025. Few symbols conjure up patriotism like flags. Check out the DRWC Presents States of Change flag display at Spruce Street Harbor Park along the Delaware River. The exhibition features 16 national, international, and Philadelphia-based artists whose work was judged competitively. Their charge was to create outdoor pendant flags. The riverside row of towering flags has deep meaning. The promotional material notes: “Some flags use bright colors and moving images to illustrate how things can change, while others challenge the notion that things always remain the same. Some include pieces of history to help people reflect on hidden stories and how we’re all connected, especially during times of change in our cities.” Free; 24 hours daily. Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Columbus Blvd. 215-922-2FUN or https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com
Summer concerts at Spruce Street Harbor Park bring in a cool summer vibe. Photo by Maria Young. Photo courtesy of The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.
Spruce Up Your Summer With A Sunset
Saturday, July 5, 2025. Embrace the summer vibes at the Sunsets at Spruce music festival series at Spruce Street Harbor Park and the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest featuring R&B, Hip-Hop, dancehall, and Afro beats. Check out the cool grooves by Spin Doctors DJ Twinllamas, DJ YOUNGZA, and DJ Kuya. Chill out in the scenic setting of waterfront views. Free, 3 p.m. EST to 8 p.m. EST, Spruce Street Harbor Park, 301 S. Columbus Blvd. 215-922-2FUN or https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com
