Extreme heat in Philadelphia impacting Fourth of July weekend, FIFA Fan Festival events
A potentially historic and record-breaking heat wave began Tuesday in Philadelphia, and by the end of the week, high temperatures will soar into the triple digits.
It's possible the city could see four back-to-back days with temperatures over 100 degrees, something that's never happened since recordkeeping began.
With humidity driving feels-like temperatures closer to 105-110 degrees, organizers for the region's America 250 celebrations and FIFA Fan Festival are starting to make changes to their plans.
Philadelphia's Fourth of July parade shortened
The Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade, part of the Wawa Welcome America slate of Fourth of July weekend events, is being shortened due to the impending heat.
On Monday, organizers said the route would be cut down to about 1 mile.
The parade will kick off on Friday, July 3, at noon at 5th and Chestnut streets in front of Independence Hall. From there, the parade will turn right onto 6th Street, then left onto Market Street and then continue toward City Hall.
At that point, the route will continue past the old Wanamaker Building and make a left toward Broad and Chestnut, where it ends.
The parade, which is scheduled to feature 50 marching bands, more than a dozen floats and multiple performers, was originally set to continue past City Hall and LOVE Park toward the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, loop around Logan Circle and then continue back down toward Broad and Chestnut.
FIFA Fan Festival hours shortened on July 4
The FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill will have shortened hours on the Fourth of July in anticipation of rising temperatures.
The festival will open at noon, one hour before the Round of 16 match scheduled for 1 p.m. Canada is set to play Morocco.
Festival grounds will close immediately after the match is finished Saturday afternoon.
The final World Cup match that will take place in Philly, between Paraguay and France, will not be broadcast at the festival.
FIFA also announced changes to the match schedule at the festival on June 30 through July 3:
Tuesday, June 30:
- France vs. Sweden at 5 p.m.
- Mexico vs. Ecuador at 9 p.m.
Wednesday, July 1:
- England vs. Congo DR at 12 p.m.
- Belgium vs. Senegal at 4 p.m.
- United States vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina at 8 p.m.
Thursday, July 2
- Croatia vs. Portugal at 7 p.m.
Friday, July 3
- Argentina vs. Cape Verde at 6 p.m.
National Constitution Center's ceremony awarding Pope Leo Liberty Medal moved indoors
Extreme heat in Philadelphia is forcing the National Constitution Center's celebration of Pope Leo XIV on Friday indoors.
Leo will receive the nonprofit's 38th Liberty Medal and deliver an acceptance speech virtually from the Vatican on Friday, the eve of the United States' 250th anniversary.
The ceremony was originally scheduled to take place with Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed, in the background. Instead, the ceremony will move inside the NCC at 525 Arch Street in Center City.
The NCC says the ceremony will begin at 10:45 a.m. Friday, 15 minutes earlier than originally scheduled.
Norristown, Pennsylvania, cancels Fourth of July parade
The extreme heat has caused Norristown in Montgomery County to cancel its 2-mile July Fourth parade scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday. A press release says the borough's "Party in the Park" at Harding and Fornance streets remains on for 3 p.m.
"The parade is one of our community's most beloved traditions, and we share in the disappointment of its cancellation, especially as we celebrate America's 250th birthday," interim municipal administrator Jayne Musonye said in a statement. "With dangerous heat in the forecast, the safety of our families, our marchers, and our first responders must come first."
According to a press release, the "Party in the Park" is scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday at Elmwood Park and will include food vendors, face painting, live music and more. A fireworks show is scheduled for 9:15 p.m.
Extreme heat impacts in South Jersey
The excessive heat wave has impacted at least one Fourth of July celebration in South Jersey.
Stratford in Camden County says its July Fourth parade remains as scheduled, but it's canceling all activities planned afterward because of the heat wave.
"The health and safety of our residents and volunteers are our highest priority. With the anticipated heat, we believe this is the best decision to help ensure everyone can celebrate safely and make alternate plans," the borough wrote in a statement on social media.
In Haddonfield, the Independence Day Parade remains scheduled for July 3 at 10 a.m., but the block party and drone show scheduled for 5 p.m. have been postponed due to the anticipated heat.
Haddon Township cancels Fourth of July parade
The Haddon Township parade on Saturday, July 4, has been cancelled due to heat and humidity.
The Happy Birthday America Celebration will still take place with fireworks at the HTHS stadium. Gates open at 7 p.m.
Officials said the Crystal Lake Pool will be open and free to all Haddon Township residents, their extended family, friends and guests.
Bethany Beach cancels Fourth of July parade
The town of Bethany Beach, Delaware, has cancelled its "Stars, Stripes, and Shorelines" July Fourth parade scheduled for Friday, July 3.
After consulting with state and county emergency management and public safety officials, the town determined that holding the parade as scheduled would not be in the best interest of participants, volunteers, public safety personnel, and spectators.
Organizers are exploring plans to reschedule the parade celebration for Labor Day Weekend. The fireworks display on July 4 is still scheduled to go off as planned after the "Uncaged" concert at 7:30 p.m.
Coatesville cancels First Fridays on July 3
The city of Coatesville and 2nd Century Alliance announced the cancellation of First Fridays on July 3 due to the forecast of extreme heat.
The remainder of the 2026 First Fridays season will remain in effect for Aug. 7, Sept. 4 and Oct. 2.
