Philadelphia announces full day of celebration for 2026 "Red, White and Blue To-Do"

As Philadelphia marks 250 years since the founding of the United States, you're going to hear much more about the important date that John Adams wanted to be Independence Day: July 2. 

The city is planning an all-day celebration full of "pomp and parade" as Adams would have wanted, and is calling it the Red, White and Blue To-Do. 

More details about the plans were revealed in a news conference Tuesday morning, and local tourism leaders said the July 2 slate of events would honor Adams' wishes.

"His vision of 'pomp and parade' wasn't just about celebration, it was about active participation, about making sure every generation has a role in carrying the story forward," said Vince Stango, interim president and CEO of the National Constitution Center.

Mayor Cherelle Parker said the city was sponsoring the event and that celebrations would be "completely free."

"Some moments only come once in 250 years, and we intend to make it legendary," Parker said.

Organizers said they want people to come out and make memories that will last until the 300th celebration.

"We want people to be able to say, 'Hey, remember when we went to that picnic? Remember when we marched in that parade?'" Amy Needle, co-chair of the Philadelphia Historic District 250 Committee, said.

It's also a time for people to reflect on how this country came to be and how it's been built over these 250 years.

"I hope families can learn, and have fun," Stango said, "and really think about what it means to be an American and celebrate that."

Organizers are also hosting Red, White and Blue To-Do Decorating Days to get community members involved in the parade. From June 20-23, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., anyone can help create one of the 13 official wagon floats for the Pomp and Parade.

What is planned for the 2026 Red, White and Blue To-Do?

July 2 kicks off with a "living Liberty Bell" activity starting at 7 a.m. At that time, 250 people will gather around Independence Mall to create an outline of the Liberty Bell.

At 9 a.m., bells will ring across the city, museums and historic sites will open and the official flag-raising ceremony will kick off at the Betsy Ross House. Sites across Old City will be giving out festive red, white and blue gear so you can look the part while you celebrate.

At 11 a.m., the "pomp and parade" really gets started, with 13 wagons and several dance teams, drill teams and youth groups taking the streets around Independence Mall.

Then from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. there will be the All American Block Party.

Between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. is the Red, White and Blue music series, with performers at 10 different sites around the Philadelphia Historic District.

At 5 p.m., spread out on Independence Mall for the Red, White and Rosé picnic and check out the floats that will be lined up for the July 3 Independence Day parade.

Then starting at 7 p.m., the day will conclude with the Wawa Welcome America "Salute to Service" concert with special guest Queen Latifah.

You can find more about the slate of events on the 2026 Access Philly app, which recently launched on the Apple and Google Play app stores.

What happened on July 2, 1776?

While today we celebrate independence on the Fourth of July, back in the 1700s, there was plenty of support for the holiday to be held on July 2.

That's the date that the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution calling for independence. The date we celebrate today, July 4, marks the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Leading up to the 250th anniversary of the U.S. here in Philadelphia, the home of this history, there's been a push to celebrate on both days and start thinking of the first week of July as "Independence Week."

Past Red, White and Blue To-Do events

The city celebrated its first Red, White and Blue To-Do in 2024 and brought it back bigger in 2025. There have been parades around Old City with patriotic floats. 

Museums have also had deals or free admission, sometimes with special Independence-themed programming, to commemorate the day.