Thousands gathered on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to see Kesha, Ne-Yo and the fireworks show on the Fourth of July. NBC10’s Aaron Baskerville has more from Wawa Welcome America.
Update: Take a look at the concert recap here and watch the entire concert below!
The biggest July 4th party in Philadelphia in the summer of 2024 took over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway with a concert headlined by popstar Kesha and R&B star NE-YO before a fantastic fireworks show to wrap up 16 days of free Wawa Welcome America fun.
Here is your guide to when the FREE music will begin and when you should look up to the sky for the fireworks finale.
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What time do the Philadelphia July 4th concert and fireworks start? 🎙️🎆
The main concert featuring NE-YO and Kesha -- with Philly's own Adam Blackstone opening for the second-straight year with some help from guests Ruben Studdard and Chill Moody this year -- is set to begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 4, 2024.
Wawa Welcome America
16 days of free events celebrating Freedom and Liberty | June 19 – July 4, 2024
"I feel like I might be the perfect person to perform at a show like this," NE-YO told NBC10.
The concert will be followed by Philadelphia’s largest annual fireworks display above the Philadelphia Museum of Art starting around 9:30 p.m.
Gates open at 4 p.m., Wawa Welcome America said.
"The main entrance is located at Logan Circle at 20th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway," WWA said. "If you have a ticket for the front section, you must enter at 22nd St. & Pennsylvania Ave. OR 22nd & Winter Sts."
All partygoers are subject to search. Go to the festival FAQ section for a full list of what is and isn't allowed inside festival grounds.
Hey Philly! Planning on coming to see @NeYoCompound and @KeshaRose on July 4th? Let's get you ready!! Learn more: https://t.co/MOvZ32nU9V pic.twitter.com/zFZhyOBCZL
— Wawa Welcome America (@July4thPhilly) July 2, 2024
However, show up early to Philadelphia's Benjamin Franklin Parkway for performances from Delaware Valley favorites DJ Diamond Kuts and Snacktime on the Pennsylvania Lottery Groove Stage from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., according to festival organizers.
(All times are weather permitting -- there are isolated storms in the forecast -- and subject to be adjusted)
Do I need a ticket to see the free concert?
"Tickets are NOT required to attend this event," WWA said. "Tickets are required for the front section."
There have been several chances throughout the festival and before to get those coveted up-close spots.
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How can I get to the Wawa Welcome America concert, fireworks? 🚉
If you drive, expect to have trouble finding parking anywhere near the parkway, so SEPTA could be the way to go.
"The Ben Franklin Parkway is best accessed from Regional Rail’s Suburban Station, the 15th Street Market-Frankford Line [L] Station and Race-Vine or City Hall Broad Street Line [B] Station," SEPTA said.
The public transit agency has added extra regional rail trains and express trains on its Broad Street and Market-Frankford subway lines. Click here for your full guide to SEPTA on July 4th.
Where can I stream Wawa Welcome America’s fireworks show and concert? 🎆
Thankfully NBC10 has you covered at home or on the go.
The entire event will be televised live during primetime in its entirety on NBC10 and Cozi TV & simulcasted from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4th on NBC Sports Philadelphia+.
The free concert will also be livestreamed on the NBC10 Philadelphia News channel on Peacock, Roku, Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Fire TV, Pluto and Xumo Play as well as NBC10.com. The concert will be streamed in Spanish on Telemundo62.com.
What if I missed it? Can I stream the shows again? 📱
Of course, you can catch replays on NBC10's streaming channels and on NBC10.com. Keep an eye out after the final firework shines.
What roads will be closed due to the July 4th concert and fireworks? 🚧
The City released a long list of road closures in effect on July 4th into Friday.
All closures listed below are in effect from about 5 a.m. on Thursday, July 4 to 2 a.m. on Friday, July 5 unless otherwise noted:
- 1900 Race Street
- 1800-1900 Vine Street
- I-676 Off-Ramp at 22nd Street
- I-676 On-Ramp at 22nd Street
- I-76 eastbound Off-Ramp at Spring Garden Street
- Spring Garden Tunnel
- Park Towne Place between 22nd Street and 24th Street
- 20th Street between Arch Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
- 19th Street between Callowhill Street and Cherry Street
All closures listed below are in effect from approximately 5 a.m. on Thursday, July 4 to 4 a.m. on Friday, July 5 unless otherwise noted:
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 18th Street to Eakins Oval (all lanes)
- Eakins Oval (all lanes)
- Kelly Drive between Eakins Oval and Fairmount Avenue (Kelly Drive inbound closed at Fountain Green Drive beginning at approximately 5:00 p.m.)
- Rear of Art Museum – Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive
- 2000-2100 Winter Street
- MLK Drive from Falls Bridge to Eakins Oval
- Spring Garden Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and 31st Street
- 23rd Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Eakins Oval
All closures listed below are in effect from approximately 5 a.m. on Thursday, July 4 to 8 a.m. on Friday, July 5 unless otherwise noted:
- 22nd Street between Winter Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
- 21st Street between Winter Street and Pennsylvania Avenue
The following roads will be closed on Thursday, July 4 beginning at approximately 1 p.m. until approximately 1 p.m. on Friday, July 5:
- All roads from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street, 18th Street to 22nd Street (local access maintained for residents)
- All roads from Arch Street to Fairmount Avenue, 22nd Street to Corinthian Street (local access maintained for residents)
- 16th and 17th Streets, between Arch Street and Spring Garden Street will be closed only if conditions warrant in the interest of public safety
- 1600-1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be closed only if conditions warrant in the interest of public safety
Due to public safety interests relating to the fireworks show, all roads listed below will be closed from 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 4 to approximately 1 a.m. on Friday, July 5, unless noted otherwise:
- Kelly Drive from Fairmount Avenue to Fountain Green Drive
- Lemon Hill Drive
- Sedgley Drive
- Waterworks Drive
- Poplar Drive
"Parkway closures may begin earlier in the evening, depending on crowd size," Philadelphia said.
The city also said that temporary no parking signs will be posted along the roads mentioned above. "Vehicles parked in these locations during posted hours will be relocated."
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