In 2026, America will celebrate its 250th birthday. NBC10’s Karen Hua shows us the preparations that officials in our area are already making for the big celebration.
Philly is preparing for 2026, which is shaping up to be a banner year for the City of Brotherly Love.
That year will mark the country's 250th birthday, and Philadelphia is planning to commemorate the Semiquincentennial in epic fashion.
Besides that, the city is set to be jam-packed with events all throughout that year, with the 2026 MLB All-Star game being hosted by the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field hosting FIFA World Cup games.
There will also be the MLB Draft in Philly in 2026, not to mention the annual Wawa Welcome America Festival and the Made in America Festival -- if it is held that year.
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Starting as soon as July 2, 2024 and continuing through 2026, Philadelphia’s Semiquincentennial line-up includes:
- Red, White, & Blue To-Do: John Adams famously declared that July 2nd should be a day of “pomp and parade.” So, starting July 2, 2024, and occurring annually, the Philadelphia Historic District partners will host this patriotic celebration taking place throughout America’s most historic square mile with parades, concerts and more.
- The Young People’s Continental Congress: In July of 2024 and 2025 Carpenters’ Hall will host this youth-focused event bringing together delegates from across the country to explore the themes of democracy and to engage in civic dialogue.
- 250th Birthdays of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps: In October of 2025, Philadelphia will be partnering with the US Navy and Marine Corps as well as Homecoming 250 in hosting their 250th birthday celebration. More details on that event will be coming in the months ahead.
- The Declaration’s Journey: The Museum of the American Revolution will host this major special exhibition exploring the history and global impact of the Declaration of Independence from 1776 to today. The exhibition will run from Oct. 18, 2025 through Jan. 3, 2027.
- 52 Weeks of Firsts: The Philadelphia Historic District will commemorate the Philadelphia-born creativity and ingenuity that has been shared globally over the past 250 years with weekly acknowledgments starting January 2026.
- NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament: March Madness comes to Philadelphia in 2026 when the city will host first and second round tournament play at the Wells Fargo Center.
- ArtPhilly What Now: This city-wide arts festival will launch in May 2026 and will highlight Philadelphia’s iconic arts institutions, neighborhood arts initiatives and talented artists.
- FIFA World Cup 26™: June - July 2026 Philadelphia will host matches at Lincoln Financial Field culminating in a knockout stage match on July 4, 2026. The World Cup FanFest will also run through July 17th giving soccer fans a great place to meet up, watch matches and celebrate victories.
- Wawa Welcome America: And, with the world watching, the city will host the biggest and best July 4th celebration Philadelphia’s ever seen.
- 2026 Major League Baseball All-Star Game: Citizens Bank Park will host this multi-day event honoring baseball’s best and celebrating America’s favorite past-time in the city where America was born.
- Printmaking by the People - Citywide Voices of 2026: Mural Arts Philadelphia team will begin concepting in 2024, and in 2026 will present this crowd-sourced mural that will create a lasting visual legacy that honors the semiquincentennial, our shared values and desired changes.
In an effort to organize it all and make sure the city is prepared for a busy 2026, Philadelphia City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (D-at large) set up a hearing with other officials from throughout the city.
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A statement on the day's hearing noted that the event is intended to help the city prepare to handle the expected influx of tourists into Philadelphia for these planned events as well as build opportunities that could benefit long-time Philly residents.
A number of politicians and officials from Philadelphia Soccer 2026, The Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, Welcome Philadelphia, Philadelphia 250 and other groups involved in planning upcoming events were expected to be in attendance at the day's hearing.
This is a breaking news story. It will be updated as new information becomes available.
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