Celebrate America's 250th Birthday With Us

In case you haven't heard, 2026 is the U.S. Semiquincentennial! The Semiquincentennial (sem-i-quin-cen-ten-ni-al) marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Being the birthplace of American democracy, Philadelphia has appropriately created a year-round lineup chock-full of fun activities and celebrations for everyone to enjoy. We’ve included some of our favorites below.

Must-See Exhibits

Rich in history, Philadelphia has no shortage of renowned museums and galleries to explore. In honor of the Semiquincentennial, many are offering special programming to showcase America’s unique past. Here are a few we recommend checking out:

A Nation of Artists

A collaboration between the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, this dual exhibit showcases three centuries of awe-inspiring artwork by some of America’s most talented artists.

The Declaration’s Journey

This vast exhibit includes a variety of historical media chronicling the legacy of the Declaration of Independence, from its signing in 1776 to today.

52 Weeks of Firsts

Yes, Philadelphia is home to the very first cheesesteak, but did you know that in 1812, Drexel’s Academy of Natural Sciences became America’s first scientific society of natural history? Learn fun Philly-centric facts like these by partaking in this weekly tribute to this city’s long-standing history of innovation.

Big Games Coming to Town 

It makes perfect sense why Philly was chosen to host this year’s FIFA World Cup and MLB All-Star Game. A sports-obsessed city brimming with devout fans and some truly larger-than-life mascots — where else would you pick? If you weren’t able to snag tickets, do not fret! The city is sure to be abuzz with plenty of game-day watch parties to attend as well.

Paint the Town Red, White, and Blue!

Wawa Welcome America Festival

Spanning 16 days with 56 celebratory events, this is America’s largest 4th of July celebration. Jam-packed with free live music, block parties, and fireworks, Wawa is giving America a proper 250th birthday. Don’t forget, July 1st is Wawa Hoagie Day!

Red, White, & Blue To-Do

Held in Philadelphia’s historic Old City neighborhood, this fun-for-all-ages celebration includes a flag-raising ceremony at the Betsy Ross House, live musical performances in a variety of genres and, of course, a parade!

We hope you can come celebrate America’s 250th with all of us here in Philadelphia. If you make it to town, don’t forget to stop by Drexel! We have quite a few events happening this summer, so please feel free to register, as we would love to meet you.