City and state leaders and others recently kicked off the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence by announcing the first wave of a multi-year schedule of programming, events and activities through 2026.
The announcement was led by the official launch of TED Democracy in Philadelphia, a series focused on the future of democracy, hosted in partnership with Visit Philadelphia.
The first TED Fireside Chat in the series will feature Emmy-nominated host, producer, writer and public speaker Baratunde Thurston. Shapiro will headline a TED Fireside Chat later this year. The TED Democracy series aligns with more than a dozen other activations and events Philadelphia will be hosting over the next two years.
Philadelphia’s semiquincentennial lineup includes:
• Red, White & Blue To-Do: John Adams famously declared that July 2 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 2025, Philadelphia will be partnering with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps as well as Homecoming 250 in hosting their 250th birthday celebration.
• The Declaration’s Journey: The Museum of the American Revolution will host this 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 last 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 citywide arts festival will launch in May 2026 and will highlight Philadelphia’s arts institutions, neighborhood arts initiatives and artists.
• FIFA World Cup 26: In June and 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 17, giving soccer fans a great place to meet up, watch matches and celebrate victories.
• Wawa Welcome America: The city will host a July 4 celebration.
• 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 pastime.
• 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, shared values and desired changes.
To learn more about Philadelphia’s Semiquincentennial activities, go to visitphilly.com/2026. ••
