July 1-5: Independence Day festivities

This week is all about festivities surrounding Independence Day, and if you’re staying in town there’s plenty to do. Here’s a sampling of the holiday week’s big events:

WATCH: Silver Linings Playbook

Monday, July 1, 9pm. Rittenhouse Square, 18th and Walnut streets. As part of the Wawa Welcome America festivities, Rittenhouse Square will host an outdoor screening of Silver Linings Playbook, one of the biggest movies of last year that just so happens to have a Philly/Delaware County connection. Free.

FEAST: Wawa Hoagie Day

Tuesday, July 2, Noon – 4pm, Independence Visitors Center Lawn, 1 N. Independence Mall West. In an outstanding display of bounty/gluttony Wawa will present a 4.5-ton “Hoagie Salute to our Troops.” Free.

LISTEN: The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Neighborhood Concert

Tuesday, July 2, 8-10pm, Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Columbus Boulevard between Market and Walnut streets. The Philadelphia Orchestra’s associate Conductor Cristian Măcelaru will lead the concert, featuring guest violinist Kristin Lee, in a performance of Leonard Bernstein’s Overture to Candide; Benjamin Barber’s Commando March; Variations on Yankee Doodle; Copland’s Billy the Kid Suite; and Tchaikovsky’s rousing and patriotic 1812 Overture – just to name a few. Free.

CONCERT: POPS! on Independence

Wednesday, July 3, 8pm. Independence Mall. Peter Nero and the Philadelphia POPS! return to Independence Mall for a free concert. BYO lawn chair and blanket. Free.

CEREMONY: Celebration of Freedom

Thursday, July 4, 10-11am. Independence Hall, 5th and Chestnut streets. Independence National Historical Park will host special guests for a patriotic ceremony of music, speeches, and a reading of excerpts of the Declaration of Independence. Free.

CELEBRATE: Party on the Parkway & 4th of July Jam

Thursday, July 4, Noon-11pm. Benjamin Franklin Parkway. From Noon-7pm cruise the Parkway from 20th to Eakins Oval for live music, games, and all-American food. Then at 7pm all attention turns to the state at Eakins Oval where The Roots will be the house band for the likes of John Mayer, Jill Scott, Ne-Yo and Grace Potter (to name a few). A massive fireworks display over the Art Museum will finish off the night. Free.

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