Weekend Planner: Celebrate the 4th

G. Widman for GPTMC

Happy Birthday, USA!

Celebrate the birth of our nation with parades, festivals, firework displays and more. Here's a round-up of patriotic happenings in Philadelphia and beyond.

Wawa Welcome America

The Philadelphia festival is already underway, with two more fireworks displays, an ice cream festival, free movie screenings, kids' activities, ceremonies, a party on the Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. and a mega concert to come. View all Welcome America events >>

Historic Philadelphia Happenings

Besides hosting some Welcome America activities, the birthplace of our nation is also home to these other Independence Weekend happenings.

► Discover the Real George Washington exhibit and Independence Day-related activities at the National Constitution Center. Kids are free with paid adult admission, starting July 1.
► Civil War Road Show and Independence weekend activities at Franklin Square
► Declaration of Independence readings at Independence Mall
► Extended hours at Independence Hall, Liberty Bell Center and Independence Visitor Center
► "Sweet Freedom" birthday celebration with free cake at the Independence Visitor Center
► Betsy's Independence Day Bash at the Betsy Ross House
► Signers Day at Christ Church

Declaration of Independence Readings

Listen to the historic document being read at local historic sites.
View all public Declaration readings >>

Shore Fun on the 4th

Beach-goers can be treated to fireworks and other patriotic fun at these destinations:

► Atlantic City
► Cape May
► Ocean City
► Rehoboth Beach
► Stone Harbor
► Wildwoods

For more shore activities for families, go to our Free Shore Fun guide >>

Community Celebrations

These towns host parades, carnivals, contests and other celebrations for the 4th:

► Bala Cynwyd, PA
► Collingswood, NJ
► Dover, DE
► Garrett Hill, PA
► Haddonfield, NJ
► Historic Germantown/Phila., PA
► Narberth, PA
► New Britain, PA
► New Castle, DE
► Nottingham, PA
► Skippack, PA
► Southampton, PA
► Quakertown, PA

Museums, Zoos & Other Kid-Friendly Places

Enjoy 4th of July-themed crafts, storytimes and more:

► Biggs Museum, Dover, DE
► Brandywine Zoo, Wilmington, DE
► The Crayola Factory, Easton, PA
► Delaware Children's Museum, Wilmington, DE
► Elmwood Park Zoo, Norristown, PA
► Fonthill Museum, Doylestown, PA
► Sahara Sam's, Berlin, NJ

Patriotic Music

Listen to all-American music in:

► Doylestown, PA
► Dover, DE
► Selbyville, DE
► Washington Crossing, PA/Titusville, NJ

For more weekend events, search hundreds of activities on our calendar. Receive weekend event highlights directly in your inbox each week! Sign up for MetroKids' e-newsletter today.

Stephanie Halinski is calendar editor of MetroKids.