Editor's Note: A shooting after the concert left two police officers injured and sent people fleeing from the parkway amid the fireworks finale.
Welcome America Inc. organizers on Tuesday tweeted thanks to police and emergency responders and said its "committed to creating opportunities for our city to come together and celebrate safely."
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People celebrated Independence Day with the Wawa Welcome America main event on July 4th, 2022!
A free concert from Tori Kelly, Ava Max and Jason Derulo, the Party on the Parkway, a patriotic parade, the Celebration of Freedom and fireworks brought the 2022 Wawa Welcome America festival to a dramatic close.
Here's what there was to do in celebration of the land of the free and the home of the brave.
🎶 Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert featuring Jason Derulo, Ava Max & Tori Kelly
It was finally back and in-person on the Parkway! The FREE Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert was the first part of the main event after 16 days packed with fun.
The star-studded concert featured performances by award-winning singer/songwriter Jason Derulo (back after performing without a crowd on July 4th, 2020), multiple-platinum selling popstar Ava Max and award-winning gospel and pop singer Tori Kelly. The concert was followed by a breathtaking fireworks display.
🎆 Wawa Welcome America Fireworks Spectacular
The Fireworks Spectacular followed the July 4th concert from 9:45 p.m. to around 10 p.m.
DJ Ghost and Q102 lit up the airwaves with a DJ set that was synced to the bright fireworks display.
Party on the Parkway
The Party on the Parkway led you up to the main event with plenty of fun and entertainment from noon to 7 p.m. People checked out games, food trucks and giveaways from Logan Square up the Parkway.
There were two performance stages to view live entertainment, activities for the kids and fun at the PECO Kids Zone, as well as a book giveaway courtesy of Books in Homes USA.
People came out and brought picnics, small personal coolers, chairs and blankets to enjoy the 4th.
Celebration of Freedom Ceremony
Independence Hall hosted the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony, which honored those in the city of Philadelphia and beyond who make our nation a better place.
The 10 a.m. event featured special guests, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, Mayor Jim Kenney’s Magis Award presentation to the Neubauer Family Foundation, the reveal of the Wawa Foundation Hero Award winner and Freedom Mortgage’s Celebrate Freedom Award.
You can relive some of the highlights with these links and watch the whole festival again on this page at 6 p.m. Monday.
Salute to America Independence Day Parade
After the Celebration of Freedom, the Salute to America Independence Day Parade marched down East Market Street between 2nd Street and City Hall at 11 a.m.
This year, the parade returned with a new route that you can view here. Miss America 2022, Emma Broyles, was the grand marshal; paradegoers enjoyed the fun, patriotic floats, marching bands, performances and appearances from historical characters.
Free Museum Day at Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., guests were able to check out the the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History with free admission.
The NMAJH is the only museum in the U.S. specifically dedicated to the exploration and interpretation of the American Jewish experience. The museum presents experiences and educational programs that preserve, explore, and celebrate the history of Jews in our nation.
Free Museum Day at Christ Church and Burial Ground
The Christ Church and Burial Ground offered free admission between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The church hosted the Continental Congress back in the Revolutionary era and is one of the most visited historic sites in the city. Free Museum Day on July 4th included special tours and history hunts. A concert from the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia and a performance of The American Revolution – The Show! were put on, all for free.
Full Details on the 4th of July Wawa Welcome America Festivities
- Free Admission to Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
When: July 4th, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: NMAJH
101 S. Independence Mall E, Philadelphia, PA 19106
- Free Admission to Christ Church and Burial Ground
When: July 4th, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Christ Church & Burial Ground
340 N. 5th St., Philadelphia, PA 19106
- Celebration of Freedom Ceremony
When: July 4th, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: Independence Hall
6th St. between Chestnut and Walnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19106
- Salute To America Independence Day Parade
When: July 4th, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: East Market Street between 2nd Street and City Hall
- Party on the Parkway
When: July 4th, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Ben Franklin Parkway, enter at Logan Square
- Wawa Welcome America July 4th Concert
When: July 4th, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Ben Franklin Parkway
- Wawa Welcome America Fireworks Spectacular
When: July 4th, 9:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Ben Franklin Parkway
