More Ways to Celebrate Freedom
Music & Dance |
Food & Fun | Kids
of All Ages | Arts & Culture
Guided
Tours | History
Food & Fun
Flag Festival 2008
Betsy Ross Flag and Memorial House
239 Arch Street
www.betsyrosshouse.org
Celebrate the stars and stripes during a weeklong festival, including an historic flag exhibition, a street fair with food, games and more. A solemn ceremony honoring the flag will take place on June 14th at 12 noon.
Independence After Hours ($)
City Tavern/Independence Hall
Departs from Independence Living History Center
3rd & Chestnut Streets
www.historicphiladelphia.org
Saturday, June 28th, Tuesday, July 1st through Saturday, July 5th from 5:30 pm to 9:30 pm
After a luscious feast at historic City Tavern, enjoy a twilight visit to Independence Hall and eavesdrop on the Founding Fathers debates. From July 1-5, Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center will have extended hours for visitors from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Additionally, no tickets will be required for entry into Independence Hall on July 4 and and July 1, 2, 3 and 5th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Colonial Kids’ Quest ($)
Independence Living History Center
3rd & Chestnut Streets
www.historicphiladelphia.org
Saturday, June 28th, Friday, July 4th and Saturday, July 5th at 11 am
When the Declaration of Independence goes missing, youngsters play detective in this fanciful kid-oriented tour.
Liberty Days ($)
National Liberty Museum
321 Market Street
www.libertymuseum.org
Saturday, June 28th through Sunday, July 6th from 10 am to 5 pm
Family festivities include crafts, tours and other activities.
Military Muster
Signers’ Garden
5th & Chestnut Streets
www.historicphiladelphia.org
Saturday, June 28th through Sunday, July 6th at 12:30 pm & 1:30 pm
The Continental Army is looking to teach a few good kids marching, drills and musket etiquette.
Japanese Summer Festival ($)
Japanese House and Garden
4700 States Drive
www.shofuso.com
Saturday, June 28th from 11 am to 5 pm
Visit Japan without leaving home during this family festival featuring martial arts, crafts, food and performances.
Valley Forge After Hours ($)
Valley Forge National Historical Park
1000 North Outerline Drive
www.historicphiladelphia.org
Saturday, June 28th and Saturday, July 5th at 6 pm
After a picnic with Martha Washington, you’ll visit General Washington’s Headquarters and enjoy a campfire while Continental soldiers tell their tales.
Glass Armonica Performances
Free Quaker Meeting House
5th & Arch Streets
www.historicphiladelphia.org
Saturday, June 28th through Sunday, July 6th from 12:30 to 2 pm
Enjoy the sounds of Ben Franklin’s musical invention.
Naval Destroyer Tours
Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing
Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street
Monday, June 30th through Sunday, July 6th
Board a U.S. naval destroyer and explore the ship with your sailor guides.
Philadelphia Museum of Art ($)
26th Street & Benjamin Franklin Parkway
www.philamuseum.org
Sunday Family Studio
Sunday, June 29th and Sunday, July 6th from 10 am to 3 pm
Get creative at the art stations, reading nook and a kids’ play area during pay-what-you-wish day.
Drawing Together
Sunday, June 29th from 12 noon to 2:30 pm
Pack the family’s sketch pads and pencils and practice your drawing skills in the galleries during pay-what-you-wish day.
Storytelling Benches
Valley Forge National Historical Park
1000 North Outerline Drive
www.historicphiladelphia.org
Saturday, June 28th through Sunday, July 6th
Enjoy a short rest as professional storytellers regale you with tales about the bitter winter of 1777.
Independence Celebration
Independence Branch, Free Library of Philadelphia
18 South 7th Street
www.freelibrary.org
Wednesday, July 2nd at 6:30 pm
Mr. Malcolm acts, entertains and brings Horton Hears A Who to life.
Thursday, July 3rd at 10:30 am
Chinese-English bilingual story time includes storytelling and reading.
Thursday, July 3rd at 12 noon
Rock out with the Paul Green School of Rock Band while you shop for books during the Book & Band sale.
Sweet Freedom: An Audible, Edible Taste of the Declaration of Independence
Independence Visitor Center
5th & Market Streets
www.independencevisitorcenter.com
Thursday, July 3rd from 11 am to 3 pm
Enjoy a slice from the Declaration of Independence-shaped cake, then gather around at 12 noon for a powerful reading of the famous document.
Feel the Freedom Festival ($)
National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street
www.constitutioncenter.org
All events are included with museum admission.
Thursday, July 3rd through Sunday, July 6th
“Face” the Nation
Patriotic face painting and temporary tattoos are available for kids of all ages. 11 am to 5 pm
Freedom Activity Trail
There will be cool prizes for everybody who completes the fun to-do list on the Freedom Activity Trail Card. 11 am to 5 pm
Fourth of July: The Anniversary of Independence and the Great American Holiday Show
Don’t miss the surprise “bang-up” ending of this interactive Independence Day show. 10 am & 2 pm
5th Pennsylvania Battallion/4th Regiment
Meet the Revolutionary War soldiers camped out Colonial-style on the lawn.
July 5th from 10 am to 5 pm
Tippler’s Tour ($)
Departs from Independence Living History Center
3rd & Chestnut Streets
www.historicphiladelphia.org
Thursday, July 3rd at 5:30 pm
Enjoy happy hour—Colonial-style—as your guide leads you to several 18th-century and modern watering holes.
Betsy’s Independence Day Bash
Betsy Ross House
239 Arch Street
www.betsyrosshouse.org
Friday, July 4th from 10 am to 5 pm
Betsy’s party rocks with kids’ activities, a naturalization ceremony and the Let Freedom Ring bell-ringing ceremony.
Underground Railroad Museum of the at Belmont Mansion
2000 Belmont Mansion Drive, Fairmount Park
Friday, July 4 and Saturday, July 5
10:00 am – 5:00 pm both days
(215) 878-8844
www.belmontmansion.org
Join the American Women’s Heritage Society in celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Underground Railroad Museum at Belmont Mansion in Fairmount Park. Visitors will enjoy family-friendly activities such as guided tours, make-and-take workshops, face painting, storytelling, historical re-enactors and more.
July 4th on Franklin Square
200 North 6th Street
www.historicphiladelphia.org
Friday, July 4th through Sunday, July 6th from 11 am to 2 pm
Games, jugglers, face painting balloons and other activities make for a weekend of patriotic fun.
Fonthill’s Old Fashioned 4th of July ($)
Fonthill Museum
East Court Street & Route 313 in Doylestown
www.fonthillmuseum.org
Friday, July 4th from 12 noon to 5 pm
This rollicking turn-of-the-century-style picnic features food, crafts, games and music.
Channel 6 Zoo Balloon Flying High For the 4th of July ($)
Philadelphia Zoo
3400 West Girard Avenue
www.philadelphiazoo.org
Friday, July 4th from 6 pm to 9 pm
Soaring 400 feet above ground in the ZooBalloon, you’ll get a birds-eye view of the Parkway festivities.
Freedom Blast ($)
Fort Mifflin
Fort Mifflin & Hog Island Roads
www.fortmifflin.us
Saturday, July 5th from 10 am to 4 pm
Meet freedom-fighting Revolutionary War soldiers, chat with Colonial artisans and enjoy games, tours and other activities.
Liberty Bell and Independence Hall
Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are open from 9:00-7:00 pm in July and August. No tickets are needed for Independence Hall after 5:00 pm.
July 6- August 31: 8:30- 7:00 pm
