Ben Franklin Bridge 100th Birthday Celebration
Sat, Jul 11 · 10:00am–2:30pm
The Ben Franklin Bridge turns 100 and closes to traffic so you can walk the whole span.
At a glance
- Ages
- All ages
- Location
- Old City to Camden
- Setting
- outdoor
- Time
- ~2h 30m
- Effort
- Some planning
- Signup
- Just show up
Free. Runs 10 to 2:30. The walk across is about 1.5 miles each way, so wear real shoes, bring water and sun cover, and take PATCO or the free shuttles instead of driving.
What to know
- •Walk the full span of the Ben Franklin Bridge while it is closed to all traffic
- •Once-in-a-century event: the bridge turns 100 this year
- •Camden-side festival with food trucks, live music, historical displays, and family activities
- •PATCO every 15 minutes plus free shuttles from City Hall and the Philly bridge plaza
- •Free admission. Rain date Sunday July 12
Our experience
More details
The Benjamin Franklin Bridge, which opened in 1926 as the world's longest suspension bridge, turns 100 this summer, and the Delaware River Port Authority is throwing it a birthday party. For one day only, Saturday July 11, the bridge closes to all vehicle traffic so pedestrians can walk the entire span across the Delaware River between Philadelphia and Camden. The main celebration runs on the Camden side near the toll plaza from 10 AM to 2:30 PM, with live entertainment, food trucks, historical displays, and family activities. PATCO runs enhanced service with trains every 15 minutes, and free shuttles connect from City Hall Station and the Philadelphia bridge plaza. The walk across is roughly 1.5 miles each way. After dark, the bridge's LED lights run blue-and-green shows every 30 minutes. Rain date is Sunday, July 12.
