event

Salute to Independence Semiquincentennial Parade

Fri, Jul 3 · 11:00am–2:00pm

Center City·outdoor

The biggest 250th parade in the nation, and it is free.

At a glance

Ages
All ages
Location
Center City
Setting
outdoor
Time
~2 hours
Effort
Some planning
Signup
Just show up

Free and outdoors. Steps off at 11 AM. It will be hot and packed, so pick a shaded cheer zone, pack water, and take SEPTA in.

What to know

  • The largest professionally produced 250th-birthday parade in the country
  • All 50 states and U.S. territories represented
  • 40+ marching bands, floats, military units, and international groups
  • Three cheer zones with giveaways: 6th & Market, Market between 11th-12th, NE side of City Hall
  • Route runs past Independence Hall, around City Hall, and up the Ben Franklin Parkway

Our experience

This is the big one, and it starts Friday morning. Philadelphia throws the largest 250th-birthday parade in the country, running from 5th and Chestnut by Independence Hall, down Market, around City Hall, and up the Ben Franklin Parkway. All 50 states and territories are in it, with more than 40 marching bands, floats, military units, and international groups. It steps off at 11 AM, and there are three official cheer zones with giveaways at 6th and Market, on Market between 11th and 12th, and on the northeast side of City Hall. It is free, it will be hot, and it will be packed, so grab a shaded spot early, pack water, and take SEPTA in instead of driving.