Red, White, & Blue To-Do
July 2 will be a day of ‘pomp and parade’ as envisioned by John Adams
A vibrant display of patriotic celebration, Red, White, & Blue To-Do will bring together museums, historic sites, and local businesses in America’s most historic square mile to honor our nation’s founding. This monumental occasion promises to be a memorable experience for all, featuring the Red, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade, festooned decor, concerts, games, extended visitation hours at area historic attractions, restaurant specials, and much more.
Learn More About:
Decorating Days
Wagon Decorating will take place at the National Constitution Center, free and open to the public. Anyone can help create one of the official wagon “floats” for the Red, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade. The activity is free, but space is limited, so advance registration is strongly encouraged.
Musical Performances
Hear musical performances at four locations throughout the Historic District.
Pomp & Parade
Red, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade kicks off at the National Constitution Center, traveling along Independence Mall and ending at Carpenters' Hall at noon. The parade will include a variety of youth performance troupes, miniature, hand-decorated wagon floats, and community members decked out in patriotic flair.
Discover what's happening at other participating museums and organizations on July 2, including their hours, special programming, and more!
African American Museum in Philadelphia
American Philosophical Society
Arch Street Meeting House
Art Star Red, White, and Blue Craft Market
Athenaeum of Philadelphia
Betsy Ross House
Carpenters' Hall
Elfreth's Alley
Franklin Square
Historic Philadelphia Inc.
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Independence Historical Trust
Independence Seaport Museum
Independence Visitor Center
Museum of the American Revolution
National Constitution Center
National Liberty Museum
Science History Institute
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
Schedule of Events
9 - 11 am: The fun begins with flag raisings, museums, and historic sites openings, special recognitions, and Children's Naturalization Ceremony at the Betsy Ross House (9 a.m.)
11 am: Red, White, Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade kicks-off at the National Constitution Center, traveling along Independence Mall (Pre-registration to march in the Pomp & Parade is required. Stay tuned to the website for information)
11 am. - 3 pm: Welcome America's Go 4th and Learn: Carpenters' Hall 250th Anniversary
12 pm: Parade arrives at the end point at Carpenters' Hall
12 - 2 pm: Independence Barbeque with lunch specials throughout Old City
2 - 5 pm: Musical performances at four locations throughout the Historic District (Arch Street Meeting House, African American Museum in Philadelphia, National Liberty Museum and Elfreth's Alley)
4 - 7 pm: Extended hours and special events at various historical sites and food and specials throughout Old City
Know the History
The official Independence Day—July 2, 1776—came to be when the Second Continental Congress voted in Independence Hall to approve a resolution declaring: “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”
John Adams thought July 2 should be marked as a national holiday for generations to come: “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival…It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade with shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this continent to the other from this Time forward forever more,” Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail Adams.
The Declaration of Independence was signed by representatives from the Colonies two days later, on July 4, 1776.
For more details on the Red, White, & Blue To-Do, check out our fact street!