Wawa Welcome America

June 28, 2019

All the iconic sights in Philly have one thing in common – you guessed it - SEPTA!

SEPTA makes it easy to go from running the Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to a whiz wit at Pat’s or Geno’s to touring the birthplace of our country at Independence Hall. Wherever you stop, start with SEPTA and - take a picture  📷 – it could win you an August Anywhere TrailPass!

SEPTA also makes it easy to navigate Philadelphia's annual WAWA Welcome America - a multi-day festival with FREE multicultural and multigenerational events celebrating America’s birthday in America’s birthplace – Philadelphia.

The citywide festival is jam packed with multiple fireworks displays, free concerts, free museum days, community events, free outdoor movie screenings, block parties and more.

Starting Saturday 6/29, the festival kick-off with free admission to some of Philadelphia's most beloved Museums, a free concert by the US Army Field Band, and will end with waterfront fireworks. Travel Tip: The waterfront is best accessed from 2nd Street on the Market-Frankford Line.

On Sunday, 6/30, there will be a block party in Historic District of Philadelphia and Philly @ the Movies: Rocky presented by Chase, on the Parkway. Travel Tip: The Ben Franklin Parkway is best accessed from 15th Street on the Market-Frankford Line and Race-Vine or City Hall Stations on the Broad Street Line.

Monday, 7/1 brings Citywide Readings at some of Philadelphia's best libraries and another concert by the US Army Field Band & more fireworks on the waterfront.

Tuesday, 7/2 is Wawa Hoagie Day! At night - head to the Kimmel Center's Great American Party on the Plaza! For this event, you want the Walnut-Locust stop on the Broad Street Line! 

Wednesday, 7/3 brings more movies on the Parkway and a concert by the Philly Pops in front of Independence Hall. Travel Tip: The Independence Hall is best accessed from 5th Street on the Market-Frankford Line.

The celebration ends on Thursday, 7/4 with the Independence Day Parade, Party on the Parkway, and the Wawa Welcome America Concert and Fireworks.

For a full list of events, please check the Wawa Welcome America events page.

SEPTA SERVICE

On Independence Day (Thursday, 7/4), SEPTA Buses, Trolleys, the Broad Street and Market Frankford Lines and Regional Rail Trains will operate on a Sunday schedule, with special late night Regional Rail service following the fireworks on the Ben Franklin Parkway (see below).

Routes without a regular Sunday schedule, including Route 204, 205, 310 and 316 will not run on Thursday, July 4. Please refer to the Sunday portion of schedules for trip times.

Select Regional Rail trains will be added to the service schedule or held later than regularly scheduled for customers leaving Center City Philadelphia after the fireworks and concert on the Ben Franklin Parkway.

Late night trains will serve Airport Terminals, Chestnut Hill East, Chestnut Hill West, Doylestown, Fox Chase, Malvern, Media/Elwyn, Marcus Hook, Trenton, Warminster, and West Trenton Stations. Download the special late night Regional Rail July 4th schedule.

On Saturday, 6/29 and Monday, 7/1 there will be extended evening hours for fare collection and validation at 30th Street, Suburban, and Jefferson Stations. You need a prepaid fare before going to thru the turnstiles. On Thursday, 7/4 the turnstiles will be in operation all day for fare collection and validation at these stations. SEPTA Key Ambassadors will be on hand to answer questions and provide assistance.

The SEPTA Bus Routes noted below will operate on a temporary detour before, during, and immediately following the concert and fireworks on the Parkway:

• Location: Ben Franklin Parkway - 20th St. to the Museum of Art, 17th through 23rd Sts., north and south through the Parkway

• Time: Scheduled to begin at 5:00 a.m., Thursday, July 4 - 1:00 a.m., Friday, July 5, 2018

• Routes: 7, 9, 17, 21, 32, 33, 38, 42, 43, 44 and 48

Check TransitView for real-time detour information before and during the event.

Additional Broad Street and Market Frankford Line Trains will be placed into service before the events on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Details will be posted on the Broad Street Line Sports Express page.

Please note: Because trains will operate on a Sunday schedule, all night train service will be available Wednesday evening, 7/3 into early Thursday morning, 7/4. Trains will operate on a regular Sunday schedule the entire service day July 4th.

Have fun, be safe, any questions call SEPTA Customer Service at 215-580-7800.