Though July 4 doesn’t come until the middle of next week, there’s no reason to put off celebrating. From the official Wawa Welcome America fests and parades to block parties and special dinners, Philadelphia will be hopping throughout the next week. At the risk of sounding cliché, it’s really true: there’s no better place to toast Independence Day than the birthplace of our nation. Check out our list of events below — let us know if you have one we should add. Raise a glass to our Founding Fathers, and their wives, partners and workers. Have a fantastic July 4 holiday!

Down the Shore 3: Zombie Luau
6 PM, Tuesday, July 3
Zahav (237 St. James Pl.)
For the third year running, Michael Solomonov’s Society Hill modern Israeli is hosting this ultra-casual, zany summer party, and this year’s theme is zombies gone island style. A $75 advance ticket brings access to the fun along with bites from eight of Philly’s best chefs, as well as a pig roast and buffet. Look for face-painting, live entertainment, a photo booth and a good helping of restaurant industry shenanigans.

Philadelphia Independence Day Parade
11 AM–12:30 PM, Wednesday, July 4
Historic Philadelphia (near Sixth and Chestnut Sts.)
Find a prime viewing point to take in marching bands, floats, and over 5,000 participants as this one-of-a-kind parade makes its way through the area where our nation was born. Enjoy live music performances and other entertainment fun.

Party on the Parkway
Noon–7 PM, Wednesday, July 4
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
The grand boulevard that stretches from Love Park to the Philadelphia Museum of Art will be close to auto traffic and open for fun. Look for live music at three different stages, arts and crafts, interactive games and plenty of food and drink vendors for a day of family fun.

Fourth of July Jam and Grand Finale Fireworks
5–11 PM, Wednesday, July 4
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
The party on the Parkway continues with an epic concert curated by The Roots and featuring Queen Latifah, Daryl Hall, Common, Joe Jonas and others, followed by a huge fireworks finale.

Sly Fox Homefront IPA at Tria
3 PM–close, Wednesday, July 4
Tria Rittenhouse (123 S. 18th St.) & Tria Wash West (1137 Spruce St.)
Two locations of the beer-cheese-wine cafe will be open for business on the 4th, and will be tapping Sly Fox Homefront IPA, with $1 from each beer going to Operation Homefront, a nonprofit that provides emergency financial and other assitance to families of service members. That's how to celebrate America.

Radio Liberty
10 PM, Wednesday, July 4
Johnny Brenda’s (1201 N. Frankford Ave.)
Follow up the fireworks in Fishtown with “a night of foreign sounds for domestic ears” as DJ Jeffrey and Nick Spaceman spin tunes to take the celebration into the wee hours of the morning.

Past Events

Taste of Philadelphia
5–9 PM, Friday, June 29 
11 AM–10 PM, Saturday, June 30
11 AM–7 PM, Sunday, July 1
Penn’s Landing (301. S Columbus Blvd.)
A three-day food, drink and entertainment fest takes place along with Delaware River as part of the official Welcome America celebration. Entry is free each day, and you can buy tickets to munch on $1–$5 snacks at stands from Darling’s Diner, Gigi Restaurant & Lounge and Marabella Meatball Co. and food trucks Gozen Yogurt, Say Cheese, Gigi & Big R’s, Sweet Box, Lil Dan’s andVernalicious. Each evening will also see live music performances, and on Saturday you can catch the first of the fireworks, exploding in color above the water.

Battleship Blast
5:30 PM, Saturday, June 30
Battleship New Jersey (62 Battleship Pl., Camden, NJ)
This fundraiser on the historic vessel will benefit the ongoing restoration and preservation of the ship and museum, and is the perfect place to catch the fireworks. Your $175 ticket includes an opening cocktail reception and a surf-and-turf BBQ dinner, all enjoyed under the huge cannons of the former warship.

Fireworks and Music
6:30 PM, Saturday, June 30
Penn Treaty Park (1199 Delaware Ave.)
Another prime spot to view the fireworks display is at this enclave just north of the Sugarhouse Casino. Classic rock cover band Fusebox will play, and you can enjoy your own picnic as you swing to the tunes and are awed by the exploding lights above.

Base photo by Ray Skwire