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Everything you need to know about Wawa Welcome America: Demi Lovato, Ludacris and more

From Hoagie Day info to parades and concert info for Vanessa Williams, Ludacris, and Demi Lovato, we've got it covered.

Fans dancing during last year's Wawa Welcome America concert on July 4 on the Parkway.
Fans dancing during last year's Wawa Welcome America concert on July 4 on the Parkway.Read moreELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer

This year’s weekslong Wawa Welcome America festival concludes July 4 with a free concert featuring Demi Lovato and Ludacris on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Schedule
Hours
Parking
Road closures
What’s not allowed

The concert will have an “enhanced security footprint” this year, after two police officers were injured in a shooting last year. Expect additional security measures including metal detectors, bag checks, and more security personnel, Wawa Welcome America Inc. president and CEO Michael DelBene told The Inquirer.

But the July 4 concert is not the only event left — Welcome America still boasts days of programming leading into the holiday weekend, with additional concerts, free museum days, and more. Find the full schedule online, or read more for details about other major highlights.

Whether you’re ready to “Give Your Heart a Break” or “Act a Fool,” here’s what to know about the Fourth of July concert and additional programs for Wawa Welcome America.

Schedule

On Wednesday, June 28, find seven tons of free Wawa hoagies along Arch Street between 5th and 6th streets in the Independence Mall area starting at noon for Hoagie Day, which celebrates first responders and community heroes. Hoagies will be offered till 3 p.m. Later, head to Broad and South Streets for a dance party honoring legendary disc jockey Jerry Blavat at 6 p.m. — a portion of Broad Street will be renamed Jerry Blavat Way.

Bring your chairs, blankets, and enjoy an evening with former Miss America Vanessa Williams on Monday, July 3. The Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe award-winning singer-actress will perform at Independence Mall at 6 p.m.

The Salute to Independence Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 4 at 2nd and Market Streets. Watch performances by Miss America 2023 Grace Stanke, decked-out floats, marching bands, and more as the parade travels to City Hall and ends at Arch and North Broad Street. Lovato and Ludacris take the stage for the July Fourth concert, followed by fireworks over the Parkway. DJ Diamond Kuts and Snacktime take the Pennsylvania Lottery Groove Stage from 4 to 6 p.m. Lovato and Ludacris will be at the main stage at 7 p.m., and concertgoers get a complimentary bag of Haribo Gummy Bears at entry.

Hours

Gates for the July 4 concert and fireworks show open at 4 p.m. Enter at Logan Circle at 20th Street through the secure checkpoint.

Parking

Consider the Family Courthouse Garage on Arch Street, Philadelphia Gateway Parking Garage on Vine Street, or 19th and Callowhill Street Lot on Callowhill Street. Street parking is also available — you can pay meters online with meterUP or ParkMobile apps.

Road closures

Several road closures have accommodated the Wawa Welcome America event since mid-June. For the July 4 concert, road closures begin as early as July 1.

Closed July 1, beginning at 4 a.m.

  1. Ben Franklin Parkway inner lanes, from 20th Street to Eakins Oval. It will reopen around 10 p.m. July 5.

Closed July 4, beginning at 5 a.m., 1 p.m., or 8 p.m.

  1. 1900 Race Street, from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m.

  2. 1800-1900 Vine Street, from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m.

  3. I-676 on-ramp and off-ramp at 22nd Street, from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m.


  5. I-76 eastbound off-ramp at Spring Garden Street, from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m.

  6. Spring Garden Tunnel, from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m.

  7. Park Towne Place, between 22nd and 24th Streets, from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m.

  8. 20th Street, between Arch Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m.

  9. 19th Street, between Callowhill and Cherry Streets, from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m.

  10. Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 18th Street to Eakins Oval (all lanes), from 5 a.m. to 4 a.m.

  11. Eakins Oval (all lanes), from 5 a.m. to 4 a.m.

  12. Kelly Drive, between Eakins Oval and Fairmount Avenue, from 5 a.m. to 4 a.m. (Kelly Drive inbound closed at Fountain Green Drive around 5 p.m.)

  13. Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive (rear of Art Museum), from 5 a.m. to 4 a.m.

  14. 2000-2100 Winter Street, from 5 a.m. to 4 a.m.

  15. MLK Drive, Falls Bridge to Eakins Oval, from 5 a.m. to 4 a.m.

  16. Spring Garden Street, between Pennsylvania Avenue and 31st Street, from 5 a.m. to 4 a.m.

  17. 23rd Street, between Pennsylvania Avenue and Eakins Oval, from 5 a.m. to 4 a.m.

  18. 22nd Street, between Winter Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. on July 5

  19. 21st Street, between Winter Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. on July 5

  20. All roads from Arch to Spring Garden Streets, 18th to 22nd Streets, from 1 p.m. to 1 p.m. on July 5 (access for residents will be maintained)

  21. All roads from Arch Street to Fairmount Avenue, 22nd to Corinthian Streets, from 1 p.m. to 1 p.m. on July 5 (access for residents will be maintained)

  22. 16th and 17th Streets, between Arch and Spring Garden Streets, from 1 p.m. to 1 p.m. on July 5 (only if conditions warrant public safety)

  23. 1600-1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 1 p.m. to 1 p.m. on July 5 (only if conditions warrant public safety)

  24. Kelly Drive, Fairmount Avenue to Fountain Green Drive, from 8 p.m. July 4 to 1 a.m. July 5

  25. Lemon Hill Drive, from 8 p.m. on July 4 to 1 a.m. on July 5

  26. Sedgley Drive, from 8 p.m. on July 4 to 1 a.m. on July 5

  27. Waterworks Drive, from 8 p.m. on July 4 to 1 a.m. on July 5

  28. Poplar Drive, from 8 p.m. on July 4 to 1 a.m. on July 5

Salute to Independence Day Parade: Closures begin at 6 a.m. for the formation area of the parade.

  1. 2nd Street, between Arch and Chestnut Streets, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  2. Chestnut/Market Street Viaduct, between Chestnut and Front Streets to 2nd and Market Streets, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  3. Market Street, between 3rd and Front Streets, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  4. Front Street, between Dock and Market Streets, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  5. Chestnut Street, between 2nd and Front Streets, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  6. 3rd to 12th Streets, between Arch and Chestnut Streets, from 10:30 a.m. until conclusion of parade.

  1. JFK Blvd., between Market and 15th Streets, from 10:30 a.m. until conclusion of parade.

  2. North Broad Street, between JFK Blvd. and Vine Street, from 10:30 a.m. until conclusion of parade.

  3. South Penn Square, from S. Broad Street to E. Market Street, from 10:30 a.m. until conclusion of parade.

  4. East Market, from Front Street to City Hall, from 10:30 a.m. until conclusion of parade.

  5. 12th Street, between Vine and Market Streets, from 10:30 a.m. until conclusion of parade.

  6. 13th Street, between Vine and Market Streets, from 10:30 a.m. until conclusion of parade.

  7. Arch Street, between 12th and Broad Streets, from 10:30 a.m. until conclusion of parade.

Celebration of Freedom Ceremony: Roads will close at 8 a.m.

  1. 6th Street, between Chestnut and Walnut Streets, from 8 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

What’s not allowed

Leave your fliers, posters, and selfie sticks at home. Full face coverings, like ski masks and balaclavas, are not allowed — this does not include COVID-19 masks or faith-based coverings. Don’t bring fireworks, sparklers, or firecrackers either. You can bring your own food and beverage, but alcohol is not permitted — small coolers will be subject to inspection. Be sure to check the full list of prohibited items.