Live: Philly officials to unveil ‘Red, White & Blue To-Do’ celebration

Get ready to celebrate America’s Independence Day on July 2, 2026!

What, you thought Independence Day was two days later, on July 4, 2026?

Well… it is.

But, this July, for the third year, in honor of former President John Adams — who, as noted by the National Constitution Center, “thought July 2 would be marked as a national holiday for generations to come” after, in 1776, it was when the Continental Congress officially declared its freedom from Great Britain — Philadelphia will celebrate the date he originally intended to celebrate Independence Day.

Over time, July 4 became the celebrated Independence Day as, that was when Congress approved the actual Declaration of Independence document.

Officials are expected to announce a third annual “Red, White & Blue To-Do” celebration to be held on July 2, 2026, in celebration of the country’s 250th birthday on the date that was, initially, considered Independence Day. The event is scheduled to happen at 11 a.m. at the National Constitution Center in Center City Philadelphia and it will be livestreamed at the top of this article.

Today, at the National Constitution Center, officials from across the city will gather to announce an upcoming “Red, White and Blue To-Do” celebration, that organizers said, will look bring a day of “pomp and parade,” as declared Adams in 1776, to be held on July 2, 2026.

In a statement ahead of the event, organizers said officials are expected to reveal a full list of events for the third annual Red, White & Blue To-Do, that will be held all across Philly’s Old City community on July 2, 2026 from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

In a statement, officials said the Red, White, & Blue To-Do was created by the Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee, a partnership of 23 museums and cultural institutions.

These Philadelphia Historic District Partners include: