250th
Salute to Independence Parade

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Web: July4thPhilly.com

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PARADE ROUTE SHORTENED; WORLD-CLASS LINEUP REMAINS

Due to extreme heat, the route for the 250th Salute to Independence Parade has been shortened from 2.4 miles to just over 1 mile to help ensure the safety and well-being of participants and spectators.

The parade will still begin Friday, July 3 at 12:00 PM at 5th & Chestnut Streets beside Independence Hall. The route then turns right onto 6th Street, passes the Liberty Bell, turns left onto Market Street and continues to City Hall, before turning left and ending near Broad & Chestnut Streets.

The excitement remains unchanged! More than 40 marching bands representing 18 U.S. states plus Puerto Rico, along with bands from Colombia, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Sweden, will take part in this historic celebration. An international lineup not to be missed!

Hear Ye! Here Ye! Here Ye!

The City of Philadelphia, in partnership with Wawa Welcome America, invites everyone to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the 250th Salute to Independence Parade, a spectacular celebration of the United States' 250th birthday in 2026!

As the heart of America's independence, Philadelphia will host the nation's largest parade, set for July 3, 2026 — a day before the usual festivities, making it a truly unique occasion for all to experience.

Looking back at pivotal moments in history, July 2, 1776 marked the day Congress voted to declare independence as the British fleet and army arrived at New York. The following day, July 3, 1776, Congress debated and revised the Declaration of Independence, leading to its adoption on the morning of July 4, 1776 — on a bright, sunny, yet cool day. This sets the stage to make July 3, 2026 a perfect day for a stunning 250th celebration parade commemorating the defining events that shaped the nation.

All Eyes on Philadelphia
With numerous landmarks and events bringing national attention to Philadelphia in 2026, July 3 will be "parade day" and will focus directly on this massive parade that has been in the planning and invitation stages since 2022. This is a parade NOT to be missed, as it will feature elements from around the nation and the globe coming together to create a four-hour long procession. The parade will travel in the footsteps of the nation's founders along a 2.4-mile route providing ample viewing space for spectators.

The parade will begin at 5th and Chestnut Streets and travel directly in front of Independence Hall, then on to Market Street and other historical and magnificent streets in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection.

WAMSB International Marching Bands
Making the parade extra special, international marching bands will perform in the parade as part of the World Association of Marching Show Bands (WAMSB) USA Regional Competition as they strive to achieve a qualifying score for the 2027 WASMB World Championships.

In the words of John Adams, one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence and the 2nd President of the U.S., "Let us celebrate with Pomp and Parade from one end of this continent to the other from this time forward forever more!"

HUZZAH!

Final list - Updated May 2026.

Alabama
• Prattville High School Marching Band, Prattville, AL

Arizona
• Sahuarita Mustang Marching Band, Sahuarita, AZ

California
• Arcadia High School Marching Band & Color Guard, Arcadia, CA

Connecticut
• Colchester Continental Fife and Drum Corps, Hebron, CT
• Marlborough Jr. Ancient Fife & Drum Corps, Marlborough, CT
• Mattatuck Drum Band, Waterbury, CT

Delaware
• Odessa High School Marching Band, Townsend, DE

Florida
• Second Time Arounders Marching Band, St. Petersburg, FL

Maine
• Sanford High School Marching Band, Sanford, ME

Maryland
• Falun Dafa Association, Bethesda, MD

Massachusetts
• New England Pride Colorguard, Woburn, MA

Michigan
• Northern Lights Marching Band, Ada, MI
• Petoskey Steel Drum Band, Petoskey, MI

Minnesota
• KMS Marching Saints, Kerkhoven, MN

Nevada
• Foothill High School Marching Band and Color Guard, Henderson, NV

New Jersey
• 78th Army Band, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, NJ
• Kingsway Regional Marching Band and Alumni, Swedesboro, NJ
• Long Branch High School Marching Band, Long Branch, NJ
• Ridgewood High School Marching Band, Ridgewood, NJ

Oklahoma
• Union High School Renegade Regiment Marching Band, Tulsa, OK

Pennsylvania
• 1st Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteers Field Music Fife and Drum Corps, Gettysburg, PA
• 28th Infantry Division Band, Torrance, PA
• Central York Middle School Fifes & Drums, York, PA
• Council of Indian Organizations In Greater Philadelphia, Morrisville, PA
• Enon Trinity Drill Team & Drum Corps, Philadelphia, PA
• The Franklin High School Black Knight Marching Band, Franklin, PA
• Independence Fife & Drum Corps, West Chester, PA
• Indiana County Fife and Drum Corps, Indiana, PA
• Korean American Association of Greater Philadelphia, Elkins Park, PA
• Montrose Marching Unit Alumni Band, Montrose, PA
• Philadelphia Freedom Band, Philadelphia, PA
• Philly Fife and Drum Company, Philadelphia, PA
• Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps, Reading, PA
• West Powelton Steppers and Drum Squad, Philadelphia, PA
• South Philadelphia String Band, Philadelphia, PA

Tennessee
• Claiborne Blue Battalion Marching Band, New Tazewell, TN

Virginia
• Green Machine Historical Ensembles, Fairfax, VA

Wisconsin
• Lutheran Vanguard of Wisconsin, Appleton, WI
• Pulaski High School Red Raider Marching Band, Pulaski, WI
• Sound of Sun Prairie, Sun Prairie, WI

Puerto Rico (U.S. Territory)
• Banda Escolar de Guayanilla

Colombia
• Sonart Performance Group

England
• Romford Drum and Trumpet Corps

France
• French Foreign Legion Band

Germany
• Groitzscher Spielleute e.V.

Ireland
• Mullingar Town Band

Italy
• Triuggio Marching Band

Sweden
• Göta Lejon Youth Marching Band

• Historic Philadelphia is always a great place to gather for Independence Day celebrations because the "WAWA Welcome America!" celebration features numerous special events from late June through early July. The 2026 semiquincentennial (250th) celebration will bring added significance to annual events such as a televised concert featuring major artists and an amazing choreographed fireworks show. For a complete schedule of events, visit the "WAWA Welcome America!" website at July4thPhilly.com.
• Bands traveling to Philadelphia for the 250th Salute to Independence Parade can take advantage of many educational opportunities by touring historic sites such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center and Valley Forge National Historical Park.

Web: July4thPhilly.com