The United States of America is set to celebrate it’s 250th birthday next year and Philadelphia will be the epicenter of the celebration. And, on Monday, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker was set to join city officials to discuss what will be happening in the city during the upcoming year-lon g celebration, along with talking about the city’s plans for the first ever New Year’s Eve concert — featuring LL Cool J — and a fireworks celebration. “Philly, I hope you are ready, because I am ready to ring in the new year rocking the bells right here in our great city of Philadelphia,” she said. In preparing to detail the upcoming events, Parker said that the city will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the county “in a way that only our nation’s birthplace can.” LL Cool J will headline a free concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, and, as detailed by Parker, he will be joined by special guests like the legendary DJ and Philly native DJ Jazzy Jeff, Grammy-Award winning musician Adam Blackstone, and hard rock band Dorothy. Gates will open for the free show at 6 p.m. and the concert is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. that night. A fireworks show will then take place over the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at midnight. “We want the city to feel the excitement, and quite frankly the potential of 2026 from the very beginning,” Parker said. She also celebrated the fact that, USA Today readers recently voted the Live! Casino Hotel Philadelphia Mummers Parade as the best holiday parade in the country. “Our Mummer’s Parade! Some recognition of a tradition that’s uniquely Philly and proudly community driven,” she said. And, she said, with so much planned for next year to celebrate America’s 250th birthday — from FIFA World Cup events to the MLB All-Star Game and other events — the city will be to focus of attention across the country. With that, Parker said, the city expects an influx of visitors for the celebrations. “Philadelphia is ready for you,” she said. The Philadelphia Police Department will be ready for the upcoming events, as well, said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel. He noted that police expect New Year’s Eve to be “a challenging two days for us.” But, he noted, the police are prepared for the events. “We will have all of our assets out to make sure this event goes safely,” he said, noting that there will be a police presence on the ground, in the air and in the water along the Delaware River during the New Year’s Eve event. For a full list of upcoming events for America’s 250th Anniversary Celebration — including information on FIFA World Cup events, the upcoming MLB All-Star Game and more — visit the city’s website, here. Following the morning announcement, the city details transit, safety and parking plans for New Year’s Eve. Those details are included here. Public Safety For the safety of event attendees and participants, unauthorized sUAS/drone usage is prohibited over crowds by the FAA. If you see a drone at an event, please report it to the nearest police officer with a location and description of the operator.  Attendees should never leave bags or other items unattended. In the event of an emergency or to report a suspicious person, activity, or item (backpack, package, container, etc.), notify a police officer immediately or call 9-1-1. Do not try to open, move, cover or touch a suspicious item.  For tips and general information about being prepared and ready at special events, read the Special Event Safety Guide before you attend.  Road Closures The road closures are subject to change and this list will be updated accordingly. Below are the street closures for the upcoming New Year’s Eve Concert and Fireworks.   Wednesday, December 31, 2025  The following streets will be closed starting at 8 a.m. until approximately 6 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, unless otherwise noted:  Benjamin Franklin Parkway inner lanes from 20th Street to Eakins Oval  Benjamin Franklin Parkway outbound outer lanes from 22nd Street to Eakins Oval  Eakins Oval (all lanes)  Spring Garden Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and 31st Street  23rd Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Eakins Oval  MLK Drive from Sweet Briar Drive to Eakins Oval  Kelly Drive between Eakins Oval and Fairmount Avenue (Kelly Drive inbound closed at Fountain Green Drive beginning at approximately 5:00 p.m.)  All closures listed below are in effect from approximately 12 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31 to 1 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, unless otherwise noted:  Kelly Drive from Fairmount Avenue to Fountain Green Drive  Due to public safety interests relating to the fireworks show, all roads listed below will be closed from 10 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31 to approximately 1 a.m. on Thursday, January 1, unless noted otherwise:  Lemon Hill Drive  Sedgley Drive  Waterworks Drive  Poplar Drive  Note: Additional closures may be implemented by the Philadelphia Police Department based on conditions in the interest of public safety. These additional road closures would be implemented at 6 p.m. and reopened immediately following the event:  Spring Garden Tunnel  I-676 Off-Ramp at 22nd Street  I-676 On-Ramp at 22nd Street  I-76 eastbound Off-Ramp at Spring Garden Street  22nd Street between Winter Street and Pennsylvania Avenue  21st Street between Winter Street and Pennsylvania Avenue  Parking Restrictions The above-listed streets will be posted as “Temporary No Parking” zones. Motorists must adhere to “Temporary No Parking” signs. Additional “No Parking” zones include:  2200 – 2300 Park Towne Place (north side)  2200 Pennsylvania Avenue (south side)  Vehicles parked in these locations during posted hours will be relocated. If you believe your car has been relocated, call the police district of the area where your car was parked.  Public Transportation Philadelphia’s mass transit system, SEPTA, offers two subway lines, regional rail service to and from the surrounding suburbs, and bus service throughout the city.  Check SEPTA’s website, septa.org, for full details on transit options. For information on NJ Transit routes and schedules on December 31, visit njtransit.com.  ...read more read less