Grab your red, white and blue! In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, the City of Brotherly Love is hosting the One Philly: Unity Concert for America, a July 4th concert and fireworks celebration. The gates will open at 3 p.m. Then the free event starts at 5 p.m. with a star-studded si x-hour live concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Once the concert ends, it will be followed by a large, fireworks display beginning at 11:30 p.m.  From who is performing to road closures, here’s everything you need to know before heading to the celebration: Who is performing? Full lineup:  • Christina Aguilera • Meek Mill • Jill Scott • The Roots with special guests: Will Smith DJ Jazzy Jeff • Kathy Sledge • State Property: Freeway, Beanie Sigel, Young Gunz and Peedi Crakk. • Seal • Infinity Song The celebration will be hosted by Wanda Sykes and will include appearances by Gillie Da King, Wallo 267 and more. Our 250 Jun 23 Christina Aguilera, Will Smith, Meek Mill to perform at 4th of July concert Philadelphia Jun 29 Road closures underway as Philadelphia prepares for historic week of events What roads will be closed? Tuesday, June 30 The inner lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 20th Street to Binswanger Triangle will close beginning Tuesday, June 30 at 6 a.m. These closures will remain in effect through Monday, July 6 at 6 a.m.  The outer lanes of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will reopen on Tuesday, June 30 at 6 a.m. and will remain open until the full Parkway closure begins.  Friday, July 3 All closures listed below are in effect from approximately 6 a.m. on Friday, July 3, to 6 a.m. on Monday, July 6, unless otherwise noted:   • 1900 Race Street  • 1800-1900 Vine Street  • I-676 Off-Ramp at 22nd Street  • I-676 On-Ramp at 22nd Street  • I-76 eastbound Off-Ramp at Spring Garden Street  • Spring Garden Tunnel  • Park Towne Place between 22nd Street and 24th Street  • 20th Street between Arch Street and Pennsylvania Avenue  • 19th Street between Callowhill Street and Cherry Street  • Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 17th Street to Eakins Oval (all lanes)  • Eakins Oval (all lanes)  • Kelly Drive between Eakins Oval and Fairmount Avenue (Kelly Drive inbound closed at Fountain Green Drive beginning at approximately 5:00 p.m.)  • 2000-2100 Winter Street  • Spring Garden Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and 31st Street  • 23rd Street between Pennsylvania Avenue and Eakins Oval  • 22nd Street between Winter Street and Pennsylvania Avenue  • 21st Street between Winter Street and Pennsylvania Avenue  • All roads from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street, 18th Street to 22nd Street (local access maintained for residents)  • All roads from Arch Street to Fairmount Avenue, 22nd Street to Corinthian Street (local access maintained for residents)  • 16th and 17th Streets, between Arch Street and Spring Garden Street will be closed only if conditions warrant in the interest of public safety  • 1600-1700 Benjamin Franklin Parkway will be closed only if conditions warrant in the interest of public safety  Saturday, July 4The following streets will be closed on Saturday, July 4, beginning at 4 a.m.:   • Rear of Art Museum – Anne d’Harnoncourt Drive (reopens on Monday, July 6) • MLK Drive from Falls Bridge to Eakins Oval (reopens on Sunday, July 5) • Due to public safety interests relating to the fireworks show, all roads listed below will be closed from 8 p.m.  • on Saturday, July 4 to approximately 1 a.m. on Sunday, July 5, unless noted otherwise:  • Kelly Drive from Fairmount Avenue to Fountain Green Drive  • Waterworks Drive  Officials said parkway closures may begin earlier than scheduled based on crowd size and public safety needs. Additionally, traffic impacts and increased pedestrian activity are expected due to the overlap of July celebrations and the FIFA Fan Festival. Travelers should allow extra time and consider using public transportation whenever possible.  FIFA Fan Festival closures of Poplar Drive and Lemon Hill Drive remain in effect, officials said. How can I get to the concert? SEPTA is offering two subway lines, regional rail service to and from the surrounding suburbs, and bus service throughout the city.  City officials said L, B, T and Regional Rail will have special schedules with enhanced service to support the July 4 events happening throughout the city. Most Regional Rail lines provide additional inbound and outbound service before the fireworks; all Regional Rail lines (except Airport Cynwyd) provide late-night outbound service from Jefferson, Suburban and William H. Gray III 30th St stations after the fireworks.  All other services (D, M, and bus) operate on a Sunday schedule. Routes that do not have Sunday schedules will not operate.   Bus Detours: Due to road closures, buses that travel on or near the Parkway will be detoured starting at 5 a.m. on Thursday, July 2 through 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 5. Routes detoured: 7, 32, 33, 38, 43, 48 and 49.   How can I enter the parkway? Gates for the concert open at 3 p.m. Guests will be directed to enter the event venue at the secured entry point at the following location:   • Logan Circle (north and south sides) • 22nd and Pennsylvania Avenue • 24th and Park Towne Place • Spring Garden and Eakins Oval • All guests must go through a security check upon entering, including magnetometers and bag checks.  What items am I allowed to bring, and what items are prohibited? City officials said the following items are permitted:  • Factory-sealed plastic water bottles, one per person up to 1 liter  • Empty plastic or aluminum water containers, one per person up to 1 liter for re-use at water refill stations (drinking water will be available for purchase and there will be water stations for refilling bottles)  • Empty hydration packs (backpacks, waist bands or other hydration items and inserts)  • Any transparent plastic, vinyl or PVC bag no larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″. Purses, bags or clutches no larger than 4.5″ x 6.5″, subject to search and re-search (all searched bags will be tagged following search)  • Blankets and towels  • Non-professional cameras, flip-cams, camera phones  • Sunscreen, sunglasses, government issued I.D., cash, debit/credit cards, and other personal items  The following items are prohibited:   • Weapons and contraband of any kind (regardless of permitting, e.g. Right-to-Carry permits will not be honored)  • Drones  • Pyrotechnics  • Illegal or illicit substances of any kind  • Food and non-water beverages, including alcohol, taken from outside of the venue  • Pets (except trained service animals)  • Flyers, handbills, posters, stickers (no solicitation or unauthorized vending allowed)  • Chairs  • Glass containers  • Skateboards, motorized vehicles or scooters (excluding motorized wheelchairs or similar equipment for those with mobility issues)  • Coolers (unless for medical reasons)  • Professional recording devices or cameras (no detachable lenses or tripods meant for commercial use)  • Fluorescent plastic lights (glow sticks)  • Laser pointers  • Spray paint  • Balls, balloons and frisbees  • Musical instruments  • Items that would obstruct others’ view of the stages (kites, flag poles, large signs, etc.)  • Any item deemed by security as a risk to public safety  ...read more read less