4th of July in Philadelphia: What to know about Parkway concert, fireworks and prohibited items

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia's One Philly: Unity Concert for America, a July 4th Concert and Fireworks celebration, is just days away.

City officials have released the following information ahead of the holiday event:

Event Details

• Gates open at 3 p.m. | Benjamin Franklin Parkway

• Concert begins at 5 p.m. | Benjamin Franklin Parkway

• Fireworks begin at 11:30 p.m. | Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Guests include Christina Aguilera, Will Smith, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jill Scott, The Roots, Meek Mill, Seal, State Property, Kathy Sledge, Infinity Song, and more. It will be hosted by Wanda Sykes and include appearances from Gillie Da King and Wallo267.

READ MORE | Christina Aguilera, Will Smith among performers for July 4 concert on Ben Franklin Parkway

Getting to the concert

SEPTA is offers two subway lines, Regional Rail service to and from the surrounding suburbs, and bus service throughout the city.

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.

SEPTA Ambassadors will be on-site at select major stations during the evening hours for crowd control and to provide directions after the July 4 FIFA match and July 4 Concert and Fireworks on the Ben Franklin Parkway. Look for them in blue labeled vests, as pictured below. Additional security personnel will also be available at select stations to assist you.

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.

RELATED | Road closures announced for July 4th concerts, events in Philadelphia

Cyclists and Pedestrians

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway is easily accessible via cycling and walking. Keep in mind that if a road is closed to vehicular traffic, it is also closed to cycling. Walking paths will remain open for pedestrians as conditions allow; however, please follow all posted signs, detours and traffic control devices.

The Kelly Drive bike path (river side) between Eakins Oval and Sedgley Drive will be closed to cyclists and pedestrians beginning at 5 p.m. until the conclusion of the fireworks for safety concerns.

RideIndego is an accessible and affordable way to get to and from the July 4th Concert and Fireworks with stations conveniently located along the Parkway. Download the official Indego App to check real-time bike and dock availability at any station.

How to Enter the Parkway Events

The One Philly: Unity Concert for America is open to the public and free to attend.

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.

Guests are encouraged to arrive early to avoid any traffic delays or heavy pedestrian traffic. The Parkway is general admission and occupied on a first-come, first-served basis.

Venue Rules and Safety Information

The vicinity of the One Philly: Unity Concert for America July Fourth Concert & Fireworks (a boundary from at least 17th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and adjacent areas), will be secured and protected for a safe and fun celebration. Throughout the event, the City will provide enhanced law enforcement and emergency medical services to ensure everyone can safely enjoy the Fourth of July.

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.

Plan Ahead

The Philadelphia Fire Department's EMS Division will have medic teams spread across the Parkway at the following locations:

• 2200 Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Southside)

• 2300 Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Northside)

• Spring Garden Street and Eakins Oval (Southside)

• Aviator Park

Call 9-1-1 if you are having a medical emergency or see someone who may be in need of medical attention.

Weather and heat precautions

With the potential for high temperatures, there is a risk of heat-related health issues. Many heat stress or heat exhaustion issues can be avoided by taking simple precautions.

Attendees should follow all proper precautions to protect themselves and their families against the heat. All festival-goers should stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, and avoiding alcoholic beverages, caffeine, and excessive layers of clothing.

Water misting stations will be available at the following locations:

• 22nd and Benjamin Franklin Parkway (north and south sides)

• Spring Garden and Eakins Oval (T-ball field)

Accessibility

Benjamin Franklin Parkway is a wheelchair-accessible roadway that features flat surfaces and curb cutouts.

Portable toilets, including ADA-compliant units, will be available throughout the Parkway.

There will be multiple screens throughout the festival grounds for people to see the stage. Designated ADA viewing platforms will be located at:

• North and south fountains in Eakins Oval

What Can I Bring?

The following items are permitted at the festival:

• 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

Please note: all persons and/or their belongings are subject to search as a condition of entry into the July 4th Concert and Fireworks.

Items NOT allowed inside the festival footprint

For the safety of event attendees and staff, 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

Road Closures

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

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:

Saturday, July 4

The 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