RockyFest
RockyFest is here!
Celebrate the 48th anniversary of Philadelphia’s most iconic film franchise with a city-wide series of events to honor the City’s most famous fictional Southpaw, and the Philly sites that made the film famous!
Rocky Day, a new city holiday which celebrates the original film's release date in 1976 is December 3. RockyFest's city-wide events will run through Sunday, December 8 2024!
Experience Philadelphia's most iconic film franchise with the first-ever city-wide celebration of Rocky and the Philly sites made famous by the film.
November 30 - December 8: The Rocky Philadelphia Bus Tour
December 3: Rocky Day- 10:30 AM Special unveiling at Philadelphia Museum of Art steps.
December 4: Real Life Rockys Mural Unveiling
December 5: Southpaws Yappy Hour at the Docks
December 6: Rocky Date Night at Penn Ice Rink
December 6 - 8: Rocky Movie Marathon
December 6 : Live Signing Event with John Rivoli
December 6 : Rocky U with Dr. Farber
December 7: Rocky Date Night at The Zoo
Need help planning your trip? Email [email protected] to get started!
Local attractions, restaurants, or organizations interested in taking part? Email us at [email protected] to get involved!
Program of Events:
Sort:
Live Signing Events with Official Rocky Artist, John Rivoli
Real Life Rockys with Mural Arts Philadelphia
Rocky Date Night at Penn Ice Rink
Rocky Date Night at Philadelphia Zoo's LumiNature
Rocky Movie Marathon
Rocky Philadelphia Bus Tours
Rocky U
RockyFest Exclusive Poster
SouthPaws Yappy Hour at Cherry Street Pier
Celebrate RockyFest Around the City:
RockyFest at Eastern State Penitentiary – December 3
Step into history and explore the fascinating world of boxing as Eastern State Penitentiary celebrates RockyFest! On December 3, 2024, dive into special programming highlighting the history of boxing in Pennsylvania prisons, featuring tours about renowned boxing champion Charles "Jack" Blackburn. Enjoy exclusive video programming in the penitentiary’s rotunda—activities are included with admission.
South 9th Street Italian Market – November 30–December 8
Join the excitement as the Italian Market becomes a must-visit stop on iconic Rocky tours! Stroll through the historic market, participate in a scavenger hunt, and grab a special gift bag with a QR code for exclusive discounts and a free gift. This is your chance to immerse yourself in Rocky history while indulging in the charm of South Philly.
Rocky Road Cookie at Reading Terminal Market
Celebrate RockyFest deliciously with The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company! From December 3–8, indulge in limited-edition Rocky Road Cookies and Rocky-themed cookie cakes. Plus, on National Cookie Day, December 4:
- Get a FREE cookie with the purchase of ½ dozen or more.
- Every hour, one lucky market-goer wins a dozen cookies, including the special Rocky Dipped Cookie.
RWBTD
vkessler
Red, White, & Blue To-Do
July 2 will be a day of ‘pomp and parade’ as envisioned by John Adams
A vibrant display of patriotic celebration, Red, White, & Blue To-Do will bring together museums, historic sites, and local businesses in America’s most historic square mile to honor our nation’s founding. This monumental occasion promises to be a memorable experience for all, featuring the Red, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade, festooned decor, concerts, games, extended visitation hours at area historic attractions, restaurant specials, and much more.
Learn More About:
Decorating Days
Wagon Decorating will take place at the National Constitution Center, free and open to the public. Anyone can help create one of the official wagon “floats” for the Red, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade. The activity is free, but space is limited, so advance registration is strongly encouraged. Sign up here!
Musical Performances
Enjoy live music and entertainment at eight locations throughout Philadelphia’s Historic District during the Red, White, & Blue To-Do! From jazz and funk to classical and patriotic tunes, each performance spot offers a different vibe—perfect for celebrating the spirit of Independence in America’s most historic square mile. See the lineup here!
Pomp & Parade
Red, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp & Parade kicks off at the National Constitution Center, traveling along Independence Mall and ending on 3rd Street, between Chestnut and Walnut Streets. The parade will include a variety of youth performance troupes, miniature, hand-decorated wagon floats, and community members decked out in patriotic flair. Want to participate in the parade? Sign up here!
Schedule of Events
9 - 11 am:
11 am - 12 pm
Red, White, & Blue To-Do Pomp and Parade kicks off at the National Constitution Center and ends at 3rd Street between Walnut and Chestnut. Click here for the parade route.
11 am - 3 pm
All-American Block Party with Wawa Welcome America- 3rd Street between Chestnut and Walnut.
2 - 6 pm
Free Musical Performances - 8 locations throughout the Historic District. See the lineup here
5 - 7 pm
Extended hours and special happenings at various historic attractions.
7 pm
Wawa Welcome America's Salute to Service: The United States Army Field Band
July 2nd Happenings
Sort:
African American Museum in Philadelphia
American Philosophical Society
Arch Street Meeting House
Athenaeum of Philadelphia
Betsy Ross House
Carpenters' Hall
Franklin Square
Historic St. George's Museum & Archives
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Independence Historical Trust
Independence National Historical Park
Independence Seaport Museum
Independence Visitor Center
Liberty Garden
Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church
National Constitution Center
Science History Institute
Watch Now!
Red, White, & Blue To-Do
Experience the energy and excitement of last year’s Red, White, & Blue To-Do! This lively celebration brought together museums, historic sites, and local businesses from America’s most historic square mile to honor our nation’s founding in true Philly style.
Mark your calendars—The Red, White, & Blue To-Do returns on July 2, 2025!
Mark your calendars—The Red, White, & Blue To-Do returns on July 2, 2025!
Know the History
The official Independence Day—July 2, 1776—came to be when the Second Continental Congress voted in Independence Hall to approve a resolution declaring: “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.”
John Adams thought July 2 should be marked as a national holiday for generations to come: “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival…It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade with shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this continent to the other from this Time forward forever more,” Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail Adams.
The Declaration of Independence was signed by representatives from the Colonies two days later, on July 4, 1776.
Get all the Red, White, and Blue To-Do information on this fact sheet.