
City Cast Philly
🎤 How much is the One Philly concert costing us?
July 2, 2026 · — Siani Colón
🇺🇸 Good morning, Philly! The City Cast Philly team will be off tomorrow for the Fourth of July, but if you're craving more (and timely) City Cast, check out the latest episode of our national podcast "Your City Could Be Better," which will drop here Friday morning. Our CEO David Plotz is going head-to-head on U.S. trivia with journalist Alexandra Petri, and things get competitive. Listen over the long weekend and play along!

What's CITY Talking About
Philly’s Price Tag for Mayor’s July 4 Concert
The annual Independence Day concert is usually organized by the local nonprofit Welcome America, but was taken over by Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration this year. The change has led to new branding, a new production crew, and a new bill of $15.5 million, considerably more than past years. Which will result in an increased cost to taxpayers. [🔒The Inquirer]
- Related: Will these events convince you to stay in Philly this holiday weekend? [🎧City Cast Philly]
‘Big Boy’ Makes a Visit to Philly This Weekend
The largest operating steam locomotive continues its cross-country tour with a stop at the Navy Yard on July 4 and 5. Union Pacific, the company behind the train, will host an America250 Block Party as part of the event on Saturday. [CBS Philly]

A Toast to the 250th
America’s biggest party is on Saturday, and as you munch on a menu of burgers, hot dogs, and wings, you can’t forget about drinks. Celebrate the country’s birthday with cocktails founded here in Philly. [🎧 City Cast Philly]
LOVE Park ‘Flying Saucer’ To Debut New Cafe
After years of vacancy, the former LOVE Park Welcome Center will be occupied by a beer garden from Broad Street Brewing in the outdoor plaza starting this weekend through the fall. Renovations will begin on the building’s interior to convert it into a coffee shop, with a grand opening planned for spring 2027. [Philly Voice]
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Neighborhood Shoutouts

📣 Here’s a shoutout from City Cast Philly Neighbor Nicole L.: “Project Meow - all-volunteer non-profit helping get the cats of West Philly off the streets, healthy, and into good homes!”
Thanks, Nicole! Let’s help these adorable felines find a new home. You too can share what you love about Philly when you become a Neighbor.

What To Do
Thursday, July 2
- 🍕 Pier Pop-Up at Pier 1 Park (Navy Yard)
- 🍔 Food Truck Thursdays at uCity Square (University City)
- 🎯 Board Game Speed Dating at Evil Genius Beer Company (Fishtown)
- 🎵 Sound Drift: Live Indie Rock at Pentridge Station (Kingsessing)
- 🎸 Dad Rock Party at Kung Fu Necktie (Fishtown)
- 🏳️🌈 Queer Open Jam at Val’s Lesbian Bar (Queen Village)
Friday, July 3
- ⚽ Soccer on South: Community Watch Party at Headhouse Plaza (South Street)
- 🎨 ”Wings and Water: The Space Between” Exhibit Opening at Cherry Street Pier (Old City)
- 🎵 Friday Night Jazz Series at Spruce Street Harbor Park (Old City)
- 🌹 Moulin Rouge Singles Mixer at Blind Barber Philadelphia (Center City)
- 🥊 Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship at Xfinity Mobile Arena (South Philly)
Saturday, July 4
- ⛵ Philadelphia Fireworks Dinner Cruise at Penn's Landing (Old City)
- 🎆 Rose Gold July 4th at Liberty Point (Old City)
- 🎤 One Philly: Unity Concert for America on Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Fairmount)
- 🛍️ West Philly Bizarre at Clark Park (Spruce Hill)
- ⚽ Fourth of July Fútbol Festival at Forbidden Closet (South Philly)
Sunday, July 5
- 🌿 Monthly Park Cleanup at Cobbs Creek Park (Cobbs Creek)
- 🎨 Northeast 250: Threads of History Celebration at Glen Foerd (Torresdale)
- 🎬 SurREAL World: Film Festival for the Terminally Weird at Tattooed Mom (Queen Village)
- 🧠 90s Glow-in-the-Dark Music Bingo at Unique Experience Social Space (Port Richmond)
- 🎵 Are N Bee: Y2K Edition at NOTO Philadelphia (Chinatown)
- 🎤 An Afternoon of Music at Da Vinci Art Alliance (Bella Vista)
- 🎵 Tribute to Prince at City Winery Philadelphia (Center City)
- 🍺 Philly Pub Cup: Semifinal at Yards Brewing Company (Northern Liberties)
🗓️ I’ll be back in your inbox Monday morning, but Marie is emailing you a shopping guide perfect for Independence Day later today.
While you’re out patronizing local shops over the holiday weekend, be aware of road closures ahead of Saturday night’s concert on the Parkway.
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