Philadelphia is going all out for America’s 250th birthday. The city has officially announced “One Philly: Unity Concert for America,” a massive free, six-hour concert set for July 4 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, and the lineup is a full-on celebration of Philly’s musical legacy.
Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff, Christina Aguilera, The Roots, Jill Scott, Seal, State Property, Kathy Sledge, and Infinity Song are all set to perform, with comedian Wanda Sykes hosting the evening. Questlove, Scott Mirkin, and Shawn Gee are executive producing the event through ESM Productions and Live Nation Urban.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker called it “a historic homecoming for many of our city’s brightest stars,” and the vision is clear: a nonpartisan celebration of unity, diversity, and democracy rooted in the city where the nation itself was born.
The show is expected to be the largest free concert in America, capping off with a fireworks finale over the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the city skyline just before midnight. Gates open at 3 p.m. with the main concert kicking off at 5 p.m. Whether you’re a Philly native or making the trip, this is one for the history books.
