Pittsburgh and Philly No. 1 and 3 Best Places to Celebrate America 250

Looking for last-minute 4th of July plans? What better place than the state that’s the birthplace of America! Pittsburgh and Philadelphia made USA Today’s list of 10 Best 4^th of July Celebrations.  

Taking the crown at no. 1, Pittsburgh will kick off its Independence Day celebration tomorrow at 4 p.m. at Point State Park with local entertainment, local food trucks and a family fun zone. More cuisine and live entertainment will be found at the North Shore Great Lawn and Grandview Park Bandstand. 

Pittsburgh celebrations will also feature views of an 80-foot-tall hot air balloon and Ferris wheel rides on the North Shore. Festivities will conclude with an epic fireworks display starting at 9:35 p.m. 

In Philly, the Wawa Welcome America Festival wraps up its multi-week celebration of block parties, parades, live music, free museum days and more. The Celebration of Freedom Ceremony begins tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the city’s historic district, honoring America’s 250th anniversary with live performances.  

The City of Philadelphia’s One Philly: Unity Concert for America begins at 5 p.m. on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The free event will feature performances by Christina Aguilera, Will Smith, Seal and more, culminating with a fireworks finale at 11:45 p.m.  

USA Today also named Philly no. 7 on its list of 10 Best Places to See Fireworks in 2026.