Philly is stepping into a major moment in 2026 with the City of Brotherly Love giving main-character energy. What moment exactly? It’s our nation’s 250th birthday and Philly is, of course, the birthplace of it all. From major sports moments and unbeatable history to a thriving arts scene and some of the best food on the planet, there are so many reasons to be in Philly this year.
And Black culture and history is at the center of it all.
Where the Biggest Games Come to Play: Philly Takes the Global Stage
For sports fans, Philly will be the place to be with several major athletic events taking place throughout the year. Fans won’t want to miss a moment of action with first- and second-round NCAA Division I Basketball Games (March), the PGA Championship (May), FIFA World Cup 26 matches (in June and July) — along with the massive free FIFA Fan Fest — and the 2026 MLB All-Star Game (July) all heading to Philly.
The City’s Cultural Roots Run Deep
Philadelphia’s history doesn’t live behind glass. It lives in neighborhoods, museums, and stories that continue to shape the present. History buffs can explore America’s founding document during The Declaration’s Journey at the Museum of the American Revolution. Be sure to look for an early civil rights petition signed by 71 free Black Philadelphians and sent to Congress in 1799.
Opening in February and May, respectively, two brand-new permanent galleries inside the National Constitution Center will walk visitors through the nation’s formative years. They’ll follow the Declaration’s signing and explore the then-radical notion of self-government and the separation of powers.
The city’s Germantown neighborhood features a number of museums and historic sites crucial to the story of early Black Americans, including the Johnson House Historic Site — an important stop on the Underground Railroad — and the powerfully sobering Lest We Forget Museum of Slavery.
In June, TED Democracy Philadelphia: Founding Futures explores the democratic future we want to create through a day-long program featuring 15+ brand-new TED Talks at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts. Past speakers in the TED Democracy series have included Black changemakers like digital disruptor Sofia Ong’ele, urban revitalization strategist Majora Carter, and radio host and columnist Solomon Jones.
And when the nation officially turns 250 on July 4th, there’s no better place to mark the milestone moment than in Philadelphia. The city’s two-week Wawa Welcome America celebration kicks off on Juneteenth and ends with a free July 4th concert and fireworks — honoring the past while looking toward what’s next.
Creativity, Front and Center
Creatives to the front! ArtPhilly: What Now: 2026 takes place May through July and unites creative spaces all around town through exhibitions and performances. The citywide celebration features new interpretations of Philadelphia-rooted icons like John Coltrane and Marian Anderson.
Beginning in February, Philly’s National Marian Anderson Museum hosts a brand-new exhibition, Marian the American Story, showcasing some of the singer’s iconic performance gowns in addition to handwritten letters and other rare artifacts.
Debuting in April, Freedom Dreams at The Barnes Foundation invites visitors to immerse themselves in the memories, dreams and histories of Black Americans. Including works from artists in film, video, and installation, the multimedia exhibition highlights the fluidity between past, present and future.
Meanwhile, the African-American Museum in Philadelphia hosts Afrofuturism in Costume Design through early September, featuring Oscar-winning designer Ruth E. Carter’s iconic work — complete with sketches and insight into her creative process.
And A Nation of Artists — a joint exhibition at the Philadelphia Art Museum and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (beginning in April) — places Black, Indigenous, immigrant, and historically overlooked artists alongside some of art history’s most recognized names.
All-Star Dining
Did we mention the food? Because the food alone is worth a trip. This year Philly celebrates its debut in the Michelin Guide: Northeast Cities. Highlighted by three Michelin-starred restaurants, including the Black-owned Friday Saturday Sunday, the guide also contains more than two dozen Philly Bib Gourmands and Michelin-recommended restaurants, from cheesesteak spot Dalessandro’s to Honeysuckle where the tasting menu draws inspiration from the flavors and cultures of the Black diaspora.
When we say 2026 is Philly’s biggest year yet, we mean it.
