Ahead of next year’s 250th birthday of America, the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps will celebrate the 250th anniversary of their founding next week in Camden, Philadelphia and along the Delaware River waterfront.
The Navy & Marine Corps 250th Celebration will include ship tours, flyovers, concerts, parades, and other activations from October 9 to 16, with additional events from November 7 to 11, hosted by Homecoming 250 Navy Marine Corps.
The celebration kicks off on October 9 with a Parade of Ships as Navy and Coast Guard boats travel up the Delaware River. The parade will include the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington, the guided missile destroyer USS Lassen, and littoral combat ships USS Billings and USS Cooperstown. You’ll also see two United States Coast Guard cutters, USCG Lawrence Lawson, a fast response cutter, and USCG James Rankin, a buoy tender. The ships will dock at Pier 4, Penn’s Landing, Gloucester Marine Terminal, and the Camden Waterfront.
A detailed list of the celebrations includes:
Thursday, October 9
- Parade of Ships
Along the Delaware River waterfront
Ten Navy and Coast Guard ships sail into their ports. The opening ceremony will be held at the Navy Yard with a traditional Blessing of the Fleet. Watch parties for the parade of ships will take place at various locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.
Free and open to the public. - Innovation Pavilion
Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia
From 11 am to 4 pm, you can visit the Innovation Pavilion to see technology related to maritime, defense and manufacturing.
Registration required.
Free and open to the public. - WHYY Preview of Ken Burns’ The American Revolution
Freedom Mortgage Pavilion, 1 Harbour Blvd., Camden
Watch filmmaker Ken Burns’ The American Revolution at 7 pm. After the screening, stay for an intimate conversation with Burns, conducted live by WHYY‘s Terry Gross. Registration required.
Free and open to the public.
Friday, October 10
- USN/USMC Rocky Steps Run
Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway., Philadelphia
At 7:30 am, anyone can join sailors and Marines as they race up the steps of the museum, ala Rocky Balboa. Additional details to come. - Innovation Pavilion
Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia
From 9 am to 5 pm, join industry leaders, panelists, and bestselling authors for a full day of insights, networking, and updates on the future of American manufacturing and defense. Ticket required. - Navigating the Past: Histories of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775-2025 Conference Part 1
Kislak Center, Van Pelt Library, 3420 Walnut St., Philadelphia
The two-part conference explores the history of the Navy and Marine Corps. The opening day, from 8:45 am to 5:15 pm, will focus on the formative years from 1775 to 1850. Ticket required. Free and open to the public.Army-Navy Cup
- Subaru Park XIV Presented by Leidos, 1 Stadium Dr., Chester, PA
The soccer rivalry between Army West Point and the U.S. Naval Academy returns for the 14th annual Army-Navy Cup. For the first time in the event’s 14-year history, it will include both men’s and women’s soccer matches in a marquee doubleheader. The women’s match kicks off at 4 pm, followed by the men’s match at 7 pm.
Ticket required.
Saturday, October 11
- Innovation Pavilion
Cherry Street Pier, 121 N. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia
From 9 am to 3 pm, learn about workforce opportunities in the shipbuilding and maritime industries while taking part in hands-on demos, career exploration experiences, and student programming. Free and open to the public. - Navigating the Past: Histories of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775-2025 Conference Part 2
Battleship New Jersey, 100 Clinton St., Camden
From 10 am to 4 pm, climb aboard the historic ship for day two of the Navigating the Past History Symposium to listen to talks from distinguished historians.
Ticket required. Open to the public.
- Navy-Temple Football Game
Lincoln Financial Field, 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way, Philadelphia
The historic multi-decade football rivalry between the United States Naval Academy and Temple University continues at Lincoln Financial Field. The Owls and Midshipmen have faced off 19 times since the rivalry began in 1988, with Navy leading the all-time series 10-9. Ticket required. - N. Navy and Marine Corps 2.5-Mile Run: Details to come.
- Navy 250 Gala at the National Constitution Center Presented by Exiger
National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St., Philadelphia
At 6 pm, raise a glass alongside naval leadership while overlooking historic Independence Hall, where the Navy was born. Ticket required.
Sunday, October 12:
- Old St. Mary’s Mass and Commodore Barry Wreath Laying
Old St. Mary’s Church, 252 South 4th St., Philadelphia
At 10 am, the church will be open for a special Mass, led by Father DiGirolamo. Immediately following the service, representatives of the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick and the U.S. Navy will lead a wreath-laying ceremony at the gravesite of Commodore John Barry, nicknamed the Father of the U.S. Navy, located just behind the church. Free and open to the public. - Naval Expeditionary Demonstration
301 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia
At 2 pm, watch a live naval expeditionary demo on the Delaware River between Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia and Wiggins Waterfront Park in Camden. The demo will showcase a low-altitude flyover by Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, followed by a coordinated demonstration on the water and in the air by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. The action will include live explosives, blank ammunition, and real-time narration, broadcast simultaneously on large screens with audio at Penn’s Landing Quay near the Independence Seaport Museum and at the USS New Jersey propeller in Camden’s Wiggins Waterfront Park.
Free and open to the public. - All Veterans Reunion Picnic at Independence Mall
Independence Mall, 615 Market St., Philadelphia
From 12-5 pm, a special Sunday picnic for veterans from all armed services, their families, and the community will be held, including food competitions and cook-offs judged by British Royal Navy veteran and celebrity Chef Robert Irvine, special ceremonies honoring veterans, and resources to assist those who have served.
Free and open to the public. - “Victory at Sea” Concert
Independence Mall, 615 Chestnut St., Philadelphia
At 6 pm after the picnic, a star-studded patriotic concert will be hosted by actor, comedian, and Marine Corps veteran Rob Riggle (he served in the Marine Corps Reserve for 23 years in Albania, Kosovo, Liberia and Afghanistan). Expect performances by the U.S. Navy Band and the Commandant’s Own U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, and other headliners, with the night capped off by fireworks.
Free and open to the public.
Monday, October 13:
- Flag Raising Ceremony
Philadelphia City Hall, 1400 JFK Blvd., Philadelphia
Details to come. - Thanksgiving & Remembrance Ceremony
Christ Church, 20 N. American St., Philadelphia
At 9:30 am, visit the historic church that is located near the site where the first Navy ship was commissioned.
Free and open to the public. - Navy & Marine Corps 250th Parade
JFK Boulevard and 20th Street, to 520 Chestnut St., to Independence Mall, Philadelphia
Beginning at 11 am, line the streets for a two-hour patriotic spectacle featuring more than 7,000 participants, including high school and college marching bands, the U.S. Naval Academy’s Silent Drill Platoon and Drum & Bugle Corps, various floats, and cold-air balloons. The parade will honor future military leaders, including midshipmen and students from ROTC, NROTC, JROTC, and United States Sea Cadets programs.
Free and open to the public.
- Navy 250th Commemoration
Independence Hall, 520 Chestnut St., Philadelphia
From 2 to 3 pm, this event will honor the 250th anniversary of the Navy’s founding with remarks from public officials. Look up for a special flyover by the Blue Angels.
Free and open to the public. - Fireworks on the Delaware Waterfront
301 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia
To cap off the Navy’s 250th anniversary celebration, find a spot along the water to watch a fireworks show at 8 pm. The show can be viewed from Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia and the Camden Waterfront.
From Friday to Wednesday, ship tours are available from 10 am to 4 pm on board the Cruiser Olympia, Battleship New Jersey, and submarine Becuna. Public tours of active-duty Navy ships will be available at their berths in Philadelphia and Camden County, and will be free and open to the public.
From Saturday to Wednesday, there will be static displays exhibited in the area; and from Monday to Wednesday, catch a performance by the S. Marine Corps Band and Silent Drill Platoon.
Events will continue in November as part of Homecoming 250. Though the next set of programming takes place from November 7 to 11, a series of special events on Monday, November 10, includes:
- Ceremony at the Resting Place of the First Commandant
Arch Street Meeting House, 320 Arch St., Philadelphia
At 9 am, come to honor Samuel Nicholas, the first commandant of the Marine Corps. Free and open to the public. - Marine Corps 250th Commemoration
Independence Hall, 520 Chestnut St., Philadelphia
At 10:30 am, another commemoration honors the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps’ founding there, featuring remarks by military and public officials.
Free and open to the public.
COURTESY HOMECOMING 250 / United States Marine Corps Ball - 100th Marine Corps Birthday Ball
Bellevue Hotel, 200 S. Broad St., Philadelphia
At 6 pm, Homecoming 250 is hosting the 100th Marine Corps Birthday Ball in the very same ballroom where Commandant Lejeune hosted the inaugural celebration a century ago. Tickets can be purchased here.
Area museums are getting on the historical action, too, with special exhibits dedicated to the Armed Forces.
Ongoing exhibits include Small but Mighty!: Models, Toys and Miniature Ships and Patriots & Pirates at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philly; and Shipbuilding of the Delaware River and Support Any Friend at Battleship New Jersey in Camden.
Currently, the Andalusia Historic House, Gardens & Arboretum in Andalusia, PA, presents Commodore James Biddle through November 14; the American Swedish Historical Museum in Philadelphia displays And Let Victory Tell the Rest: 250 Years of Navy Shipbuilding in Philadelphia through January 4, 2026; the American Helicopter Museum in West Chester, PA, has Over the Horizon through November 9; and the African American Museum of Philadelphia focuses on Sailing to Freedom: Maritime Dimensions of the Underground Railroad through March 2026.
Coinciding with next week’s celebrations, the Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia opens From Wharf to Ward: Pennsylvania Hospital & Marine Health, 1799 – 1830 from October 6 to November 20; the National Museum of the U.S. Navy brings Navy 250: The Legacy to Independence Mall from October 9 to November 14; and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in Philly puts on To Provide a Naval Armament: United States Navy and Marine History, 1775 – 1958 from October 8 to January 9, 2026.
If museums are your thing, consider the Homecoming 250 Museum Pass: from October 1 to November 30, you will get one-time admission to the Independence Seaport Museum, the American Swedish Historical Museum and Battleship New Jersey. The cost is $50 for adults, $45.40 for seniors and students, $25.40 for kids, and $33.40 for veterans. The pass includes an all-day Philadelphia PHLASH ticket so you can get around town via bus. You can buy the pass online, or in person at the Independence Visitor Center, City Hall Visitor Center, LOVE Park Visitor Center, or the Parkway Visitor Center & Rocky Shop.
Visit Homecoming 250 for updates and additions to the schedule of events.
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