City launches app, grant program and business guide to help navigate events around 250th anniversary

March 28, 2026 - 03:04

In preparation for the nation's 250th anniversary in 2026, city officials have launched a comprehensive suite of resources designed to help residents and businesses engage with the historic celebrations. The initiative centers on a new digital platform, the 2026 Access Philly app, alongside a grant program and a specialized business guide.

The cornerstone of this effort is the forthcoming app, which will serve as a central calendar for the hundreds of events planned throughout the celebratory period. A featured interactive element will be a citywide scavenger hunt, inviting users to locate twenty commemorative bells installed at key historical and cultural sites across Philadelphia.

Complementing the app, a new grant program aims to empower community organizations to develop and host their own programming tied to the semiquincentennial's themes. Simultaneously, a dedicated business guide has been published to assist local enterprises in navigating the expected influx of visitors, offering strategies for promotion, operations, and creating welcoming experiences. This multi-pronged approach seeks to ensure the anniversary activities are accessible, inclusive, and beneficial to the entire city.