Seven Semiquincentennial Projects Coming in 2026

In 1776, the Declaration of Independence established the original 13 colonies as a new nation, and Philadelphia became known to the world as the birthplace of the United States. In 2026, two and a half centuries later, all eyes will be on Philadelphia once again as the epicenter of the country’s Semiquincentennial celebrations.

The year ahead promises to be packed with festivals, sports competitions, exhibitions, concerts, and gatherings—but no citywide celebration would be complete without some new and major public art projects, which is exactly where Mural Arts comes in. (After all, we are the #1 city for street art in the entire country, according to USA Today readers.)

Thanks to an abundance of partnerships with leading organizations and artists all over the city, we’re pleased to preview a diverse array of seven current and upcoming projects that celebrate Philadelphia and its unique place in history as the cradle of American democracy.

HAPPENING NOW:

Printmaking by the People throws it back to 1776, with a central question inspired by the original text that started it all: What would the Declaration of Independence say if it were written today? Since 2024, Mural Arts has partnered with the Free Library of Philadelphia, Visit Philly, and Philadelphia250 on this ambitious artist-led project, hosting more than 50 public workshops in libraries, community centers, and neighborhood hubs across Philadelphia with 30 different printmakers and artists, engaging over 1,000 participants. Each gathering blends civic conversation with hands-on printmaking techniques, connecting the past and the present to generate a body of work that reflects Philadelphians’ lived experiences and aspirations for the future. Hundreds of prints will be on view at the Free Library this April, bringing citywide, contemporary views on democracy into focus.

52 Weeks of Firsts, a yearlong project in collaboration with the Philadelphia Historic District, celebrates 250 years of Philadelphia and all of the astounding things that happened here first—everything from the first American balloon flight (1793) to the first electronic computer (1945), and even the first ice cream soda (1874)! Philly is used to being #1 (see once again: our recent USA Today win), so we’re celebrating our city’s huge list of achievements with 52 number one sculptures, designed by 25 local artists and scattered throughout over a dozen neighborhoods. Plus: weekly Saturday “Firstivals,” held every Saturday in 2026 from 11 am to 1 pm, will tell the stories of all 52 Firsts, in the neighborhoods where they first occurred. Come out to one or more Firstivals and enjoy a host of family activities, giveaways, and live entertainment. You can follow along with the sculptures as the year goes on by following @52firstsphilly or @muralarts on Instagram.

In addition to number one sculptures that celebrate Philly’s impressive list of firsts, you’ll also spot colorful, life-sized bells that pay homage to the unique and distinctive neighborhoods of America’s birthplace. Mural Arts is proudly partnering with Philadelphia250 to bring 21 Liberty Bell replicas to iconic Philly commercial corridors and parks, creating an interactive treasure map for art and history lovers to explore. Each bell, designed by a talented local artist, offers a fresh and creative take on its respective Philly neighborhood or place, from Glen Foerd in the Northeast to Bartram’s Garden in the Southwest to Lancaster Avenue in West Philly, and far beyond. This project is part of Bells Across PA, a statewide initiative from America250PA, featuring nearly 100 Bells across the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Road trip, anyone? Check out the @muralarts Instagram for video interviews with the artists who designed Philly’s 21 Liberty Bells.

BUY YOUR TICKETS:

Mural Arts’ 2026 tour season kicks off on March 21 and we’re offering a special tour to celebrate America’s big 2-5-0. “Icons of Independence” will take tour-goers through a trail of historic symbols that appear in some of Philly’s most iconic murals, bringing American history to life throughout the built environment of our city. As you walk through Philadelphia’s Historic District toward the vicinity of City Hall, you’ll take note of Liberty Bells, American flags, historic American figures, and much more. Book a tour today and experience the mural capital of the world from a new, historic angle.

COMING SOON:

Throughlines is a river-to-river citywide exhibition coming to Philadelphia this summer, culminating in tandem with the major Semiquincentennial festivities. The 10 featured artworks included in the exhibition will trace the ways Philadelphians have built and upheld democracy, through four (you guessed it) throughlines: assembly, labor, stewardship, and belonging. Throughlines artworks will pop up at 10 highly visible locations throughout the spring, followed by an opening celebration in the summer, just in time for the fireworks to begin.

As the country reflects on 250 years of democracy, marked throughout its lifetime by civic progress and cultural change, we’ll honor the LGBTQ+ leaders whose work and contributions pushed Philadelphia toward becoming a more equitable and inclusive city. LGBTQ+ Heroes will be a new permanent mural by artist Santiago Galeas in Philly’s Gayborhood area, created in partnership with Voyeur Nightclub, the Washington West Association, and the offices of Councilmembers Rue Landau and Mark Squilla, recognizing the activists, organizers, artists, and community builders who opened the doors to greater visibility and safety for all Philadelphians. Among them will be Gloria Casarez, Philadelphia’s first Director of LGBT Affairs, whose 2015 tribute mural was sadly lost to physical development. The new mural is set to be a part of the city’s Pride celebrations this coming June.

Mural Arts’ Tacony LAB team will join the Semiquincentennial celebrations with Northeast 250: Threads of History, a new event series from March through July that highlights the history found throughout Northeast Philadelphia, as well as the many organizations that work diligently to steward this history. A team of artists with ties to Northeast Philly will lead make-and-take traditional craft activities at each event and work with the surrounding community to make a series of flags, in honor of Betsy Ross’ connection to the area. Visit the Tacony LAB website for a list of event dates and locations, and stay tuned for the list of participating organizations and the announcement of the eight participating artists.

Featured Image at Top: Bells Across PA press event, Widener Memoral School, December 9, 2025. Photo by Arekusn.