PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Philadelphia will host several major celebrations for New Year’s Eve and the start of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
That includes a free concert and three fireworks shows.
The first fireworks show will be at 6 p.m. at Penn’s Landing, and another will also happen there at midnight.
A fireworks show will also take place at midnight in Eakins Oval after the first-ever free New Year’s Eve concert.
Gates in the Oval open at 6 p.m. The concert will begin at 8 p.m., followed by fireworks at midnight.
Rapper LL Cool J will headline the concert, joined by several performers, including Philadelphia native DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Adam Blackstone, who grew up in Willingboro, New Jersey.
Security checks will be conducted at each gate. The event is free and no tickets are required.
Road closures and parking restrictions will start going into effect on Wednesday morning.
Free locations to watch fireworks in Philadelphia include Penn’s Landing, the Race Street Pier, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Pier 69 and the Washington Avenue Pier.
The Cherry Street Pier will have two paid events: one for the kids for the 6 p.m. fireworks costing $27 per person, and another for the adults at 10 p.m. at $32 per person.
Parking near Penn’s Landing could cost $40 in some lots.
Officials said security will be a top priority, with multiple agencies, including the Office of Emergency Management, taking part in what they described as an “all-hands-on-deck” approach. Authorities plan to monitor the event using permanent surveillance cameras, mobile camera trailers, and drones throughout the Parkway and surrounding areas.
“Just in the last year alone, the city’s invested more than $2 million in barriers, anti-vehicle barriers for events just like this. It’s part of our multi-layer and multi-ring approach. We’ve invested similarly close to $1 million in various camera technology,” said OEM Director Dominick Mireles.
“It really is great to just be Philadelphia putting on a show for the world,” added Scott Mirkin, President and CEO of ESM Productions.
RELATED: Road closures and other details announced for free New Year’s Eve concert in Philadelphia
The New Year’s Eve concert comes just ahead of the Mummers Parade and additional street festivities in the days that follow.
“We’ll be on location for the Mummers Parade the next day and two other street events,” said Battalion Chief Brandon Wilson of the Philadelphia Fire Department’s Fire Prevention and Code Division. “We’re ready to go.”
During the celebration, Adam Blackstone plans to debut a new song titled “Brotherly Love.”
SEPTA adding additional service
SEPTA will be helping revelers get to and from the parties safely.
Those headed to Penn’s Landing for the midnight fireworks are encouraged to take the Market-Frankford Line to the 2nd Street Station.
SEPTA will also add additional trains on the Market-Frankford and Broad Street lines before and after the show.
For those who live outside of the city, Regional Rail trains will be operating on a weekday schedule, with special late-night service.
For more information, visit this page at SEPTA.org.
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