Sunday, November 9, 2025

Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival
21st & Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Eakins Oval

Noon – 4:00 p.m.
Free

Sign up to march or ride as part of The Tun Legacy Foundation delegation in the 11^th annual Philadelphia Veterans Parade – or join the spectators along the route. The parade, which includes more than 7,000 participants – steps off at noon at 21^st St. and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, travels five city blocks, and ends at the grandstand seating located at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Patriots Festival (12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Eakins Oval in front of the Art Museum) showcases veteran-owned businesses and artisans, veteran service organizations, food trucks, a veteran-owned beer garden, live entertainment with DJs and bands, kids activities, and military vehicles and interactive displays.

The Tun Legacy Foundation will be coordinating transportation for participants interested in marching or riding with the Foundation delegation. RSVP on the ticket order form.

Olympia Tour
Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. 

3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
$20

On this day – November 9 – in 1921, U.S.S. Olympia arrived at the Washington Navy Yard after a two-week voyage across the ocean to deliver the remains for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

A tour guide will be available to share the history of the oldest steel warship afloat in the world, and how, in November 1921, Olympia was chosen by the Navy for the sacred duty of transporting the first Unknown Soldier back to the United States. On that voyage from France to Washington, D.C., a platoon of Marines guarded the Unknown Soldier, who was then laid to rest at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery on November 11, 1921.

Olympia is part of the Independence Seaport Museum. While the museum is ADA-compliant, please be aware that the Olympia is not. Accommodations for those wishing to experience the story of the Olympia will be made.

Marine Corps 250^th Celebration on the Spirit of Philadelphia Dinner Cruise
401 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.

4:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
$200

Medal of Honor Recipient Colonel Harvey Curtiss “Barney” Barnum, Jr.  will be the guest speaker at the Marine Corps 250^th Celebration on the Spirit of Philadelphia. Boarding begins at 4:30 p.m. for the three-hour dinner cruise on the Delaware River, which features a reception, elegant dinner buffet, dessert station, and DJ music with dancing. The special 250^th birthday celebration will include a reading of the Commandant’s Message and an official birthday cake ceremony. During the cruise, you will enjoy spectacular nighttime views of the Philadelphia skyline, Benjamin Franklin Bridge, Walt Whitman Bridge, Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, and U.S.S. Olympia. All guests will receive a special commemorative gift to mark the 250^th birthday weekend.

Business casual attire

Photo courtesy of Spirit of Philadelphia

Midnight Champagne Birthday Breakfast
Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. Third St.

 11:00 p.m. – 1:00 a.m.
$75

 Stay up late to be the first to celebrate. Arrive at 11:00 p.m. at the Museum of the American Revolution to be the first to ring in the 250^th birthday of the Marine Corps birthday at 0000 hours – midnight. Upon arrival you will receive your official 250^th Birthday Breakfast nightcap to wear for the party and to join in a once-in-a-lifetime celebration photo. Dine on 18^th century breakfast fare, including smoked sausage and slapjacks, and collop and eggs. Mingle with reenactors portraying Colonial Marines and the proprietors of the Tun. Be part of history when you will be the first in the country to toast the 250^th birthday of the United States Marine Corps – and in the very neighborhood where it was created! End the evening with a nightcap (from the cash bar) or mug of warm milk before you head off to bed. In addition to your official 250^th Birthday Breakfast nightcap to wear, all guests will receive a commemorative coin to prove you stayed up late to be the first to celebrate. Transportation to and from participating guest hotels will be provided.

 *Casual attire (and nightcaps, of course)
Nightshirts will be available for purchase, too.

Navigate the 250th USMC Birthday Events:
»  Main Page
»  Friday November 7th
»  Saturday November 8th
»  Sunday November 9th
»  Monday November 10th
»  Tuesday November 11th