Celebrate the United States Marine Corps Birthday in Philadelphia on November 10th

Photos courtesy of Nichole Hignett, TrueToLife Photography

Celebrate the 251st birthday of the United States Marine Corps in the very neighborhood where the Corps was born. Join The Tun Legacy Foundation, Leidos, and USAA in Philadelphia on November 10th for the annual Birthday Block Party at the future site of The Tun.

Held within walking distance of both Independence Hall, where the Resolution establishing the Marines was signed on November 10, 1775, and the original site of the historic Tun mariners tavern, where the first two battalions of Marines were recruited, the Birthday Block Party will gather thousands of attendees for celebration and camaraderie.

WHAT:            

Birthday Block Party at the future site of The Tun®

WHERE:         

Intersection of 2nd Street and Chestnut Street in Philadelphia

WHEN:           

10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Free to the public

Highlights of the daylong event include:

• Birthday Cake Cutting Ceremony at 12 p.m., featuring the Invocation, Presentation of Colors, National Anthem, General Lejeune’s Message, the Commandant’s Message, and the Cake Cutting Ceremony with the oldest and youngest Marines in attendance
• Live music from Hancock & Espo, a duo featuring Navy veteran John Hancock and Marine Corps veteran Matt Espo
• Live music from 5-piece rock band Superunknown, with Marine Corps veteran and lead singer Jason Reed
• Performances of the Marine’s Hymn by the Philly Fife and Drum Company and the St. Andrew’s Society Bagpipers
• A Mummers parade and performance by the Quaker City String Band
• Historic reenactors, Philadelphia sports mascots, and emcee Gregg Murphy, the Voice of the Phillies
• Poolees Swearing in Ceremony
• Community and heritage booths telling the story of the historic Tun and its place in American history

Food trucks, the Beer Garden, and neighborhood restaurants will present special menu items for purchase. The Tun® official merchandise will also be available.

“The Tun Legacy Foundation is grateful to lead sponsor Leidos and platinum sponsor USAA for supporting the Birthday Block Party for the second consecutive year,” said Chris Reese, board member and events chair for The Tun Legacy Foundation. “There is no better place to celebrate the Marine Corps birthday than in its birthplace.”

Special community and heritage activities commemorating the nation’s Semiquincentennial and the history of The Tun are supported by a grant from the 2026 Philadelphia Celebration Fund.

If you would like to participate in the Birthday Block Party as a sponsor, contact Chris Reese at creese@thetun.org.

Planning to attend? Let us know through the link below.

Be sure to follow us online for updates at the Nov. 10, 2026 tab on the homepage of TheTun.org website, as well as on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.