For 250 years, Philadelphia has been first—first in freedom, first in innovation, and first in fun. In 2026, the city celebrates that legacy with 52 Weeks of Firsts, a yearlong, citywide series of events highlighting the groundbreaking ideas, inventions, and milestones that began right here. Produced by the Philadelphia Historic District 250th Committee, co-chaired by Vince Stango, interim president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, the celebration shines a spotlight on dozens of Philadelphia-born “firsts,” some famous, others surprising even to lifelong Philly fans. At the heart of the celebration are Saturday “Firstivals,” free weekly festivals held every Saturday in 2026 in neighborhoods across Philadelphia. Each week spotlights a different Philly First with a lively event featuring a themed opening ceremony celebrating that week’s milestone, a Once Upon A Nation storyteller sharing the true story behind the First, family-friendly activities and games, live music and entertainment, giveaways, and selfie stations.
The National Constitution Center’s Firstival will celebrate the signing of the first (and only!) U.S. Constitution right here in Philadelphia with special programming, tours, and book talks. Walk among life-sized statues of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Signers’ Hall, meet Benjamin Franklin, spin the trivia wheel, play colonial-era games, and more. Firstival activities are free and open to all. A museum ticket is required to explore the National Constitution Center’s exhibits, including Freedom Rising. Signers’ Hall will be available without a museum ticket.
#1 Sculpture
At the center of the Firstival will be the beautiful #1 sculpture celebrating the First Signing of the Constitution designed by artist Kat Black. The design emphasizes the dedication and collaboration behind the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. The Founding Fathers traveled to Independence Hall and spent four months debating and drafting the document that established the framework of the American government. Opposing viewpoints are symbolized through red and blue, while the compromises reached between them are represented in purple—the blending of those colors. The sculpture has been on display in the National Constitution Center Lobby since the beginning of 2026, and will remain on display through the end of the year. Black is a painter who specializes in murals and photo-realistic gouache paintings. Based in Philadelphia, she has collaborated on numerous large-scale mural projects, honing her technical precision, color theory, and installation expertise.
