Philadelphia will ring in America’s 250th birthday with 22 new Liberty Bell replicas, each hand-painted by local artists to mirror the spirit of the neighborhoods where they will stand.
The citywide art project, announced by Mayor Cherelle Parker, drops the first bells on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 10 a.m. inside the School District Warehouse. The fiberglass installations are part of the statewide “Bells Across Pa” campaign that will place artist-decorated bells in all 67 Pennsylvania counties.
At a Glance
- 22 new Liberty Bell replicas will be installed across Philadelphia business corridors.
- Each bell is created by Mural Arts-affiliated artists and celebrates its host neighborhood.
- Unveiling happens January 16, 2026, kicking off celebrations ahead of America’s 250th birthday.
- Why it matters: Residents and visitors will see local culture and history packaged as public art through 2026.
Neighborhoods Getting a Bell
The bells will anchor sidewalks and plazas in 22 distinct sections of the city:
- Chinatown
- City Hall
- El Centro de Oro
- Fox Chase
- Germantown
- Hunting Park
- Logan Square
- Mayfair
- Mt. Airy
- Ogontz
- Olney
- Parkside
- Point Breeze
- Roxborough
- South Philadelphia
- Southwest Philadelphia
- Torresdale
- University City
- West Philadelphia
- Wynnefield
Each location was chosen to highlight corridor commerce and foot traffic, giving tourists and locals a reason to explore beyond Center City.
Art Rooted in Community Identity
Mural Arts Philadelphia tapped affiliated artists to design the bells. Every wrap-around painting reflects the culture, landmarks, and stories specific to its neighborhood. From the Cuban-American heritage of El Centro de Oro to the Victorian architecture of Germantown, the imagery acts as a crash course in local pride.
Mayor Parker praised the collaboration, saying, “As Philadelphia’s own Liberty Bell served as inspiration for this statewide program, it makes sense that Philly would take it to the next level and bring these bells to as many neighborhoods as possible. We are a proud, diverse city of neighborhoods with many stories to tell. All Philadelphians should join me in thanking our community and artists for helping to tell these stories.”
Statewide Scope
Pennsylvania’s Department of Community and Economic Development spearheads Bells Across Pa. Every county, from rural Bedford to urban Allegheny, will receive at least one decorated bell before July 4, 2026. Philadelphia’s 22 bells make it the single largest municipal contributor to the project.
Installation Timeline
- January 16, 2026: Public unveiling at the School District Warehouse, 4601 Girard Ave.
- January 17-February 28, 2026: Individual bells moved to their permanent corridor spots.
- March 1, 2026: Formal dedication ceremonies planned in each neighborhood.
The bells will remain on display through December 31, 2026, after which local nonprofits can apply to adopt them for indoor display.
Funding and Materials
Each 6-foot-tall fiberglass replica costs roughly $8,000, covered by a mix of city capital dollars and private sponsorships. The lightweight material resists weather damage while allowing fine-detail brushwork. Artists used marine-grade paints to prevent fading under Philadelphia’s seasonal temperature swings.
Tourism Boost Expected
Visit Philadelphia projects an extra 300,000 visitors during the 2026 commemoration year. The bells serve as selfie magnets and way-finding markers, guiding foot traffic into neighborhood business districts often overlooked by traditional tourism campaigns.
Community Events Planned
Neighborhood associations are pairing each bell installation with:
- Weekend street festivals featuring local food vendors
- Historical walking tours led by block captains
- Youth art workshops tied to Mural Arts education programs
- Pop-up markets showcasing neighborhood artisans
Key Takeaways
- Twenty-two Liberty Bell replicas will soon dot Philadelphia business corridors, each painted by a Mural Arts-affiliated artist.
- The statewide Bells Across Pa program places decorated bells in all 67 counties for America’s 250th birthday.
- Public unveiling happens January 16, 2026, with bells staying on view through the end of the year.
- The project pairs public art with neighborhood pride, aiming to drive tourism and local spending.
The bells offer a fresh, walkable reason to explore Philadelphia block by block while the nation turns its eyes toward Pennsylvania for the Semiquincentennial.
