As the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks approaches, events will be held across Philadelphia to commemorate and honor the 2,977 people who died in Shanksville, Pennsylvania; Arlington, Virginia, at the Pentagon; and New York, where hijacked airplanes struck the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in Manhattan.
Philadelphia first commemorated the 9/11 attacks nine days after they occurred, when City Council formally honored the victims and recognized members of Philadelphia’s Heavy Rescue 1 and Philadelphia Housing Authority personnel who went to New York to assist with rescue and recovery efforts.
Since then, the city has continued to commemorate the attacks and those who died in them, with memorial stair climbs and 9/11 ceremonies held annually since 2001. This year’s events will recognize not only 25 years since the attacks but 25 years of remembrance.
Here are some of the 9/11-related events happening in and around Philadelphia this year:
Friday, Sept. 11
Retro Fitness Spring Gardens 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb (5 a.m.–11 p.m.)
In partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF), North Philadelphia gym Retro Fitness Spring Garden is inviting community members to climb 110 flights, or 2,071 steps, equivalent to the height of the World Trade Center towers, to honor the 343 New York City Fire Department firefighters who died in the 9/11 attacks. Participants will make the climb on one of the gym’s StairMaster machines.
Those interested can sign up online. Registration is free.
2026 Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Memorial Stair Climb
In this memorial stair climb, CHOP employees will climb the 21 floors of the Roberts Center for Pediatric Research to honor the 343 firefighters and other first responders who climbed 110 floors of the TwinTowers to save lives on 9/11. CHOP employees can choose their challenge level from one to 3.5 climbs of the Roberts Center.
The event is open for only CHOP employees to participate in. Those who want to be involved can register as a volunteer.
Registration and volunteer assignments will start at 2 p.m., and climbs will begin at 3:30 p.m.
Philadelphia Fringe Festival 9/11 Memorial (8:30-9 a.m.)
Three days after the Philadelphia Fringe Festival’s end, the festival will hold a remembrance tribute for the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Held at the World Trade Center memorial under the Chestnut Street Bridge on the Schuylkill Trail, the event will feature music, a moment of silence and a time for attendees to share stories.
Tickets are free and available on the Philadelphia Fringe Festival website. Attendees should enter the event via Locust Street.
Philadelphia Eagles 9/11 Day Meal-Packing
The Philadelphia Eagles and the Tri-State Toyota Dealers will team up for the fifth year in a row to pack and distribute 1 million meals to those in need through nonprofit food bank Philabundance. Registration for the event, held at Lincoln Financial Field, is listed as full as of Tuesday afternoon.
As part of a nationwide effort by the nonprofit organization 9/11 Day, 43 other cities will also participate in meal packing. Last year, over 30,000 volunteers packed over 9 million meals nationwide as part of the effort with Philadelphia contributing roughly 850,000 meals packed in 2025.
Saturday, Sept. 12
National Day of Service at Philadelphia National Cemetery (10 a.m.)
In partnership with the Philadelphia National Cemetery, the Travis Manion Foundation, a nonprofit that honors fallen military members and veterans, is inviting community members to participate in a day of service honoring the lives lost on 9/11. Volunteers will remove debris, clean headstones and help preserve the cemetery as a place of remembrance.
Those interested can register on the Travis Manion Foundation website. Street parking is available near the cemetery.
The Navy Yard 9/11 Heroes Run 5K (9 a.m.)
Open to “runners, ruckers, and walkers of all ages and fitness levels,” the 2026 9/11 Heroes Run commemorates the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and honors the first responders, service members, and heroes who served that day and in the wars that followed. The event begins at 9 a.m. at The Navy Yard in Philadelphia. Registration is available online.
Participants can choose the certified 5K, a one-mile walk or run, or the GORUCK rucking division (walking or hiking while carrying a weighted backpack). Packet pickup is available Thursday, Sept. 10 from noon to 6 p.m. at Golden Crown NYB Clubhouse, or race morning beginning at 7 a.m. Free parking is available at The Navy Yard.
Saturday, Sept. 26
Xfinity Mobile Arena 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb (7:45-11 a.m.)
Open to the community, climbers can take on 2,200 steps — the Xfinity Mobile Arena equivalent to 110 floors in this 9/11 stair climb. During their climb, each participant will carry the name of a fallen firefighter.
Registration costs $40 through Sept. 15 and will cost $50 after Sept. 16. Registration fees will fund the NFFF and the FDNY Counseling Unit. On-site registration begins at 7:45 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony at 8:15 a.m. The climb will start at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 11 a.m.
