Mummers parade: Everything you need to know about Philly's New Year's Day celebration

Mummers Parade performers begin preparations

Preparation for the annual Mummers Parade is underway as performers got their practice on in South Philly Sunday.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia will celebrate the new year as only Philadelphia can! The Mummers Parade returns for its annual strut down Broad Street to welcome in 2025.

The long-running Philadelphia tradition is perhaps its biggest party of the year, but before you and thousands others gather along the 1.5-mile-long parade route there are some things you'll need to know:

What is the Mummers parade?

The Mummers Parade is Philadelphia's annual New Year's Day celebration that started over 120 years ago. Visit Philadelphia describes the Mummers Parade as "a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade, but much bigger."

Groups of Mummers split into five different divisions [Fancies, Comic Brigade, Wench Brigade, Fancy Brigde, and String Bands] strut over a mile through the heart of Philadelphia to ring in the New Year.

When is the Mummers parade?

The Mummers Parade kicks off Wednesday at 9 a.m. and isn't scheduled to end until 5 p.m. or later.

Parking restrictions and road closures

Philadelphia announced several road closures and parking restrictions ahead of the parade. Organizers encourage spectators to use public transportation or ride-sharing services to avoid congestion, parking restrictions and road closures.

Monday, Dec. 30

15th Street will be closed to southbound traffic at John F. Kennedy Boulevard for equipment delivery and setup. Closure will begin 9 a.m. on December 30 through 7 a.m. January 2.

Tuesday, Dec. 31

Parking is prohibited on the following streets from 4 a.m. on December 31 through 6 p.m. on January 1:

Market Street from 15th Street to 21st Street (both sides)
John F. Kennedy Boulevard from Juniper Street to 20th Street (both sides)

15th Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Market Street from 10 a.m. on December 31 through 5 a.m. on January 2.

Market Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 15th Street to 21st Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on December 31. At 3 p.m., Market Street will re-open and traffic will be permitted to travel eastbound on Market Street to 15th Street and continue southbound on 15th Street.

Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025

The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 3 a.m. on January 1 through the conclusion of the parade:

15th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
Market Street from 15th Street to 21st Street
Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 16th Street to 20th Street
North Broad Street from Cherry Street to John F. Kennedy Boulevard
16th Street from Chestnut Street to Race Street
17th Street from Ben Franklin Parkway to Ludlow Street
18th Street from Ludlow Street to Race Street
19th Street from Ben Franklin Parkway to Chestnut Street
1500 block of Ranstead Street
1300 block of Carpenter Street
1000 block of South 13th Street
Chestnut Street from 15th Street to 18th Street (north side)
Cherry Street from 15th Street to 17th Street
Arch Street from 15th Street to 17th Street
Washington Avenue from 12th Street to 18th Street

What's the Mummers Parade route?

The Mummers Parade route cuts right through the heart of Philadelphia, starting at 17th and Market streets and ending at Broad and Washington Avenue.

What's the best way to get to the Mummers Parade?

Organizers are urging spectators to use public transportation, including SEPTA's Broad Street and Market-Frankford lines to get to the parade. The city shared a list of SEPTA routes that will be detoured because of the parade.

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

The following SEPTA routes will be detoured from the normal route beginning at 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, December 31 to approximately 2 a.m. on Wednesday, January 1: