Metro Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Mummers Parade will once again strut down Broad Street on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, marking the event’s 125th anniversary and kicking off a year of major citywide celebrations.

The 2026 Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia Mummers Parade will begin at City Hall at 9 a.m. The Fancy, Wench, Comic and String Band divisions are slated to perform.

Parade route, viewing areas 

The 2026 Philadelphia Mummers Parade begins at City Hall, starting at 9 a.m. and will continue south along Broad Street to Washington Avenue. The judging will take place on the West side of City Hall and Dilworth Plaza.

Seats in this area are available for purchase in-person from the Philadelphia Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market streets. They can also be purchased online. Entertainers will perform during the parade route with special viewing areas at 17th and Market streets, as well as along Broad Street at Samson, Pine, and Carpenter streets.

This year’s parade lineup includes one Fancy Club, 10 Wench Brigades, three Comic clubs and 14 String Bands, each presenting large-scale, Broadway-style productions. Fans will also see appearances by Mummers personalities and parade sponsors throughout the route.

Beginning at 11 a.m., spectators will be able to visit String Bands in their staging areas along Market Street and JFK Boulevard as they prepare for their performances. Bands will stage along Market Street between 17th and 21st streets and along JFK Boulevard from 17th to 20th streets.

“The Mummers Parade ushers in a landmark year for the City of Philadelphia, and we’re thrilled to return as its title sponsor,” said Jake Joyce, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia. “We’re proud to support this beloved tradition for its 125th anniversary and kick off what is sure to be an exciting and vibrant year for Philadelphia.”

Road closures

There will be road closures and parking restrictions throughout the city due to the parade.  According to city officials, parking restrictions will begin in advance on Sunday, Dec. 28, along portions of the parade route. Most parking and traffic restrictions will be lifted upon the conclusion of the event.

Attendees are encouraged to use the SEPTA Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines to access the parade area. Bus detours, alerts and general information can be found on SEPTA’s website.

Wheelchair-accessible seating

There will be 20 wheelchair-accessible seats available on 15th Street at the north side of the performance area. These seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating for attendees accompanying people using wheelchairs is available behind the wheelchair-accessible seats.

Along the parade route, there will be designated wheelchair-accessible viewing areas located at 701 Broad Street (in front of the Philadelphia Fire Department House) and 901 Broad Street (in front of the High School For Creative & Performing Arts).

52 Weeks of Firsts

Philadelphia Mummers Parade will be recognized by 52 Weeks of Firsts as the first Folk Parade in America — taking place here in Philadelphia in the year 1901. A celebration is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 10, at the Mummers Museum, located at 1100 S. Second Street. 

“What an honor it is to be able to speak on behalf of the Mummers Parade at such a momentous, historic double milestone — the 250th anniversary of our beloved nation, and the celebration of 125 years of Mummery,” Sam Regalbuto, president of the String Band Association. “We aim to play a meaningful role in Philadelphia’s celebration of this commemorative occasion, proudly showcasing our unique culture to fans across the globe.”

Additional updates about the 2026 parade will be posted to the newly launched website, philadelphiamummersparade.com, and on the official Mummers Parade social media accounts.

Philadelphians can also sign up for free text alerts from the City to get weather, transit, event details, and public safety updates. Text ReadyPhila to 888-777.