The Expertise
The place does the Mummers Parade happen?
The Mummers Parade begins at seventeenth and Market streets, then heads two blocks east towards and counterclockwise round Metropolis Corridor earlier than persevering with the 13 blocks south down Broad Road to Washington Avenue, a complete of one-and-a-half miles.
  — Picture by Go to Philadelphia
Efficiency judging takes place close to fifteenth Road and John F. Kennedy Boulevard by Metropolis Corridor’s Dilworth Park.
Whereas there’s not a foul spot in the home to view the roving festivities, spectators eager to catch stationary performances can arrange close to the Metropolis Corridor judging stand (see ticketed choices under) or free designated stop-and-perform places down Broad Road at Sansom, Pine and Carpenter streets.
When is the Mummers Parade?
The out of doors parade begins Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at 9 a.m. Spectators ought to arrive early to assert their spots. (Many arrive very early, so be ready.) The occasion is scheduled to finish between 5 and 6 p.m. If vital, the rain date is Saturday, January 4, 2025.
  — Picture courtesy The Philadelphia Mummers String Band Affiliation
Individually, the Fancy Brigades additionally maintain two spirited and ticketed Fancy Brigade Finale reveals (previously often known as Mummers Fest) on the Pennsylvania Conference Middle on January 1, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Wait … what’s the Mummers Parade?
The Mummers Parade is the nation’s oldest repeatedly working folks parade, originating in 1901. Over the course of the procession down Broad Road — well-known for its Mummers Strut — every of the Mummers efficiency divisions tackle particular person roles.
- The Fancy Division (or Fancies) impresses with painted faces, glamorous sequined outfits, feathery plumage and colourful parasols.
- The Comics Division and Wench Brigades satirize latest occasions, public establishments, popular culture, celebrities and politicians by comedic skits and clownish dance.
- The elaborately dressed Fancy Brigades produce tightly choreographed story-based theatrical extravaganzas.
- And String Bands gleefully march whereas enjoying banjos, saxophones, glockenspiels, accordions, violins and percussion devices, performing unique music and conventional tunes together with Oh, Dem Golden Slippers, the unofficial Mummers anthem.
The noisy camaraderie shouldn’t idiot the novice attendee, as every membership is embroiled in a pleasant but fierce competitors for high honors. Awards are given out in a wide range of classes amongst every division, however the primary prize is year-long bragging rights.
  — Picture courtesy The Philadelphia Mummers String Band Affiliation
There’s extra work to be carried out for one group, nevertheless. Taking a break from displaying their costumes, choreography, floats and music alongside Broad Road, the Fancy Brigades head to close by Pennsylvania Conference Middle twice in the course of the day to stage elaborate Broadway-style performances for ticket holders in the course of the 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Fancy Brigade Finale competitions for the suitable to hoist the winner’s Dan Lerro Cup.
