The 2025 Mummers Parade will be back in full swing on New Year’s Day with more than 10,000 costumed participants strutting through the city.
The Mummers are made up of more than 40 local clubs that compete in one of five categories — Comics, Wench Brigades, Fancies, String Bands, and Fancy Brigades — with elaborate costumes, moveable floats and intricate performances in front of a panel of judges. And Philadelphians can watch it all unfold in real time on New Years Day.
Traffic closures
Parking restrictions will begin in advance on Sunday, Dec. 29 along portions of the parade route, which starts at City Hall and moves south to Washington Avenue via Broad Street, a release notes. Most parking and traffic restrictions will be lifted upon the conclusion of the event.
On Dec. 30, 5th Street will be closed to southbound traffic at John F. Kennedy Boulevard for equipment delivery and setup. Closure will begin 9 a.m. on Dec. 30 through 7 a.m. Jan. 2.The following day (Dec. 31), parking is prohibited on Market Street from 15th Street to 21st Street (both sides) and John F. Kennedy Boulevard from Juniper Street to 20th Street (both sides) from 4 a.m. that day through 6 p.m. on Jan. 1.
A full listing of which streets will shut down on which day is available online (via phila.gov) but locals should note that Broad Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from South Penn Square to Washington Avenue on Wednesday, Jan. 1—beginning at 7 a.m. through the conclusion of the parade.
The city advises that delays can be expected during the course of the event. Motorists are advised to avoid the area by using alternate routes and allow for extra driving time in areas near the event. Philadelphians can head to the event via SEPTA (the Broad Street and Market-Frankford lines provide access to the parade), but additional bus detours, alerts and general information can be found on SEPTA’s website.
Where to watch
Members of the public can watch the performances from the parade route for free. Tickets for the City Hall Performance Zone can be purchased online or by calling 1-800-537-7676.
Tickets for the Fancy Brigade Finale – with shows at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Convention Center – are on sale through the Independence Visitor Center and Fancy Bridge Association.
All locations of the parade route and surrounding areas are designated as a “No-Drone Zone.” The city also notes that 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.
Anyone interested in attending the event can also sign up for free text alerts from the City to get weather, transit, event details, and public safety updates by texting ReadyPhila (one word, no space) to 888-777.
The parade will be broadcast on WDPN-TV, also known as MeTV2, and can also be viewed for free at WFMZ.com and on the WFMZ+ app.
To find out more information on the 2025 Mummers Parade visit phlvisitorcenter.com/Mummers
