Philadelphia Mummers Parade Named “Best Holiday Parade” By USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards

By

Mummers Parade
Images via Independence Visitor Center Corporation.

On January 1, 2023, Philadelphia’s longest-running signature event is back, with the Mummers Parade returning to South Broad Street. Beginning at 9 a.m., more than 10,000 paraders will strut along the route from City Hall down Broad Street to Washington Avenue, entertaining spectators in-person, on television, and through a live stream.

The Mummers Parade, which began in 1901, is the country’s oldest continuous folk parade.

The parade includes five divisions (Fancy, Wench, Comic, String Band, and Fancy Brigade) bound together by shared values and a legacy from generations of families who have participated throughout the years.

Philadelphia’s Mummers Parade is a centuries-old New Year’s Day tradition that has flash, fanfare, humor, and live music, courtesy of costumed string bands that play along the parade route along Broad Street from City Hall to Washington Avenue.
Philadelphia’s Mummers Parade is a centuries-old New Year’s Day tradition that has flash, fanfare, humor, and live music, courtesy of costumed string bands that play along the parade route along Broad Street from City Hall to Washington Avenue.

Over the last year, thousands of local Philadelphian artisans have spent countless hours choreographing performances, designing and sewing together lavish costumes, and building props.

Their efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Philadelphia Mummers Parade has won the 2021 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest for Best Holiday Parade.

The Mummers Parade beat out many other nationally recognized parades, including the Christmas Ships Parade, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Parade, and America’s Thanksgiving Parade.

Visitors who would like to view live performances will have multiple stops to choose from along the parade route.

The order of the show will be as follows: Fancy, Wenches, Comics, and String Bands. Designated viewing areas are as follows:

  • North 15th & Market Streets (all divisions perform)
  • Broad & Sansom Streets (at the Union League Performance Area String Bands only)
  • Broad & Pine Streets (Fancy, Wench, and Comic Divisions perform, Fancy Brigades perform)
  • Broad & Carpenter Streets (all divisions perform)

The official broadcast partner of the Mummers Parade, PHL17, will begin coverage at 8 a.m. ET, on television and streaming live online. The station will have wall-to-wall coverage, with personalities embedded along the route.

______

Footage of highlights from the 2020 Philadelphia Mummers Parade on Jan. 1, 2020, on Broad Street in Philadelphia.
It’s a tradition on New Year’s Day in the City of Brotherly Love. Video by Julia Hatmaker/PennLive.

_____

Editor’s Note: This MONTCO.Today post ran originally on Jan 4, 2022. It has been update to reflect current details

Stay Connected, Stay Informed

Subscribe for great stories in your community!

"*" indicates required fields

Hidden
MT Yes
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Advertisement