- Categories:
- Cultural
- Tags:
- FestivitiesFun
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every January 1
- Holiday emoji:
- 🎉
Mummer’s Parade kicks off the new year every January 1 with an explosion of vibrant costumes, music, and dance in Philadelphia. This unique cultural event showcases the city’s rich history and community spirit. Join the festivities, witness incredible performances, and embrace the joyous start to the year.
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Expected Mummer's Parade Deals
As New Year’s Day approaches, expect local Philadelphia businesses to offer special deals and promotions tied to the Mummer’s Parade. While official 2027 promotions are still under wraps, history shows many restaurants and bars along the parade route, like Chickie’s & Pete’s and Tony Luke’s, often have New Year’s Day specials. Look for discounts at local souvenir shops such as Philly Phaithful, and potentially hotel packages from chains like Hilton or Marriott for out-of-town visitors. Craft breweries like Yards Brewing Company might release limited-edition brews. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as January 1 approaches, so check back for the best ways to celebrate and save.
Platform Guide for Mummer's Parade
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #MummersParade. Share your favorite costume details or parade moments.
TikTok
Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #MummersParade. Film short clips of the elaborate performances and vibrant energy.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #MummersParade. Share photos and videos, and invite friends to watch or attend.
Mummer's Parade Hero
George Washington
History of Mummer's Parade
If you live in the Philadelphia area or plan on spending your holiday there, the Mummer’s Parade is the place to be, so don’t go too wild the night before. This 120-year-old parade is a staple of the Philadelphia cultural scene, with tens of thousands of people taking part, making it one of the most exciting events on the U.S. calendar. It all started in the mid-seventeenth century when the first parade was created, infusing dance, music, and costume styles from Swedish, Irish, German, and African cultures and heritages to celebrate art and tradition. It was also loosely based on the British and Irish Mummer’s plays, which were folk plays performed by troupes of amateur actors, almost like pantomimes, but with more of a mythical narrative.
Naturally, through the years, it has grown and evolved into a massive celebration that today symbolizes the amalgamation and coming together of different cultures in America and pays homage to those rich backgrounds and heritage of the people that chose to participate in the actual parade events.
Today, local clubs — who have started referring to themselves as New Year’s Brigades — collectively will compete in one of five categories, including comics, wench brigades, fancies, string bands, and fancy brigades. They spend months creating elaborate costumes, performance routines, and movable scenery. This is done in clubhouses, many of which are located on or near 2nd Street in the Pennsport neighborhood of the city’s South Philadelphia section and serve as social gathering places for members.
Mummer's Parade timeline
The first-ever documented mummer-like parade takes place in America during the Revolutionary War as a farewell send-off given to William General Howe.
The public grows tired of mummer’s and their antics, and as a result, masquerading is declared a public nuisance.
The Mummer's Parade is formally adopted by Philadelphia, which transforms it into what is now known as the modern version of this beautiful festival.
For the first time, women are officially allowed to participate in the parade and bring with them various new tools, capabilities, and performance opportunities.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Mummer's Parade
Local businesses along the parade route can capitalize on the Mummer’s Parade by offering special New Year’s Day menus, warm beverages, and prime viewing spots. Restaurants and bars could host themed brunches or parties, encouraging patrons to dress in Mummers-inspired attire. Retailers might sell parade-themed merchandise or offer discounts to those showing their Mummers spirit. Consider partnering with a local Mummer’s club for a special appearance or performance to draw crowds.
Mummer's Parade FAQs
When is Mummer's Parade?
In 2027, the Mummer’s Parade will once again be held on New Year’s Day, Friday, January 1. This annual event is a vibrant cultural cornerstone of Philadelphia’s holiday season.
How many Mummers participate in the parade?
With around 10,000 participants, the Mummers Parade is a massive undertaking, drawing performers from dozens of clubs across the Philadelphia region. The scale of dedication is truly impressive.
What are the different divisions in the Mummer's Parade?
The Mummer’s Parade is categorized into four main divisions, each with its own flair. The String Bands are known for their intricate musical arrangements, while the Fancy brigades dazzle with their elaborate, often enormous, costumes.
What is the origin of the Mummer's Parade?
Tracing its roots back to ancient European traditions of ‘mummering’ and masking, the parade gained official recognition in Philadelphia in 1901. It’s a unique blend of cultural influences that has become synonymous with New Year’s Day in the city.
Mummer's Parade Activities
Attend the parade
Celebrate the festivities of the official Mummer’s Parade with the public and applaud the months of prep work put in by the communities. This is a great way to learn about the culture and traditions of a specific state and the various cultures of the U.S.
Plan your own parade
Organize your parade at home with your neighbors. It doesn't have to be on the same scale as the official parade, but with a few participants and some music and dance instruction, it can be a fun event that could even become a new tradition.
Celebrate your culture through music or dance
At the heart of the Mummer’s Parade are the musical and dance elements used in creative ways to tell stories and showcase art, tradition, and myth. Put together a performance as a way to showcase your heritage.
5 Interesting Facts About Philadelphia
It’s rich in theatre history
The Walnut Street Theater, located in the Trenton district, is the English-speaking world's oldest continuously operating theater.
Art thrives there
Philly plays host to the most impressionist paintings housed in a city outside of Paris.
History was made there
Philadelphia is home to the Declaration of Independence.
Philly went digital first
The first general-purpose computer in history was kept in Philadelphia back in 1946.
It’s the City of Brotherly Love
It is known as the City of Brotherly Love, honoring it as a place of religious freedom.
Why We Love Mummer's Parade
It’s an artistic celebration
This parade is the ultimate place of creative expression. Participants from all backgrounds get to see and learn about one another's creative decisions, as well as respect one another.
It ensures tradition lives on
When tradition endures, it means that our heritage is passed on for future generations to discover and enjoy. That’s why events like the Mummer’s Parade in Philly are so important.
It brings communities together
A globe is a huge place, and the Mummer’s Parade is no exception. Many different individuals from varied origins coexist and learn about one another.
Social Media Tips for Mummer's Parade
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