Your guide to the 2018 Mummers Parade on New Year’s Day

Update: As of late Thursday night, the City of Philadelphia said the Mummers Parade on New Year’s Day was still on, despite the call for frigid temperatures.

New Year’s is just around the corner, which can only mean one thing in Philly: The Mummers Parade! Mummers, which means to masquerade and folk play, have been strutting through Philly’s streets for decades, creating a loud, boisterous, and colorful spectacle since 1901. It is the oldest folk parade in the country.

The day-long event kicks off by City Hall, with the Mummers making their way down Broad Street to Washington Avenue. Below is the ultimate guide to watching and getting around Philly on New Year’s Day (and yes, the option of staying indoors where it’s warm is on the table, too!).

Official street closures have not yet been released, but check back for updates as they roll in from the city.

When is the Mummers Parade?

Like every year, the Mummers Parade takes place on New Year’s Day, January 1. This year, it kicks off at 9 a.m.

What will the weather be like?

Cold, very cold. The National Weather Service says Monday, January 1’s high will be 20 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s talk of the parade being rescheduled to next weekend, but for now the show is still on. So bundle up!

What is the parade route?

It starts at Broad and Market by City Hall, then makes its way down Broad Street to Washington Avenue.

What are the best spots to watch the Mummers?

You can’t go wrong camping out anywhere along the Broad Street parade route, but if you really want to see the Mummers in action, check out the four performance spots along the route: 15th and Market, Broad and Sansom, Broad and Pine, and Broad and Carpenter.

What’s the best way to get there?

As always, big parades mean limited street parking and road closures. Your best bet is to take SEPTA: Take the Broad Street Line subway, which will drop you off along any point of the parade. If you’re taking the Regional Rail, get off at Suburban Station, City Hall, or Jefferson Station and walk to the route.

Will there be any bus detours?

Yes, lots of them, starting on Sunday, December 31st and ending on Monday, January 1, beginning as early as 3 a.m.

• Sunday, December 31st, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. (15th St. between JFK Blvd. and Chestnut St.): Bus Routes 4, 16, 17, 27, 31, 32, 33, 44, 48, 124, and 125.
• Monday, January 1st (Broad St. between Washington Ave. and City Hall): Bus Routes 2, 4, 9, 12, 16, 17, 21, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33, 38, 40, 42, 44, 45, 48, 57, 59, 64, 124, and 125.

This sounds like a lot of work. Will it be televised?

Yes, you can watch the whole spectacle without ever leaving your couch. It will be televised on channel PHL17 in the Philly region. Not in the area? Head to Mr. Mummer’s website the day of to watch online starting at 9 a.m.