In Philly, the New Year’s party doesn’t stop after the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve.
In fact, some would say it doesn’t even get started until 9 a.m. on New Year’s Day, when 10,000 colorfully costumed Mummers line up to strut, sashay and pirouette their way down Broad Street.
Traveling from City Hall to Washington Avenue, the SugarHouse Casino Mummers Parade is a more-than-century-old tradition in the City of Brotherly Love — and one you certainly won’t want to miss on New Year’s Day.
Fast Facts
- The 117th Annual Mummers Parade runs 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on January 1, 2017.
- The parade travels south down Broad Street from City Hall to Washington Avenue.
- Tickets to the indoor Mummers Fancy Brigade Finale shows are available online.
- A number of museums, ice skating rinks and other attractions will be open on New Year’s Day.
- Select restaurants are offering awesome dining deals (see below).
In addition to the Mummers Parade, there are tons of other awesome happenings going down in the first hours of 2017 in Philadelphia.
From dining out to ice skating to exploring the city’s stellar museums, we’ve rounded up tons of great stuff to do on New Year’s Day, including the Mummers Parade.
Read on for all the details you need to plan a fun-filled first day of 2017!
The Mummers Parade
Overview & Parade Route
Mummers are men and women of all ages who belong to more than 40 organized clubs that make up the parade participants. The clubs are split into five categories — Comics, Wench Brigades, Fancies, String Bands and Fancy Brigades — that function mainly to stage playful performances on New Year’s Day.
The parade begins at 9 a.m. and continues into the evening, ending approximately at 6 p.m. City Hall marks the starting point, with a judging station situated at 15th and Market streets.
The progression will then proceed down Broad Street to Washington Avenue. Once the Fancy Brigades — which lead the parade — finish the entire route, they head to the Pennsylvania Convention Center for ticketed performances at 11:30 a.m. and at 5 p.m.
Best Places To Watch
The main performance area is at City Hall, but any spot along Broad Street can be a great vantage point. In addition to City Hall, performance areas where spectators are guaranteed a show include:
• Broad Street and Washington Avenue: At the end of the parade route, folks can view all of the action and purchase food and beverages from vendors set up in tents for the occasion.
• Creative and Performing Arts School: At Broad and Christian streets, just outside of the large Creative and Performing Arts School, the Mummers queue up for regular performances all day.
• City Hall: Located right next to a judging station where each division will perform, City Hall is one of the best places to catch the parade. Limited bleacher seating is available for purchase. Tickets can be obtained here.
Tickets
Tickets for bleacher seating at City Hall (15th and Market streets) are available for $20 at the Independence Visitor Center or online. Tickets to both Fancy Brigade Finales can be purchased online for $20 to $25 or at the Independence Visitor Center.
Beyond the aforementioned ticketed areas, it’s completely free to watch the Mummers Parade.
The Kimmel Center Open House
The Kimmel Center will host a variety of fun, free events to help ring in the New Year with the Mummers. Beginning at 10 a.m., enjoy great views of the parade, live performances, a free hot chocolate bar, face painting and other family-geared activities. For more information, click here.
For those looking to snag a great bird’s-eye view of the parade, score a ticket to Garces Events Broad Street Bash, a day-long ticketed party with unlimited food and drinks and access to the Kimmel’s balcony.
Brunch in Philly
After a late New Year’s Eve night, there are few better activities than a leisurely brunch in the city, and many area restaurants are offering special brunch menus or deals for New Year’s Day.
Head to The Little Lion (serving up a $40 brunch buffet), Johnny Brenda’s (offering limited releases from Tired Hands Brewing Company), The London Grill (hosting an all-day brunch and Make-Your-Own Bloody Mary Bar) and Butcher Bar (debuting a brand new brunch menu) to celebrate with fork and knife (and cocktail) in hand.
Just beyond the rowdy parade on Broad Street, Ms. Tootsie’s hosts a But First Brunch Sunday funday party full of soulful cuisine, bottomless mimosas and R&B hits from live DJs.
Not sure where you want to dine? Check out all of our top Philly brunch picks here. Be sure to call ahead to ensure the restaurant of your choice is open on New Year’s Day.
More Things to Do on New Year’s Day
There are tons of other activities citywide to fill your first day of 2017.
Lace up your skates and hit the Olympic-sized ice rink at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest or cruise around a rink right in the heart of the city at the Rothman Ice Rink at Dilworth Park, both operating 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on New Year’s Day.
Longwood Gardens also offers the chance to get outside by touring its festively bedecked grounds anytime from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Currently hosting A Longwood Christmas, the gardens feature as many as 500,000 twinkling lights while the indoor four-acre Conservatory is filled with seasonal plants of all kinds.
For garden marveling of a different sort, head to Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens, lined with wall after wall of mosaic-made murals to explore. The urban gardens will be open noon-5 p.m.
Other places to check out on New Year’s Day include the Comcast Center, hosting the last day of the annual Comcast Holiday Spectacular, and the pop-up Wintergarden at Dilworth Park.
The Barnes Foundation also welcomes you inside with free admission as part of their first Sunday of the month programming while the Philadelphia Museum of Art offers pay-what-you-wish admission.
Start the year off right by exploring the City of Brotherly Love!
For our complete guide to New Year’s Eve in Philadelphia, check out visitphilly.com.
The post How To Do New Year’s Day In Philadelphia 2017 appeared first on Uwishunu - Philadelphia Blog About Things to Do, Events, Restaurants, Food, Nightlife and More.
