2017 Mummers Parade

1. a performer in a pantomime; broadly :  actor

2. one who goes merrymaking in disguise during festivals

On January 1, 2017 beginning at 9am, the Mummers will begin their parade route at Philadelphia’s City Hall and head south along Broad Street to Washington Avenue. The Mummers will use the Benjamin Franklin Parkway as a staging area prior to moving to City Hall to be judged. After the judging, the Mummers will join the parade heading south on Broad Street. The parade will end at Washington Avenue, with some clubs still heading east to Second Street for the unofficial “Two Street Parade”.

Local clubs (usually called "New Years Associations") compete in one of five categories: Comics, Wench Brigades, Fancys, Fancy Brigades and String Bands. They prepare elaborate costumes, performance routines, and moveable scenery, which take months to complete. This is done in clubhouses – many of which are on or near 2nd Street (called "Two Street" by some local residents) in the Pennsport neighborhood of the city's South Philadelphia section – which also serve as social gathering places for members. You can learn more about them all here.

String Bands: Aqua String Band, Avalon String Band, Broomall String Band, Duffy String Band, Durning String Band, Ferko String Band, Fralinger String Band, Greater Kensington String Band, Greater Overbrook String Band, Hegeman String Band, Pennsport String Band, Polish American String Band, Quaker City String Band, South Philadelphia String Band, Uptown String Band, Woodland String Band.

Fancy Brigades: 2nd Street Shooters Fancy Brigade, Avenuers Fancy Brigade, Clevemore Fancy Brigade, Downtowners Fancy Brigade, Golden Crown Fancy Brigade, Jokers Fancy Brigade, Satin Slipper Fancy Brigade, Saturnalian Fancy Brigade, Shooting Stars Fancy Brigade, South Philly Vikings Fancy Brigade, Spartans Fancy Brigade

Fancy Division: Golden Sunrise

Comic Division: Goodtimers Comic Club, Murray Comic Club, Landi Comic Club

Wench Brigades: Bryson Wench Brigade, Cara Liom Wench Brigade, Froggy Carr Wench Brigade, O’Malley Wench Brigade, Oregon Wench Brigade, Pirates Wench Brigade, Riverfront Wench Brigade, Saints Wench Brigade

Watching the more than 40 organized clubs parade down Broad Street is a singular and completely FREE experience — making for a great way to spend the New Year’s Day holiday. Spectators are encouraged to leave their cars behind and take SEPTA. But be on the lookout for detoured buses. Hop Regional Rail to Suburban Station, the Market-Frankford Line or Trolley to 15th or the Broad Street Line to City Hall, Walnut-Locust or Lombard-South. Click here to plan your trip.

To get the unofficial “Two Street Parade”, walk east to 2nd Street from the Elsworth-Federal stop on the Broad Street Line or hop Bus Routes 29, 57 or 64.