More than 120 years of colorful history were on display on South Broad Street on New Year's Day as the Mummers make their annual strut.
We know the route and timing for the 2024 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia, which is title sponsored by Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia.
"The Mummers Parade is a New Yearβs Day tradition in Philadelphia, and we are thrilled to play a role in keeping that spirited tradition alive," Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia exective vice president and general manager Craig Clark said.
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Whether you're part of a local club taking part in the festivities, you're headed out to watch in the crowd, or you're just an uninterested Philadelphian wondering how you'll get around on Monday, Jan. 1, here's everything you need to know about the 2024 Mummers Parade.
Here are the winners of the 2024 Mummers Parade
There were four categories in the Mummers Parade this year: Comic, Wench, Fancy and String Bands divisions.
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Prizes are given out in a variety of categories among each division. Here are the 2024 winners:
The South Philadelphia String Band is the 2024 String Band Champions of the Mummers Parade.
Here are where the rest of the teams placed.
Kade Radcliffe of the Uptown String Band took 2024 String Band 1st Prize Captain.
When and where was the 2024 Mummers Parade?
The 124th Mummers Parade began at 9 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 1, and is set to go until around 5 p.m. Mummers will start at 17th and Market then head toward City Hall before dancing down South Broad Street to Washington Avenue.
Along the route, several official performance areas will be set up for the groups to perform their skits. A judging stand will be set up on the west side of City Hall at Dilworth Plaza at the beginning of the route, and performances will also take place at three locations down Broad Street -- at Sansom Street, Pine Street and Carpenter Street.
After the parade concludes, the unofficial after party continues in the Pennsport neighborhood of South Philadelphia, along South 2nd Street -- also called "Two Street". Many of the Mummers' clubhouses -- where performers typically spend much of the year preparing for the New Year's Day party -- are in the neighborhood.
Don't want to be cold waiting for the Mummers to strut by?
This year, the full 2024 Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia Mummers Parade was broadcasted on WFMZ-TV and MeTV2, organizers announced. Former Philadelphia TV news personalities (and husband-wife duo) Larry Mendte and Dawn Stensland hosted the broadcast, with help and insight from various commentators.
How does the competition work at the Mummers Parade?
Clubs are separated into four categories - Comic, Wench, Fancy and String Bands divisions, according to organizers.
"This yearβs parade will include 1 Fancy club, 9 Wench Brigades, 3 Comic clubs and 14 String Bands," organizers said.
Comics wear colorful outfits and usually put on shows that parody recent events, while the Wench Brigades perform similar acts but typically add instruments. The String Bands deliver full musical performances with props and dramatic costumes.
The elaborately-dressed Fancy Brigades take part in only a portion of the parade before moving inside for MummersFest shows at the Pennsylvania Convention Center at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Prizes are given out in a variety of categories among each division, but the primary prize is bragging rights.
Are tickets required for the Mummers Parade?
Attending the parade is free, but if you'd like to upgrade your experience, you can purchase tickets to the seated area near the judging stand near City Hall. Those tickets are $25 and can be purchased through the Independence Visitor Center.
Tickets for the Fancy Brigades shows at the Convention Center start at $28 and can also be purchased through the Visitor Center.
Isn't there controversy surrounding the Mummers?
The Mummers parade touts itself as a "time-honored" and "family-friendly" tradition. However, Mummers festivities have long been described by many as racist, homophobic, and otherwise culturally insensitive.
Controversy most recently came to the forefront in 2020, when a member of the 'Froggy Carr' brigade wore blackface in the parade and later defended his decision to do so. The brigade was disqualified from the event as a result, with Mayor Jim Kenney calling it "abhorrent."
Kenney threatened to end city support of the parade entirely in a 2020 letter to each of the Mummers groups.
βThis parade has an infamous history of using racially and culturally insensitive themes, and the repeated inability of Mummers leadership to control the use of blackface by some participants threatens the Cityβs continued support for the parade,β Kenney wrote.
In the past couple of years, the Mummers have made efforts to not stoke controversy.
Click here for more on the long history of Mummery.
Street Closures, Parking Restrictions for the 2024 Mummers Parade
Street closures will be aplenty throughout Center City and South Philly.
The city revealed its street closures and parking restrictions plan:
"Parking restrictions will begin in advance on Friday, December 29, along portions of the parade route, which starts at City Hall and moves south to Washington Avenue via Broad Street," the City said. "Most parking and traffic restrictions will be lifted upon the conclusion of the event."
Friday, Dec. 29, 2023
Parking is prohibited from 6 p.m. on Dec. 29 through 6 p.m. on Jan. 2, on the west side of 15th Street from Arch Street to Ranstead Street. Street/sidewalk vendors will not be permitted to park in this area during this timeframe.
Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023
15th Street will be closed to southbound traffic at John F. Kennedy Boulevard for equipment delivery and setup. Closure will begin 9 a.m. on Dec. 30 through 7 a.m. Jan. 2.
Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023
Parking is prohibited on the following streets from 4 a.m. on Dec. 31 through 6 p.m. on Jan. 1:
- Market Street from 15th Street to 21st Street (both sides)
- John F. Kennedy Boulevard from Juniper Street to 20th Street (both sides)
15th Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Market Street from 10 a.m. on Dec. 31 through 5 a.m. on Jan. 2.
Market Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 15th Street to 21st Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 31. At 3 p.m., Market Street will re-open and traffic will be permitted to travel eastbound on Market Street to 15th Street and continue southbound on 15th Street.
Monday, January 1, 2024
The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 3 a.m. on Jan. 1 through the conclusion of the parade:
- 15th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
- Market Street from 15th Street to 21st Street
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 16th Street to 20th Street
- North Broad Street from Cherry Street to John F. Kennedy Boulevard
- 16th Street from Chestnut Street to Race Street
- 17th Street from Ben Franklin Parkway to Ludlow Street
- 18th Street from Ludlow Street to Race Street
- 19th Street from Ben Franklin Parkway to Chestnut Street
- 1500 block of Ranstead Street
- 1300 block of Carpenter Street
- 1000 block of South 13th Street
- Chestnut Street from 15th Street to 18th Street (north side)
- Cherry Street from 15th Street to 17th Street
- Arch Street from 15th Street to 17th Street
- Washington Avenue from 12th Street to 18th Street
Broad Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from South Penn Square to Washington Avenue on Monday, Jan. 1βbeginning at 7 a.m. through the conclusion of the parade.
Driving could be difficult:
"Vehicular traffic will not be permitted to cross Broad Street while the parade is in progress," the City said. "Delays can be expected during the course of the event. Motorists are advised to avoid the area by using alternate routes and allow for extra driving time in areas near the event. Those driving should also refrain from double-parking, which creates congestion, limits traffic flow, and is illegal."
Additional Parking Restrictions on Jan. 1, 2024
Temporary βNo Parkingβ zones will be in effect from 2 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 1βboth sides of street unless otherwise noted:
- Broad Street from Arch Street to Ellsworth Street
- Juniper Street from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to East Penn Square
- South/East Penn Square from 15th Street to Juniper Street
- Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 16th Street to 20th Street
- Logan Circle (north side)
- North Broad Street from Cherry Street to John F. Kennedy Boulevard
- 16th Street from Chestnut Street to Race Street
- 17th Street from Ben Franklin Parkway to Ludlow Street
- 18th Street from Ludlow Street to Race Street
- 19th Street from Ben Franklin Parkway to Chestnut Street
- 19th Street from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Market Street
- 1500 block of Ranstead Street
- 1300 block of Carpenter Street
- 1000 block of South 13th Street
- Chestnut Street from 15th Street to 18th Street (north side)
- Cherry Street from 15th Street to 17th Street
- Arch Street from 15th Street to 17th Street
- Washington Avenue from 12th Street to 18th Street
What's SEPTA's plan to get you to the parade?
The City suggests paradegoers use SEPTA's Broad Street and Market-Frankford subway lines to get around. Both are accessible from SEPTA Regional Rail lines and PATCO.
Expect bus line detours during the parade.
Check SEPTA's website for any updates/changes to service.
What's the City's plan to keep everyone safe?
This is the City's public safety plan:
"No bags or items should be left unattended. In the event of an emergency or to report a suspicious person, activity or item (a backpack, a package, a container)βnotify a police officer immediately or call 9-1-1. Do not try to open, move, cover or touch a suspicious item.
"The public should expect congestion in the area. If you are attending the event, make a plan regarding driving, public transit, parking, and supervision of children. It is recommended that attendees wear comfortable, weather-appropriate attire.
"All locations referenced above and the surrounding area are designated as a βNo-Drone Zone.β Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and drones of any kind are not permitted.
"For tips and general information about being prepared and ready at special events, read the Special Event Safety Guide."
What if it rains too hard to strut?
Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024, is the rain date for the parade, Phillies announcer Dan Baker said at a introductory news conference. Timing on the rain date would be the same, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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