Mummers Parade 2019: What You Need To Know

PHILADELPHIA – The 119th Mummers Parade is nearly here. On Jan. 1, throngs of string bands will dance and perform their way from City Hall to Washington Avenue.

Here are the details about road closures, parking restrictions, safety information, and more.

In the event of inclement weather, the parade will take place on the first possible Saturday or Sunday. However, the Fancy Brigades will still perform indoors.

Parade Route, Performances, & Schedule

The parade steps off at 9 a.m. from the west side of City Hall and head south on Broad Street then end on Washington Avenue.

There are three performance areas and two judging stands along the route at the following locations:

• N 15th St / Maket St: Performance Area & Judging Stand
• Broad St / Sansom St: Performance Area (String Bands Only)
• Broad St / Bach Pl: Judging Stand
• Broad St / Pine St: Performance Areas

The order of march with times (all times are approximate) are below:

• Fancy Division (9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.)
  • Golden Sunrise
• Wenches (9:30 a.m. to 10:30 AM)
  • Americans
  • Cara Liom
  • Oregon
  • Bryson
  • O'Malley
  • Riverfront
  • Pirates
  • Saints
  • Froggy Carr
• Comic Division (10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.)
  • Landi
  • Murray
  • Goodtimers
• String Bands (12:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
• Greater Kensington
• Durning
• Pennsport
• Broomall
• Greater Overbrook
• Aqua
• Hegeman
• Uptown
• Valon
• Duffy
• Polish American
• South Philadelphia
• Fralinger
• Ferko
• Woodland
• Quaker City

You can see the entire parade route with performance locations here.

Road Closures & Parking Restrictions

If your vehicle is relocated, please call your local PPD District Headquarters or 311. Do not call 911 for towed vehicles.

Parking is prohibited now through 7 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2019, on the east side of 15th Street from JFK Boulevard to South Penn Square.

Two east travel lanes on 15th Street will be closed from JFK Boulevard to Market Street from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Dec. 28 for equipment load-in. Fifteenth Street may be closed completely for short intervals during this time frame if necessary.

Additionally, parking is prohibited through 7 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2019, on the west side of 15th Street from JFK Boulevard to Market Street and Market to Ranstead street.

Saturday, Dec. 29 and Sunday, Dec. 30

Two east travel lanes on 15th Street from JFK Boulevard to South Penn Square will be closed for television compound setup starting at 10 a.m. on Dec. 29. Closure to remain in place until noon on Jan. 2.

From 6 a.m. 44 p.m., 15th Street from JFK Boulevard to Chestnut Street and Market Street from 15th Street to 16th Street will be closed.

Starting at 4 p.m., Market Street will partially re-open east of 15th Street and 15th Street will partially re-open south of JFK Boulevard until 3 a.m. on Jan. 1.

Parking is prohibited from 4 a.m. on Dec. 31 through 8 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2019, on West Market Street from 15th Street to 20th Street & JFK Boulevard from 15th Street to 21st Street.

Tuesday, January 1, 2019

From 3 a.m. until the event conclusion, Market Street from 15th to 16th Street, 15th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street and JFK Boulevard from 15th Street to 21st Street will be closed.

From 7 a.m. until the event conclusion, Broad Street from South Penn Square (parade route) and Washington Avenue from 12th Street to 18th Street (dispersal area) will be closed.

Vehicular traffic will not be permitted to cross Broad Street while the parade is in progress. 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. Please refrain from double-parking, which creates congestion, limits traffic flow and is illegal.

Additional Parking Restrictions on Jan. 1, 2019

Temporary No Parking Zones on Jan. 1, 2019 from 2 a.m. to 7 p.m. are:

• JFK Blvd from Juniper to 15th Street (SOUTH SIDE)
• JFK Blvd from Broad to 16th Street
• Juniper Street from JFK to South Penn Square
• South Penn Square from Juniper to 16th Street (SOUTH SIDE)
• Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 16th to 19th Street
• North Broad Street from Cherry to JFK Blvd (WEST SIDE)
• 15th Street from Race to JFK Blvd
• 16th Street from Chestnut to Race
• 17th Street from Ben Franklin Parkway to Ludlow
• 18th Street from Race to Ludlow
• 19th Street from Ben Franklin Parkway to Chestnut
• Cherry Street from 15th to 17th
• Arch Street from 15th to 17th
• Washington Ave from 12th to 18th
• Broad Street from Arch to Ellsworth

Additionally, parking is prohibited from:

• 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. on 15th Street from Arch Street to JFK Boulevard
• 4 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Chestnut Street, from 16th to 18th Streets
• 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the 1500 block of Ranstead Street

Paid Parking

If you are coming into the city by car, here are some nearby parking garages and paid lots.

Click here to see nearby parking garages for Mummers Parade A full list of garage is available on the PPA's website here as well.

Public Safety Information

Parade attenees should not leave bags or items unattended. In an emergency or to report a suspicious person, activity or item — such as a backpack, a package, a container — notify a police officer immediately or call 911. 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.

No Drone Zone

All locations referenced above and the surrounding area is designated as a "No-Drone Zone." Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and drones of any kind are not permitted in the area.

Federal regulations prohibit hobbyist drone flights over or near crowds to include any of the parade areas.

Commercial drone pilots are permitted to fly only if registered with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and have made the appropriate notifications to the FAA, nearby airports and heliports. The City of Philadelphia also requests that commercial drone pilots complete a notification form for the awareness of the City's public safety officials. The form can be found here.

All eventgoers are encouraged to report any other drone sightings to the nearest law enforcement officer. If possible, take note of the drone's location, characteristics, and take a picture the aircraft. Quickly scan the area to see if you can spot the operator and report these details to the officer.

Missing Children

For help with a lost child, please call 911 or notify the nearest law enforcement officer. Be sure to take a photo of your children prior to attending a crowded event. If separated, this photo will be very helpful for those searching for your child. It's also a smart idea to have the child memorize the cell phone number of their parent or guardian.

Law Enforcement

Several law enforcement teams will be present along the Mummers Parade route. Please call 911 if in need of assistance or contact the nearest uniformed officer.

EMS / Medical Assistance

The Philadelphia Fire Department's EMS Division will have medic teams spread along the Mummer's parade route. Call 911 if you are having a medical emergency or see someone who may be in need of medical attention.

Lost & Found

All attendees or participants looking to claim or report lost items during the Mummer's Parade should be directed to call Philadelphia Parks & Recreation at (215) 683-3691 or (215) 683-0238.

Public Transportation

Due to event-related street closures, event-goers are encouraged to use the SEPTA Broad Street Subway and Market-Frankford Line to access the area.

Bus detours should be expected on the 4, 16, 17, 27, 31, 32 33, 44, 48, 124, and 125 Routes

Alerts and general information can be found on SEPTA’s website online here.

Photo by William Thomas Cain/Getty Images