Philadelphia Mummers Parade 2020: What You Need To Know

PHILADELPHIA — It's nearly time for the string bands to parade down Broad Street on Jan. 1 for the annual Mummer Parade. But with the parade comes road closures, parking restrictions and more, so we've got the details you need.

While the parade will be held at 9 a.m. on New Year's Day, its impacts begin on Dec. 27 and will be felt through Jan. 2.

The parade route begins at City Hall and heads south on Broad Street, ending at Washington Avenue.

Most parking and traffic restrictions will be lifted upon the conclusion of the event.

A full event story map is available online here.

As for the New Year's Day forecast, the National Weather Service has mostly good news.

Wednesday's forecast calls for highs around 42 with mostly sunny skies. However, it's going to be a gusty day with a west wind from 9 miles per hour to 15 miles per hours, with gusts as high as 25 miles per hour.

And for those carrying on the New Year's Day revelry into the evening will see a low of 29 with winds at 3 miles per hour to 8 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

Below are road closure and parking restriction details:

Friday, Dec. 27, 2019
Parking is prohibited from 6 p.m. on Dec. 27, 2019 through 6 p.m on Jan. 2, 2020, on the east side of 15th Street from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to South Penn Square.

Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019
Two travel lanes on 15th Street will be closed from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to South Penn Square from 7 a.m. on Dec. 28, 2019 through 7 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2020 for equipment load-in and staging. 15th Street may be closed completely for short intervals during this time frame.

Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019
Parking is prohibited from 6 p.m. on Dec. 29, 2019 through 6 p.m. on Jan. 2, 2020, 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 time frame.

Monday, Dec. 30, 2019
15th Street will be closed to southbound traffic at John F. Kennedy Boulevard on Dec. 30, 2019 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Noon) for equipment delivery and setup.

Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2019
Parking is prohibited on the following streets from 4 a.m. on Dec. 31, 2019 through 6 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2020:

• 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, 2019 through 7 a.m. on Jan. 2, 2020.

Market Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 15th Street to 16th Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2019. 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.

Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020
The following streets will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 3 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2020 through the conclusion of the parade:

• 15th Street from Arch Street to Chestnut Street
• Market Street from 15th Street to 16th Street

Broad Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from South Penn Square to Washington Avenue on Jan. 1, 2020—beginning at 7 a.m. through the conclusion of the parade.

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. Those driving should also refrain from double-parking, which creates congestion, limits traffic flow, and is illegal.

Additional Parking Restrictions on Jan. 1, 2020
Temporary “No Parking” zones will be in effect from 2 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2020—both sides of street unless otherwise noted:

• Broad Street from Arch Street to Ellsworth Street
• Juniper Street from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to South Penn Square (east side)
• South Penn Square from Juniper Street to 15th Street
• Benjamin Franklin Parkway from 16th Street to 20th Street
• North Side of Logan Circle
• 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 Race Street to Ludlow 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

Performance areas and judging stand locations

• Performance Area & "A" Stand Judging
• N 15th Street/ Market Street
• Fancy "B" Stand Judging
• S Penn Sq / Broad Street
• Performance Area (String Bands Only)
• Broad Street/ Sansom Street
• Comic "B" and "C" Stand Judging
• Broad Street/ Bach Pl
• Performance Area (Fancy, Wenches, Comics, Fancy Brigades)
• Broad Street/ Pine Street
• Performance Area
• Broad Street/ Carpenter Street

Order of March (all times are approximate)

• Fancy Division (9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.)
  • Golden Sunrise
• Comic Wenches (9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.)
  • Cara Liom
  • O'Malley
  • The Americans
  • The Pirates
  • Riverfront
  • Bryson
  • Oregon
  • The Saints
  • Froggy Carr
• Comic Division (10:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.)
  • Murray
  • Goodtimers
  • Landi
• String Band Division (1 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
  • Jersey — 1 p.m.
  • Woodland — 1:10 p.m.
  • Avalon — 1:20 p.m.
  • South Philadelphia — 1:30 p.m.
  • Fralinger — 1:40 p.m.
  • Quaker City — 1:50 p.m.
  • Ferko — 2 p.m.
  • Polish American — 2:10 p.m.
  • Hegeman — 2:20 p.m.
  • Uptown — 2:30 p.m.
  • Aqua — 2:40 p.m.
  • Duffy — 2:50 p.m.
  • Greater Overbrook — 3 p.m.
  • Pennsport to 3:10 p.m.
  • Greater Kensington — 3:20 p.m.
  • Durning — 3:30 p.m.

The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts opens its doors for its annual free New Year’s Day Celebration. The campus will be alive with holiday sights and sounds as patrons are invited to warm up indoors to enjoy panoramic views of the Mummers Parade, performances, and activities from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

Public Transportation

Due to event-related street closures, attendees are encouraged to use the SEPTA Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines to access the parade area. Bus detours, alerts and general information can be found on SEPTA’s website.

Public Safety Information

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)—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.

All locations referenced above and the surrounding area are designated as a “No-Drone Zone.” 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.