On New Year’s Day, 2026, Philadelphia’s icy, grey winter streets erupted with a kaleidoscopic thrill of bright colors and joyous splendor as thousands braved the cold to watch the historic 125th annual Mummers Parade.
One of this country’s most distinctive and acclaimed folk celebrations, rooted in the traditions brought here by immigrants, where costumed residents blend tradition and friendly competition with local pride. Fierce winds forced organizers to reschedule the String Band Division competition for the first time in the parade’s long history, but the spirit of Philadelphia Mummery was undiminished. While bands marched and performed, thousands of brave souls crowded around City Hall with unfazed enthusiasm, as they stood up to the wind gusts along Broad Street.
It’s the best time of the year for us, and it is so easy to ride the El downtown to see the Mummers,” said Edgardo Melendez of Kensington, who watched the parade with wife, Yanitza, and son, Michael. “Each year, I think about our family joining a Mummers Club and starting our own tradition.” The roots of the Mummers tradition can be traced to festive European masquerades and ancient Roman celebrations, as well as British mumming, a historic folk tradition of masked people performing short, humorous plays. Mummering was brought to the Delaware Valley by waves of immigrants before the turn of the 20th century, and neighborhood mummering gatherings eventually evolved into an organized, judged parade. The first formal, city-sanctioned parade took place on January 1, 1901, making it the oldest continuously operating folk parade in the United States.
Mummers are all about celebration, fun, and family,” notes the Mummers Museum. “They value tradition and community. (Mummers Museum) The parade traditionally features five divisions: Comics, Wench Brigades, Fancies, String Bands, and Fancy Brigades. The top winners of the 2026 Mummers Parade, a fierce and unforgettable competition, were the Downtowners of the Fancy Brigade Finale, who claimed first place with their vibrant jungle-themed production, their first win since 2002. In the Wench Brigade Division, the Americans finished atop the leaderboard. In the Comic Division, Finnegan-Murray took the top spot, and in the Fancy Division, Golden Sunrise was the first prize club entry. Due to the weather, the String Band Division will be judged later once conditions permit.
For locals, the Mummers Parade is a living tradition, part of their family histories and neighborhood pride. Many Philadelphians can recall New Year’s Day mornings on South Broad Street, bundled up and standing on Broad Street waiting to catch a glimpse of shiny sequins or familiar Mummers tunes echoing off brick rowhouses. “The Mummers parade signals the beginning of hopes for the New Year,” said spectator Maria Marino. “It’s Philly’s way of welcoming happiness, health, and prosperity for all. The parade brings hope, happiness, and pride to us at the beginning of the year. Despite the weather, the 2026 Mummers Parade reaffirmed its place in the hearts of Philadelphians.