RING IN THE NEW YEAR IN PHILADELPHIA
There are many festive ways to kick off 2017 in Philadelphia – but be sure not to miss the annual Mummers Parade, a unique tradition to the City of Brotherly Love.
NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS
In addition to the traditional midnight fireworks show, Philadelphia also offers a more family-friendly 6 p.m. display as well. Both last about 15 minutes, and take place near Penn’s Landing on the Delaware River waterfront – with the picturesque Ben Franklin Bridge as a backdrop.
Top places to watch include the Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing, where you don some skates to take in the show (or cozy up with hot chocolate or cider), or head to SugarHouse Casino a little further up the river if you want to try your luck.
Both the Moshulu, the world’s largest Tall Ship turned restaurant, and the Independence Seaport Museum, also host special New Year’s Eve events, both with views of the fireworks and just steps from Penn’s Landing.
NEW YEAR’S MUMMERS PARADE
The Mummers Parade is a Philadelphia New Year’s Day tradition dating back more than a century and may even be the oldest folk festival in the country. Watch as comics, fancies, string bands and fancy brigades strut their stuff – it is truly a sight to behold, as thousands of revelers march from City Hall to Washington Avenue along South Broad Street. The parade begins at 9am, but really gets into high gear around mid-day, so no need to rush out of bed after an evening of fun.
