Mummers Parade AND the Mummer’s ‘Strut’

It’s a Philadelphia tradition over 100 years old, and unlike anything anywhere else in the world. And the parade of sites & sounds happens on Broad Street every New Years Day !
It’s a competition of ‘Clubs’ from various neighborhoods of Philly and beyond, which includes generations of families (ages 1year to 90 have performed on Jan 1st). They compete in various categories and ‘strut ‘ their stuff in front of City Hall. (The ‘strut’ is a Mummer’s particular swagger dance thing altho it can occasionally be found aboard a cruise ship that includes some Philly-ites, haha.). The live music (string bands with horns, accordions, almost any imaginable instrument), the amazing moveable scenery (rivals Broadway theater props), the choreographed routines, the fantastic elaborate costumes ( feathers, feathers, glitter, and colors galore, and gold, gold, gold !).

Put it on your bucket list for at least once in your life. It’s like MardiGras & Rio de Janeiro’s Carneval all rolled into one glorious day ! Happy New Year !