The Mummers Parade is one of Philadelphia’s most unique and vibrant annual traditions. Held on New Year’s Day, it is the oldest continuous folk parade in the United States. This year’s parade will feature 10,000 adults and children dressed in lavish, colorful costumes, twirling around to usher in the New Year.
Kicking off at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, the parade begins at 17th and Market streets.
Think you know all there is about the Mummers Parade? Billy Penn came up with the Mummers Parade quiz to test your knowledge.
Where did the act of “mumming” start?
The answer …
Answer: Egypt, with a touch of Europe, especially Scandinavia, thrown in. The practice of “mumming,” or costumed performances, can be traced back to ancient Egyptian civilization and still takes place today. Ancient Mummers led the burial processions of pharaohs, donning elaborate costumes while playing instruments.
By the 1700s in Philadelphia, Scandinavian immigrants rebranded the Mummer tradition. The city had a thriving Swedish population who put on extravagant, end-of-year celebrations to ring in the New Year. The Scadbaviab combined with other European influences, such as the British tradition of Mummers’ plays, including St. George and the Dragon.
The earliest mummer-adjacent celebration in the city took place during the Revolutionary War, when loyalists here gave British General William Howe an extravagant farewell send-off after the winter he spent in the city while George Washington and the Revolutionary army hunkered down at nearby Valley Forge. Howe’s decision not to pursue Washington’s weakened forces proved to be a turning point in the war. He returned to England and never commanded troops again.
Where does the word “mummer” come from?
The answer …
Answer: The term “mummer” derives from German and means “to costume, pantomime or masquerade.”
How long has the parade been in existence?
The answer …
Answer: The parade holds the distinction of being the oldest continuous folk parade in the United States. The first parade was held 125 years ago, in 1901.
Can you name the five categories of participants?
The answer …
Answer: Participants are divided into five divisions: String Bands, Fancies, Comic Brigades, Fancy Brigades, and Wench Brigades. Each division has its unique style and performance.
String Bands: They combine music, costumes, and choreography to produce lively and entertaining performances. Members play string instruments such as banjos, saxophones, and violins, often accompanied by marching choreography., and perform intricate routines set to live music, blending traditional and modern styles.
Fancies: Known for their dazzling costumes, the Fancies embody the glitz and glamor of the Mummers. Participants wear intricate, handmade costumes featuring sequins, feathers, and bold colors. They present theatrical routines, sometimes with floats or set pieces, showcasing creativity and artistry.
Comics Brigades: The Comics are the jokesters of the parade, often performing humorous skits and satirical routines. They poke fun at current events, politics, and pop culture with exaggerated costumes and props.
Fancy Brigades: A more theatrical and choreographed version of the Fancies, Fancy Brigades perform elaborate routines indoors. Their costumes and props are even more elaborate, often telling a story or theme. They prepare for months to deliver highly polished routines in a competition setting at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Wench Brigades: Wenches are a subcategory of Comics and are known for their free-spirited, lively presence. Dressed in brightly colored dresses with bloomers, bonnets, and parasols, they exude playful energy. They parade in groups, singing, dancing, and engaging with the crowd in a fun, informal way.
Has the parade ever been canceled?
The answer …
Answer: The parade was canceled in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Billed as a protest to the city’s decision, thousands of mummers still marched on Jan 1, 2021.
What is the parade route?
The answer …
Answer: The Mummers Parade begins at 17th and Market streets, then heads two blocks east toward, then counterclockwise around, City Hall before continuing the 13 blocks south down Broad Street to Washington Avenue, a total of 1½ miles.
Who sponsors the parade?
The answer …
Answer: Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia is the title sponsor of the parade this year.
Do I have to go to see it?
The answer …
Answer: No, though it’s not as easy to watch as you might think. It will be broadcast live on WDPN-TV (MeTV2) and simulcast on WFMZ-TV (Channel 69), and available online at WFMZ.com and via the WFMZ+ app available on Firestick, Roku, Apple TV, iOS, and Android devices.
Extra credit: Add an extra point for every kind of controversy involving the parade you can name?
The answer(s) …
Answer: Over its history, the parade has survived many offensive and controversial moments. There has been public drunkenness and sex parties for parade participants, as well as acts of sexism, xenophobia, and racism.
Emblematic of some of this is the difficulty getting parade participants to stop wearing blackface. Blackface was officially banned by the city in 1964, but it continues to crop up, as brigades have sought to revive some of the minstrel tropes of decades ago, or individuals have gone rogue for their own reasons. After one such incident in the past decade, former mayor Jim Kenney threatened to end the parade if leadership didn’t exert more control over the actors.
