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The city kicked off its celebrations of the country’s 250th birthday by putting its best, sequined foot forward, kicking off the year with the 125th Mummers Parade.
The morning broke cold, with some snow squalls and a gusting, icy wind. By late morning, the city and parade officials had announced that the string band competition had been postponed indefinitely due to the winds, which had damaged props and made setup dangerous. In fact, 6ABC reported that one parade participant had to be hospitalized for their injuries. The Inquirer said officials will meet Friday to start looking for a new date.
A reptilian mummer walks down Broad Street at the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
Participants with the Philadelphia Chinese Community Organizations United group wave to the crowd at the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
Members of the Danza Tonantzin group dance along the parade route during the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
Mummers walk down Broad Street during the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
“Philly Elmo” greets spectators as he walks with the procession on Broad Street during the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
A patriotic mummer wearing copies of the Constitution performs for the TV broadcast at the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
Participants wait their turn to perform for the cameras at the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
A reptilian trio performs for the TV broadcast at the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
An Eagles fan makes his way down Broad Street during the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
Spectators wave as the procession passes them by on Broad Street at the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
A mummer carries an Eagles flag down Broad Street in the 2026 Mummers Parade on Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
Young spectators stay warm while watching the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. Crowds lined Broad Street from City Hall to Washington Avenue to cheer on the Mummers as they marched by. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
Spectators react and wave as the procession passes on Broad Street during the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
Participants with the Philadelphia Chinese Community Organizations United make their way down Broad Street at the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. Crowds lined Broad Street from City Hall to Washington Avenue to cheer on the Mummers as they marched by. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
Spectators hug “Philly Elmo” as he walks with the procession on Broad Street during the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
A mummer plays music on the back of a truck as it moves down Broad Street during the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
A mummer waves to fellow parade goers from inside a trolley riding down Broad Street in the annual Mummers Parade on Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
A young mummer walks the parade route down Broad Street in the annual Mummers Parade on Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
“Philly Elmo” poses for selfies as he walks with the procession on Broad Street during the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
Mummers make their way down Broad Street during the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
An attendee of the annual Mummers Parade wears a costume of the Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty as the parade marches by on Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
Spectators film performers at the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
Participants with the Philadelphia Chinese Community Organizations United group carry parasols decorated with cherry blossoms during the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
Performers with the Danza Tonantzin group pose for a photo during the Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
A participant with the Philadelphia Chinese Community Organizations United group waves to the crowd at the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
Two young mummers dressed as soldiers escort a performer in a Medusa-themed costume along the parade route at the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
A participant with the Philadelphia Chinese Community Organizations United group waits for their turn to perform for the cameras at the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
A mummer performs in their signature golden shoes at the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett) 
A mummer poses for a selfie with a spectator on Broad Street during the 2026 Mummers Parade in Philadelphia on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Erin Blewett)
Even so, the parade ushered in 2026 with glitter, brass, and bitter cold as thousands of spectators packed the route from City Hall to Washington Avenue.
Billy Penn’s Nick Kariuki has a more detailed report on the event. What follows are 29 photos from Billy Penn contributor Erin Blewett. Enjoy!
Our WHYY colleague Kimberly Paynter pulled together this video that captures the energy of the day.
