BREAKING: The Mummers Parade turns 125 today, and Broad Street is already sparkling. I am on the curb as horns warm up, sequins flash, and families set their chairs. It feels like the city took a deep breath at midnight, then answered with brass, banjos, and feathers at sunrise. This is the living room of Philadelphia, outside, in the cold, and everyone is invited.
What’s new at 125
The show is bigger in spirit this year. I spent the last week inside South Philly clubhouses, watching glue guns hiss and wire frames grow into full sets. Crews stitched capes with tiny lights. Painters touched up giant props with one last swipe. You will see more movement in the costumes, more light, and sharper storytelling. Comics have tightened their bits. String bands have pushed their sound and steps. Fancies are heavy on color and shine.
On the street right now, the pace is crisp. Marshals keep the groups rolling south through Center City and into South Philadelphia. The mood is classic. The details are fresh. This is the 125th time the city has woken up to this.
How to watch, wherever you are
The parade runs along Broad Street, through the heart of Center City and deep into South Philly. Fancy Brigades perform ticketed indoor shows at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. If you plan to come out, arrive early. The best curb spots fill by mid morning. Dress for wind and long waits. If you are staying home, local TV and streaming options are live from step off through the finale.
If you are on the route
Pick one intersection and commit. City Hall is a thrill, but South Philly corners feel like family porches. Bring a hot drink and a small stool. You will watch longer than you think because the music keeps pulling you in.
If you are at home
Set the TV or stream, then make it festive. Lay out snacks. Keep a notebook to mark your favorite themes. Look for the quiet moments behind the noise. The camera often catches nervous smiles, quick repairs, and proud hugs. Those are the keepsakes.
Best view strategy: stand near a judging area or a bend in the route. Units slow down to perform and reset. You get the full routine, and better photos.
- Quick kit for the curb: hand warmers, thermos, portable charger, small seat, extra socks
Expect road closures and detours. Leave the car at home. Use transit, wear bright layers, and share the curb with patience. ❄️
Fancy Brigades up close
Inside the Convention Center, the Fancy Brigades turn spectacle into theater. Think full stage pictures with precise choreography. Tickets are required, so plan ahead for a seat. The energy is different indoors. The drums hit harder. The feathers do not sway in the wind, they slice through lights. If you love craft, sit close. You will see every bead and stitch. If you love the big picture, sit back and catch the entire set.
Tickets are required for the Fancy Brigade shows at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Confirm times and entry details before you head in.
Make it a hobby day
This parade is a perfect starter kit for new creative habits. Bring a camera, even if it is just your phone. Practice framing motion. Shoot hands tuning banjos, or shoes stepping in sync. Try a sketchbook. Quick pencil lines can catch a cape better than a photo sometimes. If you play music, listen for the reed and brass blend. Count the steps, then try them later in your living room.
Food is part of the hobby, too. Warm up with pretzels and coffee near the route. Grab a roast pork roll or a bowl of soup between divisions. Talk to neighbors. Ask a performer about their club when they are off the street. They will tell you about late nights, glue, and friendship. That is the heart of this thing.
- Respect the work: give performers room, keep sidewalks clear, and clap hard when a routine lands
Inside the making, right now
Last night I watched a crew fix a wing with fishing line and faith. A father and daughter glued a trim piece in a kitchen, then drove it over in the dark. A teen practiced a shuffle step in socks. These are not costumes, they are months of family time made visible. The parade is the final test.
This morning, I saw club captains tap shoulders and say, let’s go. I heard a string band find the same note on the third try, then hold it. I watched a Comic check a prop and smile. The 125th parade is not just a number. It is a promise kept, again.
The bottom line
If you love craft, music, or community, today is your day. Pick a corner or a couch and dive in. Plan your route, pack warm gear, and make time for the Fancy Brigades if you can. Take photos. Cheer loud. Learn a step. The Mummers Parade at 125 is more than a tradition. It is a hobbyist’s master class, wrapped in sequins and carried down Broad Street with joy. 🎺
