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The 112th Annual Mummers Parade is fast approaching; by fast, we mean it’s in two days. An annual tradition, the Mummers Parade features 10,000 men and women decked out in lavish costumes (crafted all year long) as they twirl, sashay and strut up Broad Street. An unforgettably wild ritual, the parade is family-friendly and fun for everyone. It’s the best way to celebrate January 1 in Philadelphia. Be sure to reference our definitive parade guide so you’ll know where to stake out the best viewing spot, the new route this year and more. [Guide To The 112th Annual Mummers Parade]

Get a bird’s eye view of the parade on Broad Street from the Kimmel's balcony, or stake out a spot at any of the six free performance zones along Broad Street. (Photo courtesy Kimmel Center)

Kick off the New Year in true Philly fashion by attending the 112th annual Mummers Parade presented by Sugarhouse Casino (new this year!) on January 1. We have a helpful guide to the Mummers, below.

Background

The Mummers’ tradition actually dates back to 400 B.C. with the Roman Festival of Saturnalias, where folks marched around in masks throughout a day full of satire and noise-making.

Today’s Mummers, who make up the oldest folk parade in the country, are serious business while still invoking the merry-making of bygone Mummers. Clubs work on the elaborately sequined and colorfully plumed costumes months in advance and practice their well-choreographed routines all year long.

It’s best to get an early start on the 1st to stake out a good spot on the parade route. While you’ll see the marchers all up and down Broad Street from South Philly to City Hall, you may want to position yourself at one of the free six performance zones so you can catch all the skits.

Six free performance zones:

• Broad and Shunk Streets
• Broad and Wolf Streets
• Broad Street and Washington Avenue
• Broad and Pine Streets
• Broad and Sansom Streets
• 15th and Market Streets

Ticketed seats:

• JFK Boulevard judging station: Purchase tickets for $19 in advance at the Independence Visitor Center or Fairmount Park Welcome Center for seats on the bleachers.

• Pennsylvania Convention Center: After a performance at Broad and Washington, the Fancy Brigades head to the Convention Center for ticketed shows at noon and 5 p.m. (tickets are $17 and available online). Before the noon show starts, snap pictures with performers on the show floor, and get in step with the merrymaking in a Giant Mummers Strut. You can also get a special sneak peek of the show on December 30 at 7 p.m.

For the outdoor parade, dress weather-appropriately as the show goes on rain or shine (or wind or snow or sleet…). And it wouldn’t hurt to pack a thermos of hot cocoa to keep you extra toasty.

We’ve included the detailed parade route map, below. Take a look because the route is a little different this year.

Mummers Parade
When: January 1, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where: Parade runs along Broad Street, starting at Oregon Avenue and ending at JFK Boulevard (new this year)
Cost: Free along main route; $17 for Fancy Brigade shows
More info: www.mummers.com

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Kick off 2011 with the Mummers Parade.
(Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC)

After a night of glass-clinking, fireworks-watching and general merrymaking, why not keep the party going?

Check out our top picks for how to spend New Year’s Day:

• 111th Annual Mummers Parade

• Free New Year’s Day Celebration at the Kimmel Center

• Cleopatra: The Search for the Last Queen of Egypt at the Franklin Institute — Closing Weekend!

• New Year’s Celebration at the National Constitution Center

• Brunch starting at 11 a.m. at XIX (Nineteen) at the Bellevue (along the Mummers parade route!)

• $1 Oysters and $5 Champagne from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Pub & Kitchen

• Screening of the sing-along version of The Sound of Music at World Cafe Live

• Enchanted Colonial Village at the Please Touch Museum

• Hair of The Dog Brunch at Supper from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. — Dogs welcome!

• Seafood brunch at Oyster House, starting at 11:30 a.m.

Get a bird’s eye view of the parade on Broad Street from the Kimmel's balcony, open to the public. (Photo courtesy Kimmel Center)

You may still be unsure how to spend your New Year’s Eve — for some guidance, check out our top picks — but your New Year’s Day plans are certainly set.

Philadelphia’s Mummers Parade, January 1st, is a one-of-a-kind celebration in which 10,000 men and women dressed in lavish costumes twirl, sashay, pirouette and strut through the city, starting at 10 a.m. at Broad and Washington Streets in South Philadelphia, and heading north to City Hall in Center City.

Three comic clubs, two fancy division units, 17 string bands, 10 fancy brigades and eight wench brigades are expected to march. Translation: plan ahead to find a great viewing spot. And the early forecast calls for temperatures in the 50s (!!) so you won’t have to brave frostbite while you wait.

This year the viewing arrangements are facilitated by the city’s pledge to host a more family-friendly Mummers extravaganza. Expect more performance sites, and bathrooms, bleachers and food vendors at each of them.

Places to watch — six free performance zones:

• Broad and Shunk Streets
• Broad and Wolf Streets
• Broad Street and Washington Avenue
• Broad and Pine Streets — new this year!
• Broad and Sansom Streets
• 15th and Market Streets

Ticketed seats:

• City Hall judging station: Seats on bleachers at City Hall cost $19 and are available in advance at the Independence Visitor Center or Fairmount Park Welcome Center.
• Fancy Brigades shows at the Pennsylvania Convention Center: Rather than a full strut up Broad Street, the Fancy Brigades stop at Washington Avenue then head to the Convention Center for ticketed shows at noon and 5 p.m. (tickets are $17, available online).

Note: Also check out the MummersFest, today through the 30th from 4 to 9 p.m. and December 31st noon to 7 p.m. at the Convention Center, for an insider’s look at the Mummers’ year-long preparations. Tickets are $4.

Mummers Parade:

When: January 1st, 8:50 a.m. until about 7 p.m.
Where: Parade runs along Broad Street, beginning at Oregon Avenue and ending at City Hall
Cost: Free along main route; $17 for Fancy Brigade shows
More info: www.mummers.com

Post your resolutions on the Resolution Wall.
(Photo courtesy Kimmel Center)

Warm up indoors on New Year’s Day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with free entertainment at the Kimmel Center and a bird’s eye view of the 111th annual Mummers Parade.

The schedule includes family-friendly performances like acoustic jazz quartet Hot Club of Philadelphia and puppeteer-band Two of a Kind, plus crafts (face-painting, balloon animals, and more) on the Commonwealth Plaza level.

There will also be warm drinks, beverages, and light fare for families and friends to enjoy. The menu includes freshly prepared sandwiches with vegetarian options, hot dogs, soft pretzels, soups and salads, along with hot chocolate, Philly-brewed beer, wine and specialty martinis.

The Kimmel Center will also be providing ticket giveaways within the facility and on the Kimmel Center’s Facebook and Twitter pages to the following performances: STOMP (Feb 15th-20th), 2011 Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) (April 7th–May 1st), Mary Poppins, and select “Kimmel Center Presents” Spring performances.

A full schedule of New Year’s Day events at the Kimmel Center is available online.

2011 New Year’s Day Celebration
Where: Kimmel Center, Broad & Spruce Streets
When: January 1st, 2011, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: FREE
More info: www.kimmelcenter.org

Get a bird’s eye view of the parade on Broad Street from the Kimmel's balcony, open to the public. (Photo courtesy Kimmel Center)

It’s just about time for Philadelphia’s one-of-a-kind celebration: the 111th Mummers Parade, our city’s fanciful way to ring in the New Year, where sequins, feathers, floats and music rule the day.

This special brand of revelry struts up Broad Street, starting at 10 a.m. in South Philadelphia, and heading north to City Hall in Center City, where it doesn’t end until approximately eight hours later.

Bundle up to stay warm while enjoying this unique cavalcade of five distinct performance divisions: Comics, Wench Brigades, Fancies, String Bands and Fancy Brigades.

The Fancy Brigades present short theatrical shows and rather than a full strut up Broad Street they stop at Washington Avenue then head to the Pennsylvania Convention Center for ticketed shows at noon and 5 p.m. (tickets are $17, available online).

Meanwhile, the most coveted outdoor spot to catch all the fanfare is at the City Hall judging station, where division clubs perform and vie for cash prizes. Tickets for this vantage point must be purchased in advance, and they will sell out; so if you want them, act now. Seats on bleachers at City Hall cost $19 and are available in advance at the Independence Visitor Center or Fairmount Park Welcome Center.

In the week leading up to the big strut, MummersFest provides a sneak peek at what goes into the making of a Brigade. At this fun family event, you can watch clubs put finishing touches on floats, catch final rehearsals, talk to designers, make colorful crafts and even try on costumes.

The MummersFest parade is the final reward for plenty of preparation all year long by the performers, especially Fancy Brigades which craft elaborate costumes, build big props, and stage choreographed themed shows.

Don’t miss either event, both long-time Philadelphia holiday traditions, the perfect spirited way to start off 2011.

Mummers Parade
When: January 1st, 8:50 a.m. until about 7 p.m.
Where: Parade runs along Broad Street, beginning at Oregon Avenue and ending at City Hall
Cost: Free along main route; $17 for Fancy Brigade shows
More info: www.mummers.com

MummersFest
When: December 28th-30th 4-9 p.m.; December 31st, Noon-7 p.m.
Where: Pennsylvania Convention Center, 11th & Arch Streets
Cost: $4
More info: www.mummerscom/mummersfest

We made it to 2010! And the place to be is Broad Street (between Washington Ave. and City Hall), where the famously only-in-Philadelphia Mummers Parade comes equipped with 10,000+ men and women in the most elaborate costumes you've ever seen. Happy New Year! (Photo by R. Kennedy)

The Mummers Parade [gophila.com]