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Philadelphia New Year's Eve route inspiration

Philadelphia New Year's Eve

Waterfront fireworks and the Mummers Parade

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3 days through Center City & Penn's Landing, Broad Street & South Philly.

Philadelphia New Year's Eve is a 3-day curated route with 2 destinations and 16 places to eat, see, and do. Preview stops and timing, then plan it in TripsCircle.

  1. 1
    Center City & Penn's Landing on the Philadelphia New Year's Eve route

    Destination 01

    Center City & Penn's Landing

    9 places

    Two nights for waterfront fireworks, Old City dinners and old taverns.

    • Delaware River New Year's Eve fireworks

      Two free fireworks shows over the Delaware at 6 p.m. and midnight; in 2025 they launched from three river barges.

      Tip The 6 p.m. show is easier with kids; for midnight, get to the river's edge by 11 p.m.

      SeePenn's LandingFree60 min6 p.m. and midnight

    • Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest

      Seasonal rink and lodge on the waterfront; its ticketed New Year's Eve party has live music and heated cabins.

      Tip Rent a cozy cabin if you want a guaranteed warm spot for the midnight show.

      DoPenn's Landing$$3 hrDec 31 evening
    • Race Street Pier near Center City & Penn's LandingPhoto: Beyond My Ken · CC BY-SA 4.0

      Race Street Pier

      Two-level park pier under the Benjamin Franklin Bridge with open views up and down the river.

      Tip A good free spot for the fireworks, though it fills quickly before midnight.

      OutdoorsOld CityFree45 minBefore midnight
    • Parkway New Year's Eve concert near Center City & Penn's LandingPhoto: Chuck Homler d/b/a Focus On Wildlife · CC BY-SA 4.0

      Parkway New Year's Eve concert

      Free 2025 concert at Eakins Oval below the Art Museum steps, with LL Cool J and its own midnight fireworks.

      Tip Entry is first come, first served through security at 22nd Street; check whether it returns.

      DoFairmountFree4 hr8 p.m. to midnight
    • Zahav near Center City & Penn's LandingPhoto: Aaaahitsrach · CC BY-SA 3.0

      Zahav

      Michael Solomonov's Israeli restaurant in Society Hill, open since 2008 and known for its hummus and lamb shoulder.

      Tip Reservations open weeks ahead; the bar holds a few walk-in seats.

      EatSociety Hill$$$2 hrDinner

    • Amada

      Jose Garces's Spanish tapas restaurant on Chestnut Street in Old City, open since 2005.

      EatOld City$$$2 hrDinner

    • Parc

      Stephen Starr's Paris-style brasserie on Rittenhouse Square, busy from breakfast to late dinner.

      Tip Ask for a window table facing the square.

      EatRittenhouse Square$$$2 hrDinner
    • McGillin's Olde Ale House near Center City & Penn's LandingPhoto: IBLB · CC BY-SA 4.0

      McGillin's Olde Ale House

      Tavern on Drury Street, open since 1860 and the oldest continuously operating in the city.

      Tip It gets packed on Dec 30 and 31; arrive early evening.

      DrinkCenter City$1.5 hrEvening

    • Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia

      Hotel on the top floors of the Comcast Technology Center, with a 60th-floor lobby looking over the city.

      Tip Rooms facing east look toward the river and the fireworks.

      StayCenter City$$$$
  2. 2
    Broad Street & South Philly on the Philadelphia New Year's Eve route

    Destination 02

    Broad Street & South Philly

    7 places

    Jan 1 on the Mummers route, from City Hall down to Two Street.

    • Mummers Parade near Broad Street & South PhillyPhoto: Mobilus In Mobili · CC BY-SA 2.0

      Mummers Parade

      Comics, wenches, string bands and fancy brigades strut down Broad Street every Jan 1; 2026 was the 125th parade.

      Tip Bring a folding chair and a thermos; the parade runs all day and acts come in waves.

      DoAvenue of the ArtsFree3 hrJan 1, from 9 a.m.
    • Philadelphia City Hall near Broad Street & South PhillyPhoto: Dave Z · CC BY 2.0

      Philadelphia City Hall

      The parade starts here and the judges sit on the west side by Dilworth Park, where groups stop for their full routines.

      Tip Stand near the judging area to see complete performances rather than marching.

      SeeCenter CityFree60 minJan 1 morning
    • Fancy Brigade Finale near Broad Street & South PhillyPhoto: ajay_suresh · CC BY 2.0

      Fancy Brigade Finale

      Ticketed indoor show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center where the fancy brigades perform their full staged acts.

      Tip The 2026 shows ran at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.; buy seats ahead.

      DoMarket East$$3 hrJan 1

    • Two Street

      South 2nd Street in Pennsport, home to many Mummers clubs, where the celebration moves after the parade.

      Tip Expect a street party that runs into the night; it's loud, crowded and very local.

      DrinkPennsportFree2 hrJan 1 evening
    • Mummers Museum near Broad Street & South PhillyPhoto: Nick-philly · CC BY-SA 4.0

      Mummers Museum

      Museum on 2nd Street with costumes, history and string band displays, in a building covered in Mummers-style tiles.

      Tip Opening days are limited, so check hours before you go.

      SeePennsport$60 min
    • Pat's King of Steaks near Broad Street & South PhillyPhoto: Jim.henderson · CC BY-SA 4.0

      Pat's King of Steaks

      Corner stand at 9th and Passyunk where the Olivieri family says the cheesesteak began in 1930; open 24 hours.

      Tip Order fast at the window: the steak, 'wit' or 'witout' onions.

      EatEast Passyunk$30 minAny time
    • Geno's Steaks near Broad Street & South PhillyPhoto: Wobbanight · CC0

      Geno's Steaks

      Pat's neon-lit rival across the intersection, open since 1966 and also open around the clock.

      EatEast Passyunk$30 minLate night

The moments that shape this trip.

Planning Philadelphia New Year's Eve.

Stay in Center City. On Dec 30, eat at Zahav in Society Hill and have a pint at McGillin's Olde Ale House, open since 1860. On New Year's Eve, book dinner at Amada in Old City or Parc on Rittenhouse Square, then head to Penn's Landing for the midnight fireworks over the Delaware River, either free along Columbus Boulevard and Race Street Pier or inside the ticketed party at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. On Jan 1, walk to Broad Street for the Mummers Parade, which struts south from City Hall to Washington Avenue all day. Take in the Fancy Brigade Finale indoors at the Convention Center, eat a cheesesteak at Pat's or Geno's, and end on Two Street in Pennsport, where the clubs keep celebrating after the parade.

Good for Friends and couples who want a waterfront countdown and one of the country's oldest New Year's Day traditions.

When to go

Philadelphia typically runs two fireworks shows over the Delaware River on Dec 31: a family show at 6 p.m. and the main show at midnight, both free to watch from the waterfront. For 2025 the city also held a free concert at Eakins Oval on the Parkway, with entry from 6 p.m., music from 8 p.m. and a second midnight fireworks show; check whether it returns. RiverRink Winterfest's New Year's Eve party is ticketed. On Jan 1, the Mummers Parade typically starts at 9 a.m. at City Hall and runs until about 5 to 7 p.m.; it's free. The Fancy Brigade Finale at the Pennsylvania Convention Center had shows at 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. in 2026, with tickets from $28. Expect highs in the low 40s F; the parade is long and cold, so dress warmly. Many shops and restaurants close on Jan 1.

Getting around

Center City and the waterfront are walkable. SEPTA's Market-Frankford Line stops at 2nd Street, a short walk across the I-95 caps to Penn's Landing, and the Broad Street Line follows the parade route, with stops at City Hall, Walnut-Locust and Lombard-South. Broad Street is closed to traffic during the parade, and in 2025 the Parkway, Kelly Drive and MLK Drive were closed from the morning of Dec 31. Rideshare prices surge after both fireworks shows; plan to walk or take SEPTA back. Philadelphia International Airport is about 25 minutes from Center City on the Airport Line.

Tips for your crew

  • For the parade, the bleachers near City Hall get the full judged performances; farther south on Broad Street the crowds are thinner and the mood looser.
  • Buy Fancy Brigade Finale tickets ahead; it's indoors and heated, and the costumes are the most elaborate of the day.
  • Book New Year's Eve dinner at Zahav as early as you can; it is one of the hardest tables in the city.

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