Three fireworks shows, including one to cap a free LL Cool J concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, are scheduled for Wednesday evening. The 125th annual Mummers Parade takes place on New Year’s Day.
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To accommodate New Year’s revelers, SEPTA plans to operate additional late-night services on the metro and regional rail lines. But you don’t have to wait until midnight to celebrate. For people who prefer to sleep when 2026 starts, there will be plenty of afternoon and evening parties taking place.
Here’s a guide to this week’s biggest parties, including the best viewing spots.
New Year’s Concert
Peter Yang/City of PhiladelphiaLL Cool J will play a free New Year’s Eve concert at Eakins Oval on December 31.
Rapper LL Cool J will headline a New Year’s Eve show on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, also featuring performances by DJ Jazzy Jeff, Adam Blackstone, Dorothy and Technician The DJ. Eakins Oval opens at 6pm and the concert starts at 8pm. A fireworks show will follow the conclusion of the concert at midnight.
The Parkway and nearby roads will be closed before and during the event. Concertgoers must pass through metal detectors. Sanitation trucks will block roads near the parkway, and police will deploy drones, helicopters and a marine unit to ensure safety.
Want to avoid the crowds on the Parkway? Here are some other recommended viewing spots to watch the fireworks.
• Paine’s Park, along the Schuylkill River Trail
• Sister Cities Park, 210 N. 18th St.
• Belmont Plateau, 1800 Belmont Mansion Dr.
• Lemon Hill Mansion, 1 Lemon Hill Dr.
• Along the Schuylkill banks
• Girard Avenue Bridge, 123 W. Girard Ave.
• Drexel Park, 3100 Powelton Ave.
Delaware Riverfront Events
J. Fusco/Visit PhiladelphiaThe Delaware Riverfront will extend its New Year’s Eve fireworks show through 2026.
On New Year’s Eve, two fireworks shows take place along the Delaware River. The first starts at 6 p.m. and the last rings in the new year at midnight.
The fireworks are shot from three ships deployed from the port Port Richmond to Pennsport, and can be viewed from several spots along the Delaware Riverfront.
The New Year’s Eve party at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest offers the opportunity to watch the fireworks while skating, dancing, riding the Ferris wheel or enjoying festive food and drinks. Two reserved time slots are available. The first runs from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The latter runs from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m
On Cherry Street Pier, the National Liberty Museum will ring its replica Liberty Bell to mark the new year ticket party including music, food and drinks. The party is open to people aged 21 and over.
NBC10 and Telemundo 62 will air the fireworks show at 6 p.m. KYW Newsradio simulcasts the sounds of each show on 1060 AM and 103.9 FM.
Afternoon New Year celebration
Several family-friendly celebrations taking place Wednesday afternoon are aimed at children who sleep when the clock strikes midnight and adults who long for a well-rested New Year’s Day.
Cherry Street Pier is hosting a Kids Countdown with PopUpPlay from 5 to 7 p.m. Includes views of the 6:00 PM fireworks show, crafts, music, activities and a balloon drop to end the party. Tickets can be purchased online.
Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse is hosting a free New Year’s Eve afternoon event from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. It includes games, activities, snacks, giveaways, a kid-friendly D and a countdown to noon.
Mummers Parade
Colleen Claggett/for PhillyVoiceThe 125th annual Mummers Parade kicks off at 9 a.m. at City Hall on New Year’s Day 2026
The Mummers Parade, recently voted the best holiday parade in the countrytakes place Thursday on South Broad Street.
From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Mummers’ four divisions — fancy, comics, girls and string bands — will march a mile from City Hall to Broad Street and Washington Avenue. Spectators can attend performances at three intersections along Broad Street: Sansom, Pine and Carpenter Streets.
The string bands will perform in a special viewing area at 17th and Market streets before heading to City Hall. They will begin setting up at 11 a.m. on Market Street between 17th and 21st Streets, and on John F. Kennedy Boulevard between 17th and 20th Streets.
Reserved bleacher seats have been set up at City Hall, where the jurors are based, but tickets are sold out. The 28th annual Fancy Brigade Finale – a pair of performances at the Pennsylvania Convention Center – is also sold out.
Several road closures and parking restrictions goes into effect on New Year’s Eve and lasts until the parade ends.
The parade will be broadcast on WDPN-TV (MeTV2) and simulcast on WFMZ-TV Channel 69.
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