New Year’s Eve is a global celebration but here in Philly, the day after may prove to be the bigger draw. We can thank the Mummers for this and if that word isn’t part of your vocabulary, we’ll explain more in this article. For Philadelphia residents and those who reside nearby, there are plenty of ways to spend Dec. 31, 2018 and the first day of 2019. This ranges from fireworks-spotting along Penn’s Landing, the Camden waterfront, aboard the Battleship New Jersey or at SugarHouse Casino. Come Jan. 1, in-the-streets celebrations commence! While having a great time here in Philly, you may want to learn how to order a Philly cheesesteak – which we’ll explain below, too. Buckle up, Philly, it’s time to plan for the party!
Fireworks: Both sides of the Delaware River offer beautiful vantage points for the NYE fireworks display. According to VisitPhilly.com, there will be shows at both 6 p.m. and midnight. Best of all, attending either is completely free. “With the sun already set an hour before, the setting should be perfect for a wonderful show,” Visit Philly says. For those who want to attend the traditional midnight showing, arrive at Penn’s Landing around 11:30 p.m. at the latest, as the display kicks off 15 minutes before midnight. Blue Cross RiverRink WinterFest, which we’ve covered before on our blog, as well as the Battleship New Jersey, in Camden, are two more places to attain the perfect vantage point.
The Mummers: Philadelphia’s one-of-a-kind folk band returns for 2019 with an entire day’s worth of music, dancing, costumers and revelry. Now in its 119th year of performance, Mummers from various chapters will perform along the judging route that loops around City Hall. The process heads south along Broad Street from there and there will be plenty of spectating opportunities along the way. Those who want to join the Mummers on their home turf should head to “Two Street” around 7 p.m. to check out the victory lap in South Philly. After an afternoon of watching these unique musicians and performers, it’s likely that you’ve worked up an appetite.
Breakfast, lunch or dinner: If you’re already in South Philly, then there’s no reason not to grab a traditional cheesesteak from Geno’s. The only prerequisite is knowing how to order a Philly cheesesteak, of course. Fortunately, there’s no secret to doing so: A simple request for “whiz with” will get you a traditional cheesesteak on a fresh roll with fried onions. Want a cheesesteak sans onions? Simply ask for “whiz without” and you’re in business!