Philadelphia is already counting down to 2026 with city leaders making the final preparations for a major celebration to ring in the new year.
“I can’t imagine a more fitting place to kick off the excitement for 2026 than right here in Philly,” president and CEO of the Philadelphia Visitor’s Center Kathryn Ott Lovell said.
Because, when it comes to throwing a celebration, no one does it like Philadelphia – the place where America began.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Fireworks always help to ring in the new year over the Delaware River in Philadelphia, but since the city is exploding onto the national stage in 2026, the display will be bigger than ever this year.
“We’re going to have three barges across the waterfront that are going to light up the sky with two massive shows at 6 p.m. and midnight creating more places for people to gather and celebrate and free,” Delaware River Waterfront Corporation CEO Joseph Forkin said.
Viewing the fireworks is free.
If you can’t make it in person, you’ll be able to turn your radio to KYW Newsradio at 1060 AM or 103.9 FM to listen in to the show’s timed soundtrack with the fireworks.
Liberty Bell rings in the New Year
While the original Liberty Bell won’t help to ring in 2026, it’s replica will leave the National Liberty Museum for the first time.
“It will ring across the waterfront. It will ring as a reminder that liberty is not just something we remember. It’s something we practice and a promise we renew; generation after generation,” National Liberty Museum CEO Dr. Alaine Arnott said.
The Bell will be available for visitors to touch and take photos, event organizers say.
The replica is cast from the same mold and same foundry as the original.
New Year’s Eve Kids Countdown
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Cherry Street Pier on New Year’s Eve, families can enjoy hands-on activities before getting a front row view of the fireworks show at 6 p.m. with a balloon drop.
There will be music, activities, crafts and warming stations for everyone to enjoy.
- Tickets before Dec. 15 are $23 per person.
- Tickets after Dec. 15 are $27 per person.
- Children under two are free.
New Year’s Eve on the Pier
Live music and dancing will be part of celebration for adults at Cherry Street Pier from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. where there will be front-row views of the fireworks show at midnight.
- Tickets before Dec. 15 are $28 per person.
- Tickets after Dec. 15 are $32 per person.
New Year’s Eve Parties on Ice
Families can swing by the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest between 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. or between 10 p.m. through 1 a.m. on New Year’s Eve to enjoy some ice skating, live entertainment and great views of the fireworks show.
- Tickets before Dec. 15 are $57 to skate or $47 to watch.
- Tickets after Dec. 15 are $63 to skate or $53 to watch.
Mummers Parade on New Year’s Day
The Mummers are celebrating a milestone of 125 years of strutting down Broad Street.
“The 2026 inaugural parade will be the first celebration in honor of our nation’s 250th anniversary,” Philadelphia String Band Association president Sam Regalbuto said.
To commemorate the occasion, their annual New Year’s Day performance will feature more than 10,000 children and adults in colorful costumes.
Mummers Parade route
Starting at City Hall at 9 a.m., the parade will move southbound to Washington Avenue until 7 p.m.
Special viewing areas will be set up at 17th and Market streets, plus along Broad Street at Samson, Pine and Carpenter streets.
Judging is set to happen on the west side of City Hall and Dilworth Plaza.
The parade is free, but if you want to buy tickets to watch from the Mummers Parade City Hall Viewing Areas they are available online or at the Visitor’s Centers.
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