#BILLYPENNGRAM OF THE DAY
Art imitating life imitating art
(Photo by @twistedphilly, Art by @emeyewhisky and @painted_thingies)
‘You have to know who you are, and you have to pass it along’: An immigrant community celebrates the start of Year 2765
While many Philadelphians rang in America’s 250th with the Mummers or at the inaugural NYE concert on the Parkway, one immigrant community (from Myanmar) celebrated the new year a few days later. And the party wasn’t for 2026; it was for 2765. Continue reading …
The Mummers Parade showcased in the Historic District’s 2nd Saturday ‘Firstival’
Ten days into 2026, the Mummers got another day in the spotlight as part of the city’s celebrations of America’s 250th birthday.
Saturday’s rain and cold temperatures did not offer ideal parade weather. Luckily, the Mummers’ celebrations — part of the Philadelphia Historic District’s “52 Weeks of Firsts” — were inside at the Mummers Museum in South Philly. Continue reading …
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• Health Dept. warns of possible measles exposure at PHL airport, 30th Street Station and Amtrak train. [6ABC]
• Dina Powell McCormick, wife to Sen. Dave McCormick and former Trump advisor, named Meta president. [WESA]
• Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal goes viral, draws criticism for message to ICE agents. [Inq$$]
• Mayor Parker pitches Philly as a world-class events city at PCMA conference. [WHYY]
• Wawa’s shelfless, all-digital store at Drexel University will close Jan. 21. [PhillyVoice]
• ‘Going to make my life much better’: SEPTA trolley riders react to tunnel reopening. [WHYY]
• ‘DeVon-tails Smith’ is among 11 Philly-area shelter dogs competing in Puppy Bowl 2026. [WHYY]
MAYOR WATCH
The mayor will attend an evert at which the City of Philadelphia will partner with the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) to revitalize and reactivate 1001 Filbert Street as a bus station, at City Hall. (2 p.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
✊🏾 MLK Jr Weekend at the African American Museum of Philly
🏃🏽 Philly Runners Guide
Tuesday, Jan. 13: Book event: “The University of the Arts”
Barnes & Noble Philly welcomes Sara MacDonald to discuss her Campus History Series book on UArts and the legacy of the nation’s first university dedicated exclusively to education and training in the visual, design, performing and media arts. Free. (6 p.m.)
Wednesday, Jan. 14: Philadelphia: An Early American Dance City
Lynn Matluck Brooks explores why the dance capital in the young United States was Philadelphia, full of social and theatrical dance. In-person and virtual. $11.19 tickets. (6:30 to 7:30 p.m.)
Wednesday, Jan. 14: Quiara Alegría Hudes & Ray Beauchamp author event
Tony- and Pulitzer-winning Alegria Hudes and criminal defense attorney Beauchamp speak at the latest Free Library author event. (7 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, Jan. 15: Winter Workshop: Fire Cider Make-and-Take
Learn how to make “Fire Cider”, a wintertime immune-supporting herbal tonic. $17.85 tickets two-for-one. (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.)
Thursday, Jan. 15: Urbanist PowerPoint Party!
Join 5th Square Advocacy for an evening of community-building + urbanist storytelling about a range of topics, from Philly’s Intercity Bus saga, Transit funding, the Roosevelt Blvd subway, Bike parking, and more. $10 suggested donation towards hoagies, beer and seltzer. At Resurrection Church in Center City.(6 to 8 p.m.)
Thursday, Jan. 15: Jokes for Justice: A Standup Comedy Benefit for Gender Justice
Lady Laughs Philly and It’s Always Punny in Philadelphia present a standup comedy benefit featuring women and queer comedians. Funds benefit Bread and Roses’ Gender Justice Organizing Fund to support local groups. Age 18+. BYO but no red wine. Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks will be available. $25 tickets. (6:30 p.m. doors open)
Friday, Jan. 16: Lunch with Ducks
Join BirdPhilly for the return of Lunch with Ducks at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Meet at 13th and Admiral Peary Way. BYO binoculars and lunch. Do NOT feed the wildlife. (12 to 1 p.m.)
Friday to Sunday, Jan. 16-18: Ben Franklin’s Birthday Limited Edition Tippler’s Tour
Raise a glass to Franklin for his 320th birthday with a limited-edition run of the Tippler’s Tour during an evening at historic Carpenters’ Hall. Enjoy seasonal snacks and festive drinks as you learn some of Ben’s most colorful euphemisms for being drunk — like “nimptopsical” and “tipsicum grave.” Tastings and gratuity included in $40 ticket. (5:30 to 6:30 p.m.)
Saturday, Jan. 17: Ben’s Birthday Bash
Join this celebration of Philadelphia’s favorite Founding Father and the Franklin Institute’s namesake on his 320th birthday. Dress like Ben. Hands-on fun, games, music and more. Snap a pic in front of the 20-foot-tall Benjamin Franklin National Memorial. Play Franklin-themed games, design birthday hats, see hair-raising electricity experiments, and hear the unique sound of “Happy Birthday” being played live on Franklin’s own invention, the glass armonica, with a celebratory ball-pit ball explosion finale. $23-29 museum admission. (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
The post Happy 2765!; Mummers’ reprise; Sheriff’s remarks | Morning Roundup appeared first on Billy Penn at WHYY.
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