New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in Philly: What You Need to Know

A festive night like New Year’s Eve calls for a festive celebration — and Philadelphia hosts many of them to welcome the new year each year.

The big show is the annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront, featuring two spectacular rain-or-shine shows on the Delaware River at 6 p.m. and midnight.

Elsewhere, many of the city’s restaurants plate fixed-price dinners, while Philly clubs offer late-night dancing and live performances for almost every music taste.

The best way to do New Year’s Eve in Philly is by staying over. Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package, featuring free hotel parking and choose-your-own perks, to start the new year with a wonderful winter getaway. Or make it a long weekend (New Year’s Eve is on a Sunday night this year) and book the 3-Day Stay, offering buy-two-get-a-third-free nights.

Then, on New Year’s Day, thousands of residents and visitors take to the streets for the annual Mummers Parade, an only-in-Philadelphia tradition dating back to 1901 where thousands of men, women and children wearing feathers and sequins dance to music and parade along Broad Street from Philadelphia City Hall.

Check out our favorite places to watch the fireworks, top celebrations for revelers of all ages, special events and more, below.