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Pennsylvania

New Year’s Revelry and the Philadelphia Mummers Parade

Program No. 13589RJ
Nothing compares to New Year’s in Philadelphia. Find out why as you attend live performances, explore the festively decorated du Pont estate and experience the iconic Mummers Parade!
Participant Reviews
4.76
Based on 25 Reviews
SHOWING
Kathryn – Class of 2023 | Deltona, FL
Having our own special room with live music for a New Year’s party was absolutely genius. Full bar, delicious gourmet buffet dinner, more drinks, party favors! Balloon drop! What a fabulous evening! Loved the gardens with the holiday lights. Of course, all the Mummers events and museums were incredible. Really enjoyed the symphony. Every single meal was exceptional. Our own separate little room for breakfast with incredible food. I plan to attend more Road Scholar events in Philadelphia. Maybe even this same program again! It was wonderful!
— Review left January 13, 2026
Gail – Class of 2012 | Brunswick, ME
The Tish/Mitchell team somehow guided us around Philadelphia and the Mummers events. I enjoyed every minute.
— Review left January 13, 2026
Diane | Ocean Gate, NJ
This was my first Road Scholar adventure, and now I will be looking forward to more explorations.
— Review left January 12, 2026
This participant did not give a star rating.
Charlotte – Class of 2014 | Denver, CO
Who knew what a blast the Mummers Parade would be? I certainly didn't! This whole program was a wonderful way to see not only the all-day parade, but also 2 DuPont estates, the Philadelphia Symphony, and more. While our New Year's Eve party was a bust, the most amazing show I've ever seen was the Fancy Brigades contest on New Years Day after the parade. Google that for a hint of this one-of-a- kind extravaganza. I'd happily do this program over if there weren't so many other RS trips to take.
— Review left May 9, 2025
Diana – Class of 2024 | Riverhead, NY
This program was a very special way to celebrate the season and to ring in the New Year. The Mummers Parade was wonderful, but there was so much more to this program. Our guides, Tish and Mitch, were great. They're both so knowledgeable. I highly recommend this program.
— Review left January 9, 2025
This participant did not give a star rating.
Michael – Class of 2024 | Saratoga Springs, NY
A Road scholar veteran of 20 + trips told me she had never been on one with so large a number. There were too many people and only about half were properly introduced.
— Review left January 5, 2025
Lee – Class of 2018 | Westminster, CO
This was a terrific program, packed with information and experience not only about the Mummers tradition, but also about other cultural assets that make Philadelphia such an exceptional city to visit. Most of all, celebrating the advent of the New Year at the Ritz-Carlton in the context of this cultural experience was great fun!
— Review left January 3, 2025
Martha – Class of 2013 | Huntingburg, IN
I would HIGHLY recommend this program....from start to finish it hit the nail on the head. Both guides were great and complimented the other's knowledge. I will seek out other programs in this fabulous city.
— Review left January 3, 2025
Charles – Class of 2005 | Poulsbo, WA
Most people have NO knowledge of the Mummers parade which is unfortunate . It is easily on par with the Rose Parade and Macys Thanksgiving parade. It was marvelous!
— Review left January 2, 2025
Maryann – Class of 2015 | Manhasset, NY
This program was everything I wanted...interesting and informative itinerary, excellent size with terrtific, friendly participants, outstanding New Year's Eve concert at Philadelphia Concert.
— Review left January 9, 2024
Christine – Class of 2008 | Rockville, MD
Philadelphia with Road Scholar is a wonderful way to enjoy New Year's -- we did everything from visiting Winterthur and Longwood Gardens with Holiday decorations to a concert at Kimmel with Philadelphia Orchestra to the fantastic Mummers Parade (including a personal clubhouse connection)
— Review left January 4, 2024
Peg – Class of 2019 | Birmingham, AL
What a marvelous plan for New Year's! Tish and Mitch are so enthusiastic and knowledgeable that I definitely plan to come back to Philadelphia with Road Scholar's other tour offerings. There's certainly too much history and art to cover in only one trip!!!
— Review left January 3, 2024
Myrna – Class of 2023 | Whiting, NJ
I love Road Scholar but this program was really special. The activities were some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. The Mummer's Fancy Brigade could easily give Broadway a run for their money. This is also the first program that I could boast I sang along with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center on New Years Eve. Truly amazing!!!
— Review left January 2, 2024
This participant did not give a star rating.
Jill – Class of 2023 | Clifton Park, NY
The New Year's Revelry and the Philadelphia Mummers Parade tour is absolutely amazing. It is exciting, fun, and full of adventure. The tour provides rich opportunities for learning and engaging in the culture. The tourguides for this trip are extraordinary and went out of their way to show us holiday decorations in Philadelphia, historical attractions, and hidden gems in the Barnes Foundation, Longwood Gardens, and at the Mummers Parade. New Year's Eve at the Ritz Carlton is spectacular. The hotel is historical and welcoming. One of my favorite parts of the trip was enjoying breakfast to soothing jazz music every morning at the Ritz. We went to the Kimmel Center on New Year's Eve and enjoyed an intimate evening with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Our seats were front and center. The Mummer's Parade on New Year's Day is an phenomenal experience from early in the morning until well into the evening. If you were to watch the parade without the "Road Scholars experience," you would miss out on so much history, tradition, cultural artifacts, and more. We met members of the String Band the day before the parade at their clubhouse on "Two Street" in Philadelphia, cheered for the Band all day on New Year's Day, and congratulated them after their performance. The parade is soooo much fun! I joined the tour as a solo traveler and loved every minute of it. It was the perfect way to enjoy the holiday season and to ring in the New Year. I cannot recommend this trip enough. It is outstanding and you will leave with memories to last a lifetime.
— Review left March 18, 2023
Zoe – Class of 2022 | Cincinnati, OH
My first Road Scholar experience fulfilled a lifelong dream to attend the Mummers Parade on New Years Day in Philadelphia and the other activities just gave me an over the top experience of joy and celebration.
— Review left January 2, 2023
Nicki – Class of 2011 | San Antonio, TX
Perhaps I am the exception but I was quite disappointed in this trip. The parade was delayed by a day so many people missed it altogether. It would have been helpful to know this might be a possibility. The symphony performance was good albeit short. The hotel was lacking as well. For a high end hotel, service was not as one would expect. Breakfast was not coordinated so a couple of mornings there was no breakfast. I did not find any of the employees particularly friendly or helpful. I did enjoy Winterthur , Longwood Gardens, and the Brandywine Museum. Also the Mummers club house which was interesting. Mitch did a great job considering he had to take over the duties for another person so instead of 2 guides, we had 1 and this made for an extremely large group. Some of the people on the bus would talk when he was talking and also did not follow COVID guidelines. I think he would have to be loud to be understood among all the loud passengers. I was not crazy about the restaurants as I am not a beef fan. They are good restaurants, just no to my liking. This trip was a lot of money for a single person so I expected top notch everything and this was not the case.
— Review left June 3, 2022
Mary – Class of 2013 | New Bern, NC
This is a mixed review of this program, which was my Fourth New Year's Road Scholar program [two international and two in U.S.]. I encourage you to also read the reviews of a Glenda and a Darwin from the 2020 program - I agree completely with their respective comments. Positive = super itinerary; luxury hotel; perfect location; upscale restaurants for dinner; wonderful museums; great orchestra performance; outstanding Mummer Parade seats, and the special visit to Fralinger Club. Negative = very slack Covid protocols [my and my husband's vaccine cards were never checked by leader as cards were required] plus one group leader shouted repeatedly at us on bus without mask on; group meeting times and bus pickup locations were very vague [unlike every other RS tour I have been on]; and of greatest concern was one group leader that said "Sh*t" at least five times and even used the Lord's name as a curse word on a bus filled with over 40 people. In summary, interactions and leadership were unlike anything I have experienced on previous RS trips -- not a full deal breaker, yet extremely disconcerting/disappointing.
— Review left January 11, 2022
Sylvia – Class of 2016 | Portland, OR
Be aware that there is a possibility that the parade will be postponed because of rain. Be prepared to stay late on Sunday or even an extra day.
— Review left January 4, 2022
Jeanne – Class of 2016 | Albany, NY
Fabulous trip, lots of fun activities, well organized and managed, and Mitchell is the best tour leader I have experienced anywhere on my numerous travels around the world.
— Review left January 3, 2022
Susan – Class of 2019 | Falls Church, VA
If you’re looking for a festive, glittery, joyful way to welcome the new year, then this is the trip for you! Chase the winter doldrums away with flowers, lights, and feathers.
— Review left January 2, 2022
This participant did not give a star rating.
Glenda – Class of 2014 | Duncanville, TX
The content of this program was excellent--really enjoyed the visits to Winterthur, the Brandywine Museum, Longwood Gardens, and the Barnes as well as the Mummers Parade. The guides were not as helpful as those we have experienced in other RS trips. One was very loud, and when asked to speak less loudly, he replied that many could not hear, and continued to shout at us. The city tour consisted of him talking about his experiences, not about pointing out the sights of the city. Another couple asked us on the last night if this was the usual experience with RS as this was their first RS trip. We assured them this was an exception--that usually the guides were thoughtful and helped the group to bond and enjoy the experience together. That was not a part of this trip.
— Review left February 2, 2020
Darwin – Class of 1994 | Springfield, VA
A great introduction to one of the many Philadelphia institutions. The trip to Deleware is a long day but worth the trip to see Christmas decorations displayed so elegantly. There were in my observation several management issues which I have highlighted to RS and hopefully will be addressed for future programs. Overall a good experience.
— Review left January 4, 2020
Karen – Class of 2014 | San Antonio, TX
This program provided a wonderful high-end way to enjoy the holidays. We really liked the behind the scenes look at the parade. The spectacular gardens, symphony and art museum complimented the experience. We learned a lot about Philadelphia- especially art, history and the city's culture. Great meals and the hotel and leaders are the best!
— Review left January 3, 2020
Mary – Class of 2017 | Albany, CA
I LOVED LOVED LOVED the "New Year's Revelry & Philadelphia Mummers" program, December 29, 2019-January 2, 2020. We stayed at the Ritz=Carlton--a top notch, proper hotel with loads of old-world charm, great service, an very attractive public spaces for sitting, talking, reading, eating, or enjoying an adult beverage (or two). It was great to visit the museums and gardens--Longwood Gardens' night-time Christmas illuminations were spectacular (don't be afraid to rent one of the motorized scooters if it will help you see everything). The "Yuletide at Winterthur" tour was excellent--the Winterthur people are pros and moving enormous crowds through the house and grounds in the greatest possible comfort. The crowning glory was meeting Steven Cooper, president of the Fralinger String Band, learning the history of their club and of the Philadelphia Mummers' Parade, getting bandstand seats in front of City Hall, right up near the judging station, and the same for the "fancies" at the convention center--what a hoot! It meant so much more to me, knowing the background behind the Mummers' Parade and to see the way that the city and Philadelphians support the clubs and the event. Bravo!
— Review left January 2, 2020
Tom – Class of 2019 | Charleston, SC
This was our first Road Scholar program, and will certainly not be our last! Interesting program and fantastic leaders made the Philadelphia Mummers program a complete success We will be taking our grandchildren on the Grand Canyon trip this summer. Tom and Kae Clarke, Maryland
— Review left January 19, 2019