Despite the name, this is a September event, not New Year’s Eve. Philadelphia’s Mummers bring the New Year’s Day parade to the Jersey Shore early: the 2026 edition was September 11-12, and the 2027 date is usually announced in the summer on wildwoodsnj.com.

The New Year’s in North Wildwood Mummers celebration transforms the quiet September shore into a vibrant festival where Philadelphia’s famous string bands bring their sequined splendor to the boardwalk for an unforgettable mid-year party.

What Makes This Celebration Special

• Every September, string bands that perform in Philadelphia’s New Year’s Day parade bring their costumes, banjos, and saxophones to the Jersey Shore.
• Visitors come to see the mummers’ energy without the January cold. The North Wildwood beachfront becomes a stage for fancy brigades in costume, comics, and string bands playing mummers tunes and other music.
• Unlike the formal Philadelphia parade, this celebration lets spectators get close to performers and enjoy the music in a relaxed outdoor setting.

What to Expect at the Festival

Performances happen along the North Wildwood beachfront and boardwalk areas. The atmosphere is festive and family-friendly.

• Evening kickoff party with live music and mummer performances
• Parade and performances featuring string bands and fancy brigades throughout the day
• Food vendors offering festival food and outdoor dining
• Evening beach parties with continued performances

Pack comfortable walking shoes for the boardwalk, layers for evening ocean breezes, and bring cash for food vendors.

Where to Stay for New Year’s in North Wildwood (Mummers)

The five Coastal Collection hotels are family-owned, motel-style properties within a few blocks of the beach and the Boardwalk. See walk times from each hotel to the Boardwalk, or compare all five Wildwood hotels and book direct on each hotel’s page. Some properties close for part of the off-season, so check dates when you book.

The Coastal Collection