NORTH WILDWOOD — The Mummers are heading back to the Jersey Shore this weekend, bringing the music, elaborate costumes and signature strut of Philadelphia's famous New Year's tradition to North Wildwood.
New Year's in North Wildwood will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 11-12, with a Friday night dance competition followed by a parade featuring more than a dozen string bands Saturday evening.
The festivities begin at 7 p.m. Friday with the "Strut" Dance Contest on Olde New Jersey Avenue.
Mummers captains will square off and showcase their dancing skills while the Mummers Association provides the music.
The celebration shifts into high gear Saturday when the Mummers Parade steps off at 5 p.m.
The parade will begin at Second Street and travel along Olde New Jersey Avenue before concluding at Spruce Avenue.
More than a dozen string bands are expected to participate, including top bands from the 2026 New Year's Day Mummers Parade in Philadelphia.
FOX 29 and Kool 98.3 personality Bob Kelly will return to emcee the North Wildwood event for the sixth year.
The setting offers a different experience from Philadelphia's massive New Year's Day parade. Spectators in North Wildwood can get close to the performers as the string bands make their way along Olde New Jersey Avenue, providing an up-close look at the elaborate costumes, choreographed routines and distinctive string-band performances.
Both the Friday night festivities and Saturday's parade are free to attend.
Part of a Huge Weekend in the Wildwoods
The Mummers celebration will be just one of several major events bringing visitors to the Wildwoods this weekend.
The second annual Wildwoods Air Show will take place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 12-13, with the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team serving as the headline attraction.
The Atlantic City-based 177th Fighter Wing of the New Jersey Air National Guard is also scheduled to participate with an F-16 Viper flyby.
That creates an especially busy Saturday: Air show performances are expected over the beach from approximately noon to 3 p.m., followed by the Mummers Parade in North Wildwood beginning at 5 p.m.
The weekend also carries special significance because Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
North Wildwood will hold its annual Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at 8:40 a.m. Friday at the 15th Street Fire Station at 15th Street and Central Avenue. Other 9/11 ceremonies are scheduled throughout the Wildwoods during the day.
New Year's in North Wildwood has become part of the resort community's busy post-Labor Day calendar, providing another reason for visitors to return to the Shore after the traditional summer season.
The "Strut" Dance Contest begins at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, on Olde New Jersey Avenue. The Mummers Parade begins at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at Second Street and continues to Spruce Avenue.
Admission is free.
Additional information is available at NorthWildwood.com or by calling 609-522-2955.
About the Author
Karen Johnson
With over 30 years of news experience in major markets like Los Angeles, Denver, and Columbus, Karen now covers our area for South Jersey NewsBeat. She also brings her articulate and conversational news delivery to WOND radio listeners every weekday. Her background includes work with the NBC Radio Network, and she thrives in fast-paced news environments.
