Winter Guide 2022-2023

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

The winter wonderland on the Philly Waterfront is back and ready for you to rekindle your favorite wintertime traditions and even start a few new ones.

So lace up your skates, sip a hot chocolate or warm cocktail by the fire, and satisfy your taste buds with delicious winter comfort food from Black Iron BBQ, Chickie’s & Pete’s and Skelly’s Amusements.

And the fun doesn’t stop there! Snap a photo with the giant holiday tree, take a spin on the holiday-lighted Ferris wheel, win prizes at classic boardwalk games, and beat your high score in the indoor arcade.

From the Rivers Casino New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront to festive cabins and skating on our NHL-sized rink, Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest has everything you need to create unforgettable memories this winter season.

Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest is open 7 days a week including holidays from November 25 through March 5, 2023.

For more details on Waterfront events and to purchase ice skating tickets or a rental, visit RiverRink.com. Securing tickets and rentals in advance is strongly recommended.

Columbus Boulevard at Market Street

BLUE CROSS RIVERRINK WINTERFEST IS OPEN

NOVEMBER 25, 2022 TO MARCH 5, 2023

Open 7 days a week, including all holidays

GENERAL ADMISSION FREE

SKATING ADMISSION $5*

SKATE RENTAL $12

* Free skating admission for all Independence Blue Cross cardholders and employees

Order Ice Skating Tickets

Events at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest

OPENING WEEKEND

FEATURING UGLY SWEATER CONTEST

Friday, November 25 – Sunday, November 28

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY HOLIDAY MARKET

Saturday, November 26, 12:00pm–5:00pm

HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING POWERED BY PECO

Friday, December 2, 6:00pm–9:00pm

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTIES ON ICE TICKETED

Saturday, December 31, 5:00pm–8:00pm and 10:00pm–1:00am

RIVERS CASINO NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS ON THE WATERFRONT

Saturday, December 31, 6:00pm and Midnight

CAMPUS PHILLY’S PHILLY NIGHT OUT

January 25 and February 22

SWEETHEART SKATES TICKETED

Tuesday, February 14

CLOSING WEEKEND

Friday, March 3 – Sunday, March 5

New events and promotions are always being added!

Continue to visit RiverRink.com for all the latest new additions.

This year’s New Year’s Eve celebrations are going to be twice as nice with two spectacular fireworks shows! Head down to the Philly Waterfront for exhilarating shows that will light up the night and start 2023 on a thrilling note.

Can’t make it in person? Tune into NBC10 and Telemundo62 at 6PM for live coverage, and turn on KYW Newsradio 1060AM and 103.9FM to hear the official choreographed soundtrack, too.

RIVERS CASINO NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS ON THE WATERFRONT

December 31, 6:00pm and Midnight

Cherry Street Pier offers it all with unique exhibitions, wide-ranging markets, and a beautiful garden perfect for relaxation with sweeping views of the Waterfront.

THE ARTISTS SHOP

This holiday season, shop small and support local artists while finding perfect gifts for everyone on your list with Cherry Street Pier’s The Artists Shop.

PARK HOURS

View Cherry Street Pier’s park hours here.

Cherry Street Pier

Cherry Street Pier Exhibitions

SPARC SERVICES’ BECOMING

Now through December 30

Join us for resident artist organization SpArc Services’ new exhibition featuring artwork by Jamal B. and Marvin T., two of the first artists in SpArc Services’ burgeoning employment program, and their journey to Becoming working artists.

CHERRY STREET PIER RESIDENT ARTISTS HOLIDAY EXHIBITION

December 2 through December 25

Enjoy a unique collection of work spanning across many different artistic mediums assembled from the talented artists of Cherry Street Pier.

FIRST FRIDAY

Friday, December 2

Enjoy exhibitions, shop from our market, and meet our resident artists.

CHERRY STREET PIER HOLIDAY MARKETS

December 3, 10, and 17, 12:00pm–5:00pm

Shop from a wide array of craft and artisan vendors at this festive, holiday market.

NEW YEAR’S EVE FAMILY PARTY WITH POPUPPLAY

Saturday, December 31, 5:00pm–7:00pm

Gather the family for fun activities and a front row view of the Rivers Casino New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront.

NEW YEAR’S EVE COUNTDOWN PARTY WITH FIREWORKS

Saturday, December 31, 10:00pm–1:00am

Celebrate the new year with a late-night bash complete with DJ and a spectacular fireworks show, courtesy of Rivers Casino.

New exhibitions and events are always being added!

Visit CherryStreetPier.com for all the latest and new happenings at the Pier.

The Delaware River Trail is a scenic, multimodal trail running over 3 miles along the Waterfront, connecting from Pier 68 in South Philadelphia to Penn Treaty Park in North Philadelphia.

The Race Street Pier is an awe-inspiring spot with unparalleled views of the Ben Franklin Bridge and Delaware River.

Columbus Boulevard at Race Street

Columbus Boulevard between Pier 68 and Penn Treaty Park

The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing is an ideal location to find peace of mind and marvel at incredible river and bridge views.

Nature lovers can admire the beauty of both land and river at this ecology-focused and historic spot along the Waterfront.

Columbus Boulevard at Chestnut Street

Columbus Boulevard at Washington Avenue

This peaceful pier allows enthusiasts and newbies alike to fish—or just chill—all year long. (Just remember, you must have a proper state fishing license!)

Columbus Boulevard at Pier 70 Boulevard

ON THE HORIZON

Graffiti Pier

Pier 18, originally part of Philadelphia’s industrial history as a coal pier and now affectionately known as “Graffiti Pier,” has played an important part in Philadelphia’s art scene, helping put the city on the map for some of the most creative street art in the world. DRWC’s conceptual design for the pier is inspired and informed by the diverse community of artists and neighbors who have made the space what it is. The concept takes a “light touch” approach that buffers the pier from surrounding development and sea level rise, enhances waterfront access for nearby neighborhoods, and allows for the continued creation of art while still retaining the special character of pier as it is now.

Wetlands Park

The southern section of the Waterfront offers a unique opportunity to establish a “tidal wetlands park” between a series of abandoned piers to enhance water and land habitats for ecological resiliency. Over the coming decade, the Waterfront from Washington Avenue and Pier 70 Boulevard will be transformed into a wetlands park. With assistance from the Natural Lands Trust, DRWC purchased the pier and berth spaces with an eye towards improving the riparian ecology and restoring the tidal wetlands while offering unprecedented public access to a naturally reawakening river.

New Park at Penn’s Landing

Stretching from Front Street to the Delaware River and Chestnut to Walnut Streets, the new Park at Penn’s Landing will feature 11 acres of green space, play areas, dining, a performance space, introspective gardens, water features, unparalleled water views and much more. In collaboration with PennPraxis, DRWC convened meetings in neighborhoods across Philadelphia and asked residents how they want to experience this new public space, the results of which will inform the Park’s design. Thanks to city, state, and philanthropic leaders, the Park at Penn’s Landing construction is anticipated to begin in 2023.

DONATE

We wouldn’t be able to do this without you! If you’ve enjoyed ice skating at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, experiencing exhibitions at Cherry Street Pier, strolling the Delaware River Trail, or any of the free programs we produce throughout the year, please consider making a donation so that we can continue to transform the Waterfront for all of Philadelphia and its visitors.

CARE COMMITMENT CULTURE COMPASSION COURAGE Community

Rivers Casino Philadelphia is proud to give back to the city we call home. We’ve been partnering with local organizations for over 10 years, and we look forward to many more years of working together.

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER.

Coming Soon

Celebrity Cook and South Philly native Steve Martorano is bringing Martorano’s Prime to Rivers Casino Philadelphia — fusing Steve’s Italian-American menu with high-end steakhouse staples elevated in his signature style.

His famous meatballs with Sunday gravy have been called the best meatballs in the world by Gourmet Magazine, and they’re coming to Rivers Casino Philadelphia.

Powering community.

At PECO, we believe in building lasting connections across Greater Philadelphia. That’s why we’ve supported Winterfest at the Delaware River Waterfront for over 20 years, bringing people together for some holiday fun.

PECO is proud to sponsor Philadelphia’s favorite wintertime tradition as we celebrate a partnership that makes our city brighter.

COVID-19 Safety Precautions and Guidelines

DRWC’S HIGHEST PRIORITY IS THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR STAFF, PARTNERS, AND VISITORS. Our resiliency, commitment to community, and health and wellness protocols will continue as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. As valued members of the Waterfront community, we hope that you are safe and sound during this uncertain time as we react and respond to the pandemic.

PLEASE NOTE: In accordance with the City of Philadelphia’s updated COVID-19 (coronavirus) policies, we recommend that guests wear masks inside Cherry Street Pier and the Lodge at Blue Cross RiverRink, but it is not required. Mask requirements inside the Cherry Street Pier artist studios will be left to the discretion of the artists-in-residence.

HERE AT DRWC, WE ARE DOING OUR PART BY TAKING THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

• Conducting thorough, deep cleanings of all public spaces, administrative offices, and interior spaces daily

• Cleaning and disinfecting public restrooms frequently

• Providing hand sanitizers at various locations throughout the Waterfront

• Ensuring all staff onsite wear appropriate personal protective equipment

• Monitoring capacity at all Waterfront parks

• Continuously evaluating best practices and recommendations from experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

We will continue to work closely with the City of Philadelphia and follow state and federal guidelines to ensure we are doing our part to help stem the spread of this virus so that we may all enjoy the Delaware River Waterfront. We are all #InThisTogether.

Follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) for updates.

DelawareRiverWaterfront.com

215-922-2386

Delaware River Waterfront

@DelRiverWFront

DelawareRiverWaterfront

JOSEPH A. FORKIN

President, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation

ALAN P. HOFFMANN Chairman, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation

Information was correct at press time, but is subject to change.

Design by Roni Lagin & Co.

Photography by Albert Lee, James B. Abbott, Maria Young, Matt Stanley, Neal Santos, and Society Hill Films