Our winter wonderland on the Waterfront is back!
Gather your family and friends to celebrate your favorite wintertime traditions including skating underneath the twinkling lights, sipping drinks by the fire or inside a toasty cabin, and treating yourself to tasty eats inside the festive Lodge.
And the fun keeps coming! Take a spin on the holiday-lit Ferris Wheel, take a selfie with our giant holiday tree, and enjoy some friendly competition with classic arcade games. With all this fun, Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest is the place to create lasting memories this winter season.
This winter, we have delicious dining options for all palates. Indulge in delicious Mexican street food from the James Beardnominated team behind Cantina La Martina, Philly classics from Chickie’s & Pete’s, plus pizza and boardwalk treats with a winter twist from Skelly’s Amusements. Wash it all down with great local brews, handcrafted cocktails, hot chocolate, and more.
For more details on Waterfront events and to purchase ice skating tickets or a rental, visit RiverRink.com. Ordering tickets and rentals in advance is strongly recommended.
Columbus Boulevard at Market Street
Events at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
OPENING WEEKEND
Friday, November 29 — Sunday, December 1
HOLIDAY MARKETS
Saturday, November 30, Sundays, December 1, 8, and 15, 2pm–6pm
HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING POWERED BY PECO
Friday, December 6, 6pm–9pm
MERRY SWIFTMAS SKATE NIGHT
Friday, December 13, 7pm–10pm
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTIES ON ICE TICKETED
Sunday, December 31, 5pm-8pm and 10pm–1am
VISIT PA NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS ON THE WATERFRONT
Sunday, December 31, 6:00pm and Midnight
FREE BINGO THURSDAYS
Thursdays, January 2 through February 27
THEME SKATE NIGHTS
Fridays, January 3 through February 28, 7pm–10pm
ARCTIC BEATS DJ NIGHTS
Saturdays, January 4 through March 1, 7pm–10pm
STORYTIME IN THE LODGE
Sundays, January 5 through March 2, 11:30am–12:30pm
CHARACTER SKATE
Sundays, January 5 through March 2, 2pm–4pm
WORKSHOP WEDNESDAYS
HOSTED BY CHERRY STREET PIER RESIDENT ARTISTS
Wednesdays, January 8 through February 26, 5pm–7pm
CAMPUS PHILLY’S PHILLY NIGHT OUT
Wednesday, January 29, 5pm–9:30pm
SWEETHEART SKATES PRESENTED BY BAILEY’S IRISH CREAM TICKETED
Friday, February 14, 7pm–10pm
RENTALS
Are you looking for a fun and memorable location for your next holiday party, event, or birthday? Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest is the perfect location. Celebrate in style with our festive Lodge, rustic Rinkside Lounge, or a cozy cabin and fire pit.
CABINS AND FIRE PITS
Cozy up in a warm cabin or by a fire pit for the ultimate winter vibes. Single cabins fit 8 guests, the double cabin accommodates 15, and fire pits are ideal for a gathering of 4.
For more information, contact riverrink@drwc.org. The Rinkside Lounge, cabins, and firepits can also be reserved online at RiverRink.com.
RINKSIDE LOUNGE
Enjoy this heated, après-skate experience featuring plush seating areas, holiday decor, an exclusive entrance on and off the rink, and private fire pit and holiday photo op. This space holds over 40 guests.
THE LODGE
This is the perfect party space to warm up your outing. The Lodge can accommodate groups of any size with delicious food and beverage catering options.
GROUP SKATING
We also offer discounts for group skating for parties of 15 or more. To book your group outing, contact riverrink@drwc.org.
Parking Lot
1. Skelly’s Funnel Cake and Fair Foods
2. Skelly’s Ice Cream
3. Skelly’s Pizza Port
4. Chickie’s & Pete’s
5. Cantina La Martinita
6. The Lodge Bar
7. The Lodge Porch Bar
8. Visit Philly Chair
Make your New Year’s Eve celebrations sparkle with the time-honored tradition of exhilarating fireworks shows!
Start 2025 in style on the Waterfront as we illuminate the night with a show you won’t forget. The fireworks performances are FREE and open to the public.
Can’t attend 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.
This year’s fireworks are dedicated to the late Jodie Milkman, DRWC’s Executive Vice President and the visionary behind our New Year’s Eve celebrations. Born April 5, 1969, and passing on November 1, 2024, Jodie’s legacy continues to light up the skies and our hearts.
VISIT PA NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS ON THE WATERFRONT
December 31, 2024 6pm and Midnight
Cherry Street Pier is a fantastic destination for winter fun with artisan markets, holiday events, and intriguing exhibitions.
Just a few minute walk from Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, no visit to the Waterfront is complete without a stop at this picturesque pier. And while the weather may be cooling down, Cherry Street Pier is heating up, with an allnew warming tent to keep you toasty while you enjoy events, delicious Mexican and Puerto Rican cuisine from La Placita, and creative cocktails and craft beers.
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 at CherryStreetPier.com
PARK HOURS
Cherry Street pier is open 7 days per week. For the most up-to-date hours, visit CherryStreetPier.com
CONCESSIONS HOURS
The La Placita food trolleys and the bar will be serving up can’tmiss eats and refreshments. Please visit CherryStreetPier.com for complete hours, menus, and specials.
First Fridays presented by
CherryStreetPier.com
Cherry Street Pier
@CherryStPier
CherryStreetPier
Columbus Boulevard at Cherry Street
(Just South of Race Street)
#MyPhillyWaterfront
Cherry Street Pier Events & Exhibitions
SOUTHPAW YAPPY HOUR WITH THE INDEPENDENCE VISITOR CENTER
December 5, 5pm–7pm
HOLIDAY MARKETS
December 7, 14, and 21, 12pm–5pm
FIRST FRIDAYS PRESENTED BY AND ARTIST AND ARTISANS MARKETS
December 6, January 6, and February 3, 4pm–9pm
FREE BINGO
Fridays, December 13, 20, and 27, 6pm
TUBA CHRISTMAS
Sunday, December 15, 2pm–3pm
NEW YEAR’S EVE KIDS COUNTDOWN PARTY
FEATURING VISIT PA NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS ON THE WATERFRONT TICKETED
December 31, 5pm–7pm
NEW YEAR’S EVE ADULT COUNTDOWN PARTY FEATURING VISIT PA NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS ON THE WATERFRONT TICKETED
December 31, 10pm–1am
PAINT WITH A TWIST WITH WALLS FOR JUSTICE
Friday in January starting January 10, 6pm–8pm
CHERRY STREET PIER EXHIBITIONS
Structural Flow curated by Chris Gaehde
December 6 through December 29
Resident Artist Holiday Art Show
December 6 through December 22
Resident Artist Caroline Stoughton Exhibition
January 3 through January 26
New exhibitions, events, and artist-led workshops are always being added! Visit CherryStreetPier.com for all the latest 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.
Columbus Boulevard between Pier 68 and Penn Treaty Park
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
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
Nature lovers can admire the beauty of both land and river at this ecology-focused and historic spot along the Waterfront.
Columbus Boulevard at Washington Avenue
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Exciting developments are happening along the Delaware River Waterfront. Amid construction of the Park at Penn’s Landing, all Waterfront amenities and attractions will be open. Please check out all the ways you can arrive at the Waterfront to enjoy all we have to offer.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Philly PHLASH
Daily Service Now through December 30
The PHLASH bus stop is located at the corner of 2nd St. and Market St., just a 5-minute walk to the Waterfront.
SEPTA Market-Frankford Line
The 2nd Street station is a 5-minute walk to the Waterfront.
Septa Bus Routes
Routes 5, 12, 17, 21, 25, 33, 38, 42, 44, and 48 all provide convenient drop off locations to the Waterfront.
BY CAR
You can take any taxi or rideshare services right to the Waterfront. You can also drive your own vehicle. However, due to construction, parking directly on the Waterfront is very limited. Visit ArriveattheWaterfront.com for a list of parking options.
BY BIKE
A two-lane biking bath is available via the Delaware River Trail, which runs along Columbus Boulevard from Pier 70 in South Philadelphia to Penn Treaty Park in Fishtown.
There are two Indego Bike stations along the Waterfront.
• Race Street Pier, N. Columbus Blvd.
• Foglietta Plaza, 3 Dock St.
BY FOOT
The Waterfront can be accessed by foot via South Street, Spruce Street, Dock Street, Market Street, and Race Street, all connecting with Columbus Blvd. You can also walk along the Delaware River Trail, running along Columbus Blvd.
PUBLIC RESTROOMS
Visitors can access public restrooms along the Waterfront at the following locations:
• Cherry Street Pier (year-round during operating hours)
• Independence Blue Cross RiverRink (seasonal)
For additional updates on how to get to the parks, along with parking and direction information, please visit ArriveattheWaterfront.com
PARK AT PENN’S LANDING
For the latest news on the Park at Penn’s Landing, visit ParkatPennsLanding.com.
Being your power company means so much more than keeping the lights on and natural gas flowing. It’s about bringing our communities together. That’s why we are proud to sponsor the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest and kick off the holiday season with Philadelphia’s favorite winter tradition for over 30 years.
This is our home, too. And neighbors like you inspire us to make our communities even more vibrant, every single day.
Learn more at peco.com
peco.com
MODERN ELEVATED CUISINE
fine food.
JOSEPH A. FORKIN
President, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation
JAY R. GOLDSTEIN
Chairman, Delaware River Waterfront Corporation
Information was correct at press time, but is subject to change.
Photography by Albert Lee, Austin Marsdale, Beaumonde Originals, James Abbott, Maria Young, and Matt Stanley
Public programming on the Waterfront would not be possible without the continued support of our partners:
