Philadelphia's beloved Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest is set to kick off its annual celebration on November 28th, transforming the Delaware River Waterfront into a vibrant winter wonderland that will continue until March 2026. The event promises to deliver a festive atmosphere complete with an NHL-sized ice rink, cozy cabins, and riverside firepits - all for free admission.
The festivities also feature an assortment of pay-as-you-go amenities including skating, arcade games, classic amusement rides, and a range of delectable food and drinks. This season introduces some new additions to the lineup, with Jacquin’s Porch Bar offering winter-themed cocktails and The Lodge boasting a décor refresh featuring bright lighting displays and new seating areas.
Returning food partners will include popular spots such as Chickie's & Pete's, Skelly's Pizza Port, and Philly Taco, along with other local favorites. Visitors can also look forward to exploring holiday programming at Cherry Street Pier, which includes an exclusive Holiday Gift Guide showcasing the work of artists-in-residence and a Holiday Art Show opening on December 5th.
Mark your calendars for key dates, including the opening weekend from November 28-30, the Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony on December 5th, and the New Year's Eve Fireworks display. For those looking to lace up their skates, admission costs $5, with rentals available for $12. However, Independence Blue Cross members, military personnel, and first responders can enjoy free skating for themselves and up to three guests.
As with any winter festival, RiverRink Winterfest is weather permitting, but visitors are encouraged to plan ahead by utilizing public transit, rideshare, or the Delaware River Trail. More details on hours, reservations, and programming can be found on the official website at RiverRink.com.
The festivities also feature an assortment of pay-as-you-go amenities including skating, arcade games, classic amusement rides, and a range of delectable food and drinks. This season introduces some new additions to the lineup, with Jacquin’s Porch Bar offering winter-themed cocktails and The Lodge boasting a décor refresh featuring bright lighting displays and new seating areas.
Returning food partners will include popular spots such as Chickie's & Pete's, Skelly's Pizza Port, and Philly Taco, along with other local favorites. Visitors can also look forward to exploring holiday programming at Cherry Street Pier, which includes an exclusive Holiday Gift Guide showcasing the work of artists-in-residence and a Holiday Art Show opening on December 5th.
Mark your calendars for key dates, including the opening weekend from November 28-30, the Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony on December 5th, and the New Year's Eve Fireworks display. For those looking to lace up their skates, admission costs $5, with rentals available for $12. However, Independence Blue Cross members, military personnel, and first responders can enjoy free skating for themselves and up to three guests.
As with any winter festival, RiverRink Winterfest is weather permitting, but visitors are encouraged to plan ahead by utilizing public transit, rideshare, or the Delaware River Trail. More details on hours, reservations, and programming can be found on the official website at RiverRink.com.
Oh my goodness, I'm literally so stoked for this!!! 
It sounds like the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit, all free admission and everything! The idea of cozy cabins, riverside firepits, and an NHL-sized ice rink is just so magical 
. And can we talk about how amazing it is that they have food options for everyone? 
I'm already getting my skates ready to hit the ice and check out the holiday programming - the art show and gift guide sound like a must-see! 
What's not to love about this winter wonderland?! 
! Remember when they used to have these epic winter festivals in Philly? Like, it felt like a magical time of year where we could just forget about everything and enjoy the snow? 
As long as it snows, I'm all in for the holiday programming and ice skating. Bring on December 5th! 
It's like, Philly is already a sick city but Winterfest takes it to another level. Free admission? Yes please! I love that they're offering pay-as-you-go amenities too, you don't gotta break the bank if you wanna have some fun. And omg, Jacquin’s Porch Bar with winter-themed cocktails sounds like the perfect spot to warm up on a chilly night. The ice rink is gonna be lit 
️ and I'm all about that cozy cabin vibe too! Riversid firepits are just the icing on the cake. It's also awesome they're supporting local businesses and artists. Can't wait for the Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony and New Year's Eve Fireworks display!
and i heard the cherry street pier events are gonna be amazing can't wait to explore that holiday gift guide 
plus it's awesome that they're supporting local spots like chickie's & pete's 
Like, what more r u gonna ask 4? The vibes are supposed 2 be super cozy w/ cabins & firepits, sounds like a winter wonderland 2 me! 
And don't even get me started on the grub - Chickie's & Pete's is comin' back & I'm SO down! 
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. I'm not sure about the $5 admission fee though... seems a bit steep, especially with all the other amenities they're offering. Still, if you're planning to go, it might be worth splurging on rentals or trying out some of the pay-as-you-go activities 
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? and whats with the "pay-as-you-go" thingy, how does that work? is it like a token system or something? 
also, i saw jacquin's porch bar has winter-themed cocktails, but what does that even mean? do they have special snowflake drinks? 
This RiverRink Winterfest is just another example of how our city's doing it right - providing free admission to a world-class winter wonderland event! But let's talk about who's really benefiting from this deal. Are we just subsidizing the rich and giving them a free skate with their money? I mean, $5 for non-members, that's not so bad... but what about those who can't afford it? Shouldn't we be investing in public transportation or affordable housing instead of throwing money at private events?
and I gotta say, I'm a bit meh about RiverRink Winterfest this year 
And what about the lines? Are we gonna have to wait in line for hours just to get on the ice rink? 
. I mean, I know it's not like they're charging us per breath or anything 
, but still. Maybe they should consider a slightly lower price point to attract more people, especially since it's free admission for some groups 
. cant wait to check out Jacquin's Porch Bar for those winter-themed cocktails and The Lodge's new decor 
. also, Cherry Street Pier is hosting a holiday art show on dec 5th? that sounds amazing! 
. And have you seen the lines at these events? Forget about it! 
Can't wait to see the crowds and the traffic jams during peak hours though 
. Maybe I'll just stick to online shopping for my gifts this year 
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. And oh yeah, Jacquin’s Porch Bar is serving up some sick winter-themed cocktails 
. Can't wait to mark those calendars for opening weekend, Holiday Tree Lighting, and New Year's Eve Fireworks! 
. The fact that they're giving back to the community too, especially with their free skating for Independence Blue Cross members and first responders, is just fantastic 
What I'm most excited about is the Holiday Gift Guide and Art Show at Cherry Street Pier - it's always amazing to see what our local artists are working on! 
The fact that it's free admission is like, amazing - no one should have to pay to enjoy some festive fun. And can we talk about the amenities they're offering? An NHL-sized ice rink, cozy cabins, and riverside firepits? That sounds like the ultimate winter getaway. Plus, I love that they're including local favorites like Chickie's & Pete's and Skelly's Pizza Port - it's all about supporting our community.