Ice skates, fire pits and a 100-foot stretch of waterfront along the Delaware River are about to light up again in Philadelphia. Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest returns to 101 South Columbus Boulevard starting Nov. 27 and will run through Feb. 28, 2027, bringing back the season's mix of skating, holiday lights and riverside views that has become a fixture on the city's Delaware River waterfront.
Getting into the park itself costs nothing. According to PhillyVoice, admission to Winterfest is free, while skating, rentals, food, drinks, rides and games are all priced separately — a structure confirmed by news.ibx.com, which notes that admission is free with skating and other experiences available at an added cost. Ice skating itself runs $5 for admission plus $12 for skate rental, per the same IBX announcement.
Skating Sessions Are Capped and Reservations Matter
Each skating session lasts a maximum of 90 minutes, and the rink uses timed, staggered admission that closes 30 minutes before the park itself shuts down for the night, according to delawareriverwaterfront.com's ice skating ticket page. Because the number of skating tickets is limited, the site says reservations are highly recommended for anyone hoping to lace up. The rink also offers views of the Delaware River and the Ben Franklin Bridge, a backdrop IBX highlights as part of the draw.
Beyond the ice, Winterfest features heated cabins, fire pits, boardwalk rides, games and food, the waterfront's own site notes. The Ferris wheel and an indoor arcade are set to return in December, per IBX, rounding out the boardwalk-style offerings that have made the rink more than just a place to skate.
Fire Pits, Cabins and a Rinkside Lounge for Rent
For groups looking to get cozy without skates, PhillyVoice reports that fire pit rentals cost $35 for 90 minutes and seat four people, while a heated single cabin runs $80 for 90 minutes and holds up to 10 guests. A heated double cabin goes for $130 for 90 minutes and accommodates up to 18 people, and cabin and fire-pit rentals are available in 90-minute slots seven days a week, including holidays, according to delawareriverwaterfront.com.
Visitors planning both skating and a cabin or fire-pit rental should schedule those separately, since skates are not allowed in the rental areas, PhillyVoice notes. For larger gatherings, the Rinkside Lounge — described by the waterfront's site as a heated, rustic space with rinkside access for up to 40 guests — is also bookable. PhillyVoice reports the lounge rents for 2½ hours at $350 Monday through Thursday or $400 Friday through Sunday, though that rate excludes skating admission. Winterfest's rental reservations are set to open soon, per PhillyVoice.
Food Lineup and a Holiday Kickoff Weekend
On the food side, PhillyVoice's rundown lists pizza, Chickie's & Pete's crabfries, cheesesteaks and Mexican street food from Philly Tacos among the offerings. Opening weekend runs Nov. 27 through Nov. 29, and the season's centerpiece kickoff event, the Holiday Tree Lighting powered by PECO, is set for 6 p.m. that Sunday, according to IBX's announcement.
Hours will vary by date, with food and ride vendors keeping their own separate schedules, PhillyVoice notes. IBX adds that from Dec. 19 through Jan. 2, the park will generally stay open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. daily, with some exceptions around New Year's Eve, when Winterfest plans to celebrate with fireworks over the Delaware River. The park is otherwise open seven days a week, including holidays, unless otherwise noted, per IBX.
On-site parking will be limited this season because of construction tied to the I-95 CAP project, according to delawareriverwaterfront.com, so visitors driving in may want to plan ahead. Independence Blue Cross cardholders and employees can also receive up to four skating-admission tickets with proof of card membership — though the waterfront's own pages describe the benefit differently in different places, with one listing it as free tickets and another as discounted tickets, so that detail should be confirmed directly with the venue before visiting.
