The Countdown to Winterfest Is On: Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest Returns November 27
Released August 18 2026
PHILADELPHIA (August 19, 2026) – The countdown to winter is officially on! In just 100 days, Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest will once again transform the Delaware River Waterfront into Philadelphia’s ultimate winter wonderland. Opening Friday, November 27, the beloved seasonal destination will return with ice skating, cozy cabins and firepits, festive food and drink, and holiday fun along the Delaware River.
Opening Weekend runs Friday, November 27 through Sunday, November 29, with the annual Holiday Tree Lighting powered by PECO taking center stage Sunday at 6 p.m. The celebration will light up Winterfest’s towering holiday tree and officially welcome the holiday season to the Waterfront. Entertainment, special guests and additional details about Opening Weekend and the Tree Lighting will be announced this fall.
Winterfest will remain open through Sunday, February 28, giving visitors more than three months to skate, gather, and enjoy the season against the backdrop of the Ben Franklin Bridge.
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Philadelphia's Waterfront Celebrates Global Cultures with the PECO Multicultural Series
Released July 27 2026
PHILADELPHIA, PA (July 27, 2026) – The Philadelphia Waterfront has become one of Philadelphia's most vibrant gathering places as eight multicultural festivals, sponsored by PECO, celebrate the music, food, traditions and artistry of communities from around the world. Thousands of visitors are expected to experience the Waterfront as a destination for culture, connection and community with six weekends of festivals hosted by local Philadelphia cultural organizations.
“Philadelphia's diversity is one of the city's greatest strengths, and the Waterfront is proud to be a place where communities can come together to celebrate tradition,” said Sarah Eberle, VP of Arts & Programming at the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. “These festivals create opportunities for people of all backgrounds to experience something new, connect with one another and celebrate the incredible cultural richness that exists across our region.”
For the August and September multicultural lineup, download the full release.
Delaware River Waterfront Corporation Presents America 250 Weekend, June 26 – 28, with Concert & Fireworks, Men in Blazers Match-Day Live, Public Art Exhibition of PrismaPhonik, and Cosmic Rhythms
Released June 12 2026
presents America 250 weekend on the Waterfront from Friday, June 26 to Sunday, June 28, with family-friendly activities, including one of Philadelphia’s most anticipated fireworks displays as part of Wawa Welcome America Festival 2026. In honor of the United States’ 250th Anniversary, DRWC-managed parks, including Cherry Street Pier, Spruce Street Harbor Park, and Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest will come alive for the weekend fun...
Delaware River Waterfront Corporation Opens Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest for 2026 Season, Anchoring Fun and Wellness on the Waterfront
Released May 11 2026
PHILADELPHIA (May 11, 2026) – The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (“DRWC”) will welcome the return of Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest for its 2026 Season, opening Friday, May 22, alongside Spruce Street Harbor Park. While Summerfest returns for the season with its signature roller skating in partnership with Independence Blue Cross, DRWC is expanding its wellness programming across its Waterfront parks, offering more opportunities for visitors to stay active through accessible outdoor experiences, including Wellness on the Waterfront: Yoga at Race Street Pier presented by Independence Blue Cross, Tai Chi at Spruce Street Harbor Park, and Fishing with Friends at Pier 68 in partnership with Riverways.
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Delaware River Waterfront Corporation Kicks Off Summer Season with Opening of Spruce Street Harbor Park and RiverRink Summerfest on May 22
Released April 2 2026
PHILADELPHIA (April 2, 2026) –The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (“DRWC”) invites visitors to kick off summer along the Delaware River with Spruce Street Harbor Park and Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest returning for the season on Friday, May 22 for Memorial Day Weekend.
This season, the Waterfront will debut brand-new “on-the-water” experiences at Spruce Street Harbor Park. Guests can pedal across the river on Chiliboats, glide beneath the stars on swan boat night rides, and take in skyline views from a floating double-decker barge, bringing visitors closer to the Delaware River than ever before.
Where Freedom Flows: A Public Art Series on the Delaware River Waterfront
Released March 10 2026
PHILADELPHIA (March 10, 2026) - As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (“DRWC”) announces Where Freedom Flows, a public art series transforming the Waterfront into a free, open-air gallery from summer through fall 2026.
Through a curated lineup of immersive exhibitions and installations at Cherry Street Pier, Spruce Street Harbor Park, and along the Delaware River, the Waterfront will become a gathering place for art, reflection, and dialogue. Rooted in Philadelphia’s history and shaped by contemporary artists from around the world, the series explores how freedom moves across water, across generations, and across communities, connecting stories of migration, creativity, resilience, and renewal.
Through art, sound, light, and storytelling, Where Freedom Flows reinforces the Waterfront’s position as an inclusive cultural destination, inviting residents and visitors alike to engage with the evolving story of freedom in Philadelphia and across the nation.
Download the full release below.
Philly Skates Free: Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Hosts Free Ice-Skating on January 31, Presented by Rivers Casino Philadelphia
Released January 21 2026
PHILADELPHIA (January 21, 2026) — Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC), the nonprofit steward of the beloved Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, today announced it will host Philly Skates Free presented by Rivers Casino Philadelphia on Saturday, January 31, 2026 from 11AM - 11PM. Kicking off America’s 250th Year with a birthday-themed celebration, Philly Skates Free invites the community to enjoy FREE skating admission and skate rentals, complimentary birthday cake while supplies last, half-off happy hour from 6PM - 10PM, and a lineup of fun festive surprises throughout the day.
“Philly Skates Free is about opening the Waterfront to everyone and creating a moment of joy that feels unmistakably Philadelphia,” said Joseph A. Forkin, president and CEO of the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation. “As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday all year long in Philadelphia, we’re proud to kick things off with a free, welcoming celebration that brings neighbors together on the ice.”
Visit PA New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront & Mummers Parade, Celebrating 125 years of Mummers Tradition, Set the Stage for Spectacular Start to 2026
Released November 6 2025
DRWC announced the return of Visit PA as the presenting sponsor of the Visit PA New Year's Eve Fireworks at 6 PM and midnight, promising bigger and brighter fireworks than ever before. This year, three firework barges will be strategically positioned along the Waterfront for both shows, providing spectacular, free viewing opportunities from multiple vantage points across the city. Additional ticketed festivities will further the fun at Cherry Street Pier and Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. To cue the fireworks, the National Liberty Museum will bring the younger “sibling” to the Liberty Bell – a fully operational replica cast from the same mold and foundry – to ring in the New Year.