Top Winter Activities in Philadelphia
January 6, 2023
There are plenty of fun things to do in Philadelphia during the colder months.
Consider this your guide to winter events, activities, and attractions throughout the city for the 2022-2023 season.
Winter at Dilworth Park
Winter at Dilworth Park. Photo by M. Stanley for Center City District.
Celebrate the season at Winter at Dilworth Park, featuring popular winter attractions including the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink and Wintergarden. Lace up your skates and hit the rink for a 90-minute skating session right next to City Hall. Then, kick back and relax in the Wintergarden, a whimsical outdoor sanctuary complete with rustic décor.
Dates: November 1, 2022 – February 26, 2023
Neighborhood: Center City
Address: Dilworth Park, 1 S 15th St. (West Side of City Hall)
Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink and Cabin
Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink at Dilworth Park. Photo by M. Stanley, Center City District.
The other of two seasonal ice rinks in Philadelphia, the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink is a fun experience for the whole family. Next door is the rink’s accompanying Cabin with décor that evokes cozy ski chalet vibes. Inside visitors can warm up, refuel, and recharge with a menu of seasonal food and drink items for all ages alongside a selection of beer and cocktails for adults.
Dates: November 4, 2022 – February 26, 2023
Neighborhood: Center City
Address: Dilworth Park, 1 S 15th St. (West Side of City Hall)
Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn
Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn at Dilworth Park. Photo by M. Stanley for Center City District.
Center City may be the heart of holiday shopping hustle and bustle, but it also has one of the best spots to shed the winter stress. Surround yourself with topiaries and twinkling lights in the Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn. To get into the holiday spirit, visitors can also purchase mulled wine from the Chaddsford Winery kiosk.
Dates: November 1, 2022 – March 26, 2023
Neighborhood: Center City
Address: Dilworth Park, 1 S 15th St. (West Side of City Hall)
Winter in Franklin Square
Winter in Franklin Square. Photo by J. Fusco for Historic Philadelphia, Inc.
Historic Franklin Square will be transformed into a whimsical winter destination, complete with a festive Chilly Philly Mini Golf course, charming carousel, and the popular Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show. For those extra cold nights, guests can rest and warm up at Franklin’s Winter View operated by Cescaphe, where they can enjoy seasonal comfort food, local craft beer and hot beverages at outdoor fire pits or inside a heated tent.
Dates: November 16, 2022 – February 26, 2023
Neighborhood: Old City
Address: Franklin Square, 6th & Race Streets
Chilly Philly Mini Golf
Chilly Philly Mini Golf. Photo by J. Fusco for Historic Philadelphia, Inc.
Bundle up and putt your way through 18 festive holes of Chilly Philly Mini Golf in Franklin Square. The course features miniature versions of Philadelphia landmarks including The Liberty Bell, The Rocky Steps, and the Ben Franklin Bridge. The only outdoor miniature golf course in Center City, this activity is ideal for anyone looking for some festive winter fun.
Dates: November 16, 2022 – January 29, 2023
Neighborhood: Old City
Address: Franklin Square, 6th & Race Streets
Electrical Spectacle Light Show
The Electrical Spectacle Light Show in Franklin Square. Photo by J. Fusco for Historic Philadelphia, Inc.
The Electrical Spectacle Light Show in Franklin Square features more than 200,000 lights that glow, twinkle, and dance along to a playlist of holiday favorites each evening. Inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s electric discovery with a giant kite and key, this outdoor nighttime show is centered around the historic Franklin Square Fountain.
Dates: November 16, 2022 – February 26, 2023
Neighborhood: Old City
Address: Franklin Square, 6th & Race Streets
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
Blue Cross Riverrink Winterfest. Photo by M. Stanley.
Relax by the fire, sip hot cocoa, and ice skate beside the Delaware River for the annual Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. The seasonal pop-up festival returns to the Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing along the Delaware River for more winter fun. Visitors are invited to rent skates and ice skate in the massive riverside rink, relax in a cozy cabin, warm up by the fire pits, and refuel inside The Lodge, which serves seasonal food and drink options from local vendors.
Dates: November 25, 2022 – March 5, 2023
Neighborhood: Old City
Address: Penn’s Landing, 101 South Columbus Blvd.
Army-Navy Game presented by USAA
Army-Navy Game presented by USAA. Photo by A. Sinagoga for PHLCVB.
The Army-Navy Game presented by USAA returns to Philadelphia on December 10, 2022. The cadets from West Point and the midshipmen from Annapolis – the ultimate college rivalry — square off in “America’s Game” at Lincoln Financial Field. The Army-Navy Game presented by USAA has a long history of coming to Philadelphia, which has hosted 89 of the past 122 games. Can’t get tickets to the game? Enjoy the game at one of the city’s sports bars instead.
Date: December 10, 2022
Neighborhood: South Philadelphia
Address: Lincoln Financial Field, One Lincoln Financial Field Way
“Disney100: The Exhibition”
The official exhibition poster for ‘Disney100: The Exhibition.’ Poster courtesy of The Franklin Institute.
Get ready for “Disney100: The Exhibition,” a world premiere anniversary exhibition celebrating 100 years of the Walt Disney Company. More than 250 rarely seen original artworks and artifacts, costumes and props, and other memorabilia will be on display at The Franklin Institute. Using innovation and immersive technology, guests will go behind-the-scenes into the creation of some of Disney’s most popular characters, films, shows, and attractions.
Date: Opening February 18, 2023
Neighborhood: Center City
Address: The Franklin Institute, 222 N 20th St.
Live Winter Shows
The First North American Tour Company of COME FROM AWAY | Photo by Matthew Murphy (2018).
Philadelphia’s performing arts organizations will showcase extraordinary talent throughout the season with live shows, including the classic fairytale Cinderella at Walnut Street Theatre – America’s oldest theatre. The Kimmel Cultural Campus’ Broadway Series includes the following shows: Jagged Little Pill, A Soldier’s Play, Come From Away, and 1776.
Otherworld Philly
Bamboo forest. Rendering courtesy of Otherworld Philly.
Enter a mixed reality playground packed with large-scale immersive art at Otherworld Philly. This unique concept will feature 55 installations from 100 artists with enhanced production and interactivity spread throughout a 40,000 square foot space. Even when it’s freezing outside, Otherworld is bound to be the coolest spot in Philadelphia this winter.
Date: Expected to open this winter
Neighborhood: Northeast Philadelphia
Address: 2500 Grant Ave.
Chestnut Hill on Ice
Chestnut Hill on Ice Day. Photo courtesy of Chestnut Hill Visitor’s Center.
The popular winter festival Chestnut Hill on Ice returns with live ice carving demonstrations and unique ice-themed activities for all ages. World-renowned ice sculptor Peter Slavin and his team from Ice Sculpture Philly are set to wow the crowd as they skillfully turn blocks of ice into art. Nearby restaurants and shops will be offering cozy comforts including chili and hot drinks to help those in attendance keep warm. Guests can also enjoy live music and order ice-cold locally-brewed beers and wines from an ice bar, carved entirely out of ice. The two-day event is free to attend with pay-as-you-go activities.
Date: January 27 & 28, 2023
Neighborhood: Chestnut Hill
Address: Along Germantown Avenue, between Rex Avenue and Willow Grove Avenue
Philadelphia Auto Show
Philly Auto Show at Pennsylvania Convention Center. Photo by K. Huff for PHLCVB.
Check out hundreds of vehicles from pre-production models to classics (plus some Hollywood icons) all under one roof. One of the city’s annual events, the Philadelphia Auto Show showcases the latest models and trends in the industry. Organized and produced by the Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia, the annual Philadelphia Auto Show is one of the largest auto shows in the United States. It is also the largest consumer event held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center each year, drawing more than 250,000 guests.
Date: January 28 – February 5, 2023
Neighborhood: Convention Center District
Address: Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch St.
