Thanksgiving Who? Dilworth Park’s Skating Rink and Holiday Market Open This Week
Dilworth unveils its ice-skating rink, Wintergarden maze, holiday market, and more plans for November.
Skating at Dilworth Park / Photograph courtesy of Center City District
Now that Halloween is over, holiday season is apparently fair game. And if you’re looking to get festive early, Dilworth Park is on it. They’re opening their skating rink this week — and holiday markets are coming as well. Here’s what to expect.
Over the weekend, Dilworth began its transformation into a winter wonderland with its annual Wintergarden. This open-air labyrinth of lights, animal topiaries and rustic decor is perfect for photo ops. Look for a Chaddsford Winery kiosk in the garden selling mulled wine. (Pro-tip: Mix the red and white together for an off-menu “215.” Thank me later.)
Dilworth’s Wintergarden / Photograph by J. Fusco for Visit Philadelphia
This Friday, November 14th, the rest of Dilworth gets activated with the opening of Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink and Cabin.
Skating
The rink will be open daily (including on Thanksgiving and Christmas) through February 22, 2026. Skating sessions are available in 90-minute timeslots online. You can take your chances with walk-up ticket sales, but for weekends, especially, advance online reservations are your best bet. Admission is $7 for children 10 and younger, and $10 for ages 11 and up; skate rentals are an additional $10 per person, but you can bring your own skates to avoid that rental fee.
Temple University staff and students can show their IDs for $1 off ice-skating admission. But never mind that, Temple students, because on Thursday nights all college students with a valid student ID can pay just $3 for admission!
Rothman Rink at Dilworth Park opens for the holidays. / Photograph by Jeff Fusco
There are also adorable penguin skate aids you can rent for $10 an hour. The website says they are for children ages 10 and under, but I have been known to “share” with my daughter. You can also rent an on-site locker for $8 (or just throw your shoes under a bench and hope for the best). Lockers and skate aids can be reserved online or in-person.
Beginning January 5, 2026, children and adults with disabilities can reserve a sled for skating. One adult accompanying the person using the sled will get free admission and skate rental, as well. To reserve a sled, email here.
The Cabin
Fire pits at Dilworth Park for the holidays / Photograph courtesy of Center City District
The Cabin will return with comfort foods (think tomato soup and grilled cheese), warm beverages, and cocktails. Alcohol is served beginning at 5 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on weekends. Beginning November 17th, they will have happy hour specials Mondays through Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. You can also take your food and drinks outside to enjoy around the fire pits.
Starting on January 7th, there will be weekly trivia in the Cabin on Wednesday nights.
Holiday Shopping at Dilworth Park (and Beyond)
Shopping at the Made in Philadelphia holiday market in Dilworth Park / Photograph courtesy of Made in Philadelphia
The same day that Rothman Rink opens (November 14th), Dilworth rounds out the seasonal cheer with the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market. A local counterpart to Christmas Village, this market focuses only on Philly-made gifts, from jewelry to artwork to candles, and usually lots of fun Philly sports items.
More than 40 local vendors are participating in this year’s Made in Philadelphia market. It will be open daily from noon to 8 p.m. (till 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays) through January 1st. They’ll even be open on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve.
Yes, the Philly Tarot Deck is returning to the Made in Philadelphia holiday market. / Photograph courtesy of Made in Philadelphia
Looking ahead, Christmas Village will have its preview weekend on November 22nd and 23rd, then open for the season on Thanksgiving and run through Christmas Eve. The holiday market will take over LOVE Park, as well as the north apron and courtyard of City Hall. It will feature 120 vendors from around the world, plus European-inspired food including bratwurst, raclette cheese, and (even more) mulled wine. Head to City Hall for the rides like the double-decker carousel in the courtyard and the Ferris wheel and kiddie train on the north side near the Christmas tree. New for this year, there will also be a 30-foot-tall wooden German Christmas pyramid at the center of LOVE Park.
Returning to Christmas Village this year is also the Festival of Trees at the LOVE Park Welcome Center. This year’s celebration will feature two dozen beautifully decorated trees, all in support of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
But wait, there’s more Christmas Village excitement: They’ll also be taking it indoors this year. The makers of Christmas Village are launching a brand-new indoor market inside the Wanamaker Building, right alongside the holiday Light Show, to make it just a little more festive. There will be 30 vendors in there, and it’s a perfect opportunity to knock out some of your shopping list while you wait for the show to begin.
Save the Date
For those who don’t like to start the holiday season early, City Hall is waiting till after Thanksgiving to light their massive tree: You can attend the City of Philadelphia’s tree lighting on Thursday, December 4th at 6 p.m. Entertainment will include R&B singer Ashanti, along with performances by the Philadelphia Girls Choir, Laurin Talese, and iHeartRadio’s DJ Nico. And they’re also planning a “Candy Cane Lane” activation with crafts, light-up giveaways, a photobooth hosted by PHL, and the chance to win prizes (including tickets to the Philadelphia Zoo’s LumiNature and new Ferris wheel!).
On December 13th and 20th, stop by Rothman Rink for Breakfast With Santa, where Saint Nick will enjoy breakfast in the Cabin and then skate with kids. These events are ticketed, and you can reserve your spot here.
