A Winter Wonderland at Penn’s Landing

The freshly smoothed ice of the BlueCross RiverRink awaits a new group of skaters.

“Walking in a Winter Wonderderland,” a familiar song from a popular Christmas carol, accurately describes the feeling you instantly get when you enter Winterfest at Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia. You are immediately transported into an old-fashioned Christmas village where the sights and sounds will remind you of a rustic resort in the Alps. As you stroll around the grounds, you’ll discover many festive attractions, the main attraction being the Blue Cross RiverRink, which is situated alongside the Delaware River. Whether you are interested in lacing up a pair of skates to hit the ice or simply lounge by an open fire to socialize with some friends, there is plenty to see and do at Winterfest.

As you enter the front gate, the first thing you see is an enormous Christmas tree covered in twinkling bright lights and adorned with glittering ornaments. The smoky smell from the many burning fire pits fills the air where groups of people enjoy roasting marshmallows for their s’mores. Holiday music plays from the speakers and can be heard throughout the entire area adding to the festive atmosphere. Visitors have several options to quench their thirst and grab a bite to eat while at Winterfest. The Lodge is a huge tent structure the provides indoor comfort for people to get away from the chilly night air. There are lots of places to sit inside The Lodge and enjoy some refreshments from the several eateries as well as the bar. Christmas themed movies like “A Christmas Story” play on the large screens located on either side of the structure.       

Once you are finished your break at The Lodge, you can step back outside to explore all of the other attractions Winterfest has to offer, such as the Blue Cross RiverRink, a place where both experienced and beginners can skate around the Olympic sized ice rink. Spectators can watch and cheer the skaters on as they wander around the perimeter of the rink. One standout skater was a young five-year old boy whose parents said that they were amazed by his natural abilities and immediately scheduled him for skating lessons. He easily navigated his way around the crowded ice between people twice his size. On the other hand, there were many shaky and inexperienced skaters who wobbled around the rink, at times board-hugging in hopes of not falling on the ice. A group of young girls who were first time skaters admitted that they thought skating would be a lot easier than it really is. The girls were having lots of fun despite the difficulties they were having trying to remain standing. “We’ll definitely be back” said one of the girls as they worked their way to the rink exit. Winterfest is definitely a must see for those who want to experience the charm of a Christmas village setting, and you don’t have to go all the way to the North Pole to enjoy it!