The Blue Cross RiverRink’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Will Feature Live Music by Ryan Coleman, Bianca Ryan, & Alex Moreno
The holiday season officially begins on the Philadelphia Waterfront as the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Powered by PECO returns on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. This free, family-friendly celebration invites guests from across the region to ring in the season with dazzling lights, festive entertainment, and the cherished moment when the Waterfront’s iconic holiday tree comes to life.
A beloved Philadelphia tradition, the Holiday Tree Lighting transforms Winterfest into a lively gathering filled with music, community, and holiday spirit. This year’s event will feature performances by Ryan Coleman from The Voice, Bianca Ryan, the inaugural winner of America’s Got Talent, and Alex Moreno, a celebrated Philadelphia vocalist known for his dynamic stage presence. The evening will be hosted by Jay the Gentleman of Wooder Ice Media, welcoming guests as they count down to the official start of the holiday season.
Families and friends are encouraged to bundle up and enjoy an evening filled with lights and joy as the tree illuminates the night sky—a moment designed to kick off the festive weeks leading up to an epic New Year’s Eve on the Waterfront that will feature the Visit PA New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront that will ignite the sky with not one, but three firework barges, for the biggest show ever heading into 2026.
In addition to the tree lighting ceremony, guests are invited to explore everything Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest has to offer. Visitors can warm up in a heated cabin, relax by a fire pit, or enjoy classic boardwalk-style rides and games. Seasonal food and beverages are available, along with the chance to skate beneath the holiday lights on the NHL-sized ice rink—one of the most iconic winter experiences in the city.
Winterfest will be open November 28, through March 1, 2026, operating seven days a week, including holidays unless otherwise noted. Skate admission is $5, with skate rentals available for $12. Guests are encouraged to reserve skating sessions early, as they often sell out.
