Change of Season in Center City District Parks

Outdoor entertainment, a roller rink and more for visitors of all ages!

PHILADELPHIA (February 28, 2022): With the end of winter less than a month away, Center City District (CCD) is planning for continuous outdoor entertainment with spring events and attractions in Dilworth Park, Sister Cities Park and Cret Park. The Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink and Cabin are now closed for the season, but the Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn presented by TD Bank will remain open through April 3 with weekly programming for families.

The fountains at Dilworth Park, Sister Cities Park and John F. Collins Park will all be turned on Friday, April 1, and the pond at Sister Cities Park will reopen on Friday, April 29. Thirty-four thousand tulip bulbs planted last December in all four CCD-managed parks will begin to bloom in April and will flourish through Mother’s Day.

Dilworth Park’s Air Grille beer garden will reopen on Friday, April 22. Fresh and delicious menu items will be offered, including roller rink-inspired snacks. Adults 21 and older can enjoy refreshing local beers and cocktails made with Jim Beam Orange and Suntory Haku Vodka. The Sister Cities Café will reopen in early April.

Also on Friday, April 22, the Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink will return and will remain open through July 17. The colorful, retro-inspired rink will bring old-school cool to the space outside of historic City Hall with a vibrant checkboard floor and an overhead installation of multi-colored beach balls, which was designed and fabricated by Philadelphia’s Lucky Dog Studio. Admission will be $8 for children 10 and younger and $10 for adults. Skate rental is $5. Everyone is encouraged to reserve tickets online for timed, 60-minute sessions at rothmanrink.ticketsocket.com.

On April 30, the Summer Garden on the Greenfield Lawn will reopen with colorful swings and lush foliage, after the Wintergarden is removed and the lawn replenished.

Center City District and all park food operations follow the City of Philadelphia’s current health safety guidelines. Visit p hila.gov to learn more.

Spring programming at Dilworth Park, Sister Cities Park and Cret Park is listed below and can be found at centercityphila.org/parks/events. The schedule includes:

Dilworth Park:

Storytime in the Wintergarden
Tuesdays, March 1-March 29
11 a.m.-noon

Families with young children are invited to join the Free Library of Philadelphia for stories, songs and movement. Topiaries, woodland décor and plenty of open space make this the perfect spot to learn and play with friends.

Family Saturdays
Saturdays, March 5-April 2
11 a.m.-noon

Stop by the Wintergarden for kid-friendly entertainment the whole family can enjoy! Programs include:

March 5: Bubble Magic
March 12: Music Play Patrol
March 19: Mlanjeni Magical Theater
March 26: Geography Lady
April 2: Circus Arts

Special thanks to TD Bank and the Albert M. Greenfield Foundation for supporting the Wintergarden. TD is proud to support the Wintergarden to create a greener and more beautiful Center City. These exciting initiatives promote an inclusive, connected community and nurture a vibrant planet.

Center City Fit presented by Rothman Orthopaedics
Mondays & Tuesdays, April 18-October 11
6 p.m.-7 p.m.

Get ready to get moving with professional instructors and trainers from Optimal Sport 1315 Walnut. Twice a week, they will host free outdoor fitness classes for participants of all skill levels. Monday evenings will be dedicated to Zumba, and Tuesdays in April will focus on Boot Camp before transitioning to Cardio Boxing in May.

Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink
Daily, April 22-July 17

Skate at one of Philadelphia’s brightest outdoor destinations! This colorful, retro-inspired rink brings old-school cool to the space outside of historic City Hall. Purchase tickets online ahead of time at rothmanrink.ticketsocket.com.

Rothman Roller Rink Grand Opening
Friday, April 22
11:30 a.m.

Be the first to experience the city’s premier roller rink on opening day! Local skate troupe, Great on Skates, will keep the energy high as they perform following a ribbon-cutting ceremony, complete with rainbow streamers and photo-worthy décor. The first skate session will begin at 12:15 p.m. Reserve tickets ahead of time at rothmanrink.ticketsocket.com.

Rothman Roller Rink Opening Night ft. Great on Skates
Friday, April 22
6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Stop by on opening night to celebrate with the best skaters in Philly! Great on Skates members will be hanging out on the rink to lead informal dance lessons and activities while boogying to the beat! DJ Beezy will join the group, spinning classic roller rink tunes to keep the party going. Reserve your tickets now at rothmanrink.ticketsocket.com.

Matinee Skate
Mondays & Tuesdays, April 25-July 12
11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Early bird gets to skate! Patrons of all ages will receive $5 off during select morning and afternoon sessions at the Rothman Orthoapedics Roller Rink.

Rewind at the Rink
Wednesdays, April 27-May 25
7 p.m.-9 p.m.

Lace up your skates and get ready to roll back in time as live DJs spin throwback tunes from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s! Nostalgic backyard games will be set up for people to play at their leisure, and adults 21 and over can enjoy delicious food and beverage options at the Air Grille beer garden, including Jim Beam Orange cocktails and ice cold beer. A valid Rothman Roller Rink ticket is required to skate during the time of the event.

Philadelphia Marketplace
Fridays & Saturdays, May 6-October 1
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

A rotating lineup of Center City and citywide retailers, along with local small businesses and makers, pop-up weekly with a variety of offerings for all tastes. Guests can support these vendors at their leisure while wandering through the park.

Wizards and Witches Skate
Saturday, May 14
1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.

Trade your broomstick for roller skates while enjoying an afternoon of magic and merriment! Interactive entertainment, crafts and more are planned for visitors of all ages. Costumes are encouraged!

Arts on Center Stage
Thursdays, May 19-August 25
6 p.m.-7 p.m.

Philadelphia’s robust network of arts & culture organizations will be celebrated every week as they perform in the center of the city. Supported by PNC Bank, the shows will range from orchestral serenades and ballet ensembles to jazz instrumentals and beyond. Attendance is free for all, but seating in the Greenfield Lawn is limited. Bring-your-own blanket or chair encouraged.

Sister Cities Park:

Parkway Pals Play Day
Saturday, May 7
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Get ready for the upcoming Parkway Pals season by joining friends and neighbors for an afternoon of laughter and learning! Kids and their families are invited to head outside for a full day of play, including interactive performances, live book readings, character meet-and-greets and more. Attendance is free for everyone.

Cret Park:

Jazz on the Parkway
Sundays, April 3-April 24
4 p.m.-6 p.m.

Relax to the rhythm of jazz tunes on Sunday afternoons at Capriccio Café and Bar! To celebrate April’s Jazz Appreciation Month, local jazz group Vibe-A-Delphia will perform as you sip your favorite cocktail under the café’s shaded outdoor patio. Additional seating for non-café customers is available on the lawn areas of the park. These performances are supported with funds from the Music Performance Trust Fund, American Federation of Musicians, and Local 77.

All programs are weather permitting and subject to change. Dilworth Park is located at 1 S. 15th St., on the west side of City Hall. Sister Cities Park is located at 18th St. & the Benjamin Franklin Pkwy. Cret Park is located at 16th St & the Benjamin Franklin Pkwy (110 N 16th St). Visit centercityphila.org/parks to learn more.

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The Center City District, a private-sector organization dedicated to making Center City Philadelphia clean, safe and attractive, is committed to maintaining Center City’s competitive edge as a regional employment center, a quality place to live, and a premier regional destination for dining, shopping and cultural attractions. Find us at www.centercityphila.org and on Facebook and Twitter.