Contact:  
JoAnn Loviglio
T 215.440.5546
jloviglio@centercityphila.org
pr@centercityphila.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

Rothman Roller Rink, arts & culture and more coming this spring

PHILADELPHIA (April 2, 2024): Center City District (CCD) is welcoming the arrival of spring with outdoor activities in Dilworth Park, Sister Cities Park and Cret Park, including the return of the Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink on Friday, April 19.  

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the rink will be held in Dilworth Park on opening day at 11:30 a.m. Representatives from CCD, Rothman Orthopaedics and the City of Philadelphia will provide remarks following a roller dance performance from local skate troupe Great on Skates and a roller derby demonstration from Philly Roller Derby. After the ribbon is cut, a shower of rainbow streamers will mark the official start of the skating season.

The colorful, retro-inspired rink will feature a vibrant checkboard floor and an overhead art installation of multicolored fabric, which was created by Philadelphia-based Lucky Dog Studio.

Admission will be $8 for children 10 and younger and $10 for adults. Skate rental is $6. The rink will be open daily through June 30 on Sundays through Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. and on Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.  On Mondays and Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Matinee Skate will offer $5 off admission to guests of all ages. Advance tickets can be purchased online at rothmanrink.ticketsocket.com.

Dilworth Park’s Air Grille Garden will also reopen on April 19 with a menu of roller rink-inspired snacks. At the bar, cocktails made with Haku® Vodka and Tres Generaciones® Tequila will be available for adults 21 and older.

Center City Fit presented by Rothman Orthopaedics will return to Dilworth Park on Tuesday, April 23 with free weekly fitness classes for guests of all skill levels. Themes will change through the season, with Zumba classes kicking things off in April and May.

The Philadelphia Marketplace will bring a rotating lineup of local small businesses to Dilworth Park on Fridays and Saturdays beginning on May 3 with 47% of vendors being minority-owned businesses and 76% women-owned.

Dilworth Park’s premier arts and culture series, Arts on Center Stage, returns on May 23 with a diverse lineup of entertainment ranging from orchestral serenades and ballet ensembles to jazz instruments and more.

Parkway Pals Play Day at Sister Cities Park will return on Saturday, May 18 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with free activities for children. This all-day celebration of laughter and learning is the official kick-off event for Parkway Pals, a summertime educational series that brings nearby cultural institutions outdoors for kid-friendly programming. 

Jazz on the Parkway returns to Cret Park on Sunday afternoons beginning on May 12. Local jazz ensemble Vibe-A-Delphia will perform free concerts for guests of Capriccio Café and Bar.

“There’s something for everyone in Center City District parks,” said Prema Katari Gupta, President & CEO of the Center City District. “Whether you like roller skating, supporting small businesses in our Marketplace, or catching up with friends over cocktails after work, you can do it in Center City and in our parks. We are proud to manage four incredible parks that offer unique experiences to visitors, including free events for all ages.”

The full list of events is below and can also be found at centercityphila.org: 

Dilworth Park:

Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink Grand Opening 
Friday, April 19
11:30 a.m. 

 The city’s coolest roller rink is back! A performance by local skate troupe Great on Skates will precede a ribbon-cutting ceremony complete with rainbow streamers and photo-worthy décor. The first skating session will begin at 12:15 p.m. Advance tickets are available at rothmanrink.ticketsocket.com.

 Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink  
Daily, April 19-June 30
Roller skating returns to bring old-school cool to visitors of all ages at Dilworth Park! The roller rink features a retro checkerboard floor and a one-of-a-kind overhead art installation. Special events will be happening all season long. Advance tickets are available at rothmanrink.ticketsocket.com. 

Center City Fit presented by Rothman Orthopaedics
Tuesdays, April 23-October 1
6 p.m.-7 p.m.  
Keep it movin’ with professional trainers from City Fitness! Every week, participants of all skill levels are invited to join free outdoor workouts in the heart of Center City. Classes will change throughout the season, with Zumba kicking things off in April and May.  

Matinee Skate  
Mondays & Tuesdays, April 22-June 25
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 Orthopaedics Roller Rink. 

Philadelphia Marketplace  
Fridays & Saturdays, May 3- June 29
12 p.m.-6 p.m.

A rotating lineup of local small businesses and makers pop-up weekly. Shop for jewelry, skincare, art, home goods, stationery, specialty foods and other handmade goods and gifts. Visit dilworthpark.org for the full list of vendors.

Arts on Center Stage
Thursdays, May 23- August 29
6 p.m.-7 p.m.

Philadelphia’s robust network of arts and culture organizations will be celebrated every week as they perform in the center of the city. The performances will range from orchestral serenades and ballet ensembles to jazz instrumentals and more. 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 18
11 a.m.-2 p.m.  
Get ready for the upcoming Parkway Pals season with 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, May 12-July 28
4 p.m.-6 p.m.  
Relax with a cocktail under Café Cret’s shaded outdoor patio and enjoy local jazz ensemble Vibe-A-Delphia. Capriccio Café and Bar offers a selection of coffee beverages, cocktails and craft beers, along with freshly made soups, salads and sandwiches. Additional lawn seating is available for non-café customers. 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 Street, on the west side of City Hall. Sister Cities Park is located at 18th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Cret Park is located at 16th Street & the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (110 N. 16th Street). Visit ccdparks.org 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.