Penn’s Landing skating costs $5 admission plus $12 rental; sessions last up to 90 minutes and can sell out.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
A winter skate at Penn’s Landing is inexpensive once the bill is split correctly: Penn’s Landing ice skating tickets cover timed rink entry, while skate rental costs extra. The rink is the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink at Winterfest, set at 101 South Columbus Boulevard on Philadelphia’s Delaware River Waterfront.
Winterfest itself is free to enter, so non-skaters can walk in, eat, ride, or meet skaters after a session without buying rink admission. Skaters should reserve a time when sales are live, since the rink uses timed entry and popular weekend or holiday sessions can fill before walk-up visitors arrive.
When timed skating inventory is available, compare ticket options here before you build the rest of the night:
RiverRink Ice Skating At Penn’s Landing: What The Ticket Gets You
RiverRink skating admission gets one person into a timed skating session at the outdoor rink inside Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. The posted skate session limit is 90 minutes, and the rink closes 30 minutes before the park closes.
The ticket does not automatically include rental skates. Visitors with their own skates still pay admission, while visitors who need skates add the rental charge. Skate rental sizes are posted as toddler 8 to 13, kids 1 to 4, and adult 5 to 14, which covers most casual skaters but not every shoe size.
The practical choice is simple:
- Bring your own skates if you already have a safe, sharpened pair.
- Add rentals if you are visiting from out of town or do not skate often.
- Choose earlier sessions for young kids, since late holiday slots can feel crowded and cold.
- Pick a weekday if your main goal is relaxed skating rather than the full holiday scene.
How Much Do Penn’s Landing Skating Tickets Cost?
Penn’s Landing skating pricing is low for the rink entry, but the real per-person cost depends on rentals and add-ons. A typical adult without skates pays $17 before any other food, rides, games, or locker use.
The official RiverRink ticket page was marked closed for the season at the latest check, so treat these as the most recent posted skating prices and confirm the reopened season page before paying.
| Ticket Or Add-On | What It Covers | Most Recent Posted Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skate Admission | Timed rink entry for one skater | $5 |
| Skate Rental | Rental skates for one session | $12 |
| Own-Skate Visit | Admission only, no rental needed | $5 |
| IBX Member Admission | Up to four skate admission tickets with proof of eligible card | $0 admission; rental extra |
| First Responder Admission | Free skate admission for the first responder and three guests with ID | $0 admission; rental extra |
| Group Skating, 15 To 50 | Posted group skating rate | $14 per person |
| Group Skating, 51 Or More | Posted group skating rate | $13 per person |
| Group Skating, 100 Or More | Posted group skating rate | $12 per person |
| Kid Skate Helper | Support helper for a child’s session, limited supply | $5 per session |
| Locker | Small on-site storage during a visit | $1 |
Do You Need To Buy RiverRink Tickets In Advance?
RiverRink tickets are not always sold out, but advance reservations are the safer move for Friday nights, weekends, school breaks, and holiday dates. The rink limits skating ticket inventory and uses staggered timed entry.
The official RiverRink ice skating tickets page lists $5 admission, $12 skate rental, 90-minute maximum sessions, timed entry, and the latest posted discount rules. That official page should be the final price check before you leave home.
Ticket exchanges are handled through ShowClix when an exchange is allowed, but the replacement ticket must match the value and quantity of the original purchase. That makes it better to choose the right date the first time rather than treating the order as flexible.
Planning note: Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest’s last announced season ran from November 28, 2025, through March 1, 2026. The next winter season may use new dates or pricing once sales reopen.
Picking A Time Slot Without Wasting Money
The right RiverRink time slot depends on whether skating, food, photos, or waterfront atmosphere matters most. Daytime slots are easier for kids and new skaters; evening slots feel more festive but sell faster.
Families should aim for late morning or early afternoon. Kids have more energy, the cold feels less sharp, and the rink is easier to manage before dinner crowds arrive.
Couples and friend groups usually get the best night out from an early evening session. That timing leaves room for food, fire pits, cabins, or a walk along the Delaware River before the temperature drops too far.
Visitors coming from outside Philadelphia should not cut arrival close. Penn’s Landing construction can create detours, traffic, and limited parking, so public transit, rideshare, walking, or biking on the Delaware River Trail may be less stressful than searching for a nearby spot at the last minute.
Where To Stay Near Penn’s Landing
Philadelphia is the right base for RiverRink skating, especially if you want to pair the rink with Old City, Independence Hall, or a restaurant night. Staying near Old City or the waterfront keeps the transfer short and avoids a late drive after skating.
Visitors who care most about historic sights should look around Old City. Visitors who want a broader restaurant and nightlife base can stay closer to Center City, then use rideshare or transit to reach Penn’s Landing.
For a winter weekend, compare hotels near the waterfront and Old City before choosing a timed skate slot:
The Right Penn’s Landing Ticket For Each Visitor
The safest Penn’s Landing ticket choice is a timed skating admission bought in advance, with rental skates added only if you need them. Visitors who qualify for a free admission discount should still budget for rentals, food, rides, games, and transportation.
- Most casual skaters: buy $5 admission online and add the $12 rental if needed.
- Visitors with their own skates: pay admission only, then bring a pair that is safe for outdoor rink use.
- IBX cardholders: bring the eligible card and photo ID, since free admission is handled with proof and does not include rental.
- First responders: bring ID and ask about the in-person admission discount before paying for a full group.
- Large groups: contact RiverRink before the visit, since the posted per-person group rates drop at 15, 51, and 100 skaters.
- Parents with new skaters: plan for a $5 kid skate helper if one is available, and choose a less crowded session.
The cleanest plan is to reserve the skate session first, then build food, rides, parking, and hotel timing around it. RiverRink is free to enter, but the skating clock starts with the timed session, and the best value comes from arriving early enough to use every minute on the ice.
References & Sources
- Delaware River Waterfront Corporation.“Ice Skating Tickets.”Lists RiverRink skate admission, rental pricing, timed-entry rules, session length, discounts, and add-on costs.