Philly on a budget: Check out Penn’s Landing Winterfest before the season ends

The Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest at Penn’s Landing is winding down for the season, but there’s still be fun to be had. For more than a decade, the Instagrammable venue has welcomed the public to ice skate, cozy up to the fire pits, take a ride on the Ferris wheel, and enjoy carnival games, all in a family-friendly atmosphere overlooking the Delaware River — a total vibe.

It’s free to enter and enjoy the ambience while you walk along the river, but if you want to take advantage of all the fun amenities and activities, you’ll have to cough up a bit of dough. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to make a dollar stretch while visiting Winterfest until it closes for the season March 5.

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If you can avoid it, don’t drive. Parking along the Delaware River is limited, and the parking lot near Winterfest has a $20 flat daily rate. Try to find alternative transportation and you’ll be on your way to saving cash from the jump.

There are luxurious cabins and fire pits at Winterfest for couples or a group to rent for 90-minute periods. The fire pits cost $30 per 90 minutes, and the cabins cost $78 for a single cabin (eight people) or $125 for a wide cabin (12-15 people) per 90 minutes. Split between a large group, it’s not too bad of a price.

However, if you reserve online, you can get half-off cabin and fire pit rentals Monday through Wednesday with promo code HALFOFFWEEKNIGHTS2023.

Because Independence Blue Cross (IBX) operates Winterfest, IBX cardholders and employees can enjoy free skating admission (a $5 savings), plus three free tickets for friends, with proof of insurance or employee card. Members of the military and first responders can get the same deal with military or employee IDs.

Skate rentals aren’t included. You still have to pay $12, and if you need a locker to put your belongings in, it’s $1.

Starting Tuesday, Feb. 21, Winterfest will be offering a BOGO deal for skating admission every Tuesday until the end of the season. Buy one skating admission ticket, and you’ll get another one for free. This doesn’t include skate rentals.

On Feb. 22 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Winterfest will host College Night for current students, offering deals and discounts. This includes free skating admission and food and drink specials. When reserving an admission ticket online, use promo code: CAMPUSPHILLYNIGHTOUT2023

Food specials at Winterfest on College Night:

Drink specials at Winterfest on College Night:

Check out Winterfest’s Ferris wheel and carnival games where you can shoot hoops and water gun race your friends for prizes for around $5 to $10 a pop, depending on the attraction. Ferris wheel rides are $5. Even if you don’t go ice skating, you can still grab a cheap drink, share an appetizer with friends, and have carnival fun all without breaking the bank.