UPDATE: Tonight’s preview party has been postponed until Tuesday, November 25, 8:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Tonight, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., the Blue Cross RiverRink will be throwing a preview party for select guests to celebrate the opening of their annual Winterfest – officially open to the public on Friday, November 28.
This cozy cold weather haven offers guests a winter garden and forest made of shipping containers, hundreds of holiday trees and shrubs, woodchips, rustic furniture, market lights, fire pits and much more. New this year are original fire place mantels from The Divine Lorraine Hotel – one of Philly’s beautiful, yet creepy landmarks – that was built between 1892 and 1894 and originally functioned as apartments, housing some of Philadelphia’s wealthy residents.
The Lodge, which is the center of the Winterfest, will be housed within a newly revamped indoor space consisting of two cozy, ski chalet-style heated tents with comfy couches, indoor fireplaces, rustic decorations, and a wraparound porch complete with rockers and heat lamps. Garces Events and their Executive Chef, Adam DeLosso, will bring a winter menu reflective of Chef Jose Garces’ vision for the Blue Anchor, a collaboration which was hugely successful at Spruce Street Harbor Park. The Lodge will also have a bar serving local craft beers and cocktails, and a variety of spiked hot drinks.
The holiday experience would not be complete without a place to buy gifts for family and friends. Art Star will be transforming a 40ft shipping container within the Lodge into their second retail location this holiday season. Shoppers can expect a smaller version of the popular Northern Liberties boutique filled to the brim with a curated selection of gifts handmade by artists from across the country. Visitors can find unique and finely crafted gifts for everyone on their list. The Lodge also features numerous arcade games and oversized games both for rent at a minimal fee or for FREE. With numerous entertainment options, making a trip down to the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest becomes an affordable and fun family outing.
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest will also be home to a brand new light show, featuring the dancing lights from Spruce Street Harbor Park, reset and coordinated with thousands of other lights throughout the site. Playing two shows on the hour and half hour starting at dusk, this musically-synced light show will feature a festive mash-up of color and lights that will bathe the entire site. A surprise, magical ending can be expected at the end of every show.
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