Dilworth Park’s Roller Rink Returns for Spring
Roller skate outside City Hall starting this Friday, plus more springtime fun at Dilworth.
Dilworth Park’s new retro-style Rothman roller skating rink installation underway for the 2025 season / Photograph by Laura Swartz
Get ready to head back to Dilworth Park for a season of throwback vibes and roller-skating fun. The Rothman Orthopaedics Roller Rink is set to return this Friday, April 25th and will run through June 29th. The rink is getting ready, reprising its old-school checkerboard floor and bright, retro-style decor. Lucky Dog Studio is again responsible for the design, installing multi-colored streamers overhead.
Even more news: The sprayground is already turned on! While much of it will be covered by the roller rink, the popular, interactive fountain will remain active on either side for days little ones need to beat the heat.
In addition to the recreational features, Dilworth’s Air Grille Garden will be open, with a menu of “roller rink-inspired snacks,” as well as cocktails and beer. The Dilworth Park Cafe will also remain open with snack options and coffee.
Sprayground at Dilworth Park
Special Events and Programming
It all kicks off with a special preview party, “Rewind at the Rink,” on Thursday, April 24th from 6 to 8 p.m. A $50 ticket gets you roller skating, light bites, two drink tickets (for Jim Bean pineapple cocktails or selections from Broad Street Brewing), and the night’s entertainment. Expect DJ music, glitter face-painting, and a performance by Best of Philly-winning skate troupe Great on Skates. The party is for ages 21 and up, and retro-style dress is encouraged!
The first public skate session will be held Friday, April 25th, at 2:45 p.m.
Great on Skates at Dilworth Park
The rink is planning special events as spring turns to summer, Center City District tells us.
Beginning on May 2nd, the Philadelphia Marketplace will bring a rotating lineup of local small businesses to Dilworth on Fridays and Saturdays. May 30th and 31st and June 26th and 27th will be special vintage pop-up weekends.
Dilworth is also bringing back their free Tuesday night Center City Fit classes all season long, with Zumba led by City Fitness weekly at 6 p.m.
The rink will offer happy hour drink specials on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. all season long beginning on May 6th. And the one on June 5th is an even happier hour because it’s Yappy Hour!
Speaking of drinking, Center City SIPS will also touch down on Dilworth this summer, with a preview party on May 21st. (SIPS is actually turning 21 this year, so now it’s old enough to attend SIPS!) You know what it is: On Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m., there will be food and drink specials, along with some live DJs to sweeten the deal.
And finally, live performances will return to Dilworth Park this summer as well. Beginning on May 29th, Arts on Center Stage will be held Thursdays at 6 p.m. with free performances by Philly’s cultural organizations including Opera Philadelphia, BalletX, the No Name Pops, the Chocolate Ballerina Company, and more. Bring your own blanket or chair and sit on Greenfield Lawn. And beginning in June, they’re bringing back their Live @ Lunch concert series with local artists performing Wednesdays at noon.
Know Before You Go
Skating sessions are available in one-hour blocks, and advance tickets are highly recommended. Limited in-person sales may be offered on-site, but popular times (like weekends) typically sell out.
Admission is $8 for children 10 and younger, and $10 for adults; skate rental is $6 (or you can bring your own skates and only pay admission). Want to save a few bucks? Book your session on a Monday or Tuesday between 2:45 and 5 p.m., when they’re offering a $5-off matinee discount.
Locks and lockers are available to rent for $8 to store your shoes and other belongings. Socks are required, and will not be available on-site, so be sure to bring your own.
The Rothman Rink will be open seven days a week, Mondays through Thursdays from 2:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8:45 p.m.
