Contact:
JoAnn Loviglio
T 215.440.5546
jloviglio@centercityphila.org

More than 1 million people visited Dilworth Park in December, up 14% from 2016; attractions and activities at the Park continue through the end of February

PHILADELPHIA (January 4, 2018) – For the second December in a row, more than 1 million people visited Dilworth Park at City Hall. Despite daily sub-freezing temperatures during the holiday week at the end of the month, visitation to the park in December 2017 was 1,272,590, an increase of 14% from the park’s 1,115,548 visitors in December 2016.

Now celebrating its fourth year, Wintergarden at Dilworth Park has hosted the Rothman Institute Ice Rink, the Rothman Cabin, the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market and the America’s Garden Capital Maze and debuted a new holiday attraction, the Deck the Hall Light Show presented by Independence Blue Cross and co-produced by 6abc.

All these activities and amenities made it one of the most popular spots in Center City during the bustling holiday season. An average of 41,051 people each day entered or stayed in Dilworth Park during December 2017, up from an average of 35,985 daily visitors in December 2016. The park also set a one day record for visitors on Saturday, December 2, 2017 when 72,342 people visited Dilworth.

From the Wintergarden’s opening day on November 10 through December 31, just over 48,000 skaters took to the ice of the Rothman Rink and more than195,000 visitors strolled through America’s Garden Maze.

More Still to Come: The Deck the Hall Light Show presented by Independence Blue Cross ended on New Year’s Day but the Rothman Ice Rink, Rothman Cabin, and America’s Garden Capital Maze will remain open through February 26 with a full schedule of special activities, demonstrations, music and happy hours. Visit dilworthpark.org for times and more details.

Weekly programs in the cabin and rink include:

• Tuesdays: Retro Game Nights, through Feb. 20
• Wednesdays: Skater-cise, through Feb. 21
• Wednesdays: Cocktails and Cold Ones, through Feb. 21
• Thursdays: College Nights, through Feb. 22
• Fridays: Karaoke Nights, through Feb. 23
   

Special events at the rink include:

• Jan. 19, Silent Philly, skating with headphones
• Jan. 20, Princess and Pirate Skate, presented by 101.1 More FM
• Jan. 23, Skate.Pride.Love, in partnership with the Philadelphia Gay News
• Jan. 26, Zombie Skate, in partnership with Eastern State Penitentiary’s Terror Behind the Walls
• Feb. 14, Sweetheart Skate on Valentine’s Day
   

Special events at the cabin hosted by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society:

• Terrarium How-To: Jan. 9 (adults); Jan. 13 (family)
• Create a Succulent Dish Garden: Jan. 23 (adults)
• Seed Starting: Jan. 27 (family); Feb. 6 (adults)
• Valentine Flowers to Wear: Feb. 10 (family); Feb. 13 (adults)
• Garden Snow Globe: Feb. 24 (family)
   

Coming in February:

• Free in February, presented by Capital One. For the month of February, visitors can receive a complimentary admission pass to the Rothman Ice Rink just for stopping by the Capital One Café, located two blocks from Dilworth Park.
   

Since the CCD first opened Dilworth Park in 2014, new attractions have been added for each winter season. In 2014, the park began with only an ice rink. In 2015, the Rothman Cabin and holiday markets were added. In 2016, the Cabin area was expanded and the Maze and the City’s Christmas tree were added, further enhancing the attractiveness of the park. The Deck the Hall Light Show presented by Independence Blue Cross was the newest addition in 2017.

The Wintergarden at Dilworth Park is presented by Rothman Institute and Independence Blue Cross and supported by Live Nation, Temple University, Capital One and 6abc. America’s Garden Capital Maze is supported by the William Penn Foundation and Temple University Ambler. Deck the Hall Light Show is presented by Independence Blue Cross and co-produced by 6abc. The Rothman Cabin, presented by Rothman Institute and operated by Brulee Catering, exclusively features Effen Vodka and Hornitos Tequila, and Victory and Stella Artois beer.

Dilworth Park has convenient access from official ride share partner Lyft or SEPTA’s bus, trolley and Broad Street or Market Frankford lines. Free in February is presented by Capital One. (Free in February passes are valid Monday through Thursday and do not include skate rental.)

For more information on the continuing activities at Dilworth Park, visit dilworthpark.org.

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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. Find us at www.centercityphila.org and on Facebook and Twitter.