Holiday season at Winterfest starts Friday with tree lighting

Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest is back for the season, this year boasting one of the city’s biggest real Christmas trees. The 43-foot, 5,000-pound tree will be lit Friday night.

Head to Winterfest on the Delaware River (Market Street at Columbus Boulevard; 101 S. Columbus Blvd.) at 6:45 p.m. for holiday-themed music and dance performances by Olde Towne Carolers, Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble, Sister City Girls Choir, Philadelphia Dance Academy, In the Mix Acapella and more, plus the Philadelphia Symmetry Synchronized Skating Team on the rink.

The tree lighting follows.

Warm up with a cocoa – or something a bit stronger – at The Lodge, run by Garces Events. The Art Star boutique pop-up is also open, if you want to squeeze in some holiday shopping.

Winterfest is open seven days a week until March 1. Admission is free. It’s $3 for skating and $10 to rent skates.