Fishtown Freeze 2025 Brings Ice, Lights, and Local Love to Frankford Avenue

On Saturday, December 6, 2025, the Fishtown District hosts the seventh annual Fishtown Freeze, transforming the neighborhood into a festive, icy playground filled with art, music, and holiday cheer. Dozens of custom-designed ice sculptures and five live carvings by internationally acclaimed artists from Ice Sculpture Philly will be on display at beloved neighborhood spots like Rivers Casino, The Battery, Garage, LMNO, and more.​

Families can kick off the afternoon with complimentary photos with Santa at Frankford Hall from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm, making it an easy holiday tradition. To make getting around simple, a complimentary trolley will run along Frankford Avenue from 12:00 pm to 6:30 pm, helping visitors hop between sculptures, markets, and restaurants with ease.​

Throughout the day, live ice carving demos pop up across the neighborhood, including special carves at Rivers Casino at 12:30 pm, Mural City Garden at 1:30 pm, The Battery at 2:15 pm, Garage at 4:00 pm, and LMNO at 5:30 pm. Visitors can warm up with mulled wine at Mural City Cellars’ Winter Wonderland, spiked Mexican hot chocolate at International Bar, bratwursts and beer poking at Johnny Brenda’s, and specialty cocktails and brunch at Front Street Cafe.​

Evil Genius Beer Company debuts its over-the-top Christmas pop-up bar, Ginger Jawn, with floor-to-ceiling holiday decorations, a 15-foot Christmas tree, and the playful Santa I Know Him beer. Their annual Santa 0.5K charity run steps off at 2:30 pm, with proceeds supporting holiday gifts for underprivileged families, while Mamajuana Cafe Philly debuts Fishtown District’s official 25-foot holiday tree glowing with more than 10,000 lights and plenty of photo ops.​

The fun continues all weekend with the Fishtown Holiday Shopping Spree on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7, featuring special deals at more than 25 independent shops, boutiques, and neighborhood bars. From discounts at Fishtown Jewelers and Delicious Boutique, to hot cider at Minnow Lane, special bakes at Cake Life Bake Shop, and unique gifts at spots like H&H Books, Harriett’s Bookshop, Our Mutual Friend Collective, and PROPERgoods, it is the perfect time to shop small and local for the holidays.​

Both Fishtown Freeze and the Fishtown Holiday Shopping Spree are free and open to the public, with food, beverages, and gifts available for purchase. Fishtown is easily accessible via the Market-Frankford subway line and several trolley routes, and visitors can stay in the loop by visiting the Fishtown District website.