Looking for winter fun in the heart of the Electric City? Be sure to plan a trip to Downtown Scranton next month as Scranton Tomorrow presents Downtown on Ice!

The annual ice festival will be held throughout the business district Jan. 17,18 and 19, 2025. Visitors will enjoy ice carving demonstrations with artists from Sculpted Ice Works, winter activities, a curling rink, scavenger hunt, live music, selfie stations, and seasonal cuisine and beverages at restaurants, cafés and pubs throughout the downtown.

A positive start to 2025

“Family-friendly events like this one really bring the community together and everyone benefits from the extra foot traffic into the downtown,” said Leslie Collins, president and CEO of Scranton Tomorrow. “We saw the positive impact the ice festival had on businesses last year. We welcomed thousands of local people as well as visitors from neighboring states to enjoy the festivities and explore our shops and restaurants.”

Liz Baldi, business development director, Scranton Tomorrow, said business owners were quick to sign up to participate. “Our business owners understand the value of working together to create events like this one. When you offer something fun and unique for families to do, it inspires return customers to shop and dine downtown while they enjoy the festivities, and introduces new customers from outside the area to all the amenities Scranton has to offer. An amazing group of business leaders and community partners are volunteering their time to serve on the planning committee, and we are inspired by their creativity and positive energy.”

Committed to building upon the success of Downtown on Ice in 2024, Ronda Beemer and Tony Bartocci have returned as event co-chairpersons. “Chairing this festival has become deeply personal to me,” Beemer said. “It’s a unique opportunity to design an event that elevates our community, showcases the incredible businesses that call downtown Scranton home, and highlights our City’s rich history against the backdrop of its phenomenal architecture. It’s also a chance to strengthen the Scranton brand and share the pride we have in our City.”

Ice! Camera! Action!

This year’s theme, Ice! Camera! Action!, will bring a little Hollywood to the Electric City. Festivities kick off on Friday night (Jan. 17) with a red-carpet event and the fun continues all weekend with live ice carving demonstrations and family-friendly activities.

“When it comes to theme creativity, the sky is the limit, giving our downtown businesses, and our committee, the chance to interpret it in their own unique ways,” said Beemer. “Movies are a universal language that brings people together across generations, sparking nostalgia, excitement, and connection, which makes them perfect for an ice festival theme. From stunning ice sculptures of iconic film moments to interactive activities that bring the magic of movies to life, we’re thrilled to offer an experience that’s as creative as it is unforgettable.” Organizers will also introduce cutting-edge AI interactive experiences to blend technology with creativity to immerse visitors in entirely new ways.

Learn More

For more information on Downtown on Ice, visit scrantonice.com, and be sure to follow Scranton Tomorrow on Facebook and Instagram.

Featured image (top) courtesy of Scranton Tomorrow.