Boathouse Row Relighting Ceremony Thursday Night
Finally! The Boathouse Row relighting happens Thursday. After a year in the dark, the iconic Boathouse Row lights will return along the Schuylkill River.
One of the most scenic spots in Philadelphia got a literal glow-up this past year. This Thursday night we will see just how much the lighting along the Schuylkill River boathouses has improved. Located right next to one of the busiest, most frustrating highways in the country for drivers, Boathouse Row is pretty and serene. The boathouses themselves date back to the 19th century. A Philadelphia landmark. The stretch of lights illuminating the boathouses were added later, and offer a beautiful night-time view as drivers head in and out of Center City Philadelphia on the Schuylkill Expressway. Day or night, the string of boathouses offer a pleasant landscape for drivers along the always busy Schuylkill Expressway.
50+ Years of Boathouse Lights
The lights along Boathouse Row were introduced back in 1979, and have traced the boathouses along the river for over 50 years. The lighting has been updated and refurbished a few times in that span. In 2005 the boathouses switched to LED lighting. The lights were last refurbished in 2016 before being turned off in March of last year for a complete upgrade. The original plan was to have the lights back up and running by the end of 2023. A few delays pushed the relighting ceremony to early March 2024, about a year after going dark. The lights will be re-lit and better than ever, this Thursday evening, March 7th, 2024.
The city is celebrating with an official re-lighting ceremony, which is open to the public, this Thursday, March 7th from 6-8pm. At 6pm, city officials will begin with a few speeches commemorating the project and those involved, and then the real light show begins at 7pm.
2023-24 Upgrades
According to the Fairmount Park Conservancy, “the new lighting system has 6,400 individual LED lights, with 16 million color combinations.” The lights can change from one color to another. They can also fade from one to the next, and be programmed in a way that appears to make them sparkle or “dance” along the boathouses. I can’t wait to see it.
Special Events and Occasions
As always, the Boathouse Row lights will go on at sunset and off at sunrise, and can also be programmed to celebrate Philadelphia sports teams, holidays, and special events too. If you’re driving by the river and see all of the boathouses in green, it could be for the Eagles, St. Patrick’s Day, or any number of reasons. As it’s hard sometimes to guess the official cause, with this upgrade, there’s a new Instagram handle that you can follow to find out.
Follow @boathouserowlights for more information. The account will be dedicated to showcasing the new lights along Boathouse Row and highlight those holidays and specific lighting colors. You can also make a request for a special event, holiday, or sponsored show. For specific requests, visit boathouserowlights.org or contact info@boathouserowlights.org. All fee proceeds will go to maintaining the lights on Boathouse Row. The costs per request varies depending on the complexity, time of day, and business or non-profit purposes.
The Official Boathouse Row Relighting Ceremony
When?
This Thursday, March 7 from 6-8pm.
Where?
Along Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive at the Fish Ladder, directly across the river from Boathouse Row.
What?
Enjoy food trucks, music, a dedication short ceremony, and a perfect view of the illumination of the new lights on Boathouse Row,. The light show will showcase the new lighting capabilities beginning at 7pm, and the show will repeat. There’s a page set up with answers to frequently asked questions about Boathouse Row. Find it HERE.
