PHILADELPHIA, PA — Main Street in Manayunk is set to become a frozen playground when one of the city’s biggest winter street festivals returns on Saturday, January 31, transforming the riverfront neighborhood into a roaring mix of ice, beer, food and community.
The Manayunk Development Corporation, in partnership with Founders Brewing Co., is bringing back the Founders Philly Freeze-Out, the Freeze-Out Run and the MNYK Chowder Crawl, three crowd-drawing events that will unfold side-by-side following record turnout last year.
From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., historic Main Street, Canal View Park and the RichardsApex parking lot will be lined with more than two dozen ice sculptures and six live carving demonstrations, turning everyday storefronts into a glittering winter gallery. The open-street festival will also feature live music, a winter market, food trucks, a kids’ bounce area, a snowy igloo photo-op, a heated gaming truck and a Chinese New Year lion dance, as well as beer specials and giveaways from Founders Brewing Company.
The day kicks off at 9 a.m. with the Freeze-Out Run, a free, roughly three-mile fun run hosted by Philadelphia Runner and New Balance, culminating in the unveiling of Philadelphia Runner’s 2026 ice sculpture.
Founders Philly Freeze-Out itself is free to attend, with food, drinks and shopping offered on a pay-as-you-go basis.
“Founders Philly Freeze-Out is the perfect winter day filled with a combination of fun and community,” said Carla Ferro, events manager for the Manayunk Development Corporation. “Peter Slavin and his incredible team do an incredible job of working with the business owners to bring Manayunk to life on ice.”
That team is Ice Sculpture Philly, led by sculptor Peter Slavin, whose artists will be carving live throughout the day at locations including Bayou & Cactus, JD McGillicuddy’s, Mia Ragazza, New Leaf, The Goat’s Beard and The Tomato Shack. Their creations will range from Roman-style busts to pop-culture icons and whimsical designs like a leaping Thai horse and a sculpted cheeseburger.
Festivalgoers can also enjoy the return of the MNYK Chowder Crawl from noon to 4 p.m., when more than a dozen Manayunk restaurants will serve their takes on winter comfort food, including chipotle chicken, tom kah salmon, turkey corn and classic clam chowder. After selling out every year, the crawl has expanded to 600 tickets for 2026.
Participating chowder stops include Bayou, Blondie, Cactus, Chabaa Thai Bistro, Lucky’s Last Chance, JD McGillicuddy’s, Manayunk Brewing Company, Mia Ragazza, Ryan’s Pub, SOMO, Taqueria Amor, The Goat’s Beard, The Rook and The Tomato Shack.
Presale chowder crawl tickets are $18 and rise to $25 during event week, with check-in from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 106 Grape St.
Founders Brewing will anchor the beverage side of the festival, with specials on beers such as Centennial IPA, Mortal Bloom Imperial Thorn, Devil Root, Hoppy Mood and the non-alcoholic Nonetheless, plus samples, swag and a Founders Ice Bar at Cotton and Main streets.
A heated winter market at RichardsApex, 4170 Main St., will host dozens of local vendors selling everything from handmade jewelry and candles to gourmet nuts, pickles and baked goods, while food trucks including Hangry Joe’s, Humpty’s Dumplings, Lobster Rolls & More and Babalouie BBQ will keep visitors fueled.
Grape and Cotton streets will be closed for the event.
For full details, race registration, chowder crawl tickets and updates, visit manayunk.com/events/ and follow @manayunkdotcom, @iceicephilly, @foundersbrewing and @letsrallie.
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