TODAY'S LIGHTS
Today's lights are:
Classic White
OVERVIEW
The lights on Fairmount Park’s Boathouse Row are one of the most iconic sights in Philadelphia
Introduced in 1979, the lighting along Boathouse Row has become an iconic feature along the Schuylkill River, where most of the boathouses date back to the 19th century. The houses transitioned over to LED lighting in 2005 and were refurbished in 2024. The lights can be personalized and programmed by the staff of Fairmount Park Conservancy, with 16 million potential color combinations. Lightings can change from one color to another or be programmed in a way that appears to make them sparkle or “dance” along the boathouses. The lights can also fade from one to the next, also creating ombre effects and highlighting eclectic architectural features of the historic structures with different colors.
FUN FACTS:
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987
- The lights are installed on 10 of the historic boathouses
- The original 1979 lights were designed by lighting architect Ray Grenald
- The Lighting Practice, a Philadelphia-based firm, designed the upgraded custom lighting system
- Funds to replace the lights and underwrite the lighting project were provided by the Joanna McNeil Trust and the City of Philadelphia
- 6,400 individual LED lights
- 16 million color combinations
REQUESTS
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Boathouse Row Lighting Partner! Your support will help ensure that the lights continue to shine brightly for all to enjoy. Pricing depends on the complexity and duration of the display, and the fees go back into the ongoing maintenance of the Boathouse Row lights. Please click the button below and fill out the form to be considered for a request.
Please note:
Personal requests, nonprofits and charitable events or causes, businesses / commercial entities, and government agencies are all eligible to make a request.
However, lighting requests will NOT be considered for:
- Political events or observances
- Campaigns or events contrary to the City of Philadelphia laws
- Religious figures, religious organizations or additional religious holidays
- Campaigns / events deemed to be inappropriate or offensive in nature and any causes / organizations that support discrimination, prejudice or violence
FAQs
Click on the question to open the dropdown answer:
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Boathouse Row Lighting Partner! Your support will help the ongoing maintenance of the lights and ensure that they continue to shine brightly for all to enjoy. Please fill out this form to be considered for a request.
The maximum number of consecutive days is one week (7 days).
Pricing ranges from $1,000 – $6,000 per day, depending on the complexity of the display, with fees going directly into the ongoing maintenance of the Boathouse Row lights. Discounts are offered for:
- 3-4 Day Block: 10% discount
- 5-7 Day Block: 15% discount
Personal requests, nonprofits and charitable events or causes, businesses / commercial entities, and government agencies are all eligible to make a request.
However, lighting requests will NOT be considered for:
- Political events or observances
- Campaigns or events contrary to the City of Philadelphia laws
- Religious figures, religious organizations or additional religious holidays
- Campaigns / events deemed to be inappropriate or offensive in nature and any causes / organizations that support discrimination, prejudice or violence
All of the boathouses are lit as one full row. Individual house requests will not be accepted.
The Boathouse Row Lights are a partnership of:
