Locals enjoy outdoors on warm Black Friday

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- With many people off work, and temperatures so mild, people found plenty of ways to enjoy the day outside on Black Friday.

At the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest at Penn's Landing - the ice rink and winter garden officially opened for the season - it felt more like spring.

As the sun set over the Schuylkill River, it was an end to an unusually warm November day in which summer gear got another go.

"I'm wearing shorts and short sleeves, and yeah it's actually pretty warm," said Carter Weiss of Oreland, Pa.

"We rode bikes, we walked to Trader Joes. Now we're walking back," said Beth Hickey of Bedford, Pa.

Shoppers, theater-goers and diners were out and about around Rittenhouse Square.

With temperatures around 60 a few even enjoyed a rare late November dinner outside.

"It's not bad. It's not bad. It's wonderful. I like it. Weather's nice today," said Elizabeth Criollo of Maryland.

"We figured it'd be a little colder this time of year so we've been pleasantly surprised," said Keith Lancaster of Austin, Texas.

In South Philly, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas even if it doesn't feel that way.

Joe DeCero took advantage of the break in weather to begin decorating his home in the 1100 block of Tree Street. He says he goes all out every year and for every holiday.

"I took the Halloween lights down so now I changed the bulbs for Christmas, then I gotta do the windows. I got a lot of stuff to put up here," said DeCreo.

He tells Action News it's the warmest it's been for him when putting up decorations this time of year.

"I've been out here with gloves, and freezing," said DeCreo.

Meanwhile, the BlueCross RiverRink Winterfest was packed with people getting in the holiday spirit - playing games, roasting marshmallows and of course taking their turn on the ice.

"It's unbelievable. It's crazy that it's this warm," said Deena Morales of Palmyra, New Jersey. "We're not even wearing coats in November. It's crazy. It's wonderful."

"We came out because it's the day after Thanksgiving, and the RiverRink is really nice," said Kimiyo Cain. "They've added cottages and all so it's supposed to be good this year."

And if there's one drawback to the spring-like temperatures, it's that the heated cabins may work too well.

"It's borderline too warm, but it's good tonight," said Tyler Marchei of Glassboro.

"We were saying we should put our beers outside because it's a little toasty in here," said Kristin Coffin of Mullica Hill.