City Hall Outdoor Market, Ice Skating Set to Open This Winter: See

BOSTON, MA — An ice-skating path and outdoor holiday market are merrily on their way, slated to open in the unlikely location of City Hall Plaza after Thanksgiving.

The city on Wednesday announced it has signed the contract with a subsidiary of TD Garden's owner and operator to further develop the area around City Hall Plaza in the interest of creating a year-round community gathering place. The blank stretch of bricks can be downright inhospitable, particularly during the hot summer months and cold winter days, but the mayor's administration has determined to make it a welcoming community gathering space.

Enter Delaware North. The city in March first announced its selection of the TD Garden operator's subsidiary, Boston Garden Development Corporation, as the vendor tapped to enhance City Hall Plaza.

Its proposed year-round "activation" ideas including an observation wheel and urban beach for the summer. However, as The Boston Globe reports, TD Gardens' president said some of those ideas (including the observation wheel) have stalled, and may not come together after all.

Slideshow: TD Garden Owners' Pitch Picked to Activate City Hall Plaza

In the winter, the group's plan for City Hall Plaza centers around an 11,000 gross square foot outdoor skating path, described in a city press release as a "new twist on the traditional ice rink." Also part of the plan is a European-style, outdoor holiday market.

Per the press release, "At the free outdoor holiday shopping market, visitors can experience seasonal delicacies and interactive attractions in a celebratory winter atmosphere... with a mix of local and international vendors and food and beverage offerings housed in individual chalets."

Both are expected to open after Thanksgiving. The market will run through New Year's Day, and the ice path will be open through February 2017, the city said.

In the meantime, Boston Gardens will be working with the city to test out new seating options on the brick expanse that surrounds city hall, installing shaded picnic tables on City Hall Plaza. It is also adding its sponsorship to the city's recurring "Beer Garden on Bricks," another stab at activating the surrounding stretch of pavement.

The three-year contract with Boston Gardens began September 1, the city said. The license agreement provides the City of Boston a percentage of the overall annual profitability of all programming, including an escalating sponsorship model, according to the city press release.

More information on upcoming events at City Hall Plaza, and vendor information for the holiday shopping market will be posted soon at: www.facebook.com/BostonCityHallPlaza.

>> Image courtesy Delaware North Co.

This article has been edited to include updated information.