Dates Of Event: December 7, 2016 – December 31, 2016 (the skating rink will be open until the end of February, 2017)
Location: Boston City Hall Plaza
1 City Hall Square
Hours:
Chalets
Sunday – Thursday 11am – 7pm
Friday & Saturday 11am – 8pm
Christmas Eve 11am – 4pm
Christmas Day Closed
New Year’s Eve 11am – 6pm
New Year’s Day Closed
Site (Skating & Attractions)
Sunday – Thursday 11am – 9pm
Friday & Saturday 11am – 10pm
Christmas Eve 11am – 4pm
Christmas Day Closed
New Year’s Eve 11am – 6pm
New Year’s Day Closed
Cost: Free
Parking: There are several parking gaarages in the area or you can try street parking (good luck). If you don’t feel like driving, the Government Center Train Stop on the Green Line is directly across from Boston Winter.
Handicapped Accessible: Yes
Dog Friendly: No
Highlights: ice skating rink, shops, dj, shops, lights and ddecorations
Web Site: Boston Winter
In an effort to make the city even more festive, Boston has installed a temporary skating rink and holiday attraction. The 11,000 square foot ice skating path (it’s not really a rink but more of a circular ice path) is open to all skaters of any skill level.
The opening of Boston winter, the attraction nott the actual season, was delayed from December 2nd to December 7th because it was not cold enough to sustain the temperatures needed to keep the rink frozen. Sadly, that is not a problem now.
People of all ages, backgrounds and ability took to the ice and reveled in the ice and atmosphere. It’s a great event for couples and it is very family friendly. I’m always surprised to some degree how well behaved and (usually) considerate people are at these events. The walk ways and standing areas – there is no seating available and I’m sure that is by design – is narrow and congested in some areas but people are pretty courteous.
A dj keeps the event fun and loose. He announced different people’s birthdays and tried to get the crowd excited. He reminded me of the dj’s they used to have at roller skating rinks.
In addition to the skating rink, there are vendors selling a variety of goods from belts and clothing to novelty items.
The lighting and decor of the event is both tasteful yet festive. Very often when people and businesses decorate for the holidays they overdo it. I don’t think this was the case at Boston Winter (ok the tree with the spirals that light up may have been a bit much but I liked it!).
Below is a video of some of the skaters at Boston Winter.
December 11th, 2016 at 11:27 pm
It looks delightfully fun!
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December 11th, 2016 at 11:30 pm
It is! Unfortunately, I do not ice skate. So I wasn’t able to enjoy the ice path but it is still a very good time! Thank you, Susanne!
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December 11th, 2016 at 11:33 pm
We have a canal – the Rideau Canal, a world heritage site – that runs thru Ottawa and is a major attraction in winter. It’s about 7 km long from end to end and forms the focal point for our annual winter festival. I learned to skate because I wanted to skate all 7 km. It makes winter tolerable.
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December 12th, 2016 at 2:16 pm
LOVE Ottawa and the Rideau Canal!
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December 11th, 2016 at 11:36 pm
That is great! I’m impressed! I tried learning when I was younger and I really wasn’t fond of all that falling down stuff. It does look like a fun activity though!
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December 12th, 2016 at 2:17 pm
I have big plans to spend Christmas in Boston soon (but not this year!). This post makes me even more excited about the prospect!
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December 13th, 2016 at 12:34 am
Nice display, Boston! Everything looks so different.
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December 13th, 2016 at 2:34 am
They did such a great job! Thank you.
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December 24th, 2016 at 5:02 am
Looks gorgeous, love the pictures. Made me feel like I was right there
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December 24th, 2016 at 3:28 pm
Thank you!
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December 25th, 2016 at 4:17 pm
Your welcome
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December 25th, 2016 at 4:18 pm
Merry Christmas
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December 25th, 2016 at 5:59 pm
Merry Christmas!
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December 27th, 2016 at 3:04 am
Hope you have a fantastic holiday.
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December 27th, 2016 at 2:11 pm
I did! Thank you. I hope you had a wonderful holiday as well!
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December 27th, 2016 at 5:06 pm
Yes I had a fantastic holiday.
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January 3rd, 2017 at 9:26 pm
Can’t wait to get to Boston in the spring – although I know there won’t be any sign of a skating rink then!
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January 4th, 2017 at 12:57 am
Hthats so cool that youre visiting my neighborhood! Ha ha no, hopefully all of the ice will have melted by then 😁
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