The second annual "Boston Winter" festival opened at City Hall Plaza on Friday.
Last year in its Boston debut, more than 300,000 people came to experience the city's newest holiday tradition.
This year there is much better weather for opening day. Last year's kick off was delayed because of warm weather, but that is not a concern this year. It's a chilly start Friday with temperatures in the 20s, but highs will be in the 40s later on a very seasonable day.
City Hall Plaza has been transformed into an open-air holiday market for the next month, and there's plenty of stuff for everyone to do.
Some of the activities include an outdoor skating path as well as an expanded holiday shopping market.
The reconfigured skating path will remain open through February, offering learn-to-skate programs and many special events. Visitors can rent skates or bring their own for Boston’s first-ever custom designed pathway that weaves around the marquee ‘Boston’ sign.
NBC Boston spoke with one of the 'Boston Winter' merchants about one of his most popular items.
"They're called bear hands because it looks like a bear hand and you can take out your bare hand," the merchant said. "We do four kids sizes, and four adult sizes."
"Boston Winter presented by Berkshire Bank" is open to the public seven days a week.
