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Here’s what to know about the hockey fan festival coming to City Hall Plaza

The plaza opened in November after two years of renovations.

Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu speaks during a Welcome to Earthshot event at City Hall Plaza in Boston, Massachusetts, on November 30, 2022. Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images

By Gwen Egan

December 18, 2022

Boston hockey fans have another holiday event to add to their list — a two-day festival held by the National Hockey League in Boston’s own City Hall Plaza.

To prepare for the 2023 Winter Classic, the NHL is hosting a family-friendly festival on Dec. 30 from 2 to 8 p.m. and on Dec. 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with plenty for fans to do, according to The Boston Globe.

The event will boast food, giveaways, activities, autograph sessions with former and current Boston Bruins players, and a chance to get a picture with the Stanley Cup.

“Especially during the colder months, we need spaces to bring people together. I encourage everyone to come out to build community and get ready to cheer on the Bruins,” said Mayor Michelle Wu in a press release.

The renovated plaza added a plethora of new trees and plants as well as 3,000 new places to sit in the area and a playground.

The previously uneven brick and staircases at the plaza have been replaced with smooth pavement, according to Boston Disability Commissioner Kristen McCosh in a statement from November.

“This is a great opportunity for Boston families to see the new features of the plaza while building excitement for the 2023 Discover NHL Winter Classic,” said Dion Irish, Boston’s chief of operations.