Winterfest is back in downtown Hartford.
The annual ice skating rink event at Bushnell Park, which was canceled last year due to the pandemic, officially opened Nov. 26.
Mayor Luke Bronin, sponsors and community leaders are expected to hold a press conference this afternoon to celebrate the occasion.
Winterfest, which is in its 11th year and offers attendees free ice skating, is another way city leaders are looking to bring more people to the downtown. In 2019, more than 40,000 people skated at Winterfest, which is fully funded by sponsors who have raised more than $250,000.
The ice skating rink this year will be joined by the new Winterfair holiday market on Pratt Street, which also aims to woo people downtown and help small city merchants.
Winterfair, which will operate on select weekends and weekdays up to New Year’s Eve, will feature more than 100 small businesses showcasing their wares.
