City Hall Plaza ice skating, winter shops open Dec. 2

A winter-themed shopping and recreation program is scheduled to open on City Hall Plaza December 2. Boston Garden Development Corp.

Boston officials provided new details about the outdoor event space that will soon transform the dull brick expanse of City Hall Plaza, with a winter-themed shopping and recreation program now scheduled to open Dec. 2.

Sponsored by Berkshire Bank, the winter-garden-like program will include an outdoor ice-skating path, a 20-foot Christmas tree with lights that will be powered by stationary bicycles and more than 40 boutique “chalets” featuring wares from local vendors such as the Grommet, LovePop, Etsy Artists of Boston, and Boston Olive Oil Co.

There will also be an Urban Lodge, a riff on a ski lodge where shoppers and skaters can come in from the cold and lounge with some beer, wine, or hot chocolate.

Local artists and community groups are also encouraged to sign up online to perform on the community stage that will be at the center of the activities.

The holiday vendors will be at the winter garden through Dec. 31. The ice rink, which will feature skating lessons and other events, will be available through February.

The winter garden will be open seven days a week and entry will be free. Some events, however, will carry a charge, with tickets going on sale Nov. 14 at the program’s website, cityhallplazaboston.com. Among the paid attractions is Vinopolis, an interactive wine exhibit from London where visitors can partake in a mini masterclass about wine production in different regions.

Boston Garden Development Corp., a subsidiary of Delaware North Cos., which owns and operates TD Garden, signed the three-year deal with the city to manage the events. Under the contract with the city, Delaware North will pay the city a flat fee of $50,000 a year, or a percentage of all revenues, whichever is greater. In addition the city will receive an escalating percentage of revenues associated with sponsorships.

Mayor Martin Walsh said Friday that Berkshire Bank has signed on to be a major partner, and throughout the three-year contract the event will be branded “Boston Seasons presented by Berkshire Bank.” The winter season event will be known as “Boston Winter presented by Berkshire Bank.”

Boston Garden Development Corp. is preparing to install a “Winter Garden” on City Hall Plaza later this year.Boston Garden Development Corp