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After delay, Boston Winter opens on City Hall Plaza

Young skaters take to the ice at the City Hall Plaza holiday site that opened on Wednesday, after a five-day delay due to mild weather.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff/Globe Staff

Five days after the first Boston Winter wonderland was postponed because of unseasonably warm weather, the notoriously bleak Boston City Hall Plaza was turned into a dazzling holiday display.

Lights, a giant ice skating loop, gift “chalets,” and bountiful decorations drew hundreds to experience the installation’s opening night on Wednesday.

“This is truly what we talk about when we discuss enlivening City Hall Plaza,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh, who addressed the crowd from a stage in front of the ice path. “Today we see this plaza live up to its potential.”

People sampled chocolate, shopped for crafts, and watched the lighting of a Christmas tree.

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“I’m convinced that this will be a holiday tradition going forward,” said Amy Latimer, president of TD Garden, a subsidiary of Delaware North Cos., which won the bid for the plaza’s rejuvenation.

Bruins legend Ray Bourque led local children for the first skate on the bright ribbon of ice winding through the plaza, as Christmas carols blared from speakers.

“I just want to actually skate. I haven’t done it that often,” said 9-year-old Lola Amendolare of Malden. “I’m just really, really excited about skating.”

While some came for skating and others to sip mulled wine, people agreed: City Hall Plaza has never looked so festive and lively.

“I’ve never seen something like this here,” said Liliya Sparane, 60, of Newton. “I’m originally from Latvia, and we have Christmas markets every year with music, food, dancing. I’m very impressed right now. It’s good for the people of Boston.”

Matt Doyle, 38, of Bedford, N.H., brought his wife and two young children to see the lights and experience winter fun.

“Growing up here and going to school here, City Hall Plaza has always been an urban wasteland,” Doyle said. “I’m happy the city is finally using the space.”

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For the local businesses that set up shop in European-style chalets, the installation provides a chance to capitalize on the holiday shopping season while interacting with the public.

Elon Ryzhik, 32, of Boston, said his Russian Dolls store has seen a rise in business since the opening of the shopping village Saturday. The 20-year-old shop boasts over 200 Russian artists and hundreds of hand-painted wooden creations.

“People just love the Santa stuff,” he said. “Traditional dolls sell really well, too.”

View more photos:

Skaters took to the ice.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff
“This is truly what we talk about when we discuss enlivening City Hall Plaza,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh before the event.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff
Bruins legend Ray Bourque led local children for the first skate on the bright ribbon of ice winding through the plaza.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff
The gift “chalets.”Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff
Mary Hall, 6, of Boston tried out the pedal-powered holiday tree.Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff/Globe Staff

Samantha J. Gross can be reached at samanatha.gross@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @SamanthaJGross.