Winter holiday activities come with Spring temps

Robert Goulston
·2 min read

Boston - There are plenty of winter activities in Boston this weekend including First Night. But one thing is missing. The winter weather.  The unseasonably high temperatures had the ice sculptors adjusting their plans so the ice art would not melt away.

We caught up with parents stopping by to see the ice sculptures outside the New England Aquarium.  “Yeah, it is pretty upsetting. We were trying to come yesterday but we had a little meltdown of our own so we didn’t make it to come see it but I was hoping to see it,” one mother said.  The sculpture of the African Penguins was tarped over and wrapped in dry ice to help keep their shape for the holiday weekend.  “We thought it would be cool to see,” said a spectator.

Over at the Snowport Holiday Market people were reacting to the spring-like weather.  “I’m afraid we are going to be having winter in April,” said a woman. “I’m used to bitter cold waiting on First Night,” said a man.

The warm December day made setting First Night Boston up easy – but organizers say they too had to keep the ice sculptures under wraps. Rachel Patten is a project manager for the event. “They are doing it in their storage units especially with the weather like this they have to keep in the cold,” said Patten. The plan is to have all of the ice art in place on New Year’s eve day and then doing the finishing touches on site. “They will be lit up, a lot to see, we are excited,” said Patten.

First Night actually anticipating bigger crowds this year because of the weather – even though traditionally it is a cold weather event. “Having cold weather walking in that. That is the whole experience of being in Boston. We are going to miss that this year,” said a man.

First Night Boston is doing all of its indoor events this year. The first time since Covid. They are also bringing back New Year’s Day activities. Something they have not done in about 5 years.

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