Winteractive Takes Over City Hall Plaza – Discover the Exciting Highlights!

Do you recall our coverage regarding the Giant Pink Naked Guys invading Downtown?  Or perhaps the story of this UFO that landed on a stationary vehicle (which was ticketed) at Downtown Crossing? There are new interactive installations emerging at City Hall Plaza—check out the press release below. Share your thoughts in the comments—will these setups inspire you to leave your locality and explore?

Today, Mayor Michelle Wu, in collaboration with the Downtown Boston Alliance (DBA), declared that City Hall Plaza will host two winter art installations as part of the DBA’s WINTERACTIVE program, showcasing public art throughout Downtown Boston. This week, the two interactive light installations, “Sonic Runway” and “Cycle,” were erected at City Hall Plaza and will be on show until the end of March. Both artworks, combining light and sound, have arrived in Boston from Creos, a Montreal-based firm that specializes in activating public places worldwide, and have graced winter festivals across Canada. These installations align with Mayor Wu’s aim to transform Downtown Boston and City Hall Plaza into a lively and inviting destination for both locals and visitors during the winter season.

“City Hall is delighted to collaborate with the Downtown Boston Alliance to host a segment of their 2025 WINTERACTIVE experience. Art infuses happiness and curiosity into public spaces that could otherwise appear cold and dreary during the extensive winter months,” stated Mayor Michelle Wu. “Opening City Hall Plaza to activations and public events enhances the vibrancy of Downtown Boston as an engaging, family-friendly location to gather throughout the year.”

“Winteractive 2024 attracted over 650,000 guests, delivering a significant economic and cultural uplift to Boston amidst winter. Numerous visitors planned or extended their stays in the downtown area specifically to engage with the artworks and interactive elements,” mentioned Michael Nichols, President of the Downtown Boston Alliance. “The strong response highlighted the importance of public art in enlivening our city, enhancing the experience of downtown visitors, supporting local enterprises, and fostering community participation. By reinstating Winteractive in 2025, a partnership with the City of Boston was crucial because, similar to the Downtown Boston Alliance, they recognize the power of art to unite people. We’re excited to witness how Winteractive continues to charm residents and visitors while driving meaningful activity in the heart of Boston.”

The installations at City Hall are part of a broader Downtown map of complimentary, walkable activations initiated by the Downtown Boston Alliance (DBA), formerly referred to as the Boston BID, aiming to draw people and energy to Downtown and its businesses during the city’s chilliest months. This year’s inclusion of City Hall Plaza amplifies and expands upon DBA’s inaugural 2024 WINTERACTIVE initiative, which showcased 16 public art installations across Downtown Boston. The second iteration of WINTERACTIVE is once again inspired by the vibrant winter festivals and art exhibitions held in the province of Québec, Canada.

“Activating City Hall Plaza and the broader downtown areas during the coldest, bleakest months poses a challenge, which is why we are thrilled to present these light installations in conjunction with the Downtown Boston Alliance and as part of the comprehensive WINTERACTIVE experience,” proclaimed Eamon Shelton, Commissioner of Property Management. “These installations are a key component of our objective as a City to create welcoming, inclusive, and dynamic public spaces where both visitors and residents can unite.”

The Sonic Runway, crafted by Rob Jensen and Warren Trezevant, is a light-art installation that translates audio signals into luminous patterns projecting down a lengthy corridor of LED-lined arches at the speed of sound. At the entrance of the Sonic Runway, spectators witness musical sound waves radiating outward. As one walks along the corridor, sound and light remain perfectly synchronized. When viewed from the opposite end, walkers can see the sound waves approaching them while hearing the music as the patterns reach them.

“We are extremely eager to witness City Hall Plaza vibrantly enlivened with the enchantment and energy of this year’s WINTERACTIVE initiative,” conveyed John M Borders IV, Director of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment. “The ‘Sonic Runway’ and ‘Cycle’ exhibits are more than just enthralling light and sound displays—they’re a tribute to the art’s capacity to transfigure our public spaces into destinations for connection, exploration, and inspiration. This partnership with the Downtown Boston Alliance reflects our mutual vision of a dynamic and inclusive city where residents and visitors can come together, enjoy world-class art, and create lasting memories, regardless of the time of year. By turning City Hall Plaza into a creative and joyful hub, we are establishing Downtown Boston as a genuine winter destination.”

“It is a privilege to showcase Cycle and Sonic Runway, both internationally acclaimed installations, within this year’s WINTERACTIVE program. We hope that these immersive experiences will inspire locals and tourists to embrace the cold and allow curiosity to guide their journey. We are thankful to contribute to this commemoration of creativity and innovation in the core of Boston,” remarked Alexandre Lemieux, Director of Business Development & Cofounder, Creos.

As part of ongoing efforts to transform the revamped City Hall Plaza into a hospitable destination year-round, the Plaza will feature large-scale events in collaboration with external partners over the next few months. Further details on these winter events will be revealed at a later date.

Moreover, the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture is organizing a lively array of complimentary arts and cultural events at City Hall Plaza kicking off this spring. The Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture is presently assessing proposals for the City Hall Plaza Engagement Grant, with the lineup to be announced in early spring. These free events will showcase Boston’s diverse artistic community, provide vital support and performance venues for local artists, and enrich City Hall Plaza as a lively and inclusive gathering place for all residents. Last season showcased an eclectic mix of events, ranging from a vibrant hip-hop festival to an interactive light art display and a night devoted to salsa.