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RALEIGH – Winterfest kicks off in downtown Raleigh at 5 p.m. Friday. Raleigh officials will introduce new attractions for families with ice skating, live music and much more.

“We have sledding ramps, we have a trackless train, we have Santa's village, we've got Michelle Branch headlining and we've got different talent from the area that will also be preforming on the stage,” Brandi Barnhart, of the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, said.

For the first time ever, Raleigh residents will find an ice skating rink downtown near city plaza.

“Who wouldn't want an ice rink outside underneath the downtown skyline? I think the essence of having an outdoor ice skate, but also we work for the Downtown Raleigh Alliance, so it's all about bringing people downtown, getting people excited about the center city. If you have a healthy downtown you have a healthy city,” Ellen Fragola, also with Downtown Raleigh Alliance, said.

They're hoping this will turn into an annual event, not only to bring smiles to faces but also to bring in money to local businesses.

“That's great with all of the restaurants and all of the other things and that will bring a little more life down here. I don't personally ice skate, but I'll come out to watch everyone else have fun,” Anthony Turner, who works downtown, said.

The cost to skate is $6 and that includes the skate rental. Winterfest will continue until Jan. 31. The only day the rink will be closed is on Christmas.