Commerce City will open its first Merry Market and Winter Wonderland Ice Rink on Wednesday, bringing another outdoor seasonal ice rink to the few in the metro Denver area.

The market and ice rink are set to open to the public during the city’s annual tree lighting celebration starting at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Commerce City Civic Center parking lot, 7887 E. 60th Ave.

Opening night will have an array of holiday activities, including carriage rides, live reindeer, a visit from Santa, free sweet treats, local vendors and holiday performances, according to a news release from the city.

Over the first three weekends of December, the Merry Market will bring in rotating local vendors and artists selling handcrafted gifts, art and festive goods.

“Winter Wonderland brings the heart of the season to our community,” City Manager Jason Rogers said in the release. “This experience creates a welcoming space for people to gather, celebrate one another, and support our community’s small business and creative talent.”

The city’s ice rink is one of only a few outdoor skating rinks in the metro area this season, with Denver’s 16th Street rink closed for construction.

The one in Commerce City will be open between December and February, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays, and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The rink will also be open on Adams 14 school district holidays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Merry Market will be open on weekends in December, on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

More information is available on the city’s website.

In tandem with the first weekend of holiday celebrations, local homebuilding companies Oakwood Homes and Tri Pointe Homes will offer model home tours on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The companies are sponsoring the Merry Market and will also answer questions about the homebuying process at Sunday’s event.

Homes offered for touring are in the Reunion community, 13417 E. 103rd Place