Downtown Raleigh's seasonal outdoor ice rink is on ice this year ... so to speak.

Construction of the new FNB Tower, a 22-story headquarters for First National Bank at 501 Fayetteville St., fronting City Plaza, is scheduled to start in early 2018 and continue until summer 2019. Planning for that work now means there won't be space for the ice rink this year, said Bob Hagh, Downtown Raleigh Alliance's communications director.

"People love the ice rink," Hagh said Monday. "We felt badly that we wouldn't have it this year, but we'll look back into it when the time is right to bring it back."

Instead of the usual major Winterfest celebration, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance also is scaling back its holiday season kickoff with a slightly smaller event. The Downtown Raleigh Tree Lighting Celebration is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Dec. 2, in downtown Raleigh.

"It's a little smaller" than Winterfest," Hagh said. "We're trying to pack in almost the same amount of activities into it."

The free family–friendly event will transform Fayetteville Street and City Plaza into a winter wonderland, according to a press release. The biggest attraction at the event will be Snowzilla, an almost 35-foot-tall and 90-foot-long super slide. There also will be live music and holiday refreshments provided by local restaurants and breweries.

Other activities include the Carolina Hurricanes Slapshot Booth, an inflatable obstacle course by Polar Ice House and Raleigh Ice Center, and face painting for children. The Kids’ Zone will features performances by Cirque de Vol, activities by Little Maker’s Academy, and Santa’s Village. Kids can also enjoy shopping cart races thanks to Food Lion. The Mayor’s Official Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on City Plaza towards the end of the evening.

The public also is invited to participate in a couple of contests - a gingerbread house competition, which is open now through Friday, and a Holiday Hounds Costume Contest, which runs through Nov. 24.

The event's website has more information about the contests and additional plans for the tree lighting event.