Bryant Park Winter Village 2026: Dates, Free Rink & Holiday Shops

Every fall, Bryant Park turns into a small winter town in the middle of Midtown Manhattan. Glass-walled holiday shops fill the paths, an ice rink takes over the lawn, and the smell of hot chocolate and roasted nuts drifts across 42nd Street. Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is one of New York’s favorite holiday traditions, and in 2026 it celebrates its 25th season.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Bryant Park Winter Village in 2026: opening dates, the free ice rink, the Holiday Shops, the Lodge, Santa visits, the tree lighting, and the best times to go without the crowds. For the rest of the season, see our list of the best Christmas things to do in NYC.

Quick answer: Bryant Park Winter Village opens on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, and runs through February 28, 2027. The Holiday Shops, with more than 180 vendors, are open from October 28 to January 3. Entry is free, and the 17,000-square-foot ice rink is New York’s only free-admission rink if you bring your own skates.

Winter Village 2026: Quick Facts

Season	October 28, 2026 – February 28, 2027 (25th season)
Holiday Shops	October 28, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Shop hours	Monday–Friday 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Rink hours	8 a.m.–10 p.m. most days; until midnight from November 19 to January 3
Cost	Free entry; free skating with your own skates (rentals extra)
Where	Bryant Park, Sixth Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets, Midtown Manhattan
Nearest subway	42 St–Bryant Park (B, D, F, M) and 5 Av (7)
Official site	wintervillage.org

In This Guide

• What Is Bryant Park Winter Village?
• The Rink: Free Ice Skating
• The Holiday Shops
• Food and Drinks
• The Lodge
• Santa at Winter Village
• The Bryant Park Tree Lighting
• Best Times to Visit
• Getting There
• What to See Nearby
• Practical Tips
• Frequently Asked Questions

↑ Back to contents

---

What Is Bryant Park Winter Village?

Bank of America Winter Village is a seasonal holiday village that takes over Bryant Park, the green space behind the New York Public Library’s main branch. It has three main parts:

• The Rink: a 17,000-square-foot outdoor ice rink with free admission
• The Holiday Shops: an open-air market of more than 180 glass-walled kiosks selling gifts, crafts and food
• The Lodge: a heated, rinkside food hall with bars and views of the skaters

The village began in 2002 with about 80 vendors and has grown into one of the most visited holiday destinations in the city. The 2026–27 season marks its 25th year.

Key dates for 2026–27

• Wednesday, October 28: Winter Village opens, with the Holiday Shops opening at noon
• November 19 to January 3: Extended rink hours, open until midnight
• November 28–29 and December 5–6: Club Santa at the Polar Lounge
• Early December: The annual tree lighting (2026 date to be announced)
• December 14 to 18: Free Santa photos at Santa’s Corner
• January 3: Last day of the Holiday Shops
• February 28: Last day for the Rink and the Lodge

↑ Back to contents

---

The Rink: Free Ice Skating

The heart of Winter Village is its rink, the only free-admission ice rink in New York City. At 17,000 square feet, it’s much larger than the famous rink at Rockefeller Center, and skating here with the Midtown towers and the Empire State Building in view is a classic New York winter experience.

Hours

• Most days: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• November 19 to January 3: Extended to midnight
• Season ends: February 28, 2027

Tickets and pricing

• General admission: Free when you bring your own skates. Reserving a skate time online in advance is strongly recommended, especially on weekends and in December.
• Skate rental: Available on site for a fee, with prices varying by date and time. Bank of America cardholders get 10% off eligible online skate rentals through February 28.
• Premium Skate: An upgraded package that typically includes skate rental, priority entry, and access to a heated lounge with skate concierge service.
• Lessons: Skating lessons are offered for kids and adults during the season.

Rink tips

• Bring your own skates if you have them. You’ll skip the rental line and skate for free.
• The rink pauses periodically for ice resurfacing, so check the session schedule when you book.
• Lockers are available for bags, but space is limited, so travel light.

Compare Bryant Park with every other rink in the city in our guide to ice skating in NYC.

↑ Back to contents

---

The Holiday Shops

The Holiday Shops by Urbanspace are the biggest holiday market in New York, with more than 180 small kiosks lining the park’s paths and terraces. Most vendors are independent businesses from New York City and beyond, which makes this a great place to find gifts you won’t see in department stores.

• Dates: October 28, 2026 to January 3, 2027
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Some shops stay open later during the busiest weeks.
• What you’ll find: Handmade jewelry, ceramics, candles, stationery, art prints, clothing and accessories, toys, ornaments, and gourmet food gifts
• Small Business Spotlight: Bank of America gives four New York City entrepreneurs a rent-free booth during the season, each for a few weeks. This year’s businesses will be announced during the season.

Want to explore more markets? See our guide to NYC Christmas markets.

↑ Back to contents

---

Food and Drinks

Many of the kiosks are food vendors, and grazing your way through the market is half the fun. Expect classic winter comfort food alongside dishes from around the world: raclette, dumplings, crêpes, hot soups, sweet treats, and plenty of hot chocolate, cider and mulled wine.

Vendors this season include Serendipity3, known for its frozen hot chocolate and desserts, and Koukli, serving Greek street food. Food kiosks are scattered throughout the market, so it’s easy to snack between shops.

Tip: Seating is limited in the market. Grab your food and head to the Lodge, or eat standing at one of the high-top tables along the paths.

↑ Back to contents

---

The Lodge

The Lodge is a heated, covered food hall and bar right beside the rink, designed like a ski chalet. It has two full-service bars and a selection of food, and big windows let you warm up while watching the skaters outside.

• Open: Daily through February 28, 2027
• Cost: Free to enter; food and drinks are priced individually
• Best for: Warming up, a casual drink after work, watching skaters with a hot drink

Tip: The Lodge gets packed after work on weekdays and on weekend evenings. Late afternoon is the easiest time to find a table.

↑ Back to contents

---

Santa at Winter Village

Santa makes two kinds of appearances at Winter Village this season.

Club Santa

A ticketed VIP experience on November 28 and 29 and December 5 and 6. It includes Premium Skate perks such as skate rentals, skate concierge service and an extended skating session, plus time with Santa, holiday treats and crafts in the heated Polar Lounge. Reservations are made through Bryant Park’s website.

Santa’s Corner

A free photo op with Santa behind Le Carrousel, the park’s French-style carousel, from December 14 to 18. No tickets are needed, so expect a line at busy times.

↑ Back to contents

---

The Bryant Park Tree Lighting

Each December, Winter Village lights its own Christmas tree with a free evening celebration, usually with figure skating performances on the rink and special guests. Last season’s lighting was held on Tuesday, December 2, at 5:30 p.m.

The 2026 date hasn’t been announced yet, but it’s usually held in early December. We’ll update this page when it’s confirmed.

The Bryant Park lighting is much smaller and more relaxed than the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting, which takes place on Wednesday, December 2, 2026. If you want a tree-lighting experience without hours of waiting, Bryant Park’s is the better choice.

↑ Back to contents

---

Best Times to Visit

• Weekday mornings: The shops open at 11 a.m. on weekdays, and late morning is the calmest time to browse.
• Before Thanksgiving: Late October and early November have the smallest crowds and the shortest rink waits.
• After New Year’s: The shops close January 3, but the rink and the Lodge stay open until the end of February, and January and February are much quieter.
• Early-morning skating: The rink opens at 8 a.m., and the first sessions of the day are the easiest to book.
• Times to avoid: Weekday evenings after work and weekend afternoons in December, especially the two weekends before Christmas.

To help with peak crowds, Bryant Park has added “flow zones” and wider walkways this season, but December weekends can still feel crowded.

↑ Back to contents

---

Getting There

• Subway: 42 St–Bryant Park (B, D, F, M) is right on the park’s west side. 5 Av (7) is on the east side, and Times Sq–42 St (1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W, S) and Grand Central (4, 5, 6, 7, S) are a short walk away.
• Entrances: The main entrance to the village is at 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue, and you can enter the park from 40th Street, 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue.
• By car: Not recommended. Midtown traffic is slow in December, and parking is expensive.

↑ Back to contents

---

What to See Nearby

Bryant Park sits in the middle of Midtown’s holiday district, so it’s easy to combine with other stops.

• New York Public Library: The main branch, with its famous lion statues, borders the park on Fifth Avenue. The grand Rose Main Reading Room is free to visit.
• Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree: About a 10-minute walk north on Fifth or Sixth Avenue. See our Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree guide.
• Grand Central Holiday Fair and Holiday Train Show: Two blocks east at Grand Central Terminal, an indoor market and a free model-train display.
• Fifth Avenue holiday windows: Saks Fifth Avenue’s light show and the department store windows are a short walk north. See our guide to NYC holiday window displays.
• Radio City Music Hall: About 10 minutes north on Sixth Avenue, home of the Christmas Spectacular.
• Times Square: Two blocks west on 42nd Street.

↑ Back to contents

---

Practical Tips

• Book your skate time ahead. Even though skating is free, reserved sessions fill up fast in December.
• Bring a tote bag. It’s easier to carry purchases from kiosk to kiosk.
• Dress in layers. Most of the village is outdoors, but the kiosks and the Lodge can get warm inside.
• Use the park restrooms. Bryant Park’s public restrooms, near 42nd Street, are among the nicest in Midtown, though lines can be long at peak times.
• Keep belongings close. The paths get crowded, so keep bags zipped and in front of you.
• Visit after dark. The village is at its most magical once the lights come on, around 4:30 p.m. in December.

↑ Back to contents

---

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Bryant Park Winter Village open in 2026?

Bryant Park Winter Village opens on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, and runs through February 28, 2027. The Holiday Shops are open from October 28 to January 3.

Is Bryant Park ice skating free?

Yes. Admission to the rink is free if you bring your own skates. Skate rentals and Premium Skate packages cost extra, and reserving a skate time online in advance is recommended.

What are the Bryant Park Holiday Shops hours?

The Holiday Shops are open Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Some shops extend their hours during busy weeks.

How many vendors are at the Bryant Park Holiday Shops?

More than 180 vendors take part in the 2026 Holiday Shops, curated by Urbanspace, including local makers, gift shops and food vendors.

When is the Bryant Park tree lighting in 2026?

The 2026 date hasn’t been announced yet. It’s usually held in early December; last season’s lighting was on December 2 at 5:30 p.m., and it’s free to attend.

Can you see Santa at Bryant Park?

Yes. Club Santa, a ticketed experience, runs on November 28 and 29 and December 5 and 6, and free photos with Santa are offered at Santa’s Corner, behind Le Carrousel, from December 14 to 18.

What is the best time to visit Bryant Park Winter Village?

Weekday mornings and late October or early November are the least crowded. For atmosphere, visit just after dark, but avoid December weekend afternoons if you dislike crowds.

↑ Back to contents

---

We update this guide throughout the season as Bryant Park announces new details, including the 2026 tree lighting date and special events.