Bryant Park Winter Village 2026: Dates, Free Ice Skating, Holiday Shops and Tips
The short answer: The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park opens on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The ice rink runs until February 28, 2027, and the Holiday Shops by Urbanspace run from October 28, 2026 to January 3, 2027. Skating is free if you bring your own skates; rentals cost extra and are sold online by time slot. For the calmest skate, book a morning session on a weekday in November or January.
The 2026 to 2027 season is the Winter Village's 25th, according to Time Out New York. Here's how to plan a visit, whether you want to skate, shop or just get a hot drink with a view of the rink.
When does Bryant Park Winter Village open in 2026?
On Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Different parts of the Village close on different dates, so it helps to know which part you're going for.
| Part of the Village | 2026 to 2027 dates | Hours (per Bryant Park) |
|---|---|---|
| The Rink | Oct 28, 2026 to Feb 28, 2027, daily, including holidays | 8am to 10pm; 8am to midnight from Nov 19 to Jan 3; closes at 8pm on Jan 31 |
| Holiday Shops by Urbanspace | Oct 28, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027 | Mon to Fri 11am to 8pm; Sat and Sun 10am to 8pm |
| The Lodge (bar and food hall) | Through the rink season | 10am to 10pm; until 11:30pm from Nov 18 to Jan 3 |
The rink is open rain or shine, but Bryant Park says it may close for heavy rain or severe weather. Check the official site on the day if the forecast looks bad.
Is ice skating at Bryant Park free?
Yes, admission is free. Bryant Park calls it "free-admission ice skating," and Time Out describes it as the city's only free-admission rink. What costs money is everything around the skate: rentals, faster entry and extras.
Prices for the 2026 to 2027 season, as listed by Bryant Park when we checked on October 9, 2026 (they include an administrative fee):
| Option | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Own skates | Free | A timed session; tickets release daily, one week ahead |
| Skate rental | $18.72 to $64.48 | Rental skates; cheaper at off-peak times |
| Express Lane, own skates | $18.42 to $36.86 | Faster entry, select dates only |
| Express Lane with rentals | $87.52 | Lace up first, 75 minutes on the ice |
| Premium Skate | $156 to $182 | Skate concierge, snacks and a drink, Polar Lounge access, rentals, bag check, extended ice time |
Smaller extras: helmets are free, socks and locks are $6.24 each, bag check is $6.24 per item, and a Skate Aid (the walker for beginners) is $26, or free before 10:30am, subject to availability. Most sessions last 50 minutes.
If you love skating and own skates, this is a rare free thing to do in Midtown. If you just want to try it once with friends, a rental at an off-peak time keeps it cheap.
How do I book a skating session at Bryant Park?
Online, through the "Reserve tickets" button on the official Winter Village page. A few things to know before you book:
- Tickets for own-skate sessions release daily, one week in advance.
- No refunds. You can reschedule or cancel for store credit up to one hour before your slot.
- Groups of 30 to 100 skaters must book ahead, and group bookings can't be made same day.
- Bank of America cardholders get 10% off eligible rentals booked online during the season.
- Lessons: group Learn to Skate classes run on Saturday and Sunday mornings and Tuesday afternoons; private lessons run seven days a week.
What are the Bryant Park Holiday Shops?
An open-air holiday market of small glass kiosks around the park, curated by Urbanspace. Time Out reports more than 180 vendors for 2026, open from October 28 to January 3. Expect gifts, ornaments, small-batch food and stocking stuffers rather than big brands. Bryant Park says the 2026 shop directory is "coming soon," so check back closer to opening if you're hunting for a specific maker.
If you love browsing, go on a weekday morning, when the paths between kiosks are walkable. Weekend afternoons in December are the busiest time of the season.
What else is there to do at the Winter Village?
More than skating and shopping, and some of it needs its own reservation.
- The Lodge: a heated, rink-side food hall with full-service bars. A good place to warm up without skating.
- Cozy Igloos: private igloos for up to 8 guests, booked in 90-minute sessions. A reservation does not include rink access. Rosy Igloos open in early 2027.
- Club Santa: a VIP package on November 28 and 29 and December 5 and 6, 2026, with time with Santa, treats and crafts in the heated Polar Lounge, plus Premium Skate perks.
- Santa's Corner: free Santa photos behind Le Carrousel from December 14 to 18, 2026. No tickets needed.
- Bumper Cars on Ice: Bryant Park says it returns after the new year; dates and tickets had not been announced when we checked.
Tree lighting: the 2026 tree lighting date hadn't been announced as of October 9, 2026. In 2025 the ceremony was in early December; check Bryant Park's official events calendar before you go.
When is the best time to visit Bryant Park Winter Village?
It depends on what you want from it.
- For an easy skate: weekday mornings. The rink opens at 8am, and the Skate Aid is free before 10:30am.
- For the holiday mood: a weekday evening in early December, when the shops and the lights are both on. Book your slot a week ahead.
- To avoid crowds entirely: January and February. The Holiday Shops close on January 3, but the rink and the Lodge stay open until the end of February.
- Late-night skate: from November 19 to January 3 the rink stays open until midnight, which is the quietest way to see it during peak season.
How do I get to Bryant Park?
Bryant Park sits between 40th and 42nd Streets, from Fifth Avenue to Sixth Avenue, in Midtown Manhattan. By subway:
- B, D, F or M to 42 St to Bryant Park, at the Sixth Avenue side of the park.
- 7 to 5 Av, near the Fifth Avenue side.
The park backs onto the New York Public Library's Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue, so it's easy to pair a skate with a walk through the library, then head east along 42nd Street to Grand Central.
Checklist before you go
- Book your skate slot (tickets release one week ahead)
- Bring your own skates if you have them; it's free
- Pack socks or plan to buy a pair ($6.24)
- Bring a lock or budget for bag check
- Reserve extras like an igloo or Club Santa separately
- Check the weather and the official site on the day
FAQ
When does Bryant Park Winter Village open in 2026? Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The rink runs until February 28, 2027.
Is Bryant Park ice skating free? Admission is free. You pay only for rentals and extras, and skating with your own skates costs nothing.
When do the Bryant Park Holiday Shops close? January 3, 2027.
How long is a skating session at Bryant Park? Most sessions are 50 minutes. The Express Lane with rentals gives you 75 minutes.
Do I need a reservation to visit the Holiday Shops? No. The shops are open-air and free to walk through. Reservations are only for skating sessions and extras like igloos.
Sources
- Bryant Park, Bank of America Winter Village (dates, hours, prices, igloos, events; checked October 9, 2026): https://bryantpark.org/amenities/bank-of-america-winter-village-at-bryant-park
- Bryant Park, hours and directions: https://bryantpark.org/the-park/hours-and-directions
- Time Out New York, "NYC's most famous winter village is making its festive return next month with free skating and 180 vendors": https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/nycs-most-famous-winter-village-is-making-its-festive-return-next-month-with-free-skating-and-180-vendors-091926
- NYC Parks, Bryant Park Holiday Tree Lighting 2025: https://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2025/12/02/bryant-park-holiday-tree-lighting
Cover photo: Ethan Long, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (source).
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