Bryant Park Winter Village 2026 opened on Wednesday, October 28, and the rink stays open until February 28, 2027. The Holiday Shops close earlier, on January 3. Below are the hours and the rules for free skating. We also list the shops and food stalls we would try first, and when another market makes more sense. This guide draws on Bryant Park’s official pages and its 2026 shop directory. We have not walked the kiosks yet, so treat our picks as a shortlist to check in person.
Bryant Park Winter Village 2026: Hours and Dates
As of Nov 2, 2026. Hours and dates are from Bryant Park’s official Winter Village page.
What are Bryant Park Winter Village 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. The Lodge is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and until 11:30 p.m. on select peak days between Nov. 19 and Jan. 3.
When does Bryant Park Winter Village close?
The Holiday Shops close for the season on Jan. 3, 2027. The rink and The Lodge stay open until Feb. 28, 2027, and select shops stay for the full season.
What are the Bryant Park ice rink hours?
The rink is open daily, holidays included, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Feb. 28, 2027. It stays open until midnight from Nov. 19 to Jan. 3, and it closes at 8 p.m. on Jan. 31.
Is Bryant Park ice skating free, and what do rentals cost?
Admission is free if you bring your own skates, but you must reserve a free “Bring Your Own Skates” ticket and show your skates to get on the ice. Skate rentals cost $18.72 to $64.48 before tax, and they cost less at off-peak times.
Bryant Park Winter Village 2026: dates and hours at a glance
First, the most searched question. The Holiday Shops close at 8 p.m. every day, while the rink closes at 10 p.m. and later in peak season. Every time below for Bryant Park Winter Village 2026 comes from the official Winter Village page, checked on October 27.
| What | Dates | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| The Rink | Oct. 28, 2026–Feb. 28, 2027 | Daily 8 a.m.–10 p.m.; to midnight Nov. 19–Jan. 3 |
| Holiday Shops | Oct. 28, 2026–Jan. 3, 2027 | Mon.–Fri. 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sat.–Sun. 10 a.m.–8 p.m. |
| The Lodge | Oct. 28, 2026–Feb. 28, 2027 | Daily 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; to 11:30 p.m. on peak days |
| The Chalet | Season | Daily 11 a.m.–10 p.m. |
Holiday hours shift slightly, so plan around them. On Thanksgiving, the shops open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Christmas Day, they run from noon to 5 p.m. The park may also close before 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. One more date to note: on January 31, the rink closes at 8 p.m.
Bryant Park ice skating: free admission, rentals and reservations
Bryant Park ice skating is free if you bring your own skates. However, you still need a ticket. Reserve the free “Bring Your Own Skates” slot on the official page, and show your skates at the door. Those free tickets roll out daily, one week ahead, so set a reminder.
If you need skates, rentals cost $18.72 to $64.48 before tax, including a small fee. Prices rise at peak times, so a weekday morning costs less. The Express Lane ticket with rentals costs $87.52 and stretches your ice time to 75 minutes. Meanwhile, Premium Skate runs $156 to $182 and adds a skate concierge, snacks and a drink, and the shared Polar Lounge.
Most sessions give you 50 minutes on the ice. Your ice time starts 20 minutes after the time on your ticket, so arrive early and lace up. Also, the rink bans bags on the ice. Wear your coat or check it, and bag check costs $6.24 per item. Shoe check and helmets are free.
Two smaller rules help families. First, children under 14 must skate with an adult. Second, skate aids are free before 10:30 a.m., while supplies last. Bank of America cardholders also get 10% off rentals booked online.
The Holiday Shops: our picks from the directory
The Holiday Shops fill the park’s paths and terraces between 40th and 42nd Streets, from Fifth to Sixth Avenue. Urbanspace runs them, and the 2026 Holiday Shops directory lists every kiosk by number. We read the Bryant Park Winter Village 2026 list with one rule in mind. Look for New York makers and gifts that will still matter in March.
Here is our shortlist, drawn only from the directory’s names and categories:
- Claudia Pearson (W37) and Joel Holland Storefronts (W39), both under Artwork. Start here for New York prints.
- Drawings of New York (N40) and 1980s NYC Subway (N7), also under Artwork, for a city-themed gift.
- Kalsang Pottery (E32), under Artwork, for something handmade for the table.
- Dearest Brooklyn (N15) and Brooklyn Bay (S4), both under Jewelry.
- New York Puzzle Company (E37), under Kids & Games, for a family gift.
- Miss Tea (E17) and Hell’s Kitchen Hot Sauce (W9), under Provisions, for a host gift.
Before you buy, check the kiosk. Directory listings tell you a name and a category, not quality. For more ideas at a gentler price, see our list of gifts under $150. Before you spend on ornaments, our guide to Christmas tree trends 2026 covers six designer looks, from cherry cola reds to a black tree, each with a way to try it at home.
Where to eat and drink: food vendors and The Lodge
The food sits in two places. First, The Lodge is an open-air bar and food hall beside the rink. The official page lists Cafe ‘cito for Latin sandwiches and hot chocolate, plus Stout Sausage Co. for grilled sausages. It also lists S’mores N’more, Sweet Tooth and three full bars. The Canoe Bar recommends its Fireside Cider, while The Lodge Bar pushes a Mulled Wine.
Second, the shop directory lists food kiosks across the market. From those names, we would start with Destination Dumplings, Birria LES, Gnocchi on 9th and La Palapa Tamales. For something sweet, the list includes Babka Bailout, Royce Chocolate and Wonderen Stroopwafels. Again, these are names from the directory, not tasting notes.
The rink also bans food and drinks on the ice. So eat before your session, or after it at the rinkside bar.
If you want a seasonal drink on the way, our rundown of McDonald’s holiday drinks 2026 lists the five new drinks and what is in each.
A map-style walk: Bryant Park Winter Village in two hours
This route through Bryant Park Winter Village 2026 uses the layout on the official page, not a copied map. Adjust it once you see the kiosks.
- Arrive at 42nd Street. Accessible entrances sit mid-block on 40th and 42nd Streets, between Fifth and Sixth Avenues. The 7 train stops at Fifth Avenue, next to the park.
- Skate first, from minute 0 to 70. The park says a skate visit takes about 70 minutes from arrival to exit. So book the earliest slot you can.
- Warm up at The Lodge, from minute 70 to 90. Then grab a drink rinkside. The Chalet, in the northwest corner of the rink deck, is a quieter option.
- Shop the paths, from minute 90 to 120. Work through your shortlist by kiosk number. Finally, leave by 40th Street.
Dress for an hour or more outdoors. A long coat over a sweater works better than a puffer you’ll be checking. Our guide to how to style a trench coat covers the layering.
Christmas markets NYC 2026: the other holiday markets
Christmas markets NYC 2026 spread across Manhattan this season, and each suits a different errand. Here is how the other three compare.
Grand Central Holiday Fair 2026
The Grand Central Holiday Fair 2026 runs November 9 to December 24 in Vanderbilt Hall, indoors. The terminal’s dated schedule lists 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday through December 16. After that, hours run 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. until December 23, and to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The fair closes on Thanksgiving. Best for a rainy day, or a gift on your way to a train.
Union Square Holiday Market 2026
The Union Square Holiday Market 2026 runs November 12 to December 24, per listings. Urbanspace’s vendor portal gives November 12 as the opening date, but its public page has not posted visitor hours yet. Best for a longer browse downtown.
Columbus Circle
Urbanspace’s Columbus Circle vendor portal lists December 1 to 31, 2026. However, the public market page has not confirmed those dates. Best paired with a walk in Central Park.
When to go to Bryant Park Winter Village and how to beat the crowds
The park’s own advice is to come on weekdays and mornings. It also points to dates before Thanksgiving and after New Year’s. Rental prices follow the same pattern, so off-peak visits cost less too. If Thanksgiving week is your window, our guide on where to travel for Thanksgiving sorts the options into city breaks, warm escapes and cozy drives, with the best days to leave.
For Bryant Park Winter Village 2026, December evenings are the busiest stretch. If you go then, book skating a week out, when the free slots open. Also, the rink runs rain or shine, though it may close in heavy rain. Bryant Park emails ticket holders if it cancels a session.
Want a quieter weekend outing first? Try our car-free fall day trips from NYC while the leaves last. Or revisit the buildings you saw during Open House New York Weekend. For more city outings, browse more Travel from High Tea Magazine.
Bryant Park ice skating is free if you bring your own skates.
FAQ
When does Bryant Park Winter Village open in 2026?
Bryant Park Winter Village 2026 opened on Wednesday, October 28. The rink, The Lodge and the Holiday Shops all opened that day.
What time does Bryant Park Winter Village close?
The Holiday Shops close at 8 p.m. daily. Rink hours end at 10 p.m., then at midnight from November 19 to January 3. Meanwhile, The Lodge closes at 10 p.m., and later on peak days.
Is ice skating at Bryant Park free?
Yes, admission is free if you bring your own skates. You still need a free timed ticket. Rentals cost extra.
How long is the Bryant Park holiday market open?
The Holiday Shops run from October 28, 2026, to January 3, 2027. The park says some shops stay through January and February, with that list to come later.
Does New York have Christmas markets?
Yes. Besides Bryant Park, Grand Central, Union Square and Columbus Circle all host holiday markets, with dates listed above.
We checked hours, dates and prices on the official pages on October 27, 2026. We will update this Bryant Park Winter Village 2026 guide when the late hours begin on November 19.