Bryant Park Winter Village 2025-2026: Rink Open, Market Closed

Admission: Free ·
Rink Season End Date: March 1, 2026 ·
Location: 40th–42nd Streets, 5th–6th Avenues

Six key facts about the Winter Village, one pattern: the ice rink is the main attraction this season while the market takes a year off.

What dates is Bryant Park Winter Village open?

What are the daily hours?

• Ice rink: 8am–10pm daily throughout the season (Bryant Park Corporation)
• Extended midnight hours on Thursdays–Sundays from November 6–23, 2025, and daily from November 24, 2025 through January 4, 2026 (Bryant Park Corporation)
• Holiday market (when operating in prior seasons) ran 10am–9pm daily from late October through early January, then 11am–8pm daily through March (Bryant Park Corporation)

The implication: the rink is the anchor this season, and its extended midnight hours during the holiday window give visitors more evening flexibility than a typical weeknight skate session.

What is the season end date?

• The ice rink closes for the season on March 1, 2026, weather permitting (Bryant Park Corporation)
• The Winter Village market — when it returns — typically runs from late October through early January for the holiday market, with the rink continuing through early March

What this means: March 1 is your last day to skate. After that, the park transitions back to its spring and summer programming. The market is expected to return in fall 2026, but an exact date has not been confirmed.

Does it cost to get into Bryant Park Winter Village?

Is the ice skating rink free?

• General admission to the rink is free — no ticket required (Bryant Park Corporation)
• Admission to the Winter Village grounds and the park itself is also free
• There are no fees to enter, walk through, or watch skaters

The trade-off: free entry means the rink can get crowded, especially on weekends and holidays. Arriving early is the best strategy for a peaceful skate.

How much are skate rentals?

• Standard skate rentals are charged separately, priced at $18.72–$60.32 (including a $0.72–$2.32 administrative fee) (Bryant Park Corporation)
• A premium skate package is available through third-party vendors, priced between $156 and $182, which includes concierge service, snacks, a beverage, bag check, extended ice time, and access to the Polar Lounge (CitiTour)
• Visitors can bring their own skates for free

The pattern: the rink is genuinely free, but the rental costs are where the Winter Village recovers revenue. For a family of four, rentals alone can run $75–$240 depending on package choice.

Is Bryant Park Winter Village crowded?

What are the best times to visit?

• Weekday mornings (before 11am) are the least crowded, according to general visitor patterns reported by Time Out New York
• Early afternoons on weekdays also tend to be manageable
• Weekends and holidays — especially Christmas week and New Year’s — are peak times with longer wait times for rentals

The catch: the rink’s midnight hours on peak dates (Nov 24–Jan 4) offer a quieter window for late-night skating, though the ice can be more cut up by that point in the day.

How to avoid crowds?

• Visit on weekday mornings when the rink opens at 8am
• Avoid holiday weeks (Christmas through New Year’s) if possible
• Consider visiting after 8pm on weeknights for a calmer atmosphere
• Check the weather — rainy or very cold days tend to see fewer visitors

What this means: the best strategy is to go early, go on a weekday, and go during the first half of the season (October–November) before holiday crowds peak.

How many shops are in Bryant Park Winter Village?

What types of shops are there?

• The holiday market is closed for the 2025–2026 season — no shops are currently open (Bryant Park Corporation)
• In prior seasons, the market featured approximately 170+ vendor stalls offering jewelry, gifts, clothing, art, and home goods, as reported by Veranda
• The market is expected to return in fall 2026 with a similar vendor lineup

The implication: if shopping is your primary reason for visiting, this season won’t deliver. The rink is the sole activity, and the park’s open space remains accessible for walking and relaxing.

Is there food at the Winter Village?

• No food vendors are currently operating at the Winter Village for the 2025–2026 season, since the market is closed
• When the market is open, it typically includes food stalls selling hot chocolate, pretzels, roasted nuts, and other seasonal snacks
• Nearby restaurants and cafes around Bryant Park (e.g., the Bryant Park Café, and food trucks along 42nd Street) remain available

The trade-off: without the market’s food options, visitors should plan to eat before or after their visit. The park itself has plenty of benches and green space for a picnic if you bring your own snacks. For those seeking market experiences in other cities, see our guide to the Rose Bowl Flea Market 2026: Schedule, Parking, Tips & What to Buy.

What is famous about Bryant Park?

What movies were filmed in Bryant Park?

• Bryant Park has been used as a filming location for numerous movies and TV shows, including “Spider-Man 3,” “The Devil Wears Prada,” and “Friends” (Bryant Park Corporation)
• The park’s iconic location behind the New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building makes it a recognizable backdrop for New York City scenes
• Its seasonal gardens, ice skating rink, and open lawn are frequently featured in establishing shots

The pattern: Bryant Park is one of the most filmed public spaces in New York, partly because it offers a classic “park in the city” aesthetic with the library as a landmark backdrop.

What other events happen at Bryant Park?

• Bryant Park hosts seasonal events year-round, including summer movie nights, Broadway in Bryant Park, and the Bryant Park Reading Room
• Winter activities include the ice skating rink, seasonal gardens, and — when the market is operating — the holiday shopping village
• The park is open daily and serves as a public gathering space for Midtown workers, tourists, and locals

What this means: even without the Winter Village market, Bryant Park is a destination in its own right. The rink is the winter anchor, but the park’s year-round programming means there’s always something happening.

Timeline

What’s confirmed vs. what’s unclear

What visitors are saying

“Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is closed for the 2025–2026 season, but the Rink is open daily through March 1, 2026.”

— Bryant Park Corporation

“The rink is open daily from 8am to 10pm, with extended midnight hours on Thursdays through Sundays from November 6 to November 23, 2025, and daily from November 24, 2025 through January 4, 2026.”

— Bryant Park Corporation

“The festive open-air market would run from October 24, 2025 through March 1, 2026, while the Urbanspace market would operate through January 4, 2026.”

— amNewYork

For anyone planning a trip to Bryant Park this winter, the equation is simple: the ice rink is free, open, and worth the visit — but the holiday market that made the Winter Village a full-day destination is sitting this season out. The rink alone is enough for a memorable afternoon, especially on a weekday morning when the ice is fresh and the crowds are thin. For families, bringing your own skates eliminates the rental cost entirely. For shoppers, this is a season to browse elsewhere and return in fall 2026 when the market is expected back. For New Yorkers and visitors alike, the choice is clear: lace up, show up early, and enjoy the rink while it lasts — or wait for the full Winter Village experience next year. For more destination guides, check out our tips on visiting Little Italy San Diego: Worth Visiting? Guide & Tips.

Visitors looking for a place to stay near the rink can check out the Bryant Park Hotel, which offers a prime location right on the park.

Frequently asked questions