About
Bryant Park's free-admission rink and holiday shops open for the season.
This is the only major NYC rink where admission is genuinely free, set against the library and Midtown skyline. The Holiday Shops are the city's most browsable holiday market, with far more food options than Union Square. Because it opens in late October and runs past the holidays, it is also the least crowded big rink experience if you time it for a weekday.
What to expect
A packed but festive park: skaters circling the rink to music, shoppers threading between glass kiosks, and long-ish lines for rentals on weekends. Evenings are prettiest, with the tree and lights up from late November. Expect 1-3 hours depending on whether you skate, shop, or settle into The Lodge.
Good to know
- 2026-27 dates not yet announced — this listing is based on the annual pattern (opens late October; rink through ~March 1)
- Skating admission is free, but skate rentals cost extra and sell out timed slots on weekends — reserve online
- Holiday Shops historically close in early January; the rink and The Lodge run later into winter
- B/D/F/M to 42 St-Bryant Park lands you at the park's edge
- Weekday mornings and late evenings are the quietest ice times
Going? Keep it.
Common questions
When is the 2026-27 Winter Village season?
Winter Village runs from Wednesday, October 28, 2026 through Sunday, February 28, 2027.
Is rink admission free?
Yes. Admission to the rink is free when you bring your own skates, while skate rentals cost extra.
What time does the rink open?
The official Bryant Park page lists daily operations beginning at 8am.
What else is at Winter Village?
The season includes the Holiday Shops and The Lodge alongside the ice rink.