Winter Village, the winter staple at Bryant Park in Midtown Manhattan, opens its 25th season on Oct. 28. The free-admission ice rink will run through Feb. 28, and the holiday market, with more than 180 small businesses, will run through Jan. 3. Skaters who bring their own skates pay nothing but need a free reservation, released one week in advance. Renting skates costs $18 to $64. From Nov. 19 through Jan. 3, the rink will stay open until midnight.
New York's holiday season once again begins first at Bryant Park. The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, at 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue, opens at noon on Oct. 28. It started in 2002 with 80 shops, and this year marks its 25th season.
Free Ice Rink, but Reservations Required
The 17,000-square-foot ice rink has no admission fee. Skaters who bring their own skates can skate for free, but they must get a free "Bring Your Own Skates" reservation on the website. Reservations are released one week at a time each day, and each person can book only one session per day, with up to five tickets per booking. Each session lasts about 50 minutes.
Renting skates costs $18.72 to $64.48 including fees (plus tax), depending on the date and time slot. The Express Lane, which lets skaters enter without waiting in line, costs $87.52 including rental. Skating aids for beginners are available free of charge before 10:30 a.m. Lockers are limited, so it is best to bring your own lock; lockers purchased on site cost $6.24.
180 Holiday Market Shops and a Lounge
Throughout the park, more than 180 small businesses selected by Urbanspace will open small glass booths selling handmade accessories, stationery, gifts and snacks. Shops with long lines every year, such as Serendipity 3's frozen hot chocolate, are returning. The market closes first, on Jan. 3. The Lodge, a covered outdoor lounge next to the rink, lets visitors enjoy food and drinks while watching skaters, and it will operate through the end of February.
This year, to reduce congestion during crowded evening hours, the walkways have been widened and new traffic-flow zones have been set up. Bank of America plans to give four New York City entrepreneurs market booths free of charge.
Rules Worth Knowing
Children under 14 must come with a guardian. Bags, phones, food and drinks are not allowed on the ice, and jumping, spinning, skating backward and skating while carrying a child are prohibited. The rink operates in the rain but may close during heavy rain or severe weather. The busiest times are weekend afternoons and the days just before Christmas, so weekday mornings are the best bet for a more relaxed skate. Reservations and details are available at bryantpark.org.