Bryant Park Winter Village 2026 Opens With Free-Admission Ice Rink and 180 Vendors

What is open in Midtown

Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant ParkBryant ParkThe Midtown lawn behind the New York Public Library, hosting free summer movies and a winter village with free-entry skating. has opened for the 2026 holiday season. This is the 25th edition, according to 6sqft, and the setup includes an ice rink with no admission charge, a rinkside food hall and bar, and an open-air holiday market with more than 180 vendors. The report describes the rink as the only free-admission ice skating rink in the city. For travelers staying in Manhattan, it is an easy add-on to a Midtown day rather than a separate excursion. The market and food hall are the reason to stay longer than a quick skate.

How to plan around it

Decide whether you are going for the ice or the market. If skating is the point, check the event's official page for rink hours before you leave your hotel, then build the rest of the day around that slot. If shopping is the point, arrive with a budget and a short list, because 180 vendors can absorb more time than expected. The food hall and bar give a group a simple break without leaving the park. Set a time limit if you have a show or museum booking later, because the market has more than 180 vendors.

What it means for your trip

This works well as a first-day stop after a JFK or Newark arrival if you are staying in Midtown. There is no admission charge for the rink, so a delayed flight does not cost you a prepaid ticket. The 2026 season is already running, so do not save it for December only. Check the official Bryant Park Winter Village page for daily hours and weather closures before you go.