By Daniel Douglas
Each winter, Bryant Park transforms into one of New York City’s most recognizable seasonal destinations. In December 2025, Bryant Park’s Winter Village once again drew thousands of visitors to Midtown Manhattan, offering a mix of ice skating, holiday shopping, and dining that have become a staple of the city’s holiday season.
The Winter Village is located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues near 42nd Street and operates throughout the winter months, welcoming New Yorkers, tourists, families, couples, and small business owners alike. At its center is New York City’s only free-admission outdoor ice skating rink, a 17,000-square-foot attraction that allows skaters to enter at no cost if they bring their own skates. Surrounding the rink are more than 190 holiday market vendors operating small wooden stalls, selling a wide range of food, gifts, crafts, and specialty items.
The event serves multiple purposes. For visitors, it offers a festive escape from the pace of Midtown, blending recreation and shopping in a highly accessible public space. For vendors, many of whom are small, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses, the Winter Village provides exposure to one of the largest seasonal crowds in the city. Programs such as the Small Business Spotlight initiative allow select low-revenue entrepreneurs to operate rent-free stalls, giving them a chance to build their brand and customer base during the peak holiday season.
Financially, the Winter Village plays a critical role in supporting Bryant Park’s operations. The ice rink alone generated approximately $8.5 million during the 2022-23 season and is projected to reach $10 million in the 2024-25 season. Total Winter Village revenue, including sponsorships and retail activity, exceeded $15.7 million in the 2023 fiscal year. These funds help support the park’s free year-round programming, including public events, maintenance, and community activities.
Accessibility and inclusivity remain central to the Winter Village’s design. Wide pathways allow visitors of all abilities to move comfortably throughout the market, while the open layout encourages interaction between vendors and guests. Shoppers browse stalls, skaters glide across the ice, and visitors pause to watch the activity unfold, creating an atmosphere that balances commerce with community.
As the holiday season continues, Bryant Park’s Winter Village stands as more than a market or skating destination. It is a seasonal hub where small businesses thrive, public space is activated, and New York City’s holiday spirit takes shape-one vendor stall, skate lap, and shared moment at a time.
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