The ice is down in Bryant Park. Bank of America Winter Village opened its rink on Wednesday, Oct. 28, and the Holiday Shops and The Lodge bar and food hall are open alongside it, between 40th and 42nd Streets and Fifth and Sixth Avenues in Midtown. Skating runs every day through Feb. 28, 2027, holidays included.

Free to skate, if you bring skates

Admission to The Rink is free. The park describes it as the largest free-admission skating rink in New York City, with 17,000 square feet of ice. The catch is a reservation: everyone needs a timed ticket to enter the skating area, including people who bring their own skates. Free own-skates tickets are released daily for dates one week out, and the park asks each skater to book one session per day rather than several in a row.

Rental skates are where the cost comes in. Rental tickets run $18.72 to $64.48 depending on the day and time, including a small administrative fee, and the park says off-peak visits are the cheaper ones. Helmets are free. A skate aid for beginners costs $26, and is free before 10:30 a.m. while supplies last. Socks and locks are $6.24 each, and shoe check is free.

Two upgrades are on offer. Express Lane, $87.52 with rental skates, skips the line and stretches ice time to 75 minutes; a version for skaters with their own skates runs $18.42 to $36.86 on select dates. Premium Skate, $156 to $182, adds a skate concierge, snacks and a drink, and access to a shared space called the Polar Lounge.

How a session works

Most sessions are 50 minutes on the ice. Ice time starts 20 minutes after the time printed on the ticket, which leaves room to collect skates and lace up. Bags are not allowed on the ice and coats have to be worn or checked; bag check is $6.24 per item. Children under 14 must be with an adult.

Quiet skating on Sundays

Starting today, Sunday, Nov. 1, and running every Sunday through Nov. 22, the rink turns its music off from 9 to 11 a.m. for skaters who want a quieter session. Announcements still play over the speakers during those hours.

Hours

  • The Rink: daily, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. From Nov. 19 to Jan. 3 it stays open until midnight. On Jan. 31 it closes at 8 p.m.
  • The Lodge: daily, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
  • Holiday Shops: Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Later hours begin Nov. 19.

The rink stays open in rain but may close in heavy weather, and ticket holders are emailed if a session is canceled.

Lessons and a discount

Group Learn to Skate classes meet on Saturday and Sunday mornings and Tuesday afternoons, sorted by age and level, and private coaches are available every day. Customers who pay online with a Bank of America card get 10 percent off eligible skate rentals through Feb. 28.

Free shows at Le Carrousel

Across the park at Le Carrousel, on the 40th Street side, NYC Parks lists a free series of children's shows this month: puppet theater from Repertorio Español and Scaramouches Puppet Theatre on Wednesdays, Nov. 4 and 11; music with FunkyTown Playground on Monday, Nov. 16; magic with Lee Barrett on Wednesday, Nov. 18; music with Andy and Suzanna on Monday, Nov. 23; and magic with Looney Louie on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

Getting there

Take the B, D, F or M to 42 St–Bryant Park, or the 7 to 5 Av. Reserve skate times at bryantpark.org before you go, especially for weekends and the late-night stretch that starts Nov. 19.

Sources