New York’s 2026 Holiday Markets and Winter Villages: A Guide

Picture a teacher from Jackson Heights standing at 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue on a Saturday in November. She has a list of 11 names, a firm budget, and a promise to herself that this year the gifts will come from real makers, not a warehouse.

Bryant Park is already glowing. The skaters are out, the booths are open, and the crowd is getting thicker by the minute.

New York’s holiday markets are some of the best in the country, but they reward a plan. Here is what is open, what is coming, and how to make one day count.

When does the Bryant Park Winter Village open in 2026?

It is already open. The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park opened on Oct. 28, 2026, according to Bryant Park. The season runs on three different calendars:

• The rink and Winter Village: Oct. 28, 2026, through Feb. 28, 2027.
• The Holiday Shops: Oct. 28, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027.
• The Lodge, an open-air bar and food hall beside the rink: Oct. 28, 2026, through Feb. 28, 2027.

That split matters for planning. If shopping is the point, you have until the first weekend of January. If skating is the point, you have all winter.

What are the Winter Village hours and prices?

Bryant Park lists these hours for the 2026 to 2027 season:

Area	Hours
Rink	Daily, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; until midnight from Nov. 19 to Jan. 3
The Lodge	10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; until 11:30 p.m. from Nov. 18 to Jan. 3
Holiday Shops	Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The best news for anyone on a budget: rink admission is free. Skate rentals cost extra, ranging from $18.72 to $64.48 including the administrative fee, according to Bryant Park. Express Lane and premium skate packages cost more, and Bank of America cardholders get 10 percent off eligible rentals.

If you own skates, bring them. A free skate session in Midtown is one of the few genuinely free holiday experiences in the city.

What is new at Bryant Park this season?

Bryant Park says Bumper Cars on Ice will return after the new year, with dates and tickets still to be announced. In early 2027, its Cozy Igloos will switch over to Rosy Igloos for Valentine’s season.

The park links to a 2026 Holiday Shops directory on its website, which is the easiest way to plan which booths to visit before you go.

When do the Union Square and Columbus Circle holiday markets open?

Urbanspace, which runs several of the city’s best-known holiday markets, had not posted 2026 dates for its other locations when we checked its pages. Each one said only that the market would be back in 2026.

Union Square Holiday Market

The Union Square Holiday Market is the big one for gift hunters. Urbanspace says it welcomes nearly 200 vendors selling gifts made by local craftspeople, artists and entrepreneurs, and notes that it was named the best holiday market in America in 2023.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market

At the southwest corner of Central Park, the Columbus Circle Holiday Market leans elegant, with art, jewelry, home goods and food from local artisans and designers. Urbanspace lists the 1, A, C, B and D trains as the nearest subway lines.

Herald Holiday Fair

The Herald Holiday Fair is the newest of the group. Urbanspace describes it as stretching along Broadway from 32nd to 36th streets, right in the heart of Herald Square’s holiday shopping.

Since dates were not posted at our deadline, check each page before you plan a trip. If you are building a calendar, Bryant Park is the safe first stop because it is already open.

How do you plan a holiday market day in NYC?

One good day beats three rushed ones. Here is a simple way to structure it.

1. Make your list before you leave. Write down each name and a rough budget. It keeps the impulse buys honest.
2. Start with the market that is open longest. Bryant Park’s shops open at 11 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends.
3. Browse once, then buy. Walk the full market before you spend. Many booths sell similar items at different prices and quality.
4. Ask makers about their work. Small sellers can often tell you how a piece was made, how to care for it, and whether they ship.
5. Take a break on the ice. With free rink admission, a skate between shopping rounds costs only the rental, or nothing if you bring skates.
6. End with dinner or lights. Evenings are when the city’s holiday light shows come alive.

For more ways to keep a day out from adding up, see our guide to touring on a budget.

When is the best time to visit holiday markets to avoid crowds?

Weekday mornings and early afternoons are usually the calmest, before office workers arrive at lunch and long before the evening rush. Weekends from mid-December on tend to be the busiest stretch of the season.

If a weekend is your only option, arrive right at opening. Bryant Park’s Holiday Shops open at 10 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and the first hour is the best time for a calm look at the booths.

Weather matters too. A cold, clear weekday in November can feel like having the market to yourself.

What holiday light shows can you pair with a market trip?

Several of the city’s gardens and cultural institutions run ticketed holiday shows that start in mid to late November. They make a good evening after an afternoon of shopping.

NYBG Holiday Train Show (Bronx)

The New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show runs Nov. 14, 2026, through Jan. 10, 2027, in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Model trains wind past nearly 200 landmark replicas made from plant materials like palm fronds, pinecones and cinnamon sticks. New this year is a botanical replica of One Vanderbilt. NYBG says the conservatory stays open until 8 p.m. on select evenings, and it offers sensory-friendly mornings on Nov. 21 and Jan. 9.

Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden

Lightscape runs Nov. 20, 2026, through Jan. 3, 2027. It is an evening light trail through the garden, with large illuminated sculptures, lit trees and water features, and music. Adult tickets range from $29 on value nights to $44 on peak nights, children 3 to 11 range from $15 to $28, and children 2 and under are free. Entry times are staggered, so book ahead.

How can you shop holiday markets on a budget?

• Set a per-person limit and pay for small items in cash so you can see the total shrink.
• Look for consumables. Food, candles and small-batch pantry items make good gifts at lower price points.
• Group gifts. One nicer item from a maker can cover a couple or a family.
• Skip the rental. If anyone in your group owns skates, the Bryant Park rink is free.
• Do not shop hungry. Market food adds up fast. Eat before, then treat yourself to one thing.

If you would rather send something ready to go, we looked at curated options last year in our story on curated gift boxes.

How can you support the makers you meet at holiday markets?

A market booth is often a small business’s biggest storefront of the year. A few simple habits make your visit count for more than one purchase.

• Take a card. Many makers sell online or take orders after the market closes, so you can come back for birthdays and anniversaries.
• Ask about custom work early. Personalized pieces take time, and lead times grow as December goes on.
• Follow and share. A post or a tag costs nothing and helps a small seller reach new customers.
• Leave a review. If a gift lands well, tell the maker and say so publicly.
• Be kind about prices. Handmade work reflects materials and hours. If something is out of budget, ask whether there is a smaller version.

Those small gestures add up. For many vendors, the relationships they build over a few weeks in a park or plaza carry their business into the slower months of the new year.

What should you bring to a holiday market?

• A tote or two. Many booths use small bags, if any.
• Layers and gloves, since you will be outdoors for hours.
• A charged phone with your gift list on it.
• Some cash, in case a small seller’s card reader acts up.
• Patience. The season gets busy, and so do the people working it.

That last one is worth taking seriously. The weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s can be a lot, and our piece on the overwhelm season is a reminder to pace yourself.

Back at 42nd and Sixth, our teacher from Jackson Heights has a plan now. She walks the Bryant Park booths once before buying anything, crosses six names off her list, and takes a free lap around the rink in her own skates. The rest of the list can wait for Union Square once its dates go up. She heads for the subway with two full totes and money left in the budget.

Frequently asked questions

Is ice skating at Bryant Park free?

Admission to the Bryant Park rink is free. Skate rentals cost extra, from $18.72 to $64.48 including fees, so bringing your own skates is the cheapest way to skate. The rink runs through Feb. 28, 2027.

When do the Bryant Park Holiday Shops close?

The Holiday Shops at Bank of America Winter Village run through Jan. 3, 2027. The rink and The Lodge stay open until Feb. 28, 2027.

How many vendors are at the Union Square Holiday Market?

Urbanspace says the Union Square Holiday Market welcomes nearly 200 vendors, many of them local craftspeople, artists and entrepreneurs. Check the Urbanspace website for 2026 dates.

What is the best day to visit NYC holiday markets?

Weekday mornings and early afternoons are usually the least crowded. If you must go on a weekend, arrive when the market opens and avoid the busiest stretch in mid to late December.

When does the NYBG Holiday Train Show open in 2026?

The Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden runs from Nov. 14, 2026, through Jan. 10, 2027, with a members-only preview on Nov. 13. Advance reservations are recommended.

Sources

• Bryant Park: Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
• Urbanspace Markets: Union Square Holiday Market
• Urbanspace Markets: Columbus Circle Holiday Market
• Urbanspace Markets: Herald Holiday Fair
• New York Botanical Garden: Holiday Train Show
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden: Lightscape

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