Bryant Park Winter Village To Return At October's End

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Halloween and Thanksigivng be damned, nothing can stand in the way of excitement for the winter holiday season in New York City. That's why one of the city's largest holiday attractions, the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, will debut this year at the end of October.

The annual attraction will kick off on the day of Halloween, featuring one of the city's only admission-free skating rinks and a holiday market with more than 170 vendors, organizers announced this week. This year, the village's first 100 visitors will receive a free skate rental and hot chocolate.

The Bryant Park ice rink will be open daily, weather permitted, during the duration of the winter village. The rink doesn't draw as much fanfare as its counterpart at Rockefeller Center, but it's often less mobbed and admission is free. Skaters can either bring their own skates or rent them at the village.

Also returning to this year's winter village is"The Lodge by Urbanspace," a replica ski lodge serving up warm beverages, seasonal cocktails and food from Urbanspace vendors. Urbanspace also coordinates the massive holiday market in Bryant Park, which will feature vendors such as Big Mozz, DŌ and Arancini Bros as well as artisans plying jewelry, gifts, clothing and other goods.

This year will mark Bryant Park's 18th anniversary of hosting the winter village. The attraction will run all the way until March 1, with special events planned such as a Dec. 5 tree lighting ceremony and photo opporutnity's with Santa and his helpers from Dec. 14-22.