The Bryant Park Winter Village in New York City is a beloved holiday tradition that started in 2002. It transforms the park into a winter wonderland. With its charming holiday shops, ice skating rink, and festive atmosphere, it’s a magical experience. But it also draws visitors from far and near—and that may be a problem for New Yorkers who for years thought of it as their very own holiday village.
The holiday shops offer a wide variety of unique gifts, artisanal crafts, and delicious treats. The ice-skating rink, set against the backdrop of the New York City skyline, provides a picturesque setting for winter fun. The twinkling lights, festive decorations, and cheerful music create an enchanting atmosphere that captures the spirit of the season.
For families, the Winter Village is a perfect outing. Children can enjoy the carousel, meet Santa Claus, and participate in various holiday-themed activities. Couples can take romantic strolls through the park, hand in hand, while sipping hot cocoa. Friends can gather for a fun day of shopping, skating, and enjoying the festive ambiance.
But despite—or perhaps because of–its popularity, the Bryant Park Winter Village is facing increasing criticism on several fronts. One of the primary concerns is the sheer volume of visitors it attracts. The large crowds can make it difficult to navigate the park, leading to congestion and long lines.
At popular food stands like Strawberro, visitors have reported waiting up to 45 minutes for a cup of strawberries covered in Belgian chocolate. For some, the experience can feel overwhelming and detract from the enjoyment of the event. The Gothamist went so far as to ask rhetorically whether it has become “a nightmare.”
Added to the suffocating crowds is the prohibitive cost of the treats and merchandise. That cup of strawberries that you may wait for as long as an hour for will set you back $30. A cup of hot chocolate, $8. Many of the items sold at the holiday shops are considered equally overpriced. Moreover, the cost of ice skating, including skate rentals, can add up quickly. While access to the rink is free, skate rental ranges from $15 to $50 per person, depending on the date and time. Add to that the cost of the hot chocolate and a treat, and that turns into a pretty pricey outing for a typical family of four. One New Yorker complained on TikTok, “The prices also feel like they’ve changed quite dramatically in recent years. You hear about gentrification where people get priced out of their neighborhood — now New Yorkers are getting priced out of their holiday traditions.”
Another criticism is that the setup of the Winter Village impacts the usability of Bryant Park. The holiday shops and ice-skating rink take up a significant portion of the park, reducing the available seating and open space. This can be frustrating for regular park-goers who use the park for relaxation, exercise, or other activities throughout the year.
The irony of any popular attraction–and one that global tourist magnets have been struggling with—is that popularity is a double-edged sword. It brings income, but also a slew of problems that must be addressed. One potential solution to the Bryant Park problems is to implement crowd control measures, such as timed entry tickets or limiting the number of visitors during peak hours. This could help alleviate congestion and create a more enjoyable experience for everyone. The other is to offer more affordable options for food, gifts, and activities that could make the Winter Village more inclusive. This is not likely to be realistic given the law of supply and demand; when it comes to tourism and popular destinations, congestion and overpricing are the direct result of success. New Yorkers may simply have to accept that sharing their once “home-grown” Winter Village with the crowds it attracts from all over the world has become the downside of its fame.
