Winter festivities come early to NYC, with ice rinks and holiday markets opening this month

Before it’s even truly felt like fall, winter is coming to New York City. Ice skating rinks and holiday markets will open this month, giving an early taste of cold-weather activities. The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, which includes holiday vendors and 17,000-square-foot ice rink, officially opens on Oct. 31, letting you trade trick-or-treating for shopping and skating. The iconic skating rink at Rockefeller Center will open on Oct. 12 for the fall and winter season and Lasker Rink in Central Park will open sometime later this month.

Every holiday season, Bryant Park turns into a winter wonderland, offering food and gift vendors, a large ice skating rink, and an indoor rink-side restaurant and bar. The more than 170 vendors are housed in custom-designed “jewel box” kiosks situated alongside the park’s plazas and terraces. The shops, curated by Urbanspace, open officially at noon on Thursday, Oct. 31 and will run until Jan. 5.

Starting on Halloween, the ice rink will be open every day during the season, except when there are special events. The large rink offers free admission and skating shows. The cost of rental skates has not been released yet. The first 100 guests in line will receive free skate rentals and hot chocolate, according to Time Out.

If you’re not in the mood for holiday cheer and Christmas music, the park is also hosting a Halloween event on Oct. 31 that includes trick-or-treating at the holiday shops, ghost stories, magic tricks, pumpkin decorating, and arts and crafts.

One of the most iconic ice skating venues opens even earlier. The Rink at Rockefeller Center reopens on Saturday, Oct. 12, with general admission available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Standard admission costs $25 for adults and $15 for children, with $13 skate rentals for both. Book reservations now for special events at the rink here.