Winter in New York: Festive Events & Activities Near Times Square

A City That Shines in Winter — What to Expect from New York in the Cold Season

Winter gives New York a completely different kind of magic. The city doesn’t slow down, it shifts. The air feels fresher, the soundscape softens, and the early dusk turns Midtown into a wash of blue and gold before the lights fully ignite. On snowy days, steam rises from subway grates in long, swirling ribbons; on clear nights, the city feels almost cinematic, with crisp sidewalks and window displays glowing against the cold.

Wander toward Bryant Park and you’ll hear the music from the Winter Village rink before you see the lights. Walk up Sixth Avenue and street vendors fill the air with the scent of roasted nuts. Turn onto Fifth Avenue after dark and the shops look like they’ve been staged for a film set. And just a few steps from Margaritaville Resort Times Square, the plaza itself feels brighter during the colder months, the lights reflecting off the pavement with a clarity you don’t get any other time of year.

Staying in Times Square during winter means you’re never far from warmth or comfort, especially when you can slip back inside for a drink, a hot meal, a festive cocktail or a moment to regroup before heading out again.

 

Iconic Winter Attractions Within Walking Distance

A winter getaway in Midtown gives you unbeatable access to the season’s biggest highlights. No long subway rides, no waiting for Ubers in the cold, just a handful of short, scenic walks between you and the city’s classic winter moments.

Bryant Park Winter Village — 40th St & 6th Ave (6-minute walk)

A short stroll from the Margaritaville Resort, the Winter Village is a true cold-season landmark. In the early hours, the ice reflects the pale skyline, and the park feels like a quiet sanctuary before the day begins. As the kiosks open, the air fills with hints of cinnamon, pastries, and warm drinks, perfect for easing into a winter morning.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree & Ice Rink — 30 Rockefeller Plaza (12-minute walk)

Few winter visuals are more recognisable. Skaters loop around the rink while the tree towers above, and everything around it feels alive with seasonal anticipation. Visiting in the evening gives the entire plaza a calm, glowing quality worth planning around.

Fifth Avenue Window Displays — 49th to 59th Streets (10–15 minutes)

Each storefront unveils a new creative world each winter, some elegant, some elaborate, all worth seeing after dark when the reflections stretch across the pavement. The stroll itself becomes part of the experience.

Times Square Plaza — Outside your door

In winter, Times Square feels sharper, clearer, and unexpectedly beautiful. Light snow transforms it completely, softening the edges of the neon and giving the plaza a dreamlike glow. You step into it the moment you walk out of the resort.

Warm & Relaxed: Where to Eat, Sip and Recharge This Winter

LandShark Bar & Grill — 6th Floor Rooftop (Onsite)

Just steps from your room, LandShark Bar & Grill blends the feel of a rooftop escape with the comfort of indoor dining beside the pool deck. Even in winter, it’s an easy place to unwind after a day out in the cold, a relaxed spot for an early dinner, a casual drink, or a warm break before heading back out into the city.
 

5 o’Clock Somewhere Rooftop Bar — 31st Floor (Onsite)

Just an elevator ride up, our 5 o’clock Somewhere rooftop bar blends indoor comfort with skyline glimpses. It’s a favourite warm-up stop after skating at Bryant Park or wandering Fifth Avenue, especially at sunset when the city turns gold.
 

Bryant Park Lodge — Bryant Park (6-minute walk)

Situated beside the rink, the Lodge offers one of winter’s simplest pleasures: stepping inside from the cold to a room filled with the smell of hot chocolate, mulled wine, and warm pastries. It’s an easy reset in the middle of a winter day.

Sardi’s — 234 W 44th St (7-minute walk)

A Broadway institution lined with caricatures and old New York charm, Sardi’s is particularly inviting in winter. The warm lighting and close-set tables create an intimate atmosphere—ideal for pre-theatre dinners or a leisurely lunch nearby.

Rolf’s — 281 Third Ave (33-minute walk / quick subway ride)

Famed for its unbelievable holiday décor, thousands of ornaments, garlands, and lights, Rolf’s draws winter visitors from around the world. It’s not nearby, but if you’re looking to experience New York’s most festive dining room, the journey is worth it.

Tavern on the Green — Central Park West (32-minute walk)

After wandering through snow-dusted Central Park, stepping into Tavern on the Green feels like being welcomed into a glowing winter lodge. It’s an iconic setting for warming up between walks.

The Central Park Boathouse — East Drive (40-minute walk)

Newly reopened, the Boathouse is an oasis of calm beside the lake. In winter, the contrast between the frosty paths outside and the warm interior makes it especially inviting.

Special Winter Events & Festivals You Should Reserve Now

Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball Drop (Dec 31)

All day long, the city leans toward midnight. The streets tighten with anticipation, lights sharpen against the cold, and Times Square feels like it’s humming with its own pulse. Even from the edges of the plaza, the celebration wraps around you, music echoing between the buildings, confetti drifting on the wind, the countdown beating through the blocks.

For guests who prefer to stay warm, a number of our rooms offer views over the festivities, letting you watch one of the world’s most iconic New Year’s moments without ever stepping into the crowd.

Midnight Moment — Times Square (Nightly, 11:57 p.m. – midnight)

A nightly digital art show is displayed across the Times Square billboards. Winter makes it feel especially vivid, with the cold air sharpening the colors and the crowds thinning just enough to enjoy the view.

NYC Winter Restaurant Week (Jan 20 to Feb 12)

Winter Restaurant Week is one of New York’s most beloved cold-season traditions. For several weeks, the city becomes a kind of culinary playground, with hundreds of restaurants across all five boroughs offering curated prix-fixe menus at a fraction of their usual price. It’s an invitation to explore without the pressure of peak-season dining and a rare chance to experience some of the city’s most exciting kitchens for far less than you’d expect in the heart of winter.

This year, the program runs from January 20 to February 12, with menus and reservations going live on January 7. Tables tend to disappear quickly once they’re released, especially for popular Midtown spots, so it’s worth marking the date if you’re planning a winter visit.

NYC Hotel Week — 25% Off Stays Citywide (Jan 2–Feb 12)

January also brings one of the city’s most popular winter programs: NYC Hotel Week, offering 25% off stays at participating properties, including Margaritaville Resort Times Square. It’s a rare moment when New York feels both quieter and more accessible, giving travellers the chance to enjoy Midtown’s biggest winter experiences without peak season pricing.

Holiday & Winter Markets Across the City

Union Square, Columbus Circle, Bryant Park, and the Garment District all bring their own flavour to winter shopping, handmade gifts, seasonal snacks, and unexpected designer finds.

 

Where to Stay Warm & Comfortable When the Weather Bites

Winter in New York rewards travellers who stay central. Shorter walks mean less time spent bracing against the cold, and more time enjoying the city’s best moments. Having access to warm dining options, room service, and indoor lounges gives you the luxury of setting your own pace.

The resort’s year-round rooftop pool also becomes a surprising winter hideaway, an elevated space where you can relax, decompress, and warm up after a long day outside.
 

Rooms come equipped with streaming, soft lighting, and an in-room coffee maker, creating a comfortable retreat just steps from Times Square.

Planning Your Stay: What to Pack, What to Know & When to Go

January and February bring New York’s chilliest weather, with temperatures typically ranging from 26°F (–3°C) to 43°F (6°C). Wind can make it feel colder, especially around Midtown’s wide avenues, so packing with intention matters.

Warm layers, waterproof boots, gloves, and a scarf will keep you comfortable as you move between indoor heat and outdoor cold. A compact umbrella or shell jacket is useful on slushy days, and a portable charger helps offset the faster battery drain caused by low temperatures.

Winter days flow best when you build in pockets of warmth, morning skating, midday cafés, a relaxed drink back at the resort, and an evening walk when the city lights are at their brightest.

 

Your Winter Story in NYC — Make It Memorable, Make It Manageable

Winter gives New York a different kind of glow, crisp air, early evenings, quiet pockets between the holiday rush, and those unexpectedly cinematic moments you catch only when the pace softens. Staying just steps from Times Square keeps you close to the season’s most iconic experiences, with the comfort of a warm retreat waiting whenever you need it.

And if you’re visiting this time of year, it’s worth exploring our seasonal offers, created to help you enjoy the city at its most atmospheric. Winter in New York is meant to be savored, slowly, warmly, and with a sense of discovery, and this is exactly the place to do it.