Wollman Rink, Central Park. Photo © JF

New Yorkers, it’s cold outside – join NYC Parks for winter activities! 

Today, NYC Parks announced a full slate of winter activities to bring New Yorkers through the Winter Solstice tomorrow, from campfires to ornament making and more! Temperatures may be low but that won’t stop a good time, indoors and outdoors. If you’re attending an outdoor event, please come prepared for the cold. 

Winter Playlists 

Whether you’re taking a brisk winter walk through the park or snuggling at home with your coziest blanket, the Parks playlists are here for you. Take a listen to the Winter Jams playlist or the Hibernation playlist, both available on Spotify. 

Winter Events with the Urban Park Rangers 

Come learn from the Urban Park Rangers and enjoy the wintery views by touring some of the city’s most picturesque parks – or sit around a holiday log fire! 

Winter Solstice Hike and Campfire – Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx 

December 21, 2022, 4 – 5 p.m. 

Winter is here! Explore the park on a night hike and celebrate the end of the celestial year around a campfire. Meet at Van Cortlandt Nature Center. 

Festival of Lights: Winter Solstice Astronomy – Marine Park, Brooklyn 

December 21, 2022, 6 – 7:30 p.m. 

Observe the December moon and constellations with the Urban Park Rangers and learn how the winter solstice this week will turn our Northern Hemisphere toward longer days. Meet at Carmine Carro Community Center. 

Holiday Origami Ornament Making – Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn 

December 24, 2022, 11 a.m. – Noon 

Join the Urban Park Rangers in folding various paper evergreen trees and animal themed tree ornaments. Rangers will provide paper and guide folds and steps.  Meet at Fort Greene Park Visitor Center. 

Gather Around the Holiday Log Fire – Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx 

December 24, 2022, 1 – 2 p.m.  

Join the Urban Park Rangers for an afternoon of traditional fireside activities such as stories, songs and more! Meet at Van Cortlandt Nature Center. 

Holiday Flora and Fauna Exploration Hike – Conference House Park, Staten Island 

December 25, 2022 – 1 – 2 p.m. 

Enjoy the holiday season outdoors with the Urban Park Rangers and discover the flora and fauna of Conference House Park. Meet at the Great Lawn.  

Ice Skating Rinks 

Join a tradition older than Central Park – New Yorkers have been ice skating for over a hundred years in city parks! All of Parks’ ice skating facilities are ADA accessible. Please visit Parks’ website for more information and call each facility to confirm hours, as outdoor rinks are subject to weather conditions.  

Brooklyn 

Abe Stark Rink (Coney Island Boardwalk and West 19th Street) 

LeFrak Center at Lakeside (Prospect Park, at Lincoln Road and Ocean Avenue) 

Manhattan 

The Rink at Bryant Park (Bryant Park, between 40th and 42nd Streets)  

Wollman Rink (Central Park, at 63rd Street)  

Queens 

World Ice Arena (Flushing Meadows Corona Park, at Avery Avenue and 131st Street)   

Staten Island 

WWII Veterans War Memorial Ice Skating Rink (Cloves Lake Park, at Victory Blvd west of Clove Road)