Governors Island launches park’s first
public winter season with Winter Village
BY AIDAN SEIDEN
Since its offi cial opening to the public
in 2005, Governors Island has
become a welcome summer retreat
for tourists and Manhattan natives alike.
Located in the heart of New York Harbor,
the island has evolved into a world of its
own, transporting its inhabitants away
from the concrete urban jungle and into a
lush emerald-colored oasis.
In previous years, The Island was only
accessible to visitors from May to October,
however, following a recent announcement
made by The Trust for Governors Island,
for the very fi rst time, the haven will now
be open to visitors from 7 am to 6 pm, yearround,
seven days a week, starting Dec. 17.
Additionally, The Trust has transformed
The Island’s historic Colonels Row into a
spectacular seasonal attraction, called “The
Governors Island Winter Village.”
The stately brick mansions of Colonels
Row have quietly resided on Governors
Island since their construction in the post-
Civil War era, and offer breath-taking
scenery that you don’t fi nd anywhere else
in New York City, said the Pres i dent and
CEO of the Trust for Gov er nors Island,
Clare Newman.
Soon, this once desolate area of the island
will be roaring with crowds of friends
and families, chomping at the bit to indulge
in the festive amenities and experience the
holiday wonderland for themselves.
“From ice skating to hot chocolate by
the fi re, the Governors Island Winter Village
will provide visitors of all ages with
plenty of cold-weather fun and festivities
while serving as an amazing kick-off to our
inaugural winter season,” said Newman.
Not only will The Island have a 5,000
square foot ice skating rink, but it will also
be laden with a variety of other activities,
including lawn games (like cornhole, can
jam and giant Jenga), bike and sled rentals,
and even a retired Coast Guard-era fi re
truck, that acts as the perfect complement
PHOTO COURTESY OF OGVERNORS ISLAND TRUST
to a holiday-themed photo op.
On top of the activities, the Trust has
also garnered the New York City staple, Joe
Coffee— for those coffee connoisseurs—
and the culinary talents of Little Eva’s who
will be unveiling a new seasonal menu with
mouth-watering food and drink options,
such as vegan chili, fi sh and chips and even
more. If that wasn’t enough, as a special
treat, The Winter Village will host an array
of food trucks on weekends—rounding
out all the classic holiday comforts that you
could ever need.
Whether you are enjoying a hot beverage
over a roaring fi re, or admiring the
holiday light display, Executive Director of
the Friends of Governors Island, Merritt
Birnbaum, believes that there is no better
way to enjoy a charming winter afternoon
than at The Winter Village.
“Governors Island is already New York
City’s favorite destination for fun in the
sun,” she said, “and we look forward to
welcoming visitors to experience a whole
new season of activities in this special
place.”
The Village’s biggest attraction —the
skating rink— will be open to the public
from noon to 5 pm on Fridays, and from
10 am to 5 pm on Saturdays and Sundays,
according to the Governors Island website.
The rink will also host events and “Free
Admission Fridays,” with entrance fees
waived for all visitors every Friday.
Governors Island Trust offers ferry
services to the island seven days a week
from the Battery Maritime Building on 10
South Street in Lower Manhattan. Round
trip tickets cost $3 for adults and are free
for seniors 65 and over, children 12 and
under, NYCHA residents, IDNYC holders,
former and active military service members
and for everyone on weekends before noon,
according to the Governors Island website.
Ferry reservations and schedules, as well
as updates for expanded ferry services can
be found at govisland.org/ferry.
“We are so excited to welcome all New
Yorkers to the fi rst public winter season
on Governors Island,” said Newman. “This
winter village will provide visitors with an
amazing backdrop, great activities and a
wonderful opportunity for winter fun.”
Holiday Market at the Oculus at
Westfield World Trade Center returns
BY VILDANA KHAMDULLINA
In 2021 the Holiday Market returns to
The Shops at the Oculus at Westfi eld
World Trade Center and will be available
for its guests up till Jan. 2.
This year, the Holiday Market at the
Oculus is partnering with Chashama. A
non-profi t New York City art production,
Chashama invites everyone to dive into the
holiday mood and check out their handcrafted
items which will bring interest to
whole families, kids and adults.
“We are thrilled to announce the return
of this New York City tradition,” said
Marco Maldonado, General Manager, The
Shops at the Oculus. “We are bringing back
the fl oor experience and adding even more
local retailers to the mix for shoppers to
enjoy.”
The Oculus at Westfi eld World Trade
Center features 80 shops and dining with
retailers such as Apple, Eataly, Sephora,
Aesop, Epicerie Boulud, H&M, COS,
& Other Stories and many others. This
year’s Holiday Market artisans include
homemade baked goods based in Greenpoint
from Loaf & Butters; Art to Ware,
a curated fashion pop-up presented by
The Creative Cookie; and a homebased
artisanal candlemaker by Scent
by Heaven. If you are into high-fashion
production and cruelty-free brands matter
to you, there’s House of Fluff, an ethical,
faux-fur lifestyle fashion brand. Another
Brooklyn-based company, Amulet Fairy,
provides a variety of healing and decorative
crystals. Finally, KD New York will
be selling plant-based knitwear leg and
arm warmers.
The holiday market is located at 185
Greenwich St. For this Holiday season,
hours will be extended to Monday through
Saturday from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and 11 a.m.
– 7 p.m. on Sundays.
For more information, visit
PHOTO COURTESY OF WESTFIELD www.westfi eld.com.
44 DDeecceemmbbeerr 99,, 22002211 SScchhnneeppss MMeeddiiaa
/www.westfi
/ferry
/www.westfi
/eld.com
