The Battle of the Holiday Markets
On October 24th, before the Halloween season had even ended, Bryant Park winter village opened its 180 shops, ice skating rink, and apres skate lodge. As videos of the Bryant Park Winter Village continue to go viral on TikTok, the question remains if it’s worth it. It seems every year when the weather starts getting colder, premature Christmas themed videos appear on everyone’s “For You page,” getting us all excited for the holiday season. The popular tourist attraction has many different food stalls and shops surrounding the iconic ice skating rink. While this midtown winter village is most talked about on social media, the same company that curates the vendors creates the same type of market in other parks.
In both Union Square and Columbus circle exist winter villages, so what makes Bryant Park worthy of viral content? Just one block over from Times Square, Bryant Park alone is estimated to attract millions of visitors. The ideal midtown touristy location along with the free ice skating rink is most likely why the Bryant Park crowds are unmatched.
However, the wide selections of holiday treats account for another large part of its appeal. While all markets have diverse rosters of delicious foods and handmade gifts, hot chocolate is a central player throughout the three. A nostalgic cup of hot cocoa and marshmallows seems to be the perfect winter treat around the holidays, so whose is best?
Every year Bryant Park vendor, S’Mores N’More, attracts lines out of the park and around the block for its viral s’mores hot chocolate. With a thick and creamy hot chocolate base topped with a golden toasted marshmallow and crunchy graham cracker, this decadent drink piques the interest of hot chocolate lovers from all corners of the city.
But is this dessert really worth a 50 person line compared to other, less crowded markets? While far more simple, a Max Brenner cup of rich hot chocolate at Columbus Circle holiday market is definitely a worthwhile competitor. Although it did not share S’Mores N’More’s vast topping selection, this warm cup of chocolatey goodness brought us back to our roots and, decorated with a few fluffy marshmallows, truly felt like home. The drink itself was sensational, but the infinitely shorter wait really makes the Columbus Circle spot a competitor in the battle of the holiday markets.
Lastly, Cocoa Cabin at the Union Square holiday market served an unforgettable cup: the hot chocolate was warm and sweet, but the toppings really pushed it over the top. First, a puffy layer of whipped cream. Then, the star of the show was a fist sized homemade marshmallow skewered by a dark chocolate pirouline wafer cookie, rolled in chocolate sprinkles on one side, drizzled in chocolate sauce, and torched to golden perfection. While not as crowded as the Bryant Park market, Union Square was still bustling with eager tourists, anxious to have a taste.
In a battle of hot chocolates, these markets are neck and neck, yet paired with its fabulous flavors and nostalgic notes as well as a lack of a line, Cocoa Cabin takes the cake, or should I say cocoa! However, depending on what one wishes to get from their holiday market experience, each festive winter village offers its own point of expertise, so we hope you enjoy whichever seasonal adventure you take! Happy Holidays!