Bundle up, then strip down — it’s about to get hot.
The largest sauna village ever staged in the US has taken over the Williamsburg waterfront, and you can get in on the sweaty, steamy, communal fun.
Open through March 1, the Culture of Bathe-ing invites New Yorkers to hit pause and partake in one of humanity’s oldest rituals in the heart of a fast-paced modern metropolis.
And the timing couldn’t be better. A wave of social bathhouses has taken over the city in recent years, as health-conscious Gen Zers and millennials turn to global wellness traditions for new ways to connect and unwind — with a uniquely American twist.
“So many cultures have their own, very distinct style of bathing,” Robert Hammond, founder of the festival and president of Therme Group US, told The Post. “Finland has saunas, there’s onsen in Japan and jjimjilbangs in Korea.”
“What’s happening is that the US is taking all of those parts and making something completely new,” he continued. “Culture of Bathe-ing is showcasing all of that.”
The three-week “public bathing and cultural experience” is set in Domino Park, where you can work up a sweat while gazing out at the icy East River.
Guests check in and swap their winter gear for swimsuits and sandals in the locker rooms, as seasoned sauna-goers pull on bell-shaped felt bucket hats to protect their heads, ears and hair from overheating.
Once you’re suited up, the sweating begins.
The festival boasts 15 architecturally unique saunas — from an intimate airstream trailer to a sleek 70-person chamber — each dialed to a different temperature so you can pick your perfect level of heat.
And it’s not just saunas. Culture of Bathe-ing partnered with Brooklyn’s Pioneer Works to curate a diverse lineup of programming.
In one sauna, you might join a coaching session for breathwork and laughter. In another, you’ll find guided meditation and bodywork exercises.
Throughout the day, there are also several rounds of aufguss, a German ritual where sauna masters toss ice infused with essential oils like lavender, bergamot and sandalwood onto hot rocks, generating a sudden rush of fragrant steam.
From there, the masters prance around the sauna, twirling and waving towels or fans in rhythmic movements set to music. It’s part performance, part heat therapy, often generating cheers from the crowd of sweaty onlookers.
After an aufguss ritual, guests may be eager to cool off.
A 37-degree cold plunge is available on site for the brave, but in New York’s frigid winter weather, you’ll get plenty of contrast therapy just by darting between saunas.
In the Event Tent, you can cool down, rehydrate, mingle with other sauna lovers and take part in cultural programming, including author talks, immersive art experiences, musical performances and tea ceremonies.
The festival runs daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with ticket prices ranging from $60 to $125 depending on the time slot. Each booking includes a two-hour sauna stint, with the vibes shifting as the day heats up.
Morning sessions are calm and restorative, while afternoons get more social. By nighttime, it’s an all-out sauna party — just the kind of scene New Yorkers crave.
Across the city, young people are increasingly ditching booze-fueled bar nights for wellness-centered, alcohol-free hangouts. Think sauna club nights, comedy shows and sober raves — all set at a toasty 150 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Hammond, who also co-founded The High Line, says the trend started picking up steam during the COVID pandemic, when two shifts happened at once.
“People became much more conscious about their health,” he said, “and the science behind sauna shows it’s one of the healthiest things you can do.”
The benefits are especially big for the heart. In 2018, scientists at Eastern Finland University found that the more time people spent in saunas, the less likely they were to die of diseases affecting the heart or blood vessels.
Just two or three sessions per week cut heart attack and stroke risk by 25%, while four to seven sessions reduced the risk by 77%.
Another study that same year determined that sitting in a sauna could be as beneficial as moderate exercise.
Other research has tied sauna use to longevity, brain function, improved sleep, boosted immunity and — for older women — slower weight gain.
However, saunas aren’t recommended for everyone. Culture of Bathe-ing advises that people who are pregnant or who have heart conditions, respiratory issues, heat sensitivity or other medical concerns should consult a healthcare professional before attending the fest.
Beyond the physical benefits, Hammond also pointed to another advantage that became especially important after the lockdown era: Connection.
Across the city, more than half of residents report feeling lonely at least some of the time, and that isolation can have real consequences for health.
“Saunas are a place you can go and meet people while you’re almost feeling high — but then you feel better the next morning,” he said. “You’re not hungover or unwell.”
And honestly? He’s not wrong.
After three hours at Culture of Bathe-ing, I slept better than I have in months — and my coworker even said my skin was glowing when I walked into the office the next day.
