REAL ESTATE

The 21 best NYC holiday markets this year

FAD Holiday Market at Dumbo Empire Stores. Photo courtesy of FAD Market.

The holiday season has officially arrived in New York City, bringing with it the quest for the perfect gift. Whether you’re searching for one-of-a-kind jewelry or artwork, or are craving a festive treat, the city’s holiday markets will have something special for everyone. Ahead, find some of the best spots to find unique and meaningful gifts for loved ones this holiday season, from long-standing markets at Bryant Park, Union Square, and Columbus Circle to exciting newcomers like Macy’s Holiday Square.

Holiday Shops on the 42nd Street allees at Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park NYC. Photo by Colin Miller

Manhattan

The Holiday Shops by Urbanspace Markets at Bank of America Village at Bryant Park
Bryant Park, 42nd Street and 6th Avenue
Through March 2, 2025

Hosted by Urbanspace, the European-inspired Holiday Shops at Bryant Park Winter Village is one of the city’s most popular festive shopping destinations, featuring over 170 vendors where visitors can find the perfect gift for their loved ones. The holiday market is just one part of Bryant Park’s beloved Winter Village, which also boasts New York City’s only free ice skating rink and a festive lodge serving snacks and cocktails with views of the rink.

Macy’s Holiday Square. Photo credit: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images

Macy’s Holiday Square
151 West 34th Street, Mezzanine, 9th floor
Through January 3, 2025

The newest addition to the continuously growing roster of holiday markets across the five boroughs, Macy’s Holiday Square—another Urbanspace venture—is hosted within the iconic Herald Square flagship store. Vendors are set up across several levels of the store, selling holiday gifts, products, and sweet treats and beverages, including Crumbl, Max Brenner, and more. Following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a new market dubbed the Herald Holiday Market will open on the plazas directly outside the store starting December 6.

Winter Whirl at the Shops at the Oculus. Photo courtesy of the Shops at the Oculus

Holiday Market at the Oculus
185 Greenwich Street
November 24 through January 7

Hosted beneath the soaring ceilings of the Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center, the Holiday Market features a diverse array of vendors offering festive goods, live music, and holiday-themed photo opportunities. After shopping, visitors can roller skate at the Winter Whirl, an indoor roller skating rink that debuted at last year’s market. Skaters can stop at the Polar Pub, a new holiday-inspired pop-up with festive snacks and drinks.

Credit: MTA / Lorne Lieb

Grand Central Holiday Fair
Grand Central Terminal, 89 East 42nd Street
Daily through December 24

One of New York City’s most beloved landmarks becomes a shopping destination for the holiday season. Presented by the Costa Rica Tourism Board, the Grand Central Holiday Fair is a 6,000-square-foot indoor market selling a range of artisan goods, from home decor and jewelry to perfume and clothing. This year, the market will include a Grand Central Terminal merchandise booth, with GCT-branded Teti tumblers and Baggu totes, and a new pop-up by Uncommon Goods, known for its unique, hand-picked gifts.

Grand Holiday Bazaar
100 West 77th Street at Columbus Avenue
December 1, 8, 15, 22

The Grand Holiday Bazaar, New York City’s oldest, largest, and most diverse curated weekly market, returns to Brooklyn on four Sundays in December. Hosted indoors and outdoors, the market features more than 300 rotating independent vendors, offering tons of goods, from artisan food to unique treasures you won’t find anywhere else. The best part: 100 percent of the bazaar’s profits are donated to local public schools to fund arts, enrichment, and classroom essentials for over 2,000 students.

Credit: Jacob Williamson

Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Columbus Circle, 59th Street and Central Park West
December 3 through December 31
from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

At the entrance to Central Park, Urbanspace Columbus Circle Holiday Market showcases over 100 artisans and designers offering unique goods, including specialty foods, handcrafted jewelry, art, home decor, and one-of-a-kind items. The market will remain open until December 31.

Harlem Night Market
112th Street at Park Avenue

December 7, 14, & 21

Taking place on the first three Saturdays in December, the Harlem Night Market is back and better than ever this year at an all-new location. The event features talented vendors offering food, music, culture, and gifts, along with live performances by Ted Smooth, Sunny Cheeba, and Stormin’ Norman.

Schomburg Holiday Market
Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Boulevard

December 21 and 21 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Visit the Schomburg Shop at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture this holiday season to discover a curated selection of artwork, clothing, jewelry, stationery, and other unique items from Harlem residents and small businesses owned by people of color.

Credit: Jacob Williamson

Union Square Holiday Market
Union Square Park, Manhattan
Through December 24

Another one of the city’s most recognizable holiday markets, the Union Square Holiday Market teems with more than 150 artisanal gift and decor items, incredible food vendors, and a steady stream of jubilant holiday visitors traversing the European-esque shopping hub. This year, new food and drink vendors include Birria LES, Curds the Word, Mama’s Cupboard, and Chocolate on Tab.

Credit: Buy From A Black Woman

Buy From A Black Woman Holiday Market
100 West 125th Street, Harlem, and 1472 Broadway, Times Square
December 14 and 21

For those looking to support Black women-owned local businesses this holiday season, head to this pop-up holiday market in Harlem and Midtown on two days in December. The markets feature a selection of Black women-owned vendors selling goods, including home accessories, health and wellness products, and more.

Hester Street Fair
88 Essex Street
Every Saturday and Sunday through December 22, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A favorite of New Yorkers during the warmer months, the Hester Street Fair is returning this winter with holiday pop-ups at its Lower East Side location. Every weekend through December 22, shoppers can indulge in artisan food, shop from a highly-curated selection of vendors, and uncover unique treasures, ensuring an unforgettable experience.

Queens

Astoria Market
29-19 24th Avenue
December 8 and 15

Operating out of Astoria’s iconic Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, the Astoria Market is a favorite destination for Queens residents looking to discover handmade and vintage merchandise, home-baked goods, and other artisan creations by businesses based in the borough.

Queens Craft Brigade Holiday Market
Katch Astoria, 31-19 Newtown Avenue
November 30 and December 14

Back for its 8th year, the Queens Craft Brigade Holiday Market gives customers a chance to browse the wares of the borough’s best makers, from artwork and jewelry to food, crafts, and more.

Credit: Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation

Brooklyn

Wallabout Wonderland Annual Holiday Market
Building 77, 141 Flushing Avenue
December 7 and 8 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Now in its 7th year, the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Wallabout Wonderland Holiday Market brings together over 200 vendors offering a festive flurry of goods falling into a wide variety of categories, including art and design, beauty and personal care, fashion and accessories, food and beverages, home goods and decor, unique and innovative gifts, and jewelry.

Poetry Holiday Market
3 Dollar Bill, 260 Meserole Street
December 14 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This holiday season, The Poetry Society of New York is debuting a festive poetry wonderland, perfect for finding meaningful, literary gifts for fellow word lovers. Hosted at the 3 Dollar Bill in East Williamsburg, the free-to-attend poetry market will feature a diverse selection of unique gifts from astounding local poets, including many under $50. The event will also feature live poetry readings, festive decor, and free, one-of-a-kind typewriter poems that guests can keep or gift.

Credit: FAD Market

FAD Holiday Pop-up Markets
The Invisible Dog Art Center, 51 Bergen Street, December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22
Empire Stores, 55 Water Street, Dumbo, December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22
St. Paul, 190 Court Street, December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, and 22

FAD Market’s beloved holiday pop-up returns to three Brooklyn locations (Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill, and Dumbo) this year, showcasing art, fashion, and design-focused vendors with one-of-a-kind, handmade, small-batch goods.

Credit: Kolin Mendez Photography

Brooklyn Museum Holiday Market
200 Eastern Parkway
December 8 and 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Brooklyn Museum’s holiday market, co-presented with Brooklyn Pop-Up, will sell unique, handmade items from local vendors, including jewelry, fashion, home, and apothecary goods. While you shop, listen to performances by the acapella group VocalSouL. Entry to the market is free with museum admission.

Dumbo’s Washington Street. Photo by @mingomatic

Brooklyn Flea Holiday Market
Dumbo Archway, 80 Pearl Street
Saturdays and Sundays through December 22 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At the heart of Dumbo’s holiday festivities, the Brooklyn Flea Holiday Market returns under the iconic Dumbo Archway, gathering vendors from across the borough for a beloved annual tradition. This cherished market offers New Yorkers a one-stop destination to find unique gifts.

The Oddities Flea Market
Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street
December 7

Created and carefully curated by Ryan Matthew Cohn, the Oddities Flea Market highlights creepy, unusual, and macabre items, from taxidermy and dark art to one-of-a-kind jewelry and obscure artifacts. General admission is $31.05, and tickets can be purchased here.

Japanese Holiday Market
Japan Village, 934 3rd Avenue, 2nd Floor
December 14 and 15 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Hosted at Industry City’s Japan Village, the market features over 20 Japanese artisans offering jewelry, clothing, accessories, stationery, and more. Plus, visitors can enjoy a special Kendama event hosted by Japanklyn on the same floor.

Staten Island

Holiday Hop at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden
1000 Richmond Terrace
December 7 and 8

Staten Island’s annual holiday tradition invites residents to eat, drink, and shop while exploring unique goods from over 150 NYC-based artisans. The market highlights four cultural organizations: the Handcrafted Holiday Fair by Art Lab, Edible Island by the Staten Island Museum, Culture Shop by the Noble Maritime Collection, and Cottage Row Curiosities by Snug Harbor. Holiday Hop also features live music by a brass band and DJs, and food and drink provided by Kills Boro Brewing Company.

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