Holiday markets in New York City
Shop the best seasonal markets and craft fairs in NYC to find gifts for everyone on your Christmas and Hanukkah lists.
Wed Nov 14 2012
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Photograph: Courtesy the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
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Artists & Fleas at Chelsea Market
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Photograph: Fumihiko Sugino for Artists & Fleas
Artists & Fleas Brooklyn Holiday Bazaar
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Photograph: Virginia Rollison
Astoria Market
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Columbus Circle Holiday Market
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Grand Central Holiday Fair
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Union Square Holiday Market
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Photograph: Hoon Sohn
Brooklyn Craft Central
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Photograph: Courtesy Brooklyn Flea
Brooklyn Flea’s Gifted Holiday Market
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Photograph: Courtesy Bust Holiday Craftacular
Bust Holiday Craftacular
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Photograph: Courtesy Degenerate Craft Fair
Degenerate Craft Fair
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Renegade Craft Fair
Fed up with mass-produced merchandise and stuffy, crowded stores? Fortunately, New York has a wealth of holiday markets and craft fairs that you can browse if the big department stores with their glitzy windows aren't your bag. These seasonal marts are great for filling gift-list gaps—and for kindling a little holiday spirit in our hardened Gothamite hearts.
RECOMMENDED: Christmas in New York guide
Holiday markets in NYC
Artists & Fleas at Chelsea Market
- Critics choice
- Free
Brooklyn purveyors set up shop across the river at Artists & Fleas’ seasonal pop-up bazaar, situated inside Chelsea Market. Expect to find trendy and noncommercial holiday-themed gifts vetted by husband-and-wife team Amy Abrams and Ronen Glimer, who ensure that every item is locally made and well crafted. Among the 50-plus vendors are bag designer Pamela Barsky, Greenpoint vinyl slinger Eat Records and vintage seller Honeysuckle & Hearts.
- Chelsea Market 75 Ninth Ave, at 16th St
- Until Mon Dec 31
Artists & Fleas Brooklyn Holiday Bazaar
- Critics choice
- Free
Founders Amy Abrams and Ronen Glimer will again curate a special holiday-themed version of their weekend bazaar, featuring more than 200 vendors inside their Williamsburg warehouse space. Shop local designers like Bugcicle, Cynthia Rybakoff and Jezebel & Toff, and grab a hot brew from Cloud Coffee to stave off the chill.
- Artists & Fleas 70 North 7th St, between Wythe and Kent Sts
- Until Sun Dec 23
Astoria Market Holiday Markets
- Critics choice
- Free
The weekend before Christmas, Queens' classic Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden transforms into an NYC-centric artisan market chock-full of handmade and vintage merchandise, plus eggnog, hot cider and roasted chestnuts for the peckish (Dec 22, 23). The crew also ventures outside Astoria for two one-day bazaars, one in Brooklyn’s Old First Reformed Church (Dec 1) and the other at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in Midtown East (Dec 15).
- Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden 29-19 24th Ave, between 29th and 31st Sts, 11102
- Until Sun Dec 23
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
- Critics choice
- Free
This annual holiday bazaar, run by the people behind the Union Square market, features handmade items from local artisans and snacks from vendors such as Wafels & Dinges and Sigmund Pretzel Shop. Look for a market concierge to help you navigate your way through the approximately 100 booths.
- Columbus Circle Central Park South, at Central Park West
- Mon Dec 30
Grand Central Holiday Fair
- Critics choice
- Free
Featuring 76 microboutiques illuminated by golden chandeliers suspended from a 50-foot-high ceiling, this elegant market has everything from contemporary jewelry and art objects to African crafts and Christmas ornaments. And since it's situated inside the terminal itself, you won't have to worry about shivering while you're browsing the goods.
- Grand Central Terminal, Vanderbilt Hall 42nd St, between Vanderbilt and Lexington Aves
- Mon Dec 30
The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
- Price band: 2/4
- Critics choice
In its 11th season, this outdoor market boasts more than 120 artisans selling everything from clothing and accessories to food and hot drinks. Gift ideas include Diana Warner rose gold necklaces ($128), Sovl New York recycled messenger bags ($179) and Brazilian Home Collection hand-painted lamps ($350–$650).
- The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park Bryant Park, 42nd St, between Fifth and Sixth Aves
- Sun Jan 6
Union Square Holiday Market
- Critics choice
- Free
Purchase gifts from more than 100 vendors at this outdoor bazaar. Look for Kristiana Parn stationery sets (six note cards for $18), Stories mounted art prints ($45 each), Organic Treatment facial serums ($38) and Pageant Print Shop antique Brooklyn and Manhattan maps ($200).
- Union Square Holiday Market 14th St to 17th St, between Broadway and Park Ave South
- Mon Dec 30
Holiday craft fairs in NYC
Brooklyn Craft Central's Fifth Annual Holiday Market
- Critics choice
- Free
For 12 years, Brooklyn Craft Central honcho Deb Klein has helped organize fairs throughout the East Coast, including NYC’s Bizarre Bazaar, Dekalb Market and Crafts in Chelsea. Now in its fifth year, this holiday craft spectacular showcases works by 70 mostly Brooklyn artisans. Once inside, grab a seasonal cocktail ($5–$6) such as the Wooly Knit (hot cider and bourbon) and peruse cool finds like note cards with whimsical animal illustrations by HansMyHedgehog (pack of five $20), Volta Organics handmade mint and lime body soaps ($6) and Wood Thumb reclaimed-redwood six-pack-of-beer carriers ($40). If you like what you see the first time around, be sure to drop in again: The fair’s second weekend features a whole new crop of vendors.
- Littlefield 622 DeGraw St, between Third and Fourth Aves
- Until Sun Dec 23
Brooklyn Flea's Gifted Holiday Market
- Critics choice
- Free
Have your weekends felt empty since this Kings County favorite closed its outdoor digs? Dry those tears, dear shopper: Brooklyn Flea’s holiday bazaar returns on Thanksgiving weekend, filling the magnificent, cavernous lobby of One Hanson Place with items by top crafters, as well as artisanal eats, antiques and vintage threads. Pick up handcrafted stocking stuffers like vegetable-wax candles by Species by the Thousands ($80), Birdhouse Jewelry charm necklaces ($15) and printed flasks by Citibitz ($35).
- One Hanson Place 1 Hanson Pl, at Ashland Pl
- Until Sun Dec 23
Bust Holiday Craftacular
- Price band: 1/4
- Critics choice
The hipster-feminist mag Bust is known for its DIY sensibility, so it’s no surprise that its giant craft extravaganza highlights some of the best indie wares out there. The $3 admission fee grants you access to 250 sellers peddling everything from vegan beauty products to accessories made from upcycled video-game systems. In addition to DJs spinning tunes, raffles for prizes and a beer garden, you’ll find Glitterlimes necklaces made from real preserved fruits ($40), Cultured Confections popcorn ($6–$7) and fanciful fascinator hats by Dollsville, NYC ($20–$40).
Degenerate Craft Fair
- Critics choice
- Free
Bundle up! This traveling Chicago-based craft fair hosts its first outdoor holiday market in Kings County this week. One hundred and eighty-five vendors from across the country will set up shop on the Williamsburg waterfront, where you can find gifts for the whole family, including Ktaadn neon-striped tea towels ($26) for your older sis, Brooklyn Assembly handmade backgammon sets ($88) for Grandpa and Billy Wolf dog jackets made from recycled wool coats ($48) for Fido. After you’ve checked everyone off of your list, warm up with a bite from food vendors Urban Rustic, Mud Truck and Vegan Treats, attend a gift-wrapping workshop and pose for pics in the free photo booth.
- East River State Park 90 Kent Ave, at North 8th St
- Until Sun Nov 18
Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Market
- Critics choice
- Free
Hit up the Williamsburg Waterfront for handmade jewelry, clothing and housewares from 185 local and international indie designers. While the fair is in its tenth season, this is the first one dedicated to the holidays, featuring giftable loot such as A Heirloom New York–shaped cutting boards ($48), Gnome Enterprises Brooklyn-emblazoned men’s tees ($28) and Michiko Shimada faux bois porcelain lamps ($200).
- The Williamsburg Waterfront 110 Kent Ave, at North 8th St
- Until Sun Nov 18
