15 Hip Holiday Markets and Indie Pop-Up Shops in NYC
December’s first days bring dozens of holiday gift markets whose aim is to find new homes for a wealth of shiny goodies and crafty gifts. We’re all familiar with the big NYC markets, but some of the best scores–and the most fun–can be found at smaller, cooler pop-ups and local markets throughout the city. Some are only around for a weekend, others for the whole month or longer. In addition to locally-made jewelry and crafts, vintage finds, artfully curated fashions, home items and other things we didn’t know we needed, these hip retail outposts offer up DJs, drinks, food, tarot readings, nail art, music, and family fun to keep shoppers’ spirits bright.
Brooklyn Winter Flea at Industry City ↑
Industry City, Sunset Park, Brooklyn
Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This shopper’s mecca rolls on, moving to bigger, better, cooler digs with each passing season. The Flea’s newest indoor home is in the enormous maker-HQ that is Industry City in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Every weekend you’ll find the 50,000 square-foot-space packed with 100-plus vendors offering just about everything under the sun including vintage clothes and shoes, locally-made fashions, jewelry, furniture, lighting, home goods, stationary, collectibles, edibles and much more (and great people-watching). In-season the focus turns to holiday fare, from decorations to gifts. The venerable Smorgasburg is in the house, too, so bring your appetite.
Greenpointers Holiday Market ↑
Greenpoint Loft, 61-67 West Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
December 6, 1:00-7:00 p.m.
This might be everyone’s favorite indie holiday market, and this year’s version promises to be the biggest yet with 60-plus local crafters, artists, makers and food vendors, plus fun stuff like a photo booth, nail art and tarot card readings in the 6,000 square-foot Greenpoint Loft space–two blocks from the G train.
Etsy New York’s 8th Annual Holiday Handmade Cavalcade ↑
Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue
Saturday, December 5, 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m; Sunday, December 6, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m
Instead of sitting at your desk and browsing the Etsy site, head out to this market that will once again be your go-to stop for cute and creative gifts of the sort that get everyone asking, “Where did you get that?”
BUST Holiday Craftacular ↑
Brooklyn Expo Center, 72 Noble Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Saturday, December 19th, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, December 20th, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This BUST magazine sponsored mother-of-all-craft-markets once again will offer top local artisans offering apparel, jewelry, toys, and more that you won’t find at the mall, plus food and beer at a big Greenpoint event space. Though it’s put on by the cheeky grrlmag, there’s plenty of stuff for guys, too.
Artists and Fleas Holiday Pop-Up ↑
Ace Hotel New York, Liberty Hall, 20 West 29th Street
Saturday, December 19, 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
With DJs and drinks from the Breslin to accompany the cool, curated selection of gifts and goodies, this artist, designer and vintage market at the hip Nomad hotel proves once again that the Ace is the place. The Artists and Fleas folks can also be found in their permanent spots in the Chelsea Market, as well as in Williamsburg.
Shwick Holiday Market ↑
House of Yes, 2 Wyckoff Avenue, Bushwick, Brooklyn
Sunday, December 20, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
“Take the L train to Jefferson and it’s right there.” So now you have no excuse to shop small and local and partake of the wares of over 40 creative makers in their new seasonal home at House of Yes in hip, happening Bushwick.
Astoria Market ↑
Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden, 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria, Queens
December 6, 13 & 20 from 12:00-6:00 p.m.
Astoria’s iconic, enormous, historic Bohemian (Czech) beer hall and garden is a great place to visit, dine and quaff giant beers even without stuff to buy. The annual holiday market takes place in the lesser-known auditorium of the massive space. Pick up some gifts before you settle in for drinks and goulash.
Racked Holiday Market: LA in New York
101 Wooster Street
December 5th & 6th, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Top shopping site Racked’s first-ever holiday market looks westward, offering over a dozen of their favorite LA-based independent retailers at a cozy oasis in Soho. Racked LA editor Natalie Alcala has curated a collection that includes kids’ clothes, beauty products, jewelry, stationery, blankets, and much more.
Malka_Dina wares at Roberta’s Holiday Market
Roberta’s Holiday Market ↑
261 Moore Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn
December 11, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.; December 12, 12 p.m.-9 p.m.; December 13, 12 p.m.- 7p.m.
Come out to famous Bushwick resto Roberta’s for a crafty collection of specialty items like vintage pieces, letterpress prints, handmade jewelry and more in the backyard and warm up with food and cider under a heated tent.
Fab Holiday Pop-In ↑
118 Orchard Street
December 3-6, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Cool design purveyor Fab promises an unforgettable shopping experience with 150-plus of their fave holiday gifts, free treats and drinks, events, live installations and workshops (like nail art, above, and a littleBits demo!)
Tictail Pop-Up Shop ↑
90 Orchard Street
December 4th – 23rd, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily
Lovers of Scandinavian design will be happy to know that the Tictail holiday shop is back. The Stockholm-based enterprise has curated an international collection of art, fashion, and home design from Tictail’s global online marketplace, including some of the world’s best independent and emerging brands–and you’ll learn more about the artists and designers behind them.
Not Just a Label ↑
Waldorf Astoria New York City, 301 Park Avenue
Friday, December 4th – Sunday, December 13th, 11 a.m. to  9 p.m.
Fashionistas take note: Online luxury fashion design launch platform Not Just a Label (NJAL) is setting up temporary shop in NYC at the iconic and historic Waldorf Astoria to showcase New York City’s creatives and their locally designed and manufactured fashion creations; there will also be a series of conversations around all things made in New York, as well as daily fashion film screenings.
Ridgewood Market Brunch Holiday Bazaar ↑
Gottscheer Hall, 657 Fairview Avenue, Ridgewood, Queens
Sunday December 13, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The holiday version of the regular Ridgewood Market at local gathering spot Gottscheer Hall promises to be, like all things Ridgewood, chill, friendly (bring your kids and your date!) and fun (how could gifts from over 40 independent and local artisan vendors, booze, and brunch be anything else?)
Morbid Anatomy Museum Christmas Flea Market ↑
The Bell House, 149 7th Avenue, Brooklyn
Sunday, December 13, 12 p.m.- 6 p.m.
We bet you never thought of what a great stocking-stuffer ethically sourced taxidermy would be. You’ll find it, along with bone art, insect shadowboxes, obscure texts, antiques and curiosities–and the taxidermy kit shown above–at the Morbid Anatomy Museum‘s annual Sunday afternoon fair at the laid-back Gowanus bar/venue The Bell House.
Kiosk Holiday Shop at Project No. 8Â
38 Orchard Street
Open daily 12-8 p.m.
The now-shuttered, seriously cool, magical knickknack hideaway Kiosk partners with the arty-fashiony folks at Project No. 8 for a holiday gifting return visit.
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