The 15 best NYC holiday markets and indie pop-up shops
December’s first days bring a dazzling parade of holiday gift markets all vying for the opportunity to find new homes for a bounty of goodies and crafty gifts. We’re all familiar with the big NYC markets at Bryant Park and Union Square, but some of the best finds—and the most fun—can be found at smaller, cooler pop-ups and neighborhood markets. 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 sparkle with drinks, food, workshops, tarot readings, nail art, music, and family fun to keep shoppers’ spirits bright.
Winter Flea and Holiday Market at Skylight One Hanson↑
Skylight One Hanson at 1 Hanson Place, Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through March 2017; see site for holiday hours
The Winter Flea has returned to its 2012 indoor home in the stunningly ornate Skylight One Hanson space in the landmarked Williamsburg Savings Bank Clocktower. From the mosaic on the building’s 63-foot ceiling to secret iconography hidden throughout the space, it’s a unique environment for shopping and eating (and great people-watching). Over 100 vendors sell every weekend in the main hall and mezzanine; Smorgasburg food vendors can be found in the lower level vault. for. Expect the Flea’s usual cornucopia of vintage clothes and shoes, locally-made fashions, jewelry, furniture, lighting, home goods, stationary, collectibles and much more with a seasonal focus on holiday fare from decorations to gifts.
Etsy New York’s Holiday Handmade Cavalcade ↑
Chelsea Market, 75 Ninth Avenue
December 5-11, 10 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
What began as a DIY event in Beacon, NY in 2008 has become a New York City winter tradition for thousands of shoppers looking for local and unexpected holiday gifts and goodies. Instead of sitting at your desk and browsing the Etsy site, head out to this market that promises to be your go-to stop for cute and creative items of the sort that get everyone asking, “Where did you get that?”
Shwick Holiday Market ↑
395 Johnson Avenue, Bushwick, Brooklyn
December 3 & 4, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
This year the irreverent Bushwick market has multiplied, spawning two separate opportunities to mix, mingle, jingle and shop the wares of 120 of the city’s most creative makers. The third annual Shwick holiday market moves into a sprawling ‘Wick warehouse on Johnson Avenue.
Brooklyn Makers Market: Holiday Edition ↑
Williamsburgh Savings Bank, 175 Broadway, Brooklyn
December 17 & 18
The Shwick-sponsored Brooklyn Makers Market comes back to finish the job two weekends later at the more polished Williamsburgh Savings Bank Space in South Williamsburg, where you’ll find one-of-a-kind goods, all made in the glorious borough of Brooklyn.
Ridgewood Market Holiday Bazaar Brunch and Night Market ↑
Gottscheer Hall, 657 Fairview Avenue, Ridgewood, Queens
Sunday brunch market: December 11th, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday night market: December 17th, 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Combining two of our favorite pastimes, shopping and brunch, the holiday version of the regular Ridgewood Market in a German beer 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 food be anything else?); The Ridgewood Night Market is a do-over of all the fun for the after-dark crowd, with food, music, booze, beads and baubles galore.
Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Pop-Ups at Industry City ↑
Industry City, Sunset Park, Brooklyn
December 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
The Renegade Craft Fair (RCF) is a curated indie-craft marketplace showcasing the brightest talents in contemporary craft and design. Each event is curated to highlight an eclectic array of both experienced and emergent designers offering one-of-a-kind and limited edition goods. This year will be the first time for Holiday Pop-Ups in Brooklyn, in the enormous maker-HQ that is Industry City in Sunset Park.
Greenpointers Holiday Market ↑
Greenpoint Loft, 61-67 West Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
December 11, 1:00-7:00 p.m.
This might be everyone’s favorite indie holiday market, and this year’s version adds a tropical theme to the mix with 60-plus local crafters, artists 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.
BUST Holiday Craftacular ↑
Brooklyn Expo Center, 72 Noble Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Saturday, December 10th, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, December 11th, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This BUST magazine sponsored mother-of-all-craft-markets rolls back into Brooklyn with a rainbow of goods by 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.
Astoria Market ↑
Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden, 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria, Queens
December 4, 11 & 18 from 12:00-6:00 p.m.
Astoria’s iconic, old-school Bohemian Hall and Beer 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 Main Hall; pick up some gifts from among the art, jewelry, toys, chocolates, body care products, handbags, clothing and gift baskets before you settle in downstairs for drinks and goulash.
Wanted Design Holiday Market↑
Industry City, Sunset Park, Brooklyn
December 9, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.; December 10 & 11, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
This cutting-edge design market includes international, national and local brands offering a selection of accessories, gifts, design items for the home, lighting, small furniture, textiles and all-around eye candy. Visitors will be able to discover the “behind-the-product” story with makers, company ambassadors, and designers on hand to enlighten.
Vegan Shop-Up ↑
Pine Box Rock Shop, 12 Grattan Street, Bushwick, Brooklyn
December 3, 11 (all-ages, at Haymaker’s) & 17, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
NYC’s only monthly all vegan pop-up market features local vendors in a not-so-boring place. The event is thrice as nice for the holidays, offering vegan goodies from pot pies and pickles to lipstick and handbags, with snacks, spiced cocktails and Bloody Marys at the vegan bar.
Tictail Market: NYC↑
90 Orchard Street, Lower East Side, NYC
Monday – Saturday 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
New York City loved the global-chic items at Tictail so much they’ve put down roots at the LES brick-and-mortar store (and their online empire continues to grow). So while it’s not technically a holiday shop, the Stockholm-based company’s international collection of art, fashion, and home design, including some of the world’s best independent and emerging brands, makes it a must for any hard-to-buy-for gift list.
f.a.d. Weekend ↑
Basement of St. Paul’s Church, 190 Court Street, Brooklyn
December 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
f.a.d. weekend is a roving fashion, art and design indoor makers’ market and flea that pops up seasonally in unique venues in our favorite South Brooklyn neighborhoods. For the holidays expect workshops and activities like a holiday selfie photo booth, face and body painting, a snowflake-making workshop and much more, including, of course, lots of very cool stuff to buy.
Food52 Holiday Market ↑
Food52, 122 West 26th Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY
December 2-4, 12 p.m.- 8 p.m.
Food52 HQ is transforming into a winter wonderland where you can gift shop the day away, with smart tools and shining treasures on display that you can order at the Market, plus tastings and demos.
Pearl River Mart Pop-Up Shop ↑
395 Broadway, Tribeca, NYC
Open daily 10 a.m. – 7:20 p.m.
Beloved 45-year-old Chinese-American department store Pearl River Mart is back, thank goodness, in temporary form for the holiday season until renovations make their new permanent home complete. The store’s amazing and affordable collection of home goods, apparel, food and shiny irresistibles in every corner virtually guarantees you won’t be able to leave empty-handed.
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