New York City’s best holiday markets of 2023

The holiday season has hit New York City in full force, and despite the convenience of online buying, the city’s streets are bustling with shoppers scurrying to find unique gifts and goodies. Popping up to meet the winter frenzy is a triumphant trove of festive markets offering one-of-a-kind creations–and a chance to mingle, jingle, nibble, and nosh. Read on for our picks of the best holiday markets and pop-up shops, from the familiar holiday hubs at Union Square and Bryant Park to an upstate farm and flea affair in Hudson.

Manhattan

Union Square Holiday Market
Union Square Park, Manhattan
November 16 – December 24

Hosted by Urbanspace, the Union Square Holiday Market is perhaps New York City’s best-known outdoor holiday shopping spot, with over 150 artisanal gift and decor items, fabulous food vendors, and a daily ebb and flow of happy holiday shoppers in one of Manhattan’s most exciting neighborhoods.

This year’s Urbanspace markets have a new reason to be jolly this season: A partnership with Kewl Street means you can shop their local markets’ bounty of gifts online.

The Holiday Shops by Urbanspace Markets at Bank of America Village at Bryant Park
Bryant Park, 42nd Street and 6th Avenue
October 27 – January 2

As a Midtown Manhattan holiday oasis, Bryant Park’s multifaceted Bank of America Winter Village is more than just a market. The annual wintertime celebration–also part of the Urbanspace empire–includes New York City’s only free ice skating rink and a festive lodge offering seasonal snacks and cocktails overlooking the rink. The holiday market will be open through January 2 and features over 170 vendors.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Columbus Circle, 59th Street and Central Park West
November 28 through December 31

As the third jewel in the Urbanspace crown, the Columbus Circle Holiday Market is a convenient stop at the entrance to Central Park at 59th Street and Central Park West. The uptown market is a treasure trove of apparel, home items, jewelry, food, and more.

Grand Central Holiday Fair
Grand Central Terminal, 89 East 42nd Street
November 13 through December 24 (closed on Thanksgiving Day)

Presented by American Greetings, New York City’s longest-running indoor holiday fair pulls into Grand Central Terminal once again. The familiar six-week fair features artisan merchants and local businesses to help with your holiday shopping, a holiday train show, and more, surrounded by the beauty of the Beaux-Arts Vanderbilt Hall. This year, expect 36 vendors offering bath products, knitwear, jewelry and art prints, gender-neutral accessories, ornaments, and homeware. In addition, Grand Central Terminal now features the dining concourse Grand Central Market, including East Village favorite Veselka’s newest outpost.

Grand Holiday Bazaar
100 West 77th Street at Columbus Avenue
November 26, December 3, 10, and 17

New York City’s biggest curated weekly market, Grand Bazaar, knows how to do holiday shopping. Hosted both indoors and outdoors, the curated market offers goodies from over 350 local merchants selling vintage accessories, handmade jewelry, furniture, and more. Your money will benefit a good cause: 100 percent of Grand Bazaar NYC’s profits are donated to local public schools.

Holiday Market at the Oculus
185 Greenwich Street
November 25 through January 2

Happening within the mesmerizing embrace of the Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center, the Holiday Market at the Oculus by Brik + Clik will host vendors offering gifts and snacks, with caroling to get you in the mood. Plus, for the first time ever, visitors can roller skate alongside the annual market at the new Winter Whirl rink opening Friday, November 24.

Crafts at the Cathedral
Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Avenue at 112th Street
December 1-3

This beloved fine juried crafts show in the world’s largest gothic cathedral benefits the cathedral and its programs. The annual event offers handcrafted, one-of-a-kind items in ceramic, glass, wood, fabric, and jewelry from 85 artisans. Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, $10 for students, and $18 for a weekend pass.

Harlem Night Market
116th Street at Park Avenue
December 2, 9 and 16

For the first three Saturdays in December, the Harlem Night Market spans three lots of the historic La Marqueta beneath the Park Avenue Viaduct in East Harlem. Stop by for food, music, culture, and gifts from talented makers. Turntable legends @tedsmooth and @djstorminnorman, and special guests @uptownvinylsupreme will provide the sounds.

The Oddities Flea Market
Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street
December 9

Ryan Matthew Cohn’s creepily curated Oddities Flea Market holiday HQ returns, with hand-picked purveyors of odd, offbeat, macabre, and mysterious items like medical history ephemera, anatomical curiosities, natural history items, osteological specimens, taxidermy, obscure home decor, jewelry, one-of-a-kind dark art, and more. Tickets are available here; the odds are good that the goods are odd–but good.

Brooklyn

FAD Holiday Pop-up Markets
The Invisible Dog Art Center, 51 Bergen Street, November 27-December 22
Empire Stores, 55 Water Street, Dumbo, December 2-3, 9-10, 16-17

FAD Market’s holiday pop-ups in two popular neighborhoods will once again be Brooklyn favorites this year. The art, fashion, and design-focused traveling marketplace will offer unique, small-batch, handcrafted finds that will elevate your gift-giving.

Wallabout Wonderland Annual Holiday Market
Building 77, 141 Flushing Avenue
December 2 and 3

This design-focused holiday market is returning for its 6th year with 200 vendors offering the kind of handmade jewelry, home decor, fashion, and accessories for which the super-creative Brooklyn Navy Yard is known. In addition, there will be a variety of activities (including a kids’ zone). On December 4 there will be a ton of free activities for kids, including festive card making, storytime and book giveaways, lego building, and gingerbread cookie decorating.

The Makers Show Holiday Market at City Point
445 Albee Square West
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays November 24 – December 18 and December 20 – 23

Holiday ’23 at City Point means another year of The Makers Show (TMS) forging the links between small businesses and creative local makers. This year, the seasonal market will include two new studios and pop-ups in an already buzzing and growing Brooklyn shopping district. From local farmers and handmade potters to sock designers, TMS has gifts for everyone. This year’s lineup includes Brooklyn Made, a shop run by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce representing local creators and entrepreneurs.

Brooklyn Flea Holiday Market
Dumbo Archway, 80 Pearl Street
Saturdays and Sundays, Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve

Dumbo’s revered Flea features a curated holiday market, offering shoppers one-of-a-kind items including vintage clothing, furniture, jewelry, stationary, collectibles, lighting, and much more. Browse covetable goods from market regulars and newcomers, as well as weekend pop-ups offering sparkly events like whisky tasting, and treats like mini donuts and more.

On December 2, the Flea is hosting an art-filled day, Art in Dumbo’s Shop The Studios.

Brooklyn Museum Holiday Market
200 Eastern Parkway
December 17

The Brooklyn Museum’s holiday market will once again offer artwork, jewelry, fashion, home and apothecary goods, and more. Bop while you shop with performances by VocalSouL, presented by Broadway Carolers.

Weeksville Winter Market
Weeksville Heritage Center, 158 Buffalo Avenue, Brooklyn
Saturday, December 16

The Weeksville, Brooklyn heritage center just announced the return of this outdoor holiday market showcasing items from Black-owned brands, from pots and plants to clothes and candles.

Queens

Astoria Market
29-19 24th Avenue
December 10 and 17

So few of our favorite classic New York City gathering spots remain unscathed by changing times, and Astoria’s beloved Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden is one of the enduring treasures. The Astoria Market will once again return to the main hall, offering handmade, home-baked, and vintage goods from Queens-based businesses.

Queens Craft Brigade Holiday Market
Katch Astoria, 31-19 Newtown Avenue
November 25 and December 9

The Queens Craft Brigade is celebrating its seventh anniversary this year; the Brigade rolls back in for fall and winter sessions to give you a chance to browse items from some of the borough’s finest artisans.

Out-of-town

Farm & Flea at Basilica Hudson
110 South Front Street, Hudson, NY
November 24 through 26

Head upstate to Hudson for Basilica’s annual Farm & Flea Holiday Market on Thanksgiving weekend. Over 80 farmers, growers, makers, and other regional artisans will be offering food, fabrics, home goods, spirits, and more. Linger over coffee and discover an alternative to the consumerism of Black Friday. You can buy tickets (they’re cheap) here.

RELATED:

• Fifth Avenue to transform into car-free holiday wonderland
• Bryant Park’s Winter Village to open this month
• The 25-year history of the Union Square Holiday Market
• Vintage NYC subway rides are back every Saturday during the holidays