10 ICONIC NYC Holiday Markets for First Time Visitors (2024)

Celebrating the holidays in New York City is something everyone should make an effort to experience firsthand. On par with the city’s soaring Christmas trees and outlandishly-decorated restaurants, the holiday markets are a delight to explore. Stalls filled with talented vendors offering unique handmade crafts, exquisite jewelry and delectable holiday treats, here’s my personal roundup of the best holiday markets in New York City.

This list accompanies our most popular guide: Celebrating Christmas in New York City (20 Magical Things to Do & 5 to Avoid).

Back by popular demand for 2024: I’m sharing the personalized 4 Day Itinerary I created for my own family and friends on how to enjoy the city’s most iconic holiday experiences as efficiently as possible in 4 days (a comprehensive 30 page guide). Five years in the making, the guide was created for the people I love most, so it’s full of activities, restaurants and neighborhoods I personally visit and enjoy. If you’re interested, you can find more information here (limited to 50 sales in 2024).

Best Christmas Markets in New York City

(Click Here for the Table of Contents)

New York City Holiday Markets (Table of Contents)

Best Christmas Markets in New York City
Best New York City Holiday Markets (Post Overview)
NYC Holiday Markets Map

Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out my helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers +3 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.

The Holiday Market at Bryant Park

Website: Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Dates: November 1, 2024 – March 1, 2025
Address: 41st Street and, 6th Ave, New York

Bryant Park is a worthwhile destination year-round, but there’s something truly special about the holiday season when the park transforms into a European-inspired holiday market.

Home to more than 100 vendors selling crafts out of endearing glass-enclosed stalls, the market has a few things going for it.

Dwarfed by Midtown Manhattan’s iconic skyscrapers, the market plays host to one of the most iconic Christmas trees in New York City and the largest free skating rink in town (skate rentals clock in at a steep $36 though, so bring your own if you have them).

Vendors span the gamut, from hand-painted ornaments to wooden chopsticks repurposed as bowls, you’ll find a plethora of unique souvenirs and holiday gifts. Likewise, the food options are some of the best of all the holiday markets in New York City.

Admire the tree, glide around the ice rink or window shop the various stalls. Whatever your speed, you’re bound to have a great time.

You Might Enjoy Reading: 10 Impressive Ice Skating Rinks in New York City (Local’s Guide)

Union Square Holiday Market

Website: Union Square Holiday Market
Dates: Mid-November through Christmas Eve
Address: E 14th St, New York

It’s not surprising that one of the city’s most popular parks would transform into a top winter destination come December. The park swells with vendors to the tune of 160, making it the largest holiday market in New York City.

Inspired by Germany’s storied Christmas markets, Glühwein (spiced mulled wine) is always guaranteed. The intoxicating aromas of roasted nuts and hot cider waft through the air as eager crowds make their way from one wooden house stall to the next.

Local’s Recommendation: This is one of the most popular Christmas markets in New York City and crowds get intense, especially during weekends toward the tail end of December (any fellow last-minute shoppers out there?). Time your visit for a weekday morning if possible, the earlier, the better.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market

Website: Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Dates: November 28 – December 31st, 2024
Address: Columbus Circle, New York

Nestled at the southwest entrance of Central Park, wandering through the Columbus Circle Holiday Market feels like stepping foot in a Hallmark movie. Dating back to 1993, the open-air market offers tons of handcrafted goods, from jewelry and artwork to gourmet holiday treats and delicious hot chocolate. With more than 100 vendors, it’s a great spot to stock up on souvenirs!

Grand Holiday Bazaar

Website: Grand Holiday Bazaar
Dates: Late November – late December
Address: 100 West 77th St, New York

Located on the Upper West Side, the Grand Bazaar is a popular neighborhood market locals are keen to support. The reason? 100% of profits benefit four local public schools by funding classroom essentials and enriching programs for more than 2,000 children.

Every vendor is personally selected by the bazaar’s organizers to ensure a connection to the community. You’ll find vintage clothes, antique jewelry, oil paintings, random trinkets and tons of great food options.

The bazaar is open year-round, but it transforms into one of the most unique Christmas Markets in New York City in the four weeks leading up to Christmas.

Harlem Night Market

Website: Harlem Night Market
2024 Dates: December 7, 14, 21

Opened in 2019, The Harlem Nigh Market pays homage to the 1950s when locals relied on pushcart vendors and merchants at the neighborhood market (La Marqueta) for their shopping.

Stalls packed to the brim with everything from spices and vegetables to traditional medicine and fresh fish, the area’s large Latinx community was dependent on the 500 vendors that made up the market.

Fast forward to today and the new Harlem Night Market continues to celebrate the local community by highlighting talented residents selling artisan goods. Open the first three Saturdays of December (from 4-8pm), vendors kick it up a notch with Christmas-themed trinkets and treats.

Featuring live music and tons of food vendors, this feels like one of the liveliest holiday markets in New York City.

Holiday Makers Show at City Point

Website: Holiday Makers Show
Dates: Weekends in December
Address: 445 Albee Square W, Brooklyn

The Makers Show is best billed as a market with purpose. Founded to amplify BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ and women-led businesses, the market seeks to amplify underrepresented business leaders. The market makes an appearance in Brooklyn several times a year, but the holiday-themed market in December is not to be missed.

Located at City Point (a mixed-use complex in Downtown Brooklyn), the market features more than 60 vendors selling festive products like homemade candles, custom clothing and delectable baked goods.

Artists & Fleas at the Chelsea Market

Website: Chelsea Market
Address: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011

Housed inside the popular Chelsea Market (food hall mixed with unique shops, restaurants, and cafes), Artists & Fleas is a cool concept. It’s a marketplace for talented New Yorkers of all stripes, from budding fashion designers and antique collectors to artists and curators, you’ll definitely find something unique to take home from this spot.

The Chelsea Market itself is worth a detour. There are 35 vendors waiting to impress with tasty treats and fare. During the holiday season the market is outfitted with lights and outlandish holiday decorations.

Whether you plan on doing some holiday shopping or merely strolling through, the Chelsea Market is worth the stop if you’re keen to experience the best Christmas markets in New York City.

Oculus Center Mall, Best Christmas Markets NYC

Holiday Market at the Oculus Mall

Website: Holiday Market at the Oculus
Dates: November 25, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Address: 185 Greenwich St, New York

The Oculus Mall is an architectural marvel worth a detour for first-time visitors. Designed by renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, the stunning dove-like structure represents a phoenix rising from the ashes, a poignant tribute to the rebirth of the area post-9/11.

Once inside, the mall’s unique design serves as an iconic backdrop to one of the newest holiday markets in New York City. Though it’s relatively small compared to the other options mentioned on this list, you’ll have an entire mall at your fingertips if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Between the stunning architecture and elaborate Christmas decor, the photo opportunities are endless! Don’t miss it, it’s one of the best things to see in the Financial District.

DUMBO FAD Market Holiday Pop-Up

FAD (Fashion Art Design) is a new pop-up holiday market in Brooklyn’s hip DUMBO neighborhood. Located in the lobby of the Time Out Market, there are 30 talented artists and designers selling creative handmade goods. The best part? The indoor market is a great escape from the cold.

Grand Central Terminal Holiday Market, best Christmas markets NYC

Grand Central Holiday Fair

Website: Grand Central Holiday Fair
Dates: Mid-November to Christmas Eve
Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York

As one of the most famous landmarks in NYC, Grand Central Terminal sees an average of 750,000 visitors daily. It also hosts one of the most popular Christmas markets in New York City. In full transparency, this is probably my least favorite NYC holiday market because it feels so corporate.

The market is full of pricey vendors and doesn’t have a strong holiday theme. With that said, I’m mentioning it because Grand Central Terminal is something every first-time visitor should make an effort to see, so you’ll probably be in the area!

NYC Christmas Guides

Best New York City Holiday Markets (Post Overview)

In short-form, here’s a roundup of the top Christmas markets in New York City.

Union Square Holiday Market
Bryant Park Winter Village
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Oculus Mall Holiday Market
Grand Central Holiday Fair
Harlem Night Market
Grand Holiday Bazaar
The Holiday Makers Show
Chelsea Market
DUMBO FAD Market Holiday Pop-Up

Holiday Checklist NYC
Downloadable Bucket List NYC

NYC Holiday Markets Map

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the biggest NYC Christmas market?

The Winter Village at Bryant Park is considered one of the largest Christmas markets in NYC, featuring over 170 holiday shops and a central ice-skating rink.

What NYC Christmas Market has the most vendors?

The Union Square Holiday Market has over 200 vendors, the most of any holiday market in NYC.

Is Bryant Park holiday market worth it?

Bryant Park’s holiday market is worth visiting for its festive atmosphere, iconic ice-skating rink, and over 170 holiday shops offering a diverse range of artisanal goods.

Is Bryant Park Christmas market free?

Bryant Park’s Winter Village is free to enter, but there are costs associated with certain activities, such as ice-skating or purchasing items from the holiday shops.

What parks in NYC have Christmas markets?

In addition to Bryant Park, other parks in NYC that host Christmas markets include Central Park, which is right next to the Columbus Circle Holiday Market, and Union Square Park, known for its Union Square Holiday Market.

And there you have it, my personal list of the best Christmas markets in New York City. Happy holidays!

Comments

Pamela Thompkins says

December 24, 2022 at 4:03 pm

Greetings from North Carolina. I grew up in New York City but left years ago for the military (Army). Unfortunately, I haven’t been back in New York since 2002. Nevertheless, I always look forward to some YouTuber posting about how beautiful Christmas is every year. Thus, I look forward to the Chelsea Market. My question to you is, whose responsible for the Christmas decorations for the building itself? Whoever it is (decorating the building), they do a wonderful job.

Explore