It's on 5 of my lists. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.
- AddressE 14th St, New York
- From my guide, updated September 2026.
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.
My adviceThis 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.
You don’t need a reservation to have the best meal of your trip.
The smell of roasting nuts and hot apple cider wafts through the air as eager crowds elbow their way from one cozy stall to the next. No proper New York City Christmas Bucket List is complete without a visit to the Union Square Holiday Market.
Hosting 150 vendors, this is the largest holiday market in NYC so it can get overwhelming if you show up without a game plan! Try to avoid the busiest times, which are weekends and weekdays after 5pm. But any way you slice it, if you’re looking for a true New York City Christmas experience then you simply can’t miss it. Plus, it’s a great spot to pick up some souvenirs.
Personally speaking, a proper New York City Christmas doesn’t kick off until I find myself bundled up at the Union Square Holiday Market with a hot chocolate in tow. Home to more than 150 vendors, the market can feel overwhelming if you visit during the weekends (and weekdays after 5pm) because of the crowds.
However, if you’re looking for free things to do during Christmas in NYC then you simply can’t skip it. This the perfect place to stock up on unique Christmas gifts and souvenirs or simply window shop too.
Union Square is a different animal. You’re here to buy gifts from small makers, and the food’s job is to keep one hand warm while you browse with the other. Don’t come starving. Do come with room for two or three good bites.
The intoxicating aroma of roasting nuts and hot apple cider wafts through the air as crowds of eager locals and tourists rub elbows in search of handmade gifts. Home to more than 160 vendors, Union Square’s holiday market is the largest in the city. Stop by while visiting New York City for Thanksgiving to pick up some unique NYC souvenirs.