Ten Christmas Markets in New York City
This post lists the top 11 Christmas Markets in New York City, including tips on how to reach them, what you can do and buy, all updated for 2018. Be sure to read our full guide on Christmas in NYC.
MANHATTAN CHRISTMAS MARKETS
The holiday season in New York City is one of the most festive and beautiful times of the year. It is also a shopper’s paradise – if you like unique items, artisan gifts, crafts, and souvenirs.
From mid-November through January, outdoor holiday markets pop-up throughout the city selling jewelry, clothing, arts and crafts, and so much more. Even if you don’t plan to do much shopping, the atmosphere is fun and many markets offer fantastic food and warm drinks.
TIP: Be sure to check a market’s website before heading out to make sure there have been no changes to their schedule or locations.
This map is interactive. You can zoom in and out and also enlarge by clicking on the box at the upper right hand of the map.
A – Bryant Park’s Winter Village 
This is one of the prettiest and most centrally-located holiday markets. It surrounds the skating rink that is installed in wintertime in the middle of Bryant Park and the atmosphere is magical.
TIP: The Winter Village is a stop on our Manhattan Holiday Lights and Window Displays Tour.
There are more than 100 small stalls offering one-of-a-kind items including winter clothing, sweaters, hats and mittens, handcrafted bags, jewelry, decorative goods, local foods, and more. There’s something for everyone – adults, kids, and even pets!
Why not go ice-skating while you are there? You can also find delicious food stands mostly near the 6th Avenue border of the park with a variety of treats including hot drinks, kettle corn, and holiday sweets of all kinds.
- Dates: October 27, 2018 – to January 2, 2019
- Hours: Mon-Fri 11am-8pm, Sat & Sun 10am-8pm
- Location: Bryant Park, 40th to 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue
Bryant Park is a stop on our Midtown Manhattan Tour as well as our GPS-enabled audio tour of the same name.
B – Grand Central Holiday Fair
What a spectacular location for a holiday market! And because it is indoors, you’ll keep warm while checking out the 76 vendor stalls offering a wonderful array of holiday gifts including art, clothing for adults and children, handbags, jewelry and accessories for men and women, hand-made candles, bath and body items, collectible toys and holiday items.
If you want to learn more about this truly grand historic train terminal, read our free guide to Grand Central Terminal or join us on one of our tours. Click here to find out more.
We have a GPS-enabled audio tour as well.
- Dates: November 13-December 24, 2018; (closed Thanksgiving Day. Nov 23)
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm; Sunday 11am-7pm; Closes at 6 pm on December 24.
- Location: Grand Central Terminal, Vanderbilt Hall (42nd St. and Park Ave.)
C – Union Square Holiday Market 
This is quite a large market with a downtown, funky vibe. Over 100 vendors fill the park and you will find truly unique items here, many with New York themes.
Past years we’ve found such items as hand-blown glass housewares; bags and accessories made from recycled plastic (eco-friendly!), always lots of handmade jewelry, Tibetan crafts and more!
And of course you shouldn’t shop on an empty stomach so try some of the sweet and savory treats or a hot apple cider!
- Dates: November 15-December 24, 2018 (closed Thanksgiving Day Nov 23)
- Hours: Monday–Friday 11am-8pm; Saturday 10am-8pm; Sunday 11am-7pm; closes at 4 pm December 24.
- Location: Union Square at 14th Street.
D – Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Located at Central Park’s southwest corner is historic Columbus Circle where a medium-sized market is a great place to stop by after skating in Central Park’s iconic Wollman Rink. Treat yourself to hot cocoa and gingerbread while browsing the stalls.
This is also the only market with a stand that serves hot mulled wine (Gluhwein) and beer.
- Dates: November 28-December 24, 2018
- Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am to 8pm; Sunday 10am – 7pm; closes at 4pm on December 24.
- Location: West 59th Street and Broadway
Read our guide to Central Park or take one of our Central Park Tours that start next to the market.
E – Crafts at St. John’s the Divine Cathedral 
This three-day arts and crafts fair is held inside one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the entire country and showcases some of the finest craftspeople in a truly divine atmosphere.
- Dates: Thursday, November 29 through Saturday, December 2, 2018.
- Hours: Nov. 30: 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm; Dec. 1: 10:00 am — 8:00 pm; Dec. 2: 10:00 am -6:00 pm
- Location: St. John the Divine, Amsterdam Ave, and West 110th St, Manhattan
St. John the Divine is located in Morningside Heights and is adjacent to Harlem.
For Seinfeld fans, Tom’s Restaurant, whose exterior was used for the gang’s coffee shop, is located a short walk away. We have a guide to Seinfeld sights in NYC.
F – Artists and Fleas at Chelsea Market
The items here are ‘funkier’ than you find at some of the other markets as they are made by independent designers, emerging artists, and vintage collectors.
Before or after your visit, explore more of Chelsea Market. We have a post to help guide you through this huge and interesting shopping location. Join our Highline and Chelsea tour if it suits your schedule!
- Dates: Year Round
- Hours: Daily 10:30am-7pm. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
- Location: Chelsea Market, 88 10th Avenue at 15th Street
BROOKLYN + QUEENS CHRISTMAS MARKETS
There are several fantastic Christmas and holiday markets in Brooklyn and Queens, but below are the most accessible for visitors to the city.
Be sure to read our guide of things to do in Brooklyn.
G – Winterfest at the Brooklyn Museum
For 2018, the Brooklyn Museum has launched a brand new and awesome-sounding Christmas market! It’s called Winterfest and they are pulling out all the stops. This pop-up holiday market will have a lot to keep the kids amused, and at night, there will be wine tastings for the grown-ups. (You must purchase tickets for the tastings) Find out more information here.
Entrance to the market is free, but to enjoy the attractions you must buy a ticket. The attractions include an Enchanted Tree Maze, Santa’s House & Garden, and The Chocolate Story and Tasting (hot chocolate or hot cider, and a chocolate tasting plate).
Kids can slide down the Snowzilla, grown-ups can shop the stalls and families can get a photo inside the giant snow globe. Last but not least, Santa is available to pose with you in pictures, though he has a tight schedule and charges a fee.
Winterfest runs from November 23 to December 31, 2018 (except 12/3, 12/10, 12/17)
General Admission Tickets (include access to all attractions, except Santa photo):
- Monday-Thursday:
- 1pm – 5pm: $9 all ages; Families: $29 (2 adult tickets and up to 3 child tickets)
- 5pm – 9pm: Child (4-13) $12 / Adults $15 / Seniors (65+)/Veterans/Students: $12
- Families: $42.00 (2 adults tickets and up to 3 child tickets)
- Purchase tickets here or at the Museum.
- Note: Photos with Santa are from 4pm – 7pm only. Add on $15.
- Friday/Saturdays/Sunday:
- 1pm – 9pm: Child (4-13) $15 / Adults $20 / Seniors (65+)/Veterans/Students: $15 /
- Families: $55.00 (2 adults tickets and up to 3 child tickets)
- Purchase tickets here or at the Museum.
- Note: Photos with Santa are Fridays, 4pm – 7pm, Saturday 1pm-6pm, and Sunday 1pm-6p. Add on $15.
TIP: Most hop-on, hop-off bus tours of Brooklyn include a stop at the Brooklyn Museum. The Museum itself is quite excellent and is free with a suggested admission. See our post about all free museums in NYC.
H – Brooklyn Flea Atlantic Center in Downtown Brooklyn
If you like one-of-a-kind treasures like vintage hip furniture and housewares, vintage clothing, trendy antiques, collectibles, jewelry, and more, the Brooklyn Flea is a must! The Brooklyn Flea has been called by The New York Times “One of the great urban experiences in New York”.
For the winter season, including the holidays, the Flea is located indoors at the Atlantic Center, a great indoor mall in Downtown Brooklyn.
During the rest of the year, the Flea can be found outdoors on weekends at two locations, in SoHo, and in DUMBO. Take along our neighborhood guides to help you plan things to do for your excursions.
- Dates: Winter months (open year-round with different hours and locations). Be sure to check their website for any schedule changes.
- Hours: Saturdays 11am – 8pm and Sundays 11am-5pm
- Location: Atlantic Center (625 Atlantic Ave. across from Barclays Sports Center – map)
With over 150 vendors, this is the world’s largest curated exhibition of independent crafts. The fair features hundreds of craft makers, artisanal food and drinks, and great music, and good times.
Renegade holds fairs worldwide throughout the year. They come to New York three times a year, each time at a different venue. So be sure to check their website for their location and hours as they change each Christmas.
- Dates: December 22 + 23
- Hours: 11am -5pm
- Location: Brooklyn Expo Center, 72 Noble St., Brooklyn
J – Bust Magazine Craftacular and Food Fair Holiday 2018
Located in the traditionally Polish and currently trendy neighborhood of Greenpoint (just north of Williamsburg).
More than 200 vendors will be out at this two-day holiday shopping extravaganza showcasing handmade, vintage, and craft items as well as tasty treats.
- Dates: Sat & Sun, Dec 8 & 9, 2018
- Hours: Saturday and Sunday: 11am-7pm
- Location: Expo Center, 72 Noble St. Greenpoint, Brooklyn
K – Astoria Market
Maybe a bit more about the food and drink than shopping, the market is located in the Main Hall of the famous Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden. Here you will find an artisan market filled with handmade items, vintage goods, and baked treats.
- Dates: Sundays in December – Dec 2, 9, and 16
- Hours: 12pm -6pm
- Location: Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, 29-19 24th Avenue between 29th and 31st Streets, Astoria, Queens
Written by Courtney Shapiro