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A holiday market in New York City. There are various market stalls with wares. Each stall is decorated with garlands. There are tall city buildings in the background. Shutterstock

The best holiday markets in NYC

For a truly unique shopping experience, head to one of these holiday markets

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The holiday season is upon us—yes, already—which means it’s time to get into the full swing of gift giving.

And while you could shop at big-box stores or online, New York is full of holiday markets offering unique gifts you won’t find on Amazon. As an added bonus, you’ll be supporting local vendors, many of whom set up shop at these bazaars. (Plus, you can nosh on holiday bites and delectable beverages—what’s not to like?)

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Union Square Holiday Market

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Each year, more than 100 vendors participate in the Union Square Holiday Market, where visitors can expect to find a wide assortment of items crafted by local artists like Handmade in Brooklyn and Retro NY Metro. Of course, there is a variety of food and beverages from local restaurants to indulge in as well from places like the popular mini doughnut shop, Doughnuttery and dozens more. The market is open from November 21 through December 24.

The Union Square Holiday Market in New York City.  There are market stalls decorated in garlands in lights. There are people shopping at the holiday market stalls. Shutterstock.com

Grand Central Holiday Fair

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Vanderbilt Hall will be transformed once again into a holiday bazaar with 40 booths that offer everything from ornaments to home goods to gifts for your pets from vendors that include Apotheke, Hardwood Creations, and others. The fair prides itself on being “one of the finest, longest-running indoor holiday fairs in New York City” and is open from November 18 until Christmas Eve.

Holiday Shops at Bryant Park

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Market maker UrbanSpace crafted the holiday shops at Bryant Park to mimic European-style open-air markets with shops that are housed in custom-designed “jewel box” kiosks. Within these shops are goods from both local and global vendors, as well as an assortment of artisanal food, offering vegan options, Mexican fare, Bolivian cuisine, and a plethora more than what can be mentioned here. Shops are open daily until 8 p.m. through January 5.

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. There are rows of glass market stalls. In the distance is a Christmas tree which is illuminated with blue lights. Shutterstock.com

Columbus Circle Holiday Market

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This year’s holiday market at Columbus Circle comes with 150 vendors, a plethora of food and drinks to choose from, and a new Citi-sponsored holiday lounge with photo booths and phone charging stations. The market is open every day from December 4 through Christmas Eve.

The Columbus Circle Holiday Market. There are multiple market stalls which are decorated in garlands and lights. There are tall city buildings in the distance. Shutterstock.com

Astoria Market

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For just three Sundays in December, the Main Hall of the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria transforms into a holiday market with vintage goods, antiques, jewelry, clothing, food, and more. Catch the market on December 1st, 8th, and 15th.

Brooklyn Flea and Smorgasburg Winter Market

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The popular Brooklyn Flea has been relocated indoors for the winter and can be found at 25 Kent Avenue. If you’ve ever been to the Brooklyn Flea, you can expect much of the same assortment of goods and there are plenty of food and drinks to check out as well. The market is open every weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Brooklyn Navy Yard Holiday Market

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For the second year in a row, the Brooklyn Navy Yard will host a holiday market (December 7-8) featuring goods from makers based within the manufacturing complex. Of the 40 participating vendors, 24 produce their wares at the yard, including Kings County Distillery and American Heirloom. The market will be held in Admiral’s Row, near the new Wegmans outpost.

Holiday Handmade Cavalcade

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The annual Holiday Handmade Cavalcade will head to both Brooklyn and Chelsea Market for the holiday season. Members of the NY Handmade Collective (formerly the Etsy New York team) worked to pull together a selection of local crafters and indie vendors. The market will be at Chelsea Market from December 9 through 15, and will head to the Brooklyn Historical Society for the weekend of December 7 and 8.

LeFrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park Brooklyn

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On December 14 and 21, Prospect Park Alliance and Brooklyn Pop-Up will host an artisan holiday fair at Lefrak Center with at least 19 vendors selling handmade, sustainable, and local goods, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (And while you’re there, you can also skate at Lefrak’s ice skating rink.)

Industry City Holiday Market by WantedDesign

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Another holiday market comes to Brooklyn, this time at the sprawling Industry City campus. WantedDesign will curate the goods for sale, some of which will be produced by makers within the campus; there will also be nifty workshops and other events happening throughout each weekend. The market will take place over three weekends in December, leading up to Christmas day.

Courtesy of Wanted Design

Union Square Holiday Market

Each year, more than 100 vendors participate in the Union Square Holiday Market, where visitors can expect to find a wide assortment of items crafted by local artists like Handmade in Brooklyn and Retro NY Metro. Of course, there is a variety of food and beverages from local restaurants to indulge in as well from places like the popular mini doughnut shop, Doughnuttery and dozens more. The market is open from November 21 through December 24.

The Union Square Holiday Market in New York City.  There are market stalls decorated in garlands in lights. There are people shopping at the holiday market stalls. Shutterstock.com

Grand Central Holiday Fair

Vanderbilt Hall will be transformed once again into a holiday bazaar with 40 booths that offer everything from ornaments to home goods to gifts for your pets from vendors that include Apotheke, Hardwood Creations, and others. The fair prides itself on being “one of the finest, longest-running indoor holiday fairs in New York City” and is open from November 18 until Christmas Eve.

Holiday Shops at Bryant Park

Market maker UrbanSpace crafted the holiday shops at Bryant Park to mimic European-style open-air markets with shops that are housed in custom-designed “jewel box” kiosks. Within these shops are goods from both local and global vendors, as well as an assortment of artisanal food, offering vegan options, Mexican fare, Bolivian cuisine, and a plethora more than what can be mentioned here. Shops are open daily until 8 p.m. through January 5.

The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. There are rows of glass market stalls. In the distance is a Christmas tree which is illuminated with blue lights. Shutterstock.com

Columbus Circle Holiday Market

This year’s holiday market at Columbus Circle comes with 150 vendors, a plethora of food and drinks to choose from, and a new Citi-sponsored holiday lounge with photo booths and phone charging stations. The market is open every day from December 4 through Christmas Eve.

The Columbus Circle Holiday Market. There are multiple market stalls which are decorated in garlands and lights. There are tall city buildings in the distance. Shutterstock.com

Astoria Market

For just three Sundays in December, the Main Hall of the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden in Astoria transforms into a holiday market with vintage goods, antiques, jewelry, clothing, food, and more. Catch the market on December 1st, 8th, and 15th.

Brooklyn Flea and Smorgasburg Winter Market

The popular Brooklyn Flea has been relocated indoors for the winter and can be found at 25 Kent Avenue. If you’ve ever been to the Brooklyn Flea, you can expect much of the same assortment of goods and there are plenty of food and drinks to check out as well. The market is open every weekend from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Brooklyn Navy Yard Holiday Market

For the second year in a row, the Brooklyn Navy Yard will host a holiday market (December 7-8) featuring goods from makers based within the manufacturing complex. Of the 40 participating vendors, 24 produce their wares at the yard, including Kings County Distillery and American Heirloom. The market will be held in Admiral’s Row, near the new Wegmans outpost.

Holiday Handmade Cavalcade

The annual Holiday Handmade Cavalcade will head to both Brooklyn and Chelsea Market for the holiday season. Members of the NY Handmade Collective (formerly the Etsy New York team) worked to pull together a selection of local crafters and indie vendors. The market will be at Chelsea Market from December 9 through 15, and will head to the Brooklyn Historical Society for the weekend of December 7 and 8.

LeFrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park Brooklyn

On December 14 and 21, Prospect Park Alliance and Brooklyn Pop-Up will host an artisan holiday fair at Lefrak Center with at least 19 vendors selling handmade, sustainable, and local goods, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (And while you’re there, you can also skate at Lefrak’s ice skating rink.)

Industry City Holiday Market by WantedDesign

Another holiday market comes to Brooklyn, this time at the sprawling Industry City campus. WantedDesign will curate the goods for sale, some of which will be produced by makers within the campus; there will also be nifty workshops and other events happening throughout each weekend. The market will take place over three weekends in December, leading up to Christmas day.

Courtesy of Wanted Design