New York City boasts some of the best holiday markets, brimming with festive cheer and an array of one-of-a-kind gifts. In addition to captivating Christmas window displays, NYC's holiday markets offer enchanting ice skating, dazzling lights, delightful food vendors, and entertaining holiday activities. Embrace the joy of gift shopping by exploring these lively holiday markets, such as the Urbanspace Union Square Holiday Market, the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park, and many more.
Bryant Park's Winter Village, presented by Bank of America, has returned to New York City, offering a delightful array of holiday shops, food, and activities from October 27 through March 3, 2024. The highlight of the village is its expansive 17,000-square-foot ice-skating rink, which is free to use if you bring your own skates. However, the overall Winter Village exudes holiday spirit and is a close second in terms of appeal. This year, visitors can explore over 180 new and returning kiosks, featuring exciting additions such as Truffleist, Pinky Pilots art, and Soap & Paper Factory.
The beloved Urbanspace Union Square Holiday Market, an open-air winter market with over 160 local and national vendors, will make its return on November 16 from 11am to 7 or 8pm. This year, visitors can look forward to new additions such as Three Bluebirds Swedish Dishcloths, a family-owned and operated local business that creates authentic Swedish dishcloths, Raw Spirit, a socially conscious fragrance brand founded by a female-led team with a commitment to sustainably sourcing unique ingredients, and K2 Pearls, a distinctive and highly sought-after gemstone known for its captivating blue and white marbled patterns reminiscent of the majestic peaks of the K2 mountain.
During the holiday season, the weekly Upper West Side marketplace, one of New York City's oldest, transforms into a festive hub featuring holiday treats and special vendors. From November 26 through December 23, visitors can explore a diverse array of offerings, including photographs, jewelry, furniture, beauty products, antiques, and delectable eats from over 350 local merchants. What's more, patrons can shop with a sense of goodwill, knowing that the market supports local businesses by donating 100 percent of its profits to four of the neighborhood's public schools.
On the Sundays of December 10 and 17, Queens' iconic Bohemian Hall beer garden undergoes a delightful transformation into an NYC-centric artisan market, showcasing an abundance of handmade and vintage merchandise. Visitors can savor Bohemian Hall's "Grandma's Kitchen" menu, featuring an array of homemade soups, platters, and delectable homemade apple strudel. Additionally, guests can indulge in holiday classics such as eggnog, chestnuts, hot apple cider, and other seasonal favorites while perusing the artisan market.
Certainly, amidst the pervasive commercialism and consumerism of the holiday season, there are opportunities to shop ethically, such as at Mayday Space's sixth annual Social Justice Holiday Market. This event, hosted at the Bushwick venue located at 176 St. Nicholas Ave, will take place on Saturday, December 16 from noon to 6pm and Sunday, December 17 from 3pm to 7pm. The market will feature a thoughtfully curated selection of politically-conscious gifts, including upcycled clothes, handcrafted jewelry, massage oils, house plants, herbal remedies, skincare products, and posters celebrating protest movements, among other items. Attendees can also enjoy food vendors, festive drinks, holiday portraits, kids' activities, and live music throughout the event, creating a meaningful and enjoyable holiday shopping experience.
Compass
2150 Broadway 2nd Fl.,
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Phone: (917) 685-5404
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