This roundup of the best Christmas Markets in New York City was written by Alejandro Beltran, co-founder of New York Simply (an official partner of Apple Maps) and a NYC local.
New York City is home to some of the best shopping in the world, but things look a little different during the holidays. That’s because there’s an abundance of Christmas markets in New York City that offer unique experiences, one of a kind trinkets, and more than a few food purveyors ready to feed a hungry crowd of locals. If you’re looking for the best holiday market in NYC I’ll give you my expert local’s advice in this article. Are you ready to jump right in?
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Best Christmas Markets New York City
Table of Contents: NYC Christmas Markets Guide
Table of Contents: New York City Holiday Markets
Holiday Market at the Oculus
Website: Holiday Market at the Oculus
Dates: Entire month of December
Address: 185 Greenwich St LL3110, New York, NY 10006
Located right next to the One World Trade Center, Oculus Mall is quite the architectural feat. The mall’s unique design transforms annually into one of the most photographable Christmas markets in New York City. Now there aren’t necessarily a ton of vendors, since at the end of the day, it’s in a mall.
But what sets it apart from other New York City Christmas markets are the beautiful decorations on display. The photo opportunities are endless! Giant ornaments, lights, and Christmas trees make the perfect setting for a picture and there’s a roller-blading rink at its center for those needing a little excercise.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Website: Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Dates: Entire month of December
Address: Columbus Cir &, Central Park S, New York, NY 10019
The Columbus Circle Holiday Market stands is one of the most popular Christmas markets in NYC thanks to its location. Nestled at the entrance of Central Park, this market boasts a picturesque setting reminiscent of a Hallmark movie. With over 150 vendors, it offers a diverse array of handcrafted goods, local artwork, and gourmet treats.
The market has a unique blend of traditional and contemporary items, catering to a wide range of tastes. The proximity to iconic landmarks like Central Park and The Shops at Columbus Circle makes it a must-visit Christmas market in NYC, and one most first-time visitors can easily fit into an itinerary.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Website: Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
Dates: Early November to early January
Address: 41st Street and, 6th Ave, New York, NY 10018
The most famous Christmas Market in New York City is the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. During the winter, Bryant Park is transformed into a European-style Christmas market, equipped with 100 vendors that line a magical ice skating rink that sits in the shadow of the Empire State Building.
The stalls sell fun Christmas decorations, handmade crafts, unique jewelry lots of good food. Grab a hot chocolate from No Chewing allowed (one of the best in NYC) as you make your way around one of the liveliest Christmas markets in New York City.
The 17,000-square foot ice skating rink is free to use if you have your own skates, otherwise rental skates are available. Whether you decide to skate or just spectate while perusing, the Winter Village at Bryant Park is one of the best Christmas Markets in New York City you can’t afford to miss.
Union Square Holiday Market
Website: Union Square Holiday Market
Dates: Mid-November to Christmas Eve
Address: E 14th St, New York, NY 10011
Originally designed as a town square in 1839, the Union Square Park is home to a year round green-market. However during the winter, that green market swells in size and transforms into one of the best Christmas Markets in New York City.
The small, 9 acre park is manages to squeeze in more than 160 vendors. The smell of roasting nuts and hot apple cider wafts through the air as crowds of eager locals and tourists alike rub elbows from one cozy stall to the next, all in search of fun souvenirs to take home.
Holiday Makers Show
Website: Holiday Makers Show
Dates: Weekends in December
Address: 445 Albee Square W, Brooklyn, NY 11201
The Makers Show (TMS) is a market founded to provide minority-owned businesses with a place to sell their goods, as well as providing an avenue for locals to help support small businesses. Every year the makers show turns into a Christmas market, and the vendors stock their most festive products. You can feel good about shopping at this NYC Christmas market because you’re helping small businesses.
Grand Holiday Bazaar
Website: Grand Holiday Bazaar
Dates: Late November – late December
Address: 100 West 77th St, NY, NY 10024
The Grand Bazaar is the largest weekly market in NYC and 100% of it’s profits go towards four public schools in the neighborhood. The vendors are all local and handpicked by the bazaar and sell food, vintage items, custom jewelry, antiques and so much more. Although the bazaar is around all year, for one month it transforms into one of the many Christmas markets in New York City. Vendors sell everything from apple cider donuts, ornaments and unique gifts.
Grand Central Holiday Fair
Website: Grand Central Holiday Fair
Dates: Mid-November to Christmas Eve
Address: 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017
As one of the most famous landmarks in NYC, Grand Central Terminal sees an average of 750,000 visitors a day! It’s also hosts one of the most popular New York City Christmas markets. In Vanderbilt Hall, next to the main concourse, Grand Central Terminal is able to squeeze in a sizeable holiday market. Local vendors have stalls brimming with goodies like artwork, scarves and candles.
In full transparency this is a Christmas market in NYC I choose to avoid since there isn’t necessarily a strong holiday theme. Rather the market is full of pricey vendors and can feel like a tourist trap. With that said, I chose to include it on the list because Grand Central Terminal is something every first-time visitor to New York City should see regardless, just my two cents.
More Holiday Markets in New York City
Here’s some of our favorite year-round (and indoor!) markets that warrant attention. They might decorate and the vendors may sell holiday fare, but the markets themselves are not Christmas-specific.
Chelsea Market
Website: Chelsea Market
Address: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
The Chelsea Market is a popular food hall mixed with unique shops, restaurants, and cafes. The market has 35 vendors waiting to impress you with tasty treats and fare. During the holiday season they outfit the market with lights and sprinkle in a few holiday decorations.
Whether you plan on shopping or just strolling through, the Chelsea Market is worth the stop when searching for a Christmas markets in New York City. Not to mention it’s a good place to rest your legs, enjoy a warm bite, and get out of any bad weather.
Essex Market
Website: Essex Market
Address: 88 Essex St, New York, NY 10002
Located in Downtown Manhattan, Essex Market is New York City’s most historic food hall. The market has been around officially since 1940 (unofficially since the 1880’s) and has served as a culinary gathering place for New Yorkers to come together as a community.
This three-story market hosts over 30 individual vendors who each bring a unique story and new flavor to the table. And like the true New York City Christmas Markets, the vendors usually have some sort of festive offerings. After choosing where to dine take your food upstairs, there’s a seating area with floor to ceiling windows that offer a great view of the bustling streets below.
Industry City
Website: Industry City
Address: 220 36th St, Brooklyn, NY 11232
Industry City is a one-stop shop for both food and shopping. Comprised of 16 buildings across 35 acres, I encourage you to visit when in search of Christmas markets in New York City. Chock-full of events, eateries and shops, Industry City has it all. In between the buildings you’ll find colorful courtyards decorated with seasonal decor that rival the New York City’s best holiday markets.
Helpful (Related) Links
Christmas in New York City: 20 MAGICAL Things to Do (And 5 to Avoid!)
Christmas Packing Tips: What to Wear in New York City in the Winter (+Packing List)
What to Watch in NYC for Christmas: 15 Charming Christmas Shows in New York City (2023 Guide)
Where to Shop for Christmas: 10 Cheerful Christmas Markets in New York City (Worth the Visit!)
Where to Ice Skate in New York: 10 Impressive Ice Skating Rinks in NYC (+ Where to Skate For FREE!)
Christmas on a Budget: 20 Free Things to Do During Christmas in New York City
Where to Drink on Christmas: 10 Bars Open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in New York City
The Best Christmas Trees in NYC: 15+ Captivating Christmas Trees in NYC and Where to Find Them
Where to Find Festive Cocktails: 15 Christmas Pop Up Bars in New York City (Worth Waiting For)
The Capital of Christmas: 10 Festive Things to Do at the Rockefeller Center during Christmas
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
- Grand Holiday Bazaar
- The Holiday Makers Show
- Chelsea Market
- Essex Market
- Industry City
Holiday Market NYC Guide (Map)
Frequently Asked Questions:
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.
The Union Square Holiday Market has over 200 vendors, the most of any holiday market in NYC.
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.
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.
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 it is my friends! Our list of the best Christmas markets in New York City.
Hope you enjoyed, happy holidays.
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.