The Best NYC Holiday Markets You Should Visit

December 17, 2019 New York, NY, USA



Here is a list of the best New York City holiday markets to visit if you around the area!

New York City Holiday Markets.
It's that time of year where the holiday markets are up and running in New York City. Personally, I believe NYC is the prettiest during the holiday season. With all the festive decorations everywhere, people are usually in a better mood, and you just feel the holiday spirit in the air. A big part of that also includes the holiday market pop up shops that bring in thousands if not millions of people every year. No matter what kind of gift you’re looking for, chances are one of these markets has it. You can find the perfect gift for your foodie friend, unique jewelry, to eco-friendly gifts and beyond, these markets have got you covered. I love supporting small businesses! With all the unique vendors you come across, you'll be supporting local businesses in a big way.


I do have to say as a New Yorker, the holidays markets over the years were a bit simple and basic but got the job done during the holiday season. This year the holiday markets in NYC stepped up their game! Not sure if social media had a thing or two in their decision to do because I've seen some spectacular, beautifully decorated holiday markets scrolling through Instagram from all over Europe. It's actually very impressive on how over the top they go. I hope to one day experience the European holiday markets some day but for now I'll just stick to what I know and experienced here in New York. Now these aren't ALL of the holiday markets that are here during the season but these are the most popular NYC holiday markets and the ones that continue to come back year after year. So if you plan to visit during the holiday season you can experience these markets for yourself.

If you plan to spend the holidays in New York City, just note that this is high season. Tourists from all over the world come visit during this time. It is inevitable that you will find overcrowding at popular tourist spots, restaurants, let alone walking along the sidewalks. So visiting these markets during this time is no exception. If you don't like being in places with big crowds, I would recommend to go as early as possible. But the closer it gets to the actual day of the holidays, it gets so busy it doesn't matter what time you go. I feel like each year that passes, more and more tourists come during this particular time but that's just how it is. If you want to see how the markets look in video format check out my youtube video below!

Winter Village at Bryant Park.
Address: Bryant Park, 40th to 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue

This has to be one of my all time favorite holiday markets. I believe this is one of  the biggest holiday markets in NYC if I'm not mistaken. Being located in midtown, it's perfectly located to all the hot spots you may want to check out in walking distance of each other. You can check out more than 125 vendors, including over two dozen food stalls selling tasty treats from around the world. There's vendors selling jewelry, toys, clothing, imported chocolates, and etc. There's also a pretty tree to take photos at and a big ice rink! It's free to enter but if you need ice skates to rent, it will be around $20.00. If you feel tired of walking or just want to people watch for a while  they have seating areas throughout the market. You could also find festive installations which made for a good photo op. I highly recommend making your way here!

Winter Village at Bryant Park

Winter Village at Bryant Park

Winter Village at Bryant Park Ice Rink

Columbus Circle Holiday Market.
Address: West 59th Street and Broadway

If you're around the Central Park area, make sure to stop by the Columbus Circle holiday market! Treat yourself to a hot cocoa or some mulled wine. Stroll around and shop the variety of unique stands and vendors. If you crave some NYC stye street food, you'll also find some food trucks parked right there as well. I indulged in some home-made apple cider donuts and already craving more. I love the location of this holiday market because you have easy access to many fun places that you can get to by foot. Because of that this place does get pretty crowded especially on weekends!

The Best NYC Holiday Markets

Columbus Circle Holiday Market

Columbus Circle Holiday Market

The Market at Westfield.
Address: 185 Greenwich Street

This holiday market is different from the rest because it's actually inside of a Westfield mall + train station. Yes you read that right. If you never been to the Oculus, what are you waiting for. It's an architectural dream where people come to snap a few photos if their every nearby the area. For the holidays they designed a mini holiday market area on the main floor that has 25 hand picked specialty shops. I do have to say that the the vendors you'll find here are mainly food based compared to the other markets. At the end of the day you are at a mall so if you don't find any fun treats to gift you can walk around and shop at the stores. Theres also areas throughout the market that are nicely decorated and very instagrammable. So if you want a cute holiday photo by yourself, with family, or your significant other, this is the place to do it!

The Best NYC Holiday Markets

NYC Oculus Holiday Market


Grand Central Station Holiday Fair.
Address: Grand Central Terminal, 42nd St and Park Ave

Grand Central Station is one of my favorite train stations here in NYC. It's beautiful, classic, and just a stunning place to walk around. If you're coming from the Westchester, Connecticut or Harlem area, you're most likely going to arrive and depart from this station. You'll find an Apple store, a couple of eateries, and a few stores. You'll find two markets in Grand Central. One is a standard food market that has many options to choose from, like getting specialty cheeses, chocolates, spices,  and fruit. And then there is the traditional holiday market, in Vanderbilt Hall with 40 unique vendors. It's is smaller than the other markets mentioned but if you don't have to time to shop, what better place to get something when you're waiting for your train. You can find artwork, clothing, unique ornaments, children's toys + clothing, and home decor goods.

Grand Central Station Holiday Fair

Union Square Holiday Market.
Address: Union Square Park, East 14th to East 17th Streets, between Broadway and Park Avenue South.

You may come across some similarities between the Union Square Market and the Columbus Circle market and that is because it's run by the same people.  Theres around 150 vendors that offer artisanal foods, products, original artwork, clothing, jewelry and so much more. There's actual live music at this holiday market which also puts you in all the holiday feels. If it gets to cold, there are some warming stations around the market to make you feel a little bit warmer. If you have kids, there's a section where you can find holiday projects being displayed thats in partnership with the Children's Museum of the Arts.

Union Square Holiday Market


Youtube Video.



Comment Below,
Where is your favorite holiday market located?




120 comments

  1. This post makes me miss the holiday season so much!! :(

    ReplyDelete
  2. Amazing markets. This brings back memories. I miss New York City so much. I use to live there and loved it. Reading this blog made me feel deja vu. I miss it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is great. We only live 3 hours from the city. We are planning on going in the next month. I am so glad I stumbled upon this post. I can't wait to check out these markets.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Those all look like amazing holiday markets to visit. I just need to make it over to NYC! I still have never been there.

    ReplyDelete
  5. It's been way too many years since we've been to NYC. We are hoping to go this year!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love visiting holiday markets like these! The food, the lights the people! They're always so much fun!

    ReplyDelete
  7. It's been awhile since I've been to NYC, but this list makes me want to go back. Love that you featured the best NYC holiday markets we should visit.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Holiday markets are ao exciting.. !NYC looks so great,cant wait shop my
    things in here.

    ReplyDelete
  9. There sure are some amazing holidaymarkets around the world :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree! I hope to see more holiday markets around the world :)

      Delete
  10. Oh my, I will definitely add all of them to my bucket list for winter 2020, thanks for sharing! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you get to experience them during the holiday season!

      Delete
  11. I don't have a favourite but the market down at Central Park has my heart, you know! Who wouldn't want to shop from there?

    ReplyDelete
  12. As if I didn't already want to experience the holiday season in NYC, now I want to go even more! Maybe one year I'll make it happen - and when I do, you can be sure that I'll visit ALL these holiday markets hehe.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I've been to NYC twice, but never during the holiday season so I can't pick a favorite market. But they all look so magical! Especially the first photo!

    ReplyDelete
  14. You can spend days wondering and looking at holiday stuff at those markets! Would love to visit the all! Oculus is a magical place.

    ReplyDelete
  15. These look so beautiful places to visit and so festive. Thank you for sharing these with me x

    ReplyDelete
  16. New York is on my list of places to visit. I’ll be bookmarking this for later!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Wow..those holiday markets look so fantastic. I'd love to check them out if we're ever in NYC again. I wanted to check them out here in Chicago this year, but never made the time. I'd like to do so next winter. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Bookmarking this post for reference. It I don't make it to NYC next Christmas, I am sure my cousin would be there. I will recommend these places to her.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yes, I am more than happy spending my hard earned money there, It makes me so excited even just looking at it. You are so lucky!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm sure there fun markets around where you live that you can check out :)

      Delete
  20. i've always wanted to visit grand central station thanks to Gossip Girl LOL but i didn't know they did a christmas festival market there. how fun is that. joy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Surprisingly I never watched Gossip Girl haha, shocking coming from a New Yorker lol.

      Delete
  21. I actually live near NYC, but have only ever been to the Bryant Park shops! Every year I mean to go in...but it's so busy lol. Will have to check some of these out next year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It does tend to get busy but I would recommend going the week they open in mid November instead of going towards the actual holidays!

      Delete
  22. Tiffany La Forge-GrauJanuary 22, 2020 at 5:39 PM

    These are some really beautiful places to go check out. I love traveling around NYC during the holidays.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I love visiting markets like these during the festive period. NYC sure knows how to do things big, these holiday markets are great to explore. I have only been to NY and it was during fall. I hope to go back there between christmas and new year.

    ReplyDelete
  24. The holiday season in NYC is always impressive, Makes me miss living close to it.

    ReplyDelete
  25. NYC is so much fun this time of year. Shopping in NYC is the best!

    ReplyDelete
  26. these markets are sooo pretty! I like the indoor ones. I should have checked one of these places out when I was there for New Years!

    ReplyDelete
  27. This is a very thorough review as I have visited many of these places.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I've always wanted to go to New York during the holiday season but now I do even more. I loved Bryant Park in the summer. I can just imagine how beautiful it is at Christmas

    ReplyDelete
  29. There are so many great markets in nyc I need to go over the Christmas time one year.

    ReplyDelete
  30. this winter village is really beautiful. i could go on for days strolling around here..

    Cha at Little MisadvenCHA

    ReplyDelete
  31. It is past Christmas but this brings the whole festive season back to me. Personally I love the market at West field. It looks so charming!

    ReplyDelete
  32. New York surely knows how to prepare for the winter holidays. All the markets look amazing, I'd love to visit all of them.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Bryant Park is my favorite place to visit in NYC in the winter. It's so charming with all the shops and everyone is always so happy!

    ReplyDelete
  34. All of these market places are adorable and I love the decorations the put up for the holidays. Looks like a lot of great shopping!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Will have to bookmark this for next year. Had no idea NYC had so many markets.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Now I have to go back to NYC to check out these markets. I was there in September, and I wish I knew about these fun markets to visit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They usually go up in mid November. Hope you get to check them out next year!

      Delete
  37. This is all soooo tempting to head to NYC this year.. I haven't ever been. I love the blog.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Whoa, these markets are so big and fun to explore. I will definitely visit some when I plan a trip to there.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I love the holidays! I miss them already

    ReplyDelete
  40. It is on my bucket list to visit NYC since I was 17. One day I will go. These pictures look amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  41. It sounds so great to buy stuffs on these markets,here in Philippines we have lota of markets or bazaars to shop on,it's nice knowing what is it on NYC.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thanks for sharing the list! Can't wait to shop here. Holiday markets are so fun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, love walking around them and checking out the awesome vendors!

      Delete
  43. NYC is absolutely stunning during the holidays!

    xo,
    Jay

    ReplyDelete
  44. These are all amazing markets. Thanks for sharing the very good list.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I love NYC at Christmas! The Bryant Park market is my favorite with the pretty tree, ice skating and hot apple cider. I haven't been in a few years, think I should make it priority for next year

    ReplyDelete
  46. WOW I would LOVE to be able to do this - I wish our town had just one LOL

    ReplyDelete
  47. I've only been to NYC once and I dream of the day I am able to return. I love the vibe and I especially want to visit it during the winter holidays. It such an amazingly busy and fun city. Great article.

    ReplyDelete
  48. wow these photos are awesome! I've never been to New York, and only seen it on TV, but these places look so visit worthy!

    ReplyDelete
  49. I love markets, cus that's where you get to have the best food trips! We have a lot of these here in the Philippines.

    I, however, have not been to any holiday market in NYC. Does Chelsea Market count? Hehe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chelsea Market is great market, they decorate it nicely for the holidays as well!

      Delete
  50. I didn't realize NYC had so many markets. Very interesting postr.

    ReplyDelete
  51. The Market at Westfield is my fave from the pics! I've never been to any!

    ReplyDelete
  52. I would love to visit these - they look so colorful and unique! SO cool.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know right, I love how they went all out this year :)

      Delete
  53. I never knew that there were holiday markets in NYC. What a magical place to be at during the Holiday season!

    ReplyDelete
  54. I love holiday markets! I need to plan a trip to New York next December to see all of these lovely markets.

    ReplyDelete
  55. I have been to New York once during the time of holiday season. It looks amazing. I miss those days.

    ReplyDelete
  56. What beautiful photos! I love how many Xmas markets were offered in New York. It looks like you could go to a new one every weekend.

    ReplyDelete
  57. NYC is one of my dream places. Love this ♥

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you to visit during the holiday season next time :)

      Delete
  58. Thanks so much for the guide! I'll be visiting NYC with my family for christmas 2020, a trip we've been waiting for years to book. We want to do all the festive stuff we can, so this will be a huge help.

    ReplyDelete
  59. My favorite is the indoor Grand Central Holiday Fair which is a warm alternative to outdoor markets

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Especially when it's too cold outside, it good to know you can shop around in the warmth!

      Delete
  60. Sounds so fun,so sad I dont live in NYC. But thanks for sharing,I love your posts..��

    ReplyDelete
  61. No matter how difficult this year was, but the Christmas holidays are coming soon ... I am impressed with your photos. Festive atmosphere is felt ... Cool!

    ReplyDelete