Best Christmas Markets in New York City

It’s fair to say that New York City offers an incredible shopping experience at any time of the year. However, during the holidays, shopping in New York City goes up a notch. The shop windows of the city’s department stores will become works of art, then there’s New York City’s Christmas Markets – a visit to them is certainly part of the holiday tradition here. Here’s our guide to the best Christmas Markets to visit in New York City: 

Winter Village at Bryant Park 

Bryant Park is known affectionately as Manhattan’s Town Square – it’s a lush public park located between 5^th and 6^th Avenues and between 40^th and 42^nd Street. Each holiday season a skating rink is installed in the middle of the Park and around it, a wonderful Christmas Market takes shape. In true NYC style, it hosts vendors from all around the world – selling handcrafted decorations, clothes, accessories and food. The Winter Village at Bryant Park will run through November and December until January 5, 2018. 

Union Square Holiday Market

Year round, there’s always something going on in Union Square – from buskers to dancers, and protestors to market vendors. Located downtown, the park runs from 14^th Street to 17^th Street and 4th Avenue to University Place.  It’s perhaps the perfect location for a Christmas Market – and from mid November, through to Christmas Eve, the park will host 100 vendors. As you would expect from this location, the produce is unique. This is the place to go for eco-friendly options as well as New York themed items – perfect for Christmas visitors to New York. 

Chelsea Market 

Staying with the ‘unique’ theme for a moment, Chelsea Market NYC is a year round shopping destination, but it’s the perfect location if you’re looking to pick up an exclusive gift for you or a loved one. Based in the old Nabisco factory – the market attracts more than 6 million visitors per year from New York and the world over. Like most retail spots, it will also take on a Christmas theme in the holidays. So, certainly do add it to your Christmas market itinerary if, like me, you like to peruse vintage items, or those by emerging artists and designers. It’s located at 88 10^th Avenue, at 15^th Street. Top tip – if you enjoy this market, then you might also like the Brooklyn Flea Market at SoHo and DUMBO.  

Grand Central Holiday Fair

Am I allowed a personal favorite in this post? If I was, then the Grand Central Holiday Fair would be it, and that’s solely down to the location at Grand Central Terminal’s Vanderbilt Hall.  Dating back to 1913, it was once the main waiting room at the terminal, and it exudes the perfect character for a Christmas Market. It’s the longest running Christmas Market in New York, and you’ll find around forty vendors who have been specifically chosen for their socially conscious and ethical approach to their products. It runs from mid November through Christmas Eve, and you’ll find it in Grand Central Terminal – 89 E. 42^nd Street at Park Avenue. 

Columbus Circle Holiday Market 

Finally, visitors to New York at Christmas should not miss the Columbus Circle Holiday Market – located on the South Western end of Central Park. Central Park at Christmas is an iconic place to visit– thanks to its wonderful winter traditions, like skating on the Wollman Rink, seeing the beautiful fall foliage and perhaps catching a ride on one of the Horse Drawn Carriages. After you’ve done all of that, you can stop off at the elegant and renowned Columbus Circle Holiday Market, which will be full of art, accessories and foodstuffs from local designers and producers.  You’ll find the market at Columbus Circle – 59^th Street and Central Park West. 

New York City is one of the best shopping destinations in the world, add in the mix of Christmas Markets and it is magical. The Christmas Markets in New York are undoubtedly the place where you will find all of your favorite things! The magical mix of the Christmas Markets and its classic sights makes visiting New York City during this amazing time one holiday not to be missed.

Please contact us for more details on how we can help you explore New York City during this incredible time of year. From Hop-On Hop Off Bus tours that will deposit you close by all of these markets, as well as allowing you to see the main sights of the city for the same cost – what more could you need? Get in touch with Gray Line New York today.