New York doesn’t have one giant Christkindlmarkt. Instead, every fall the city fills with holiday markets of every size: glass-walled kiosks in Bryant Park, rows of red-and-white stalls in Union Square, an indoor fair beneath the chandeliers of Grand Central, and weekend maker markets in warehouses and parks across Brooklyn and Queens. Each has its own personality, and together they’re the best place in the city to find unique gifts, support small businesses, and soak up the holiday atmosphere.
This guide covers the best Christmas markets in NYC for the 2026 season, with dates, hours, locations and practical tips for each. For everything else happening this season, see our list of the best Christmas things to do in NYC.
Quick answer: The biggest NYC Christmas market is the Holiday Shops at Bryant Park’s Winter Village, open October 28, 2026 to January 3, 2027, with more than 180 vendors. Other top markets include the Grand Central Holiday Fair (November 9 to December 24, 2026), the Union Square Holiday Market (mid-November to Christmas Eve), and the Columbus Circle Holiday Market (December). Entry to all of them is free.
Quick Picks
- Biggest market: Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
- Best for handmade gifts: Union Square Holiday Market
- Best indoor market: Grand Central Holiday Fair
- Best combined with Central Park: Columbus Circle Holiday Market
- Best for local makers: Brooklyn weekend markets
- Best for families: Macy’s Herald Square, with Santaland upstairs
In This Guide
- 2026 Markets at a Glance
- The Big Manhattan Markets
- Herald Square and Downtown Markets
- Weekend and Neighborhood Markets
- Brooklyn Holiday Markets
- Queens and Staten Island Markets
- What to Buy and Eat
- Market Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions
NYC Christmas Markets 2026 at a Glance
| Market | Location | 2026 Dates | Indoor/Outdoor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Shops at Bryant Park | Midtown | Oct 28 – Jan 3 | Outdoor |
| Macy’s Holiday Square | Herald Square | Usually Nov 1 – early Jan | Indoor |
| Herald Holiday Market | Herald Square | Usually early Nov – early Jan | Indoor |
| Grand Central Holiday Fair | Midtown East | Nov 9 – Dec 24 | Indoor |
| Union Square Holiday Market | Union Square | Mid-Nov – Dec 24 | Outdoor |
| Holiday Market at the Oculus | Lower Manhattan | Usually late Nov – early Jan | Indoor |
| Columbus Circle Holiday Market | Upper West Side | Usually early Dec – Dec 31 | Outdoor |
| Grand Holiday Bazaar | Upper West Side | Sundays in Dec | Outdoor |
| Brooklyn Flea Holiday Market | DUMBO | Weekends, Nov – Dec | Covered |
| Holiday Hop at Snug Harbor | Staten Island | Usually early Dec weekend | Indoor |
Dates marked “usually” are based on last season. We’ll update them as 2026 dates are announced.
The Big Manhattan Markets
These four markets are the city’s holiday-shopping classics, and they’re all easy to reach by subway.
Holiday Shops at Bryant Park Winter Village
New York’s biggest and most famous holiday market. More than 180 glass-walled kiosks line the paths of Bryant Park, surrounding a free ice rink and a heated rinkside lodge. It’s the closest thing the city has to a European Christmas market, and it’s where many New Yorkers do their gift shopping.
- Where: Bryant Park, Sixth Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets
- When: October 28, 2026 to January 3, 2027
- Hours: Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Vendors: 180+, including jewelry, ceramics, candles, clothing, toys and food
- Best for: Variety, food, combining shopping with ice skating
- Tip: Go on a weekday before noon to browse comfortably. December weekends are extremely crowded.
- Official site: wintervillage.org
Union Square Holiday Market
A downtown tradition since the 1990s, and one of the oldest holiday markets in the city. More than 100 red-and-white booths fill the southwest corner of Union Square, with a strong focus on handmade goods from local artists and craftspeople. It feels more independent and artsy than Bryant Park, and prices are often a little lower.
- Where: Union Square Park, near 14th Street and Broadway
- When: Mid-November to Christmas Eve (2026 dates to be announced; last season ran November 16 to December 24)
- Hours: Last season, Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Vendors: 100+
- Best for: Handmade and one-of-a-kind gifts
- Tip: On Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, the Union Square Greenmarket runs alongside it, so you can pick up local cheese, cider donuts and maple syrup too.
Grand Central Holiday Fair
The indoor option, set beneath the chandeliers and arched windows of Vanderbilt Hall inside Grand Central Terminal. It’s smaller than the outdoor markets, with a curated mix of local artisans, and when it’s cold, wet or windy outside, it’s the best place to shop.
- Where: Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Terminal, 89 East 42nd Street
- When: November 9 to December 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving Day)
- Hours: Until December 16, Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; December 17 to 23, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; December 24, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Vendors: Last season, more than 35 local small businesses and artisans
- Best for: Rainy or cold days, quality gifts, a quick stop between trains
- Tip: Don’t miss the free New York Transit Museum Holiday Train Show, just down the hall in the terminal, and look up at the Main Concourse ceiling on your way out.
- Official site: grandcentralterminal.com
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
A smaller, European-style market at the southwest corner of Central Park, with more than 100 artisans and designers. It arrives later than the other big markets and runs through New Year’s Eve, making it a good choice for last-minute and post-Christmas shopping.
- Where: Columbus Circle, along Central Park West below 59th Street
- When: Early December to December 31 (2026 dates to be announced; last season ran December 2 to 31)
- Hours: Last season, Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Vendors: 100+
- Best for: Combining shopping with a walk in Central Park
- Tip: Grab a hot drink and walk into the park toward Wollman Rink, or ride up to the shops at the Deutsche Bank Center (formerly the Time Warner Center), which decorate for the season.
Herald Square and Downtown Markets
Macy’s Holiday Square
Macy’s flagship store turns its lower level into an indoor holiday market of local vendors, curated gifts and customizable items. Upstairs, Holiday Lane on the ninth floor is packed with ornaments and decorations, and Santaland is on the eighth floor.
- Where: Macy’s Herald Square, 151 West 34th Street (lower level)
- When: Last season, November 1 to early January
- Hours: Store hours
- Best for: Families, combining shopping with Santaland and the Macy’s windows
- Tip: Take the store’s original wooden escalators between floors. They’re nearly a century old.
- Official site: macys.com
Herald Holiday Market
One of the city’s newer markets, run by Urbanspace in the plazas of Herald Square. It’s covered and spans nearly two city blocks, with handcrafted gifts, artisanal products, holiday treats and a large bar tent.
- Where: Broadway between 34th and 36th Streets
- When: Last season, November 7 to January 3
- Hours: Last season, Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Best for: Late-evening shopping, a drink after browsing
- Tip: It stays open later than most markets, so it’s a good evening stop after seeing the Macy’s windows.
Holiday Market at the Oculus
Inside the soaring white Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center, the holiday market brings vendors, live music and festive photo spots to one of Lower Manhattan’s most striking buildings.
- Where: Westfield World Trade Center, 185 Greenwich Street
- When: Usually late November to early January
- Best for: Lower Manhattan visitors, an indoor option downtown
- Tip: Combine it with a visit to Luminaries, the free holiday light installation at Brookfield Place, a few minutes’ walk west.
Weekend and Neighborhood Markets
These smaller markets run on select days, often just weekends. They’re more local, less crowded, and great for finding makers you won’t see anywhere else.
Grand Holiday Bazaar
The holiday edition of the long-running Upper West Side flea market, with handcrafted gifts, knitwear, ornaments and seasonal treats from local artisans. Proceeds support local public schools.
- Where: 100 West 77th Street at Columbus Avenue, Upper West Side
- When: Last season, Sundays from late November to late December, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Best for: Vintage finds, supporting a good cause
- Tip: Pair it with a visit to the American Museum of Natural History, just across Columbus Avenue.
Harlem Holiday Markets
Harlem hosts several holiday markets each season, including the Schomburg Holiday Market at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, featuring Black-owned businesses, artists and authors.
- Where: Schomburg Center, 515 Malcolm X Boulevard, and other Harlem venues
- When: Select dates in November and December
- Best for: Supporting Black-owned businesses, unique art and books
- Tip: Check the Schomburg Center’s events calendar for this year’s dates.
Brooklyn Holiday Markets
Brooklyn’s holiday markets are mostly weekend pop-ups in parks, museums and converted warehouses. They’re the best place to find gifts made in the borough.
Brooklyn Flea Holiday Market
Brooklyn’s famous flea market moves under the Manhattan Bridge archway for the holidays, with vintage clothing, antiques, records, art and handmade gifts from vendors across the borough.
- Where: DUMBO Archway, 80 Pearl Street, DUMBO
- When: Weekends in November and December
- Best for: Vintage and one-of-a-kind finds
- Tip: Walk to the Pebble Beach waterfront nearby for one of the best views of the Manhattan skyline.
Industry City Holiday Markets
The waterfront complex in Sunset Park hosts several maker markets on select weekends, featuring local designers, small brands and Brooklyn-made goods.
- Where: Industry City, 220 36th Street, Sunset Park
- When: Select weekends, mid-November to mid-December
- Cost: Some markets are free; others charge a small entry fee
- Best for: Design lovers, local brands
- Tip: Check Industry City’s events calendar before you go, since markets change from weekend to weekend.
Other Brooklyn markets to look for
- Brooklyn Museum Holiday Market: Curated makers in the museum’s glass entrance pavilion on select December weekends, 200 Eastern Parkway
- Old Stone House Holiday Bazaar: A neighborhood favorite in Park Slope’s Washington Park, with local vendors and mulled wine
- FAD Holiday Markets: Pop-up art, fashion and design markets at venues in DUMBO and Cobble Hill on December weekends
- Brooklyn Navy Yard markets: Large maker markets with hundreds of vendors on select December weekends
Queens and Staten Island Markets
Astoria Holiday Markets
Astoria hosts several weekend holiday markets each December, including events at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, one of the oldest beer gardens in the city, with handmade and vintage goods from local artisans.
- Where: Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, 29-19 24th Avenue, and other Astoria venues
- When: Select December weekends
- Best for: Local Queens makers, a festive beer-hall atmosphere
Holiday Hop at Snug Harbor
Staten Island’s biggest holiday market, held at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, with more than 150 New York City artisans, local food and drink, and live music.
- Where: Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden, 1000 Richmond Terrace, Staten Island
- When: Usually an early-December weekend
- Best for: A day trip with a ferry ride, families
- Tip: Take the free Staten Island Ferry from Lower Manhattan for great views of the Statue of Liberty on the way.
- Official site: snug-harbor.org
What to Buy and Eat
Gift ideas
- Handmade jewelry and ceramics from local artists
- Prints and illustrations of New York landmarks
- Hand-poured candles and natural skincare
- Knitwear, hats and scarves
- Christmas ornaments, including New York–themed designs
- Gourmet food gifts: chocolates, hot sauces, jams and spices
- Toys and children’s books from independent makers
What to eat and drink
The larger markets, especially Bryant Park and Union Square, have plenty of food stalls. Expect hot chocolate, mulled wine and cider, raclette, dumplings, crêpes, soups, waffles, and sweet treats from around the world.
Market Tips
- Go early on weekdays. Late morning on a weekday is the best time to browse. Evenings and December weekends get very crowded.
- Shop early in the season. Vendors have the best selection in November, and some popular items sell out before Christmas.
- Bring a tote bag. It’s easier to carry purchases as you browse from stall to stall.
- Most vendors take cards, but having a little cash helps at smaller weekend markets.
- Plan for the weather. If it’s raining or very cold, head to the indoor markets at Grand Central, Macy’s or the Oculus.
- Combine markets with nearby sights. Bryant Park pairs well with the Rockefeller tree, Columbus Circle with Central Park, and Grand Central with the Transit Museum train show.
- Keep belongings close. Crowded markets are a target for pickpockets, so keep bags zipped and in front of you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biggest Christmas market in NYC?
The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park’s Winter Village, with more than 180 vendors, is the largest holiday market in New York City. In 2026 it runs from October 28 to January 3.
When do the NYC Christmas markets open in 2026?
Bryant Park opens first, on October 28, followed by the Grand Central Holiday Fair on November 9 and the Union Square Holiday Market in mid-November. The Columbus Circle market usually opens in early December.
Are NYC Christmas markets free?
Yes. Entry to all the major markets is free. Some weekend maker markets, such as certain events at Industry City, may charge a small entry fee.
Which NYC Christmas markets are indoors?
The Grand Central Holiday Fair, Macy’s Holiday Square, the Herald Holiday Market and the Holiday Market at the Oculus are all indoors or covered, making them good options in bad weather.
Which NYC Christmas market stays open after Christmas?
Bryant Park’s Holiday Shops stay open until January 3, and the Columbus Circle market usually runs through December 31. Union Square and Grand Central close on Christmas Eve.
What is the best NYC Christmas market for handmade gifts?
The Union Square Holiday Market has the strongest focus on handmade goods from local artists, and Brooklyn’s weekend maker markets are excellent for one-of-a-kind, locally made gifts.
We update this guide throughout the season as markets announce their 2026 dates and hours.
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