Holiday Markets in New York City 2011

There are wonderful holiday markets all over New York City selling crafts, unique boutique goods, food and more. These cool local shopping spots aren't all in Manhattan either; there are markets in the outer boroughs, too.

Unlike the craziness of Black Friday, these shopping experiences are perfect for children. A few places even offer activities like face time with Santa and crafts. Plus, you're often supporting local businesses and artisans. We love shopping local so much, we made it the focus of our 2011 Holiday Gift Guide.

If you're looking for even less commercial local spots to shop, check out our roundup of NYC holiday craft fairs.

Here are 11 New York City holiday markets.

Outdoor Markets

Union Square Holiday Market – Union Square
14th to 16th Streets between Union Square West and Union Square East
Monday-Friday, 11am-8pm; Saturday, 10am-8pm; Sunday 11am-7pm through December 24.
Large, popular and located in a heavily-trafficked area near a fabulous playground, this annual market is run by Urban Space Management (which is also behind the awesome year-round Dekalb Market). Here you'll find handmade toys (we spotted two kiosks selling puppets), tons of jewelry, clothing, hats, funky home wares and holiday food.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market – Midtown West
59th Street and Central Park West
Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 10am-7pm through December 24. Closes at 4pm on Christmas Eve.
Also run by Urban Space Management, this market features many of the same vendors as Union Square. Once you're finished shopping, hit nearby Heckscher Playground in Central Park.

Holiday Shops at Bryant Park – Midtown West
41st-42nd Streets between Fifth and Sixth Avenues
Open Monday-Friday 11am-8pm; Saturday 10am-9pm; Sunday 10am-6pm through January 8.
Another market with a fabulous location. Browse jewelry, hats, accessories, clothing and more offbeat items like kitschy clocks, ornate jewelry holders in the shape of shoes (there's an entire kiosk dedicated to these!) and lots of yummy treats like hot chocolate, apple cider and bubble tea. After you're done shopping, hit the free ice-skating rink or go for a spin on the carousel. Bonus: If you need to buy a gift after Christmas for some reason, the market is open through the first week of January.

Holiday Market at South Street Seaport – South Street Seaport
Fulton and South Streets
Daily 10am-9pm through Saturday, December 31
The Seaport is hosting its first-ever holiday market. We haven't had a chance to check it out yet, and details are vague. (Plus, isn't the Seaport already like a year-round market anyway?) Still, you can't go wrong if you head down there. There's so much to do and see, including visiting with Santa and marveling at the spot's gorgeous Christmas tree.

Harlem Holiday Market – Harlem
Plaza of the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building, 125th Street and Seventh Avenue
Thursday, December 15-Sunday, December 18. Hours to be determined.
Another newbie! This tented uptown market will showcase 25 vendors offering handmade crafts, clothing, art and jewelry.

Indoor Markets

Grand Central Holiday Fair – Midtown West
Vanderbilt Hall, 42nd Street and Park Avenue
Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm; Sunday 11am-7pm through December 24. Closes at 6pm on Christmas Eve.
Browse vendors selling unusual handmade and one-of-a-kind items inside the terminal. Afterward, check out the holiday train display at the New York Transit Museum Gallery Annex. For other fun in the station, read our post about things to do in Grand Central.

Bread and Yoga’s Holiday Market – Inwood
4951 Broadway at 207th Street Second Floor
Saturdays, December 10 and 17 1-7pm
No need to go downtown to shop. This northern Manhattan yoga studio hosts this annual event, featuring uptown vendors selling clothing, jewelry, artwork, spa products, toys, pottery and more. Plus one of our favorite kid spots, Scribble Press will be there!

Brooklyn Flea – Fort Greene
Skylight One Hanson, 1 Hanson Place at Ashland Place
Saturdays, December 10 and 17, Sundays, December 11 and 18 10am-5pm; Friday, December 16, Wednesday, December 22 and Thursday, December 22 2-9pm.
Although this popular year-round weekend market opted not to bring back its annual Gifted holiday edition, you can still find lots of unique presents at the usual flea. Plus, the setting is stunning: More than 100 vendors populate the site of the former Williamsburg Savings Bank and the vault on the lower level has been transformed into a food court. Bonus: The flea is offering extended weekday hours because of the busy season.

Holiday Food Fair and Bazaar – Bushwick
The Loom, 1087 Flushing Avenue at Cortelyou Road
Saturdays, December 10, 17 and 24, Sundays, December 11 and 18 and Friday, December 23 noon-8pm
The Bushwick Farmers' Market and the Loom artspace collective have teamed up for this fair, where you'll find artisanal foods and crafts, seasonal produce, baked goods, hot cider and handcrafted gifts.

Astoria Holiday Market – Astoria
Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, 29-19 24th Avenue near 29th Street
Sundays, December 11 and 18 noon-6pm
This popular fair is held in the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden's main hall. Look for handmade, baked and even vintage goodies. Manhattanites take note: The organizers are running a special Midtown West edition of this market at St. Paul’s on Columbus Avenue on Saturday, December 10 11am-5:30pm.

Holiday Pop-Up: Artists & Fleas at Chelsea Market – Chelsea
15th Street and Tenth Avenue
Open daily Friday, December 16-Saturday, December 31 10:30am-7:30pm. Closed on Christmas and closes at 5pm on Christmas and New Year's Eves.
The popular Brooklyn mainstay brings its artsy and vintage items to Manhattan for two weeks. You'll find 30 designers selling clothing, jewelry and more in a 4000-square-foot industrial space.

Find other great gift spots in our NYC Shopping Local Gift Guide and lots of other seasonal fun in our Holiday Guide.