✨ NYC turns into a holiday wonderland this time of year
NYC turns into a holiday wonderland this time of year — and its winter markets are the heart of the magic. From cozy indoor fairs to iconic outdoor villages, there’s a perfect festive spot for every kind of shopper 
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Bryant Park’s Winter Village
The magical-looking Bryant Park hosts a multi-activity wonderland that’s one of New York’s top winter destinations, and it has the city’s only free admission ice skating rink as its centerpiece.
There are over 150 vendors at Bryant’s Park Winter Village, and what makes this market special is that the vendors are from different parts of the world. You will find the most unique gift items as well as seasonal food stalls at this popular NYC Christmas market.
And if you need to warm up after shopping, there’s an indoor lodge you can head to right on site for warm drinks. Don’t miss the Tree Lighting Skate-tacular, Bryant Park’s biggest celebration of the year.
Bryant Park is located at 6th Avenue between 40th and 42nd Streets, right behind the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue. The market (officially, the Holiday Shops in Bank of America Winter Village) is open daily from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. and even later during the peak season.
When to go: Oct. 24, 2025, to Jan. 4, 2026
Union Square Holiday Market
The energetic Union Square Holiday Market is a delightful mix of local arts and gifts, quirky tchotchkes, inventive gadgets, and fabulous knit winterwear.
And there’s the food, which often takes on a reputation of its own over social media. The first thing that comes to mind is the No Chewing Allowed hot chocolate. This is not an advertisement, I swear. It’s really, really that good. Go to this market just for the hot chocolate, and it’ll still be worth your time.
Apart from the best vendors in the Northeast for shopping, over the years, the Union Square Holiday market has upgraded, each year adding more kiosks and sections, including Little Brooklyn and Urbanspace Provisions as well as the Warming Station and Lounge Presented by Citi and a kids’ art studio.
Guide tip: Sometimes, on Christmas Eve, as things are shutting down around just before 4 p.m., you can haggle for some decent deals as artists look to unload the rest of their stock before the market closes for the year.
Union Square is located just north of Greenwich Village, from 14th Street to 16th Street and from University Place to 4th Avenue. It’s open 11 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday.
When to go: Nov. 13-Dec. 24, 2025 (closed Thanksgiving)
Columbus Circle Holiday Markets
Nestled between Columbus Circle and Central Park, the small and cozy Columbus Circle Holiday Markets are known for elegant jewelry, home goods, and delicious food. It’s one of the busiest markets during the holiday season.
If these local artisans get you in the mood for more shopping, you’ll find yourself across the street from the indoor shopping mall, The Shops at Columbus Circle, on one side and Nordstrom on the other.
This market is at 59th Street and Broadway at the southwest entrance to Central Park, and it’s open 1-8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on the weekend.
When to go: Dec. 2-31, 2025
Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair
Within the historical halls of Grand Central Terminal is one of the biggest winter markets in New York City. It’s also super busy as this is an indoor Christmas market.
At the Grand Central Holiday Fair, organizers prefer that the vendors sell products that are handmade in America, either using local ingredients or materials or with a socially conscious focus. They spend the entire year looking for the best vendors, and this year promises to be New York’s grandest Christmas market yet.
Being one of the oldest winter markets, the experience itself is a holiday gift!
Guide tip: Grand Central is super close to the Summit One Vanderbilt observation deck. This time of year, the sun sets early, so after a long day of shopping, consider a night visit and gaze down on the holiday lights across the city.
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