The Holiday Shops at Bryant Park
Sixth Ave., at 42nd St.; 212-768-4242
There are over 125 retailers for this year’s outdoor market, and the free ice skating is a family-friendly mainstay. If that doesn’t sound appealing, try singing karaoke with friends in a seven-foot freezer while testing out a Columbia Omni-Heat jacket.
• Dates: Oct. 26-Jan. 8; Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; theholidayshopsatbryantpark.com
Grand Central Holiday Fair
87 E 42nd Street, nr. Park Ave; 212-532-4900
Can’t stand shopping in the cold? The Grand Central Holiday Fair is the city’s longest-running indoor holiday market. This year’s 76 artisanal vendors are selling everything from hand-blown glass ornaments to jewelry made from recycled materials, all in the festive (and warm) Vanderbilt Hall.
• Dates: Nov. 12-Dec. 24; Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving); grandcentralterminal.com
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
Central Park S., at Central Park W.; 212-529-9262
If you want to avoid mall madness at the Shops at Columbus Circle, check out the goods from boutique vendors and craft purveyors right outside their door. Munch on seasonal treats while you browse the selection of handmade clothing, jewelry, toys, and food.
• Dates: Nov. 28-Dec. 23, Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; urbanspacenyc.com
Holiday Gift Shops at St. Bartholemew’s
St. Bart’s Outdoor Plaza, Park Ave. nr. 50th St.; 212-593-3333
Doing your holiday shopping in the plaza of a historical landmark sounds a lot better than fighting the crowds at chain stores. This outdoor fair specializes in apparel, leather goods, jewelry, and views of St. Bart’s stunning architecture.
• Dates: Nov. 14-Dec. 24, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Brooklyn Holiday Bazaar
70 N. 7th St., at Wythe Ave., Williamsburg; 917-301-5765
Artists & Fleas will sell crafts and gifts from independent designers, artists, and vintage collectors, all from Brooklyn.
• Dates: Nov. 26-Dec. 24., 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Dec. 23, noon-7 p.m.; Dec. 24, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Dec. 31, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Holiday Market at Union Square
14th St., at Broadway; 212-529-9262
The tents are back with hand-blown glass housewares, Tibetan crafts and knick-knacks, German treats, and hot cider to ward off chills.
• Dates: Nov. 18-Dec. 24; Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving); unionsquarenyc.org
Brooklyn Craft Central Holiday Market
Littlefield Performance Space, 622 Degraw St., nr. Third Ave.
Procrastinators, take note: This market runs on the last shopping weekend before Christmas and features different vendors each day. Take advantage of the full bar serving up holiday cocktails while you pick up some last-minute gifts from the array of local crafts and edibles.
• Dates: Dec. 17 and 18, noon-6 p.m.; bkcraftcentral.com
Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square
Broadway from Columbus Circle to 68th St.; 212-581-3774
If you yearn for a small-town holiday experience, check out the shopping opportunities, food tastings, and performances that will follow a neighborhood tree-lighting ceremony at this one-night-only event.
• Dates: Nov. 26, 5 p.m.; winterseve.org
Made in Harlem Art and Gift Festival
Casa Frela Gallery, 47 W. 119th St.; 212-722-8577
The handmade offerings at Casa Frela’s weekend market range from ornaments and leather goods to postcards and watercolors. This year’s festival will focus on local female artists in Harlem.
• Dates: Dec. 12-14, noon-6 p.m.; casafrela.com
JMK’s Antiques & Fine Art Show
Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 W. 18th St.; 973-927-2794
Browse a wide selection of antique art, furniture, silver, and accessories from national dealers and check out a special exhibit of Christmas items from nineteenth-century New York. Admission is $15.
• Dates: Dec. 9, noon-8 p.m.; Dec. 10, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Dec. 11, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; jmkshows.com