Park Avenue Holiday Gift Market Expo
This multi-cultural shopping bazaar sponsored by St. Bartholomew’s Church offers offers up arts and crafts, antiques, jewelry, toys and holiday gifts.
• November 21-December 24: Daily, 8am-8pm.
• Park Ave. at 50th St.; 212-809-5200.
• Free.
Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair
Break up your commute by stopping by Vanderbilt Hall, which is taken over by 76 vendors hawking unique gifts. Jewelry, hand-painted table linens, original art prints, and holiday decorations are among the items for sale.
• November 21-December 24: Mon-Fri, 10am-8pm; Sat-Sun, noon-6pm.
• Grand Central Terminal, Vanderbilt Hall, 42nd St. and Park Ave.; 212-340-2210.
• Free.
Union Square Holiday Market
The park undergoes its annual metamorphoses into a winter wonderland and urban market, with over 100 artisans descending on the south side to sell everything from candles and perfume to knitted scarves and high-end jewelry.
• November 23-December 24: Mon-Fri, 11am-8pm; Sat, 10am-8pm; Sun, 11am-7pm. Closes at 4pm on December 24. Closed Thanksgiving.
• Union Square Park, 14th St. between Union Square East and West; 212-529-9262.
• Free.
Fêtes de Noël
During the holidays, Bryant Park becomes a bustling European-style market with 125 “shops.” An ice-skating rink, towering Christmas tree and Jacques Torres hot chocolate add to the festive feel.
• November 25-January 1: Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm; Sat-Sun, 9am-10pm. Plus, extended hours as the holidays approach.
• Bryant Park, Sixth Ave. at 42nd St.; 866-221-5157; fetesdenoel.com.
• Free
Winter’s Eve at Lincoln Square
The Upper West Side comes alive with performers, street musicians, jugglers and stilt-walkers. After the holiday tree lighting at 5:30 pm, take advantage of discounts (at nearby shops such as Eddie Bauer and Bed Bath & Beyond), in-store activities and food tastings (like Starbucks peppermint hot chocolate and Kiehl’s cider and cookies).
• November 28, 6pm-9:30pm.
• From 58th St. at Time Warner Center/Columbus Circle to 68th St. between Broadway and Columbus Ave.; 212-581-3774;
Holiday Crafts Park Avenue
For over 20 years, this Park Avenue fair has brought together the nation’s most celebrated crafts artists in a “boutique” environment inside the historic Seventh Regiment Armory. This year expect 175 different shopping stalls.
• December 2, 3pm-8pm; December 3, 10am-6pm; and December 4, 11am-5pm.
• Seventh Regiment Armory, 643 Park Ave., between 66th and 67th Sts.; 800-649-0279; artrider.com.
• A weekend pass, $12; children under 16, free.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
This market is organized by the same group as the Union Square Market and features more than 100 artisans offering one-of-a-kind gifts.
• December 3-December 24: Mon-Sat, 10am-8pm; Sun, 10am-7pm; closes at 4pm on December 24. Closed Thanksgiving.
• Southwest entrance to Central Park at Central Park West and Central Park South; 212-529-9262.
• Free.
ArtWorks Holiday Pottery Sale
Hand-crafted pottery made by local artisans and YMCA faculty and students is donated to this annual, YMCA-sponsored event to raise money for the YMCA’s art programs. Ceramic statues, chinaware, and decorative pieces range in price from less than $5 to over $500.
• December 8-10, 9am-7pm.
• 5 W. 63rd St. at Westside YMCA at Central Park West; 212-875-4398.
• Free.
Holiday Poetry Book Sale
Thousands of books from the Poet House library’s collection are on sale for Strand-style prices at this seasonal clearance.
• Members: December 8, 4pm-8pm; The public: December 9-10, Friday, 11am-7pm; Sat, 11am-4pm.
• Poets House, 72 Spring St., 2nd floor, between Lafayette and Crosby Sts.; 212-431-7920; poetshouse.org.
• Free.
Hanukkah Arts Festival at Ansche Chesed
A Jewish festival with food, music, and shopping at an Upper West Side synagogue. About 40 vendors sell American and Israeli artwork, jewelry, religious objects, fine silver and glassware.
• December 10, 8pm-11pm; December 11, 11am-5pm.
• Ansche Chesed, 251 West 100th St., between Broadway and West End Ave.; 212-865-0600.
• Saturday craft show including music, entertainment and food, $25; Sunday craft show and family activities, $6.