The Best Things To Do in NYC in Winter
December in New York City is the most magical time of the year. No other city in the world celebrates the winter season…
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From gorgeous window displays to festive lights and decorations to humongous Christmas trees, New York knows how to do Christmas!
The city comes alive with indoor and outdoor holiday markets from mid-November to the end of December. Even if you don’t want to shop, these beautiful holiday markets have the most festive ambiance with tasty food, hot chocolate, and so much more.
So bundle up, brave the cold, and make your way to one of the outdoor Christmas markets. Or if that sounds too chilly, New York has some great indoor winter markets too.
Here’s a list of the best winter markets in NYC to visit this holiday season!
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.
Grand Central Terminal is at 89 East 42nd Street, between Park and Vanderbilt avenues, and the market is open 10 a.m.-7 p.m. every day except Sunday, when it’s open only 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Christmas Eve when it closes at 6 p.m.
When to go: Nov. 10-Dec. 24, 2025 (closed Thanksgiving)
Holiday shopping at the Brooklyn Flea
You’ll find two fantastic Brooklyn locations for the winter Brooklyn Flea, each offering around 75 vendors selling vintage, antique, and handmade items, including plenty of great food. The markets are open every weekend, rain or shine, and they’re dog-friendly.
These flea markets often feature many of New York’s favorite vendors from Smorgasburg — the city’s famous outdoor food market that started in Williamsburg and went national. A winter visit to the Brooklyn Flea makes the perfect weekend outing for shoppers, foodies, and anyone who loves Brooklyn’s creative spirit.
Brooklyn Flea in DUMBO
- This location is under the Manhattan Bridge at Water Street.
- It’s open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, but they sometimes have extended hours during the holidays.
- Fun fact: This location is close to a cool photo spot we love snapping on our DUMBO Walking Tour.
BQ Flea in Williamsburg
- Find this trunk-style flea market at 202 Meeker Ave., a few blocks from the Metropolitan/Lorimer stops on the G and L trains.
- It’s open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays, but like the DUMBO location, you’ll want to check for extended holiday hours.
- The vibe here is more edgy and vintage — the true Brooklyn creative scene on display.
If you’re looking for motivation to head to Brooklyn, shopping at either of these two outdoor, vintage, cooler-than-cool, one-of-a-kind, handmade, every-day style vibes could be your ticket. And it’s a great winter pastime, whether you’re gift-shopping for Christmas or just looking for something fun on a chilly weekend in January.
When to go: All three locations for The Flea are open every weekend year-round but they get a lot more festive starting after Thanksgiving.
FAD Holiday Market at the Time Out Market
If you’re planning on heading to DUMBO, the Time Out Market at Empire Stores shares its space with a lovely holiday guest in December, the local roving FAD Market.
This holiday edition of a beloved NYC small vendor fair is a fantastic place to buy exactly the kind of gifts (for yourself or others) that are made by hand with love by local artisans. We’re talking candlemakers, jewelers, ceramicists, leatherworkers, dog food bakers, and much more.
Guide tip: Stock up on carbs to power your shopping with either a bagel from Ess-a-Bagel or the pancakes at Clinton St. Baking Company, both in Time Out Market. And be sure to leave some time to check out MOFAD (the Museum of Food and Drink), which is opening its new exhibit celebrating New York street food on the second floor of the Empire Stores building.
The market is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. You’ll find Empire Stores right on the water next to the Brooklyn Bridge, with entrances at both 55 Water Street and the Brooklyn Bridge Park side by Jane’s Carousel.
When to go: Dec. 1-21, 2025
Harlem Night Market
The pop-up Harlem Night Market loves the holiday season, and you will love shopping there!
Get a chance to see locally made goods and foods in the totally unique historical setting of La Marqueta, where residents of the Bronx and Harlem have been shopping for generations. And since it’s at night, get ready for dance music with the on-site DJ.
La Marqueta is located at 1590 Park Ave.
When to go: December 6, 13, and 20, 2025
Renegade Craft Fair
This New York winter market has got a special spirit. No, not the spirit of Christmas. The Renegade Craft Fair’s spirit is indie, artsy, vibey items at all price levels. It’s only two days, and fair warning, everyone knows how special it is, and it gets packed.
Find it at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea, located at 25 West 18th St.
When to go: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 13-14, 2025
Church of Sweden Christmas Shop
While you’re darting around Fifth Avenue checking out Rockefeller Center and the holiday windows, be sure to stop into the annual Christmas Shop at The Church of Sweden in Midtown.
It’s the best place in New York to get into the Scandinavian spirit with gifts, drinks, and snacks. This NYC winter market is open starting at noon and closes at 6 p.m. every day except Sundays, when it closes at 4 p.m.
When to go: Nov. 21-Dec 21, 2025
Chinatown Holiday Market
If the dim sum isn’t your motivation to check out Chinatown this winter, then maybe the holiday shopping will be. This is the first year this historic New York neighborhood will be hosting its own very Chinatown Holiday Market, filled with local treasures, so be sure to stop by.
It will be open every weekend (Friday to Sunday) leading up to Christmas and taking over the second floor of the Kam Man Market.
Local tip: While you’re in the area, why not join our walking tour of Chinatown and get to know this area and nearby neighborhoods like Little Italy even better?
When to go: 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Nov. 21-Dec 21, 2025
Did we miss anything?
If we missed a cool market based in New York this winter, please drop us an email at [email protected] or give us a shout on Facebook.
For more inspiration on what to see and do in New York, check out our NYC blogs by local experts and guides. And we’d always — always — love to see you on a New York tour!
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