Holiday Shopping in The Big Apple

By Walecia Konrad & Melanie Lee

While holiday shopping might be a chore for some and extra stressful for others, in New York City, it is a festive activity. With a multitude of holiday market activities, you can make a full day’s outing of holiday shopping. New York City also has a variety of yearround holiday shopping options, so you can start checking off your list as early as you want.

Columbus Circle Holiday Market

Near the southwestern entrance to Central Park is the Columbus Circle Holiday Market (Columbus Cir &, Central Park S., November 28-December 31, 2023).

This vibrant market offers a diverse selection of handcrafted goods, unique gifts, and delicious cuisines from around the world. With over a hundred vendors showcasing their wares, visitors can peruse through a range of offerings, including jewelry, ceramics, clothing, toys, and more. Local food carts dot the market, tempting patrons with artisanal foods, local favorites, and everything in between.

Union Square Holiday Market

The beloved Union Square Holiday Market (Union Square Park, 14th St., November 16-December 24, 2023) is a cherished tradition for New Yorkers and tourists alike. The market boasts an unbeatable selection of unique gifts, handcrafted jewelry, artisanal foods, and much more. Visitors can browse through over 150 vendors, each offering something special and memorable. Whether you’re searching for the perfect souvenir for a loved one or simply want to indulge in some tasty treats and holiday shopping, Union Square Holiday Market has something for everyone.

Winter Village at Bryant Park

Borrowing from its Northern European counterparts, NYC has embraced the idea of outdoor holiday markets. With their tented stalls and vendors selling hot spiced cider and sweets, they often evoke a feeling more Prague than Gotham. One incredibly elaborate affair is the Winter Village at Bryant Park (Bryant Park, October 27, 2023). Along with 125 individual holiday shops, the scene features a free skating pavilion (with a fee for skate rentals) and fun dining.

Grand Central Holiday Faire

The holiday season in New York City is always a special time, and one festive event that brings locals and visitors together is the Grand Central Holiday Fair (Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central Terminal, November 13-December 24, 20223). This yearly six-week affair is a shopper’s paradise for those looking for unique and locally produced goods. The event takes place in the awe-inspiring Vanderbilt Hall of the historic Grand Central Terminal, providing a stunning backdrop for the 40 local artisan vendors.

Empire Outlets

Located on State Island, Empire Outlets (55 Richmond Terrace, empireoutlets.nyc) has a fantastic variety of dining and shopping options. Empire Outlets on Staten Island is the ultimate holiday shopping destination, where shoppers can enjoy shops like the Nike Factory Store, Nordstrom Rack, and Charlotte Russe. From November 24th to December 24th, families can take photos with Santa. On December 2nd, the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting takes place. On December 9th, Breakfast with Santa will provide a fun and festive experience for young ones. Staten Island Playhouse at Empire Outlets is showcasing its holiday productions of Elf and The Nutcracker throughout December.

Brookfield Place

Brookfield Place (230 Vesey St., 212.978.1673) has shops from designer stores like Gucci to activewear at Lululemon and cigars at Davidoff of Geneva. From November 2 to 13, check out the Canstruction design competition where teams of architects, engineers, and contractors build sculptures using unopened cans of food that will later be donated to City Harvest. Starting November 24, the Winter Garden will transform with the Luminaries display. Throughout December, visitors can enjoy holiday music and local musicians at Hudson Eats, and take selfies with Santa in the Winter Garden. Additionally, the New York Theatre Ballet will perform Keith Michael’s The Nutcracker.

Christmas in New York

Christmas in New York (730 Seventh Ave., 142 Mulberry St., christmasandcity.com) celebrates the spirit of the season all year long. Shoppers can immerse themselves in the holidays and find unique ornaments, decor and other holiday-themed any time of the year. It’s the perfect way to get your festive fix whenever you’re in New York City.