Under-the-radar holiday markets in NYC
Manhattan offers smaller, unique holiday markets, such as the Church of Sweden Julmarknad in Midtown and the Chinatown Holiday Market. Credit: FAD Market
Skip the lines this holiday season and forget the crowds at Bryant Park. New York City has plenty of smaller free-to-visit markets where you can find one-of-a-kind gifts and actually enjoy shopping.
Here are four under-the-radar spots to shop local, discover new makers and ring in the holiday season.
Manhattan
Church of Sweden Julmarknad (Midtown)
Inside the Church of Sweden New York, this cozy Julmarknad, or holiday market, is lined with Swedish crafts, products and treats. Credit: Church of Sweden New York
Hidden on 48th Street, this Swedish holiday market inside the 103-year-old Church of Sweden feels like a secret Nordic escape. The Julmarknad fills the space with handmade ornaments, Dala horses, winter crafts and the scent of cardamom and saffron buns.
Downstairs, the cafe serves Swedish meatballs, open-faced sandwiches and pastries, a cozy retreat right in Midtown.
- WHERE Church of Sweden, 5 E. 48th St.
- WHEN Noon to 6 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays Nov. 21-Dec. 21; 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays
- MORE INFO svenskakyrkan.se/newyork
Chinatown Holiday Market (Lower East Side)
Head to Chinatown and browse the holiday market for unique finds. Credit: Getty Images/Alexander Spatari
For the first time, Chinatown is getting its own holiday market this season, thanks to the nonprofit Welcome to Chinatown, which has transformed the second floor of Canal Street's Kam Man Market into a festive showcase of more than 35 local retail and food vendors.
Expect ceramics, streetwear, children’s books and a surprise pop-up food vendor serving treats each weekend. A portion of proceeds supports Chinatown’s small businesses and cultural preservation.
- WHERE 200 Canal St., 2nd floor
- WHEN Noon to 6 p.m. Nov. 21-Dec. 21, Fridays through Sundays
- MORE INFO welcometochinatown.com
Brooklyn
FAD Market Holiday Pop-Ups
This holiday season, FAD Market is set to host three festive markets across Brooklyn. Credit: FAD Market
This Brooklyn favorite returns with three pop-up markets across Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill and Dumbo. Each weekend features a rotating lineup of more than 150 small businesses selling jewelry, home decor, apparel and artisanal foods.
Don’t miss the Holiday Tote Challenge, where you can visit all three locations, collect stamps and score a limited-edition FAD Market tote (while supplies last).
- WHERE 51 Bergen St., Boerum Hill; St. Paul’s Church, 190 Court St., Cobble Hill; Empire Stores, 55 Water St., Dumbo
- WHEN Boerum Hill and Cobble Hill: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21; Dumbo: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 1-21
- MORE INFO fadmarket.co
Japan Village Holiday Market (Industry City)
At Industry City’s Japan Village, more than a dozen Japanese artists and makers will showcase handmade jewelry and pottery, handwoven dolls, Japanese calligraphy, floral arrangements, wreaths, skincare, stationery and anime- or K-pop-inspired stickers.
The two-day event offers a relaxed, artful alternative to traditional markets and is ideal for finding thoughtful gifts with Japanese designs.
- WHERE Japan Village, Floor 2, 934 3rd Ave., Brooklyn
- WHEN 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dec. 20-21
- MORE INFO japanese-artist-popupshop.com
