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The holidays are almost here: Have you been spending all your time closing deals or attending ICSC parties rather than buying gifts for friends/family/co-workers/that overly friendly fellow on the subway?
You could certainly give a branded pop-up a look, but who has the time to go all across the city looking at one brand or another? Everyone knows holiday shopping requires extreme efficiency.
As always, NYC's got you covered. These six holiday markets feature a wide array of goods from local retailers and plenty of food vendors, so shopping doesn't have to be such a stressful experience.
Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park
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Where: 40th Street and Sixth Avenue
When: 11am to 8pm daily, until Jan. 2
Notable Vendors: Strand Book Store, Max Brenner, United Chocolate Works
Based around a 17k SF outdoor skating rink, visitors to the Winter Village can enjoy free skating, and also check out its dazzling tree, its event space, its restaurants, hundreds of boutique shops and jewel-box kiosks full of locally produced apparel and jewelry, decorations and other goods.
Eateries include the Bryant Park Grill, Snackbar, Breads Bakery, Wafels & Dinges, Le Pain Quotidien, Southwest Porch, COFFEED (which donates a portion of each day's earnings to local charities) and Public Faire, a rinkside pop-up restaurant run by Danny Meyer of Shake Shack fame.
Grand Central Holiday Fair
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Where: Grand Central Terminal, 89 East 42nd St
When: 10am to 8pm, Mondays through Fridays; 10am to 7pm on Saturdays; 11am to 6pm on Sundays until Dec. 24
Notable Vendors: Thompson and Bleeker Home, JAK Designs, The Lodge Man Shop
If December continues to be as cold as yesterday and today, an indoor market may be the way to go. Located in the Vanderbilt Hall, Grand Central's old visitor's waiting room, the market is ornate, warm and a good source of American-made and handmade products, including decorations, artwork, clothing, accessories and home goods.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
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Where: 59th Street and Central Park West
When: 11am to 8pm daily until Dec. 24
Notable Vendors: Retro NY Metro, YUMI Jewelry, Stern Design Works
Columbus Circle's market offers aisles and aisles of art, handmade wooden puzzles, artisan chocolates and truffles, locally made home accessories and jewelry, and anything else your heart could desire. Even if your heart desires some exercise, the market leads gracefully into Central Park for a quick stroll.
Union Square Holiday Market
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Where: Union Square West and 14th Street
When: 11am to 8pm until Dec. 24
Notable Vendors: Mayan Dreams, Pop Chart Lab, Doughnuttery, Boneyard Pets
The European-style market is family-focused, with stations for children's arts, crafts and activities.
More than 100 vendors will be selling local and socially conscious products, including hand-blown glass, leather belts and Tibetan crafts. One section, "Little Brooklyn," features products made across the East River, sold by a bearded salesman. We would not be surprised if the soundtrack in Little Brooklyn is played on vinyl. The market also boasts live music and food options ranging from Persian soup to hot chocolate.
Winter Flea + Smorgasburg
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Where: One Handon Place
When: Dec. 21 to Dec. 23: noon to 8pm; Dec. 24: 10am to 3pm
Notable Vendors: Dough, Time Lords Vintage, Ramen Burger
The Brooklyn Flea has been a staple of NYC's hottest borough for years, but it goes the extra mile around the holidays. At the Skylight One Hanson in Fort Greene, the market has more than 100 vendors offering everything from jewelry, cameras and records to glasses, hats and toys. There's also a bar serving warm mulled wine and more than 25 food vendors, as one would expect of a "Smorgasburg."
The Skylight's also a former bank with a mosaic ceiling, hidden iconography and a vault. Even when it's holding a holiday market, Brooklyn goes vintage.
Astoria Holiday Market
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Where: 2919 24th Ave, Astoria
When: noon to 6pm, Dec. 18
Notable Vendors: Strung Out Jewelry, Bridy Crawford Designs and Framiati
Held in a century-old beer hall built by Czech immigrants, the Astoria Market offers handmade jewelry, vintage merchandise and vittles from Queens artists, bakers and designers.
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