New York State is seeing a surge in holiday and Christmas markets, offering shoppers a variety of local art, crafts, and specialty foods across the state. These seasonal events provide opportunities for visitors to find unique gifts while supporting regional artisans.
In New York City, several well-known markets are open throughout the holiday season. The Bryant Park Holiday Market features “the best artisans from New York City and around the world,” according to event organizers. Visitors can browse shops housed in custom-designed kiosks and enjoy activities such as ice skating and festive dining options.
Union Square hosts over 180 local artisans at its Holiday Market, where shoppers can find Brooklyn-made goods, gourmet foods by Urbanspace Provisions, live music, and a warming station. The Columbus Circle Holiday Market offers handmade jewelry, art, home goods, and more from over 100 local vendors near Central Park.
Grand Central Terminal’s Holiday Fair provides six weeks of shopping in Vanderbilt Hall with items ranging from bath products to knitwear. Shoppers can also receive complimentary gift wrapping with their purchases.
Outside Manhattan, other regions host their own holiday markets. In Bethel Woods in the Catskills region, more than 75 local artisans participate during Thanksgiving weekend as part of the Peace, Love, and Lights festival. Troy Waterfront Farmers Market moves indoors for the winter months with a special one-day Holiday Market featuring over 75 makers during the Troy Victorian Stroll.
The Shaker Holiday Market in Albany invites visitors to shop for pottery, jewelry, and artisan foods inside a historic meeting house. Buffalo’s Richardson Olmsted Campus holds an annual market with over 400 vendors selling decorations and baked goods; heated igloos are available for rent on site.
Rochester’s Roc Holiday Village features vendors selling maple syrup and sustainable dog toys alongside family-friendly activities such as free ice skating and visits from Santa Claus. Other events include trivia nights and floral classes.
Long Island’s Huntington Village celebrates with light displays and live entertainment beginning November 29. Organizers note that this year’s tree lighting ceremony will be hosted by Ralph Macchio with music by Tyler Hilton.
The Grand Holiday Bazaar on Manhattan’s Upper West Side has both indoor and outdoor spaces with rotating merchants; all profits support four local public schools. Additional markets include Cozy Crafters Artisan Market at Buffalo & Erie County Botanical Gardens—where visitors shop among poinsettias—and Rochester Holidays at the Market which offers carriage rides alongside traditional vendor stalls.
In Poughkeepsie’s Dutchess Handmade Pop Up event at Arts Mid-Hudson, about 60 artisans sell ceramics and paintings through mid-December. Saratoga Springs’ Winter Wonderland Art Market supports local artists with pottery and jewelry sales at the Saratoga Springs Holiday Inn.
Organizers encourage sharing experiences online using #iSpyNY or #ILoveNY hashtags on social media platforms including Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), or Facebook.
