The holiday season is one of the BEST times to live in or visit NYC! Many parks around New York create holiday markets, fairs, and shops with hundreds of vendors from local shops, restaurants, boutiques, and cafes. From ice skating to eating and shopping, the options are endless at these fun festivals around the city.

The Union Square Holiday Market is located on the south side of the park, and it is the perfect place to search for unique holiday gifts while enjoying a variety of amazing food and drinks. This market also features live music, a “Warming Station” to make the cold weather more bearable, and a Kids Art Studio. We recommend stopping by NY State of Mind for trendy NYC themed apparel and accessories, Black Lamb BK for adorable shadowboxes & greeting cards, and Shaya NYC for beautiful handmade jewelry.

Another favorite is the Winter Village and Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. This holiday festival is well-known for its ice skating rink (which is free if you bring your own skates!) and a beautiful Christmas tree, which is lit on December 4. This park is also home to over 150 booths with amazing food, handmade artwork and jewelry, and even an outdoor beer garden. Min & Mon sells funky, textured and colorful handbags and keychains that everyone should check out. The “Good Vibes Station” is another essential for both New Yorkers and tourists, selling silk screened and painted prints from the artists of from EWBA (Everything Will be Amazing).

For those who can’t stand being outside in the cold, the Grand Central Holiday Fair is perfect! Enjoy forty amazing booths with handmade and unique goods within Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall. Kent Stetson Handbags is a must see- his incredible clutches and bags feature interesting and unusual images of food, animals and other objects. Tuff Kookooshka sells adorable cold weather gear such as jackets and hats for children, while Case Island Glass exhibits incredible, colorful glassware.

The Columbus Circle Holiday Market is also great due to its proximity to Central Park, as well as many other holiday attractions in the city. Be sure to stop by Jet Set Candy for New York themed jewelry and charms, the famous Strand Book Store for books and stationery. Texturables by Claudia Rosillo sells beautiful handwoven blankets and textiles made by Claudia in Uruguay. They are simple and comfortable, and would make an amazing holiday gift!

Let us know what your favorite holiday market is!

In the name of print, pattern, & holidays,

DW

Design Works International is a lifestyle studio located in the heart of Manhattan that’s been helping to define and capitalize on trends for over 30 years. Originally (and still) a print studio, the in-house artists at Design Works International are busy every day exploring, inspiring, and creating to bring you original prints that are on-trend and sure to sell!