I just visited New York City last week for the holidays and when planning our robust 3.5-day itinerary, I had to include the 5 best Christmas markets in NYC this 2022! 

1. Bryant Park Christmas Market Winter Village by Bank of America

Open: October 27, 2022 – January 2, 2023.
Vendor Count:  170+
Instagrammable Spots: 

1. The entrance Christmas arch near the New York Public Library entrance
2. Bryant Park Christmas Tree beside the ice skating rink
3. The ice skating rink itself 
4. Igloo restaurants 

My parents and I stumbled on this holiday market after visiting the Schwarzman Building New York Public Library* just down the street! The Bryant Park Winter Village showcases more than 170 vendors, food stands, and an admission-free 17,000 sq. ft. ice skating rink. 

Skate rental starts at $15 but varies depending on the day of the week and season with bag storage available for $5. Although there weren’t many skaters on the drizzly evening we visited, I would recommend securing your spot in advance to avoid any long lines (Wollman Rink at Central Park and The Rink at Rockefeller Center had about ⅛ of a mile long line when I visited; that’s how crazy holiday time can get!). The Rink is open until Sunday, March 5, 2023.

*The Schwarzman Building New York Public Library is only open until 6pm so plan to pop in before visiting the Bryant Park Christmas Market in the evening. Do note that the library’s instagrammable reading room where many influencers have taken photos is now only open for study and periodical ticketed tours. 

2. Canal Street Market in Chinatown

Open: Year-round (I believe)
Vendor Count: 20+
Instagrammable Spot:

1. The front cafe 

After visiting the Washington Square Arch and its Christmas tree, mom was craving some hot siopao (Filipino steamed buns) on our cold, rainy December visit, so we made a bee-line for Chinatown. We had Joe’s Shanghai on Google Maps (it was one of the first ones recommended by Google with a 4 star review and one $ sign on the budget-o-meter!) when we stumbled upon Canal Street Market, the cutest indoor market. With its minimalistic interior design and mix of eclectic art pieces and retro touch, Canal Street Market’s 20 featured kiosks reminded me so much of Greenville’s Indie Craft Parade and Maker’s Market Pop-Up Shop. From dainty jewelry, hand-sewn totes, thrifted goodies to potted bonsai plants, homemade candles, and anime stickers, you’re bound to find a gift here for any artsy friend. 

Over in the back right of the shop, you’ll also find a handful of Asian food stands—just look for colorful pennant flag banners that line the ceiling. We completely forgot about Joe’s Shanghai when we found 3 Filipino food vendors: Mucho Sarap tacos, Kabisera, Patok by Rach (it had just opened and I enjoyed their lumpia shanghai $15 for around 6-7 pieces). During lunch, they were showing Home Alone 2 on their giant tv screen in their “food hall” area which we very much enjoyed as Home Alone is our favorite family Christmas movie! The space was comfortable with tall tables and extra chairs, a large skylight to allow light into the dim space, and clean restrooms (pink and green tiled for the ladies).

3. Union Square Holiday Market

Open: November 17 – December 24, 2022
Vendor Count: 185 
Instagrammable Spot:

1. Main Entrance
2. Arches

After visiting Chinatown, we headed over to Union Square Holiday Market which features 185 local craftsmen and artists. This was one of my top favorite Christmas markets to visit in NYC in 2022, because the rows of vendors just never seemed to end!

If you’re looking for unique ornaments, they had the cutest felt ornaments by Craftspring—I ended up passing up a little NYC cab ornament but later did find it at another market. 

If you’re traveling with someone who wants to take a break from all the holiday markets, my parents went over to the Whole Foods’ upstairs food hall nearby, and a multi-story Barnes & Noble also sits in a historic building across the park for comfortable indoor seating with easy access to food and clean-er public restrooms.

4. Columbus Circle Holiday Market

Open: November 29 – December 24, 2022
Vendor Count: 130 
Instagrammable Spot: 

1. The Columbus Circle entrance with the Globe Sculpture in the back 

Columbus Circle Holiday Market sits right at the edge of Central Park at Columbus Circle. It is just across from the Globe Sculpture at the Columbus Circle and the Trump International Hotel, a few streets down from the Lincoln Center for Performing Arts, where they have the famous Nutcracker ballet performance, and also our amazing hotel (review coming soon!). 

I didn’t stay very long since it was so crowded after a long week of rain and finally sunshine. However, what stood out to me were the food vendors because they smelled so good—they had Indian cuisine (my favorite) and this one waffle stand, Wafels & Dinges, that smelled like childhood. 

5. Holiday Fair at Grand Central

Open: November 24 – December 24, 2022 
Vendor Count: 36 

The Grand Central Holiday Fair is one of the smaller Christmas markets and is filled with mostly jewelry, higher-end accessories, and ornaments like the felt ones by Craftspring that were at Union Square Holiday Market—which I finally ended up purchasing because it was just so cute! 

I hope this list of 5 best Christmas markets in NYC inspire you this 2022 holiday season! Comment below if you plan to venture out to any of them or have already done so!

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