Hey, NYC — want to sleigh the gift game this year? Well, you can definitely jingle all the way past the Big Apple’s tinsel-choked tourist trap holiday markets those copy-paste Manhattan traffic-attractors where the cocoa costs $12 and the vibes are as mass-produced as the merch.
For festive grinches who’d rather shop really local, there are scores of smarter, cooler maker events getting ready to pop up across the city — offering handmade one-of-a-kind items from artists and artisans, and zero peppermint-scented pandemonium.
Ready to shop smart? Check out these five markets — the ultimate antidote to corporate Christmas chaos.
Crafts at the Cathedral at St. John the Divine — Dec. 5, 6 & 7
St. John the Divine — the world’s largest Gothic cathedral — becomes one of the Big Apple’s most jaw-dropping backdrops for holiday shopping at this time every year, when the annual Crafts at the Cathedral turns 1047 Amsterdam Ave. into a holy grail of handmade goods.
For three days, this Friday-Sunday, more than 80 top-tier artisans set up shop in the nave, offering everything from sculptural jewelry to chic home accents, pottery, leatherwork, ornaments and other giftable goodies that won’t end up in the regift pile.
This beloved juried fair, now in its 27th year, is as feel-good as it is fabulous — proceeds support the cathedral’s community programs, while giving independent makers a truly divine stage to show off their work.
Whether you’re hunting for a splurge-y showstopper or a budget-friendly bauble, the curated lineup spans every price point — and every taste level.
Entry is blessedly simple. A Single Day Admission ticket via the cathedral’s website runs $15 (plus a $1.50 online fee) and lets you roam the aisles as long as your shopping stamina holds.
Want the full pilgrimage? Upgrade to the $20 Weekend Pass and waltz in all three days, no reservations required — just flash your pass at the door and prepare to be dazzled.
The Oddities Flea — Dec. 6
Seasons creepings! If your idea of holiday cheer leans more “skull and crossbones” than “sugarplums,” the Oddities Flea Market at the Metropolitan Pavilion (125 W. 18th St.) is your merry little nightmare.
The cult-fave bazaar turns Chelsea into a cabinet of curiosities packed with medical antiques, anatomical specimens, natural-history oddities, taxidermy, bespoke jewelry, eerie art and the kind of rare ephemera you definitely won’t find at Bryant Park.
Shoppers can snag VIP tickets ($55.20 per ticket) for 11 a.m. entry, which come with re-entry privileges and first dibs on the weird and wonderful wares; general admission ($28.52) opens at 1 p.m. (no re-entry, so choose your poison wisely).
Kids 10 and under get in free — as long as they’re brave — and adults can even mark the occasion permanently: Rebel & Rose Tattoo Studio will be on-site offering exclusive flash ink, along with piercings for the over-18 crowd.
What started as a 70-vendor Brooklyn event in 2017 has ballooned into a highly curated, hotly ticketed holiday haunt, drawing collectors, goths, design nerds and the merely morbidly curious.
In other words: if you’re tired of cookie-cutter ornaments and “Live, Laugh, Love” signs, this is the market that’ll put some true spirit — and maybe a spine or two — back into your season.
Field & Supply at Starrett-Lehigh — Dec. 6 & 7
Arts and crafts fair — but make it cool.
That’s the vibe at this carefully curated collection of makers, showcasing everything from timeless treasures to fresh, one-of-a-kind creations.
The festive fun lands at the Starrett-Lehigh Building (601 West 26th Street) this Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Choose between 250+ vendors, snack on merry treats, dive into hands-on workshops, and find that perfect gift for every friend and family member. Tickets run $20 for a single day or $30 for a full weekend pass.
Workshops include making mini moss Christmas trees with handmade chains and charms, herbal intention sachets for love, clarity, calm, or protection, and paper boat ornaments.
You can even get a tin-type portrait taken with 19th-century techniques or snap a photo with Santa. There’s also collage portrait-making and plenty of other crafty ways to celebrate.
And yes, there will be a special lineup of seasonal drinks and treats to keep your sugar and hot chocolate levels perfectly merry.
MCNY × Brooklyn Pop-Up — Dec. 6 & 7
The holiday spirit is hitting the Museum of the City of New York in a big, sweet way.
On Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., the museum’s front lobby transforms into a bustling market curated by event organizer Brooklyn Pop Up, just in time to celebrate MCNY’s 100th anniversary.
The event coincides with the museum’s annual Great Borough Bake-Off Gingerbread House exhibit, where 25 bakers, makers, and designers from all five boroughs show off their edible masterpieces.
Think frosted skyscrapers, candy-coated brownstones, and miniature city parks — a sugary salute to “Iconic New York.” You can even cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award and pick your favorite gingerbread gem.
While you’re here, shop contemporary fashion, home goods, jewelry, beauty, and other unique gifts from artisans across the five boroughs.
Plus, pick up hand-painted, glittering gingerbread-themed ornaments to bring a little edible-inspired sparkle home.
The event takes place at 1220 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Admission for New York City residents is pay-what-you-can with ID, though this does not apply to groups of 10 or more, and pay-what-you-can tickets are only available at the ticket counters.
For all other visitors, tickets are $23 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and older, $14 for students 19 and up, and free for anyone 18 and under.
Museum members receive free entry. Groups of 10 or more should email groups@mcny.org to make arrangements, with student tickets priced at $5 each and teachers admitted free with ID.
Come for the gingerbread, stay for the borough pride — it’s a winter wonderland you can eat with your eyes (and maybe your taste buds).
FAD Market — multiple Dec. dates
Looking to cross off your holiday shopping list while supporting local talent? Brooklyn’s FAD Market has you covered.
This roving fashion, art, and design pop-up, running all the way up to Christmas, turns unique venues around the borough into festive wonderlands, showcasing handcrafted goods from dozens of rotating makers each weekend. Admission is free.
From jewelry and apparel to bath and body care, home décor, tableware, and artisanal food, every stop is packed with special gifts you won’t find anywhere else.
This year, the market hits Boerum Hill at 51 Bergen Street (three weekends of 50+ makers), Cobble Hill at St. Paul, 190 Court Street (three weekends of 60+ creators), and Dumbo at Empire Stores, 55 Water Street, where shoppers can hit weekend markets or swing by weekday mini-markets to browse a rotating selection of local designers.
Whether you’re hunting for thoughtful stocking stuffers or just want to sip, snack, and soak in the wintry vibes, FAD Market is the ultimate stop for holiday cheer — Brooklyn style.
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