Union Square Holiday Market

The Union Square Holiday Market is a yearly tradition for New York city. Attracting numerous visitors and tourists from outside New York, the holiday market is the perfect spot to find hand-made artisan crafts and much more. You can find everything from Christmas ornaments, jewelry, fashion accessories to unusual gift ideas, decorations, and even beer. A variety of food vendors will be present including desserts like chocolate, macarons, pastries, and especially hot apple cider. Momofuku Milk Bar, which is usually located a bit farther from Union Square, will be right nearby the subway entrance during the market.

Union Square itself is a frequent transit station, ranking 4th busiest mta station in Manhattan with more than 34 million riders annually. As The New School, Parsons, and NYU dorms are located nearby, the area is usually full of college students during the day. Some big retailers nearby include Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, Nordstrom Rack, DSW, and Regal Movie Theater. Max Brenner, a restaurant focusing on American entrees and chocolate desserts, is a favorite in the area. Union Square Cafe, opened by the same group operating Shake Shack, is another renowned restaurant acclaimed for its famous chefs and American style food and hospitality.

The prices of items selling here may be a bit expensive, but looking around for a bargain is also half the fun. If not, simply browsing through all the different vendors and merchandise is enough to pass the time here. 

The Holiday Market will stay until December 24th, Christmas Eve. The Market starts at 11am to 8pm on weekdays, opens 10am on Saturdays, and closes at 7pm on Sundays. For more vendor information, visit their website. There is also a pdf map with vendor names and locations.

Map of the Holiday Market

Visitors taking a rest

Daisy Dog Studio, D11

Design ornaments and gifts

Traditional ornaments

Teddies, A61

Modern Tibet, E5

Tribal Home, C40

Visitors from all around congregate at Union Square

Chelsea Market Shops

At Chelsea Market, there are a couple places to buy gifts and arts from. The Flea Market features mainly hand-crafted artists who sell jewelry and clothes. At the center are several shops selling books, kitchenware, gifts, and many more if you simply like to browse through shops. Imports from Marakesh is also at the corner in front of the Flea Market.

Imports from Marakesh

Artists Flea Market

Bowery Kitchens

Vitra store in the Meatpacking disctrict

Although there are many design stores available in Manhattan, the Vitra store is one that designers should make time to visit. The store features furniture from internationally renowned designers such as Charles and Ray Eames and Verner Panton. Many of the collections have been in productions since the 1960's yet remain popular to this day. The Swiss company strives to improve the quality of homes, offices, and public spaces through the power of design.

The lower floor of the store doubles as a design exhibition space, featuring their furniture collections indoors and available to the public for viewing. It is not uncommon to find students and designers frequenting the lower floor for study. Of course, all their items are available for purchase as well.

29 Ninth Avenue 10014

New York, NY

1-212-463-5700

Le Fanion

To call this antique store precious is actually underwhelming. The 3 floor store carries all sorts of French Provencal pottery, furniture, and interior decorations. Just seeing the store window, you already know what you can find. Standing for more than 20 years, many customers happen to pass by but couldn't resist not taking a look inside the doors.

Many of the potteries are very bright and vivid in color, and the variety of crystal chandeliers are simply amazing. Every inch of the store displays all sorts of pottery and antiques, and one is sure to capture your heart. Whether to buy something for yourself or for someone else, the shop owner, Claude-Noëlle Toly, is very friendly willing to help you out with what you need and what might be better. If you inquire, she is also knowledgeable about the pottery itself and inform you about the artisans or the pottery itself, such as the type of glazes used.

Visit their website for more information, or call to make orders. And, if you're in the area, make sure to stop by and see the store for yourself!

Claude-Noëlle Toly

299 W 4th St, New York, NY ‎

(212) 463-8760

lefanion.com
lefanion@erols.com