NYC Holiday Markets Compared: Bryant Park vs Union Square vs Columbus Circle
NYC Holiday Markets Compared: Bryant Park vs Union Square vs Columbus Circle
Alright, so you wanna hit up NYC's holiday markets but don't know which one to choose? Here's the honest breakdown of the big three – what makes each one different, when to go, and how to survive the crowds.
Written by
Kattie
Updated:
Dec 5, 2025
Updated:
Dec 5, 2025
Bryant Park Winter Village
What it specializes in: Food. Seriously, this is the one for eating – cheese wheel pasta, Malaysian satay bowls, Tuscan sandwiches, Portuguese pasteis de nata, dumplings, empanadas. Shopping is mostly handmade jewelry, art, home decor.
Hours: The market runs daily, typically 11am-8pm (extended weekend hours) through early January.
Best time to visit: Weekday mornings before 11am, or right when it opens. After Thanksgiving through Christmas = absolute madness, especially evenings and weekends.
Crowd tip: It's gonna be packed no matter what. Walkways are narrow so just accept it and go slow.
Vibe: High-energy, loud, very "Christmas movie in NYC" with the ice rink in the middle and skyscrapers all around.
Aesthetic: Super polished – glass kiosks, tons of twinkle lights, big tree, modern and Instagram-ready.
What's around: Midtown, NY Public Library right there, Times Square walkable, tons of bars and shops. Easy to combine with 5th Ave windows or Grand Central.
Union Square Holiday Market
What it specializes in: Gift shopping and artisan crafts – 150-185 vendors with tons of handmade jewelry, candles, ornaments, scarves, unique home goods. Food is also solid (empanadas, raclette, Belgian waffles, hot chocolate).
Hours: November 13 through December 24. Monday-Friday 11am-9pm, Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 11am-7pm.
Best time to visit: Weekday mornings or early afternoons before the after-work rush. Saturdays are chaos, Sundays slightly better (closes at 7pm).
Crowd tip: More spread out than Bryant Park so easier to navigate even when busy. Still gets crowded though, especially weekends.
Vibe: More local and artsy, less touristy. Feels like an actual neighborhood market with students and after-work crowds.
Aesthetic: Tighter rows of booths, more indie/crafty, grittier and more "real NYC" than polished.
What's around: Union Square Park, bookstores, Trader Joe's, tons of restaurants. Easy walk to SoHo or East/West Village.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
What it specializes in: Smaller, more curated selection of crafts, art, jewelry, and food. About 140 vendors, less overlap than the other two. Known for free samples and mulled wine.
Hours: December 2-31 (closed Christmas Day, closes early at 4pm on New Year's Eve). Monday-Saturday 11am-8pm, Sunday 11am-8pm.
Best time to visit: Weekday mornings at 11am when it opens. After 4pm gets busy with post-work crowds.
Crowd tip: This is the least overwhelming of the three – smaller and more chill overall.
Vibe: Calmer, more romantic, date-night energy. Right at Central Park entrance so you get park views + holiday stalls.
Aesthetic: Compact and elegant. The Columbus Circle monument and park backdrop make it pretty at dusk.
What's around: Central Park (you can walk right in), the Plaza Hotel, Lincoln Center nearby, Shops at Columbus Circle with bathrooms and indoor food.
Our verdict
Bryant Park = biggest, best food, most insane crowds, very "NYC Christmas."
Union Square = best for actual gift shopping, indie vibes, slightly more manageable.
Columbus Circle = smallest, chillest, easiest to pair with a park walk.
Bryant Park Winter Village
What it specializes in: Food. Seriously, this is the one for eating – cheese wheel pasta, Malaysian satay bowls, Tuscan sandwiches, Portuguese pasteis de nata, dumplings, empanadas. Shopping is mostly handmade jewelry, art, home decor.
Hours: The market runs daily, typically 11am-8pm (extended weekend hours) through early January.
Best time to visit: Weekday mornings before 11am, or right when it opens. After Thanksgiving through Christmas = absolute madness, especially evenings and weekends.
Crowd tip: It's gonna be packed no matter what. Walkways are narrow so just accept it and go slow.
Vibe: High-energy, loud, very "Christmas movie in NYC" with the ice rink in the middle and skyscrapers all around.
Aesthetic: Super polished – glass kiosks, tons of twinkle lights, big tree, modern and Instagram-ready.
What's around: Midtown, NY Public Library right there, Times Square walkable, tons of bars and shops. Easy to combine with 5th Ave windows or Grand Central.
Union Square Holiday Market
What it specializes in: Gift shopping and artisan crafts – 150-185 vendors with tons of handmade jewelry, candles, ornaments, scarves, unique home goods. Food is also solid (empanadas, raclette, Belgian waffles, hot chocolate).
Hours: November 13 through December 24. Monday-Friday 11am-9pm, Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 11am-7pm.
Best time to visit: Weekday mornings or early afternoons before the after-work rush. Saturdays are chaos, Sundays slightly better (closes at 7pm).
Crowd tip: More spread out than Bryant Park so easier to navigate even when busy. Still gets crowded though, especially weekends.
Vibe: More local and artsy, less touristy. Feels like an actual neighborhood market with students and after-work crowds.
Aesthetic: Tighter rows of booths, more indie/crafty, grittier and more "real NYC" than polished.
What's around: Union Square Park, bookstores, Trader Joe's, tons of restaurants. Easy walk to SoHo or East/West Village.
Columbus Circle Holiday Market
What it specializes in: Smaller, more curated selection of crafts, art, jewelry, and food. About 140 vendors, less overlap than the other two. Known for free samples and mulled wine.
Hours: December 2-31 (closed Christmas Day, closes early at 4pm on New Year's Eve). Monday-Saturday 11am-8pm, Sunday 11am-8pm.
Best time to visit: Weekday mornings at 11am when it opens. After 4pm gets busy with post-work crowds.
Crowd tip: This is the least overwhelming of the three – smaller and more chill overall.
Vibe: Calmer, more romantic, date-night energy. Right at Central Park entrance so you get park views + holiday stalls.
Aesthetic: Compact and elegant. The Columbus Circle monument and park backdrop make it pretty at dusk.
What's around: Central Park (you can walk right in), the Plaza Hotel, Lincoln Center nearby, Shops at Columbus Circle with bathrooms and indoor food.
Our verdict
Bryant Park = biggest, best food, most insane crowds, very "NYC Christmas."
Union Square = best for actual gift shopping, indie vibes, slightly more manageable.
Columbus Circle = smallest, chillest, easiest to pair with a park walk.
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Google Maps with 400+ amazing spots.
✅ Skip tourists traps
✅ Save your time
✅ Access all 400+ spots
✅ Open in Google Maps
✅ New spots added regularly
✅ Lifetime updates
$39
$19
This week only
Access all saved spots
Google Maps with 400+ amazing spots.
✅ Skip tourists traps
✅ Save your time
✅ Access all 400+ spots
✅ Open in Google Maps
✅ New spots added regularly
✅ Lifetime updates
$39
$19
This week only