Nail down those one-of-a-kind gifts — and support small business — at these festive gatherings across the borough.
We all love skating in Bryant Park and wandering the allées of striped tents pitched throughout Union Square, pulled through the crowds by our noses with wafting aromas of mulled cider and duck fat fries. But Manhattan is hardly the only place in the city for next-level holiday shopping. Head across the East River to Brooklyn and you’ll find a panoply of pop-up experiences more than worth your visit, and they’re getting better every year.
Swipe those Dolly Parton commemorative Metrocards before OMNY takes over, catch a nostalgia subway when you can, and knock out that last-minute gift list the Brooklyn way.
Bed-Stuy Gateway BID’s Winter Wonderland
Thursdays-Fridays | 4-8pm + Saturdays | 2-8pm, through 12/23
This enchanting holiday village is back in Bed-Stuy with sparkling lights, pop-up shopping pavilions, and a “Santa’s Hollow” for photo ops with the one in red velvet. The adjacent block of Marcy Avenue is closed to traffic through the festivities for open streets dining.
Marcy Plaza | 1368 Fulton Street | Bedford-Stuyvesant
Borough Hall Holiday Market
Daily through 12/26 | 11am-8pm
Urbanspace — the undisputed champions of food halls and pop-up markets across the city (Union Square’s included) — is doing its thing every day in the plaza in front of historic Borough Hall, built as Brooklyn’s City Hall a half-century before its consolidation into New York City.
209 Joralemon Street | Brooklyn Heights
Brooklyn Magazine Holiday Market
Friday, 12/16 | 5-10pm
Kings County’s magazine of record is hosting its first-ever Industry City holiday market in collaboration with community groups The Lay Out and Building Black Bed Stuy. Expect 30+ locally-sourced makers across 10,000 square feet of chic converted warehouse, paired with drinks and DJ sets. What’s more Brooklyn than that?
Industry City Building 5 – Five-Two-A | Sunset Park
Essential Bushwick Holiday Market
Saturday, 12/10 | 12-6pm
Ride the L train out to Jefferson for this final gathering of more than 100 indie vendors from all across New York and New Jersey, concluding their three-Saturday residency at Willoughby Galleries in the heart of Bushwick. Expect art, music, curated vintage, and handmade wares.
Willoughby Galleries | 1329 Willoughby Avenue | Bushwick
FAD Market
Mondays-Saturdays | 12-6pm + Saturdays-Sundays | 11-6pm, through December 23
Jewelry, stationery, consumables, goods for home and self. You’ll find all that and more at FAD — that’s an acronym for “fashion/art/design” — daily through December 23rd, right in the lobby of DUMBO’s Empire Stores. Even more gift acquisition opportunities await at FAD’s second, weekends-only spread at the Invisible Dog in Boerum Hill, giving you no excuse to throw in the Brooklinen towel and settle for an Amazon gift card.
Empire Stores | 55 Water Street | DUMBO
Greenpointers Holiday Market
Sunday, 12/11 | 1-7pm
North Brooklyn’s favorite function for last-minute gift shoppers is back at its traditional time slot, bringing together crafters and stockists from across the neighborhood. Expect activities, music, and the usual bar (plus a high probability of mulled wine).
Greenpoint Loft | 67 West Street – 5th Floor | Greenpoint
The Holiday Market at Brooklyn Museum
Saturday, 12/17 | 11-7:30pm + Saturday, 12/18 | 11-5:30pm
Gather under glass in the Brooklyn Museum’s lobby pavilion for this curated experience by the team at Brooklyn Pop-Up, featuring 25+ makers, artisans, tastemakers for an elevated holiday shopping experience.
200 Eastern Parkway | Prospect Heights
Jummy’s Picks Holiday Pop-Up
Saturday-Saturday, 12/10-11 + 12/17-18 | 11am-6pm
Right next door to Atlantic Terminal, Black-Owned Brooklyn is bringing together more than 40 Black-owned brands to assemble this 30,000-square-foot indoor marketplace, replete with food, drinks, and live entertainment.
625 Atlantic Avenue | Downtown Brooklyn
Old Stone House Holiday Bazaar
Saturday, 12/10 | 10-4pm
Cruise the wares of 40+ crafters and vendors — hot cider in hand — beside the Old Stone House, a 1933 replica of the historic Vechte-Cortelyou residence that played a central role in the 1776 Battle of Long Island. Also on the agenda: Live music and ornament-making.
Old Stone House | 336 3rd St. | Park Slope
Red Hook Business Alliance Holiday Market
Weekends through Sunday, 12/18 | Hours vary
Want some salt air with your shopping? The Red Hook Business Alliance is leading this coordinated excuse to sip, shop, and eat your way through South Brooklyn’s seaside village, featuring more than two dozen stops at stores, galleries, eateries, makeries, and more.
Multiple Locations | Red Hook
Williamsburg Holiday Market
Friday, 12/16 through Saturday, 12/24 | Hours vary
Procrastinators rejoice! In North Williamsburg, 40 designers are taking it down to the wire — every day from the 16th through Christmas Eve — so you’ll have no excuse not to score that perfect, locally-sourced present to remind its recipient you know where Brooklyn’s at.