Your Guide to Pop-Up Holiday Markets

Tis the season, yeah yeah, I’m sure you’ve noticed the Holidays are upon us. While I love to throwback eggnog and get sloshed at the holiday office party as much as the next guy, there is the whole issue of actual gift buying that needs to be tackled.  If you value your sanity, I would avoid department stores like the plague. And while I’m a big fan of online shopping, there’s a whole slew of holiday markets that are popping up all over the city to choose from. After all, if you’re going to spend all that hard-earned money on other people, you might as well get them something cool that they won’t re-gift back to you next year. True Story!

Cool Hunting for Gap

Always with their finger on the pulse of the next cool thing, it makes sense that Cool Hunting launched a pop-up store of their very own. This year they teamed up with Gap and set up shop in Gap’s project space on 5th Avenue, to bring you an exclusive showcase of independent designers and companies.  Along with their expert product selection, they’ve also included a series of Cool Hunting collaborations, featuring limited-edition Mast Brothers chocolate and an Outlier cycling cap. It’s the perfect stop for those hipper-than thou, impossible to shop for, people on your gift list.

Open 7 Days a Week | Now through Jan 2 (except Xmas Day) | 680 5th Ave (at 54th St) |Mon- Sat 10:ooam-9:00pm, Sun 11:ooam-8:00pm | Midtown |

Jingle @ The Chelsea Market

A space usually reserved for sample-sale junkies and foodie events, the Chelsea Market is opening it’s doors to Jingle: A Holiday Pop-Up Store. Created by accessories designer Jill Schwartz, the event will 19 different designers, including Brooklyn darlings, Fred Flare, and the always whimsical prints of Yeehaw Industries. All that browsing can work up an appetite, luckily there’s plenty of food options to choose from. I for one, while be ending the afternoon with a Guinness, Steak & Mushroom Pie at Tuck Shop.

Open Dec 9 at 3:30 pm through December 23| 75 9th Avenue, between 15th and 16th Streets, near the Maritime Hotel New York City| Mon-Sat 10:30 am-7:00 pm, Sun 10:30 am. – 6:00 pm| Chelsea Market |

Brooklyn Holiday Bazzar

Artists & Fleas, the go-to for all things indie and handmade is expanding for the holidays this year with the opening of an additional holiday market location on North 7th Street & Wythe Avenue. Along with their usual assortment of fashion and vintage, expect to see a greater variety of sellers, including baked goods and home decor.

Open the weekends of December 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19 | 12:oo-8:00pm | N 7th & Wythe Ave | Williamsburg |

WIRED Store

Think of it as a FAO Schwarz for adults, the Wired Store is a nerd’s dream come true. Perfect for gadget-obsessed dads, music-loving boyfriends, or in my case, Star Wars-obsessed brothers. Where else can you find a Star Wars Wampa Rug? The prices range from under $20 to in the hundreds, but even if you don’t buy anything, the store has plenty of interactive bells and whistles to play with.

Open Nov 19- Dec 26 | Wed-Sun, 11:00am-7:00pm | 692 Broadway at West 4th near the Cooper Square Hotel New York City | Noho|

Williamsburg Winter Wonderland

Shopping for your fashionable friend or handmade-loving mom? The Williamsburg Wonderland is the only stop you’ll need to make. I’ve scored big here in the past with jewelry bonbon Oiseau and accessories from Sodafine, it doesn’t hurt that there’s usually booze and DJ’s involved either. In fact, that is the only way you’ll get me to shop. Check out their blog for a sneak peak of the designers and products who will be there.

Sat, Dec 18 and Sun, Dec 19th| 11:00am-7:00pm | Big Sky Works 29 Wythe Ave (at N 14th st) | Williamsburg |

Franklin Street Holiday Stroll

Bar crawls may be something reserved for Bachelorette Parties and college kids, but a shopping crawl is something I can get behind. This Saturday in Greenpoint, In God We Trust is hosting their first annual Holiday Stroll along Franklin Street. We’ve babbled on and on about our love of this block, do you think it’s about time you take the hint? Expect drinks, discounts and music at each participating bar, cafe and boutique. It’s like a hip version of a strip mall without the Supercuts and Orange Julius.

Saturday, Dec 11 | 12:00-6:00pm | Franklin Ave at Greenpoint Ave & Surrounding Area | Greenpoint |