The Brokelyn guide to Brooklyn holiday craft markets

etsy handmade cavalcade — A scene from an Etsy Handmade Cavalcade of Christmas past. via Etsy NY Flickr

It’s almost holiday time everyone, which is personally my favorite shopping time of the year. It’s so exciting, and everything sparkles! Sugar and spice and everything nice! Lights! Trees! Of course, the holidays also means making a list of who you need to buy presents for; family, friends, bosses, significant others, your local bodega cat, your favorite bartender, your future New Year’s make-out partner… etc.).

Let’s make that shopping list easier to fill out by shopping local at the many Brooklyn markets this year. Who needs the crowds of tourists in Manhattan when you can take a leisurely stroll and attend many of these instead. Craft fair crawls are highly encouraged; bonus points are given if you can beat my record of going to five of these in one day. Plus this year there are added extra things do if you need a rest, such as playing black-light mini golf at The Brooklyn Night Bazaar and ice-skating at McCarren Park. Ready! Set! Shop Local!

2nd Annual Renegade Craft Fair Winter Market
Skylight One Hanson at One Hanson Place, Fort Greene
Sat November 23 and Sun November 24, 11am-6pm

Our favorite summer craft fair is back in the cozy Skylight One Hanson. Featuring a curated selection of goods from over 200 makers. When you need a break from shopping, take a workshop to make a knitted necklace or embroidered gift tag hosted by craft and DIY website, Kollabora. There will be music by the Renegade Gang!, and a free photo booth from Magnolia Photo Booth Co.

Fashion on the Factory Floor – Made in NYC’s First Ever Holiday Market
241 37th St, Sunset Park
Friday November, 22 opening party at 6pm RSVP via website required Market Hours
November 23-24, 10am-6pm
November 30-Dec 1, 10am-6pm

This market features more than 50 designers selling apparel, jewelry, accessories, and gifts. There will be a full schedule of programs such as demonstrations on making 3D printed iPhone cases from Heisel, shoe-making, and garment construction techniques. See the website for exact times and dates of workshops.

Brooklyn Night Bazaar
165 Banker Street, Greenpoint
Fridays and Saturdays 6pm-Midnight, ongoing

This craft rave is back in a new location this year, in Greenpoint. It features vendors, musicians, chefs and artists. Check the performance schedule on the website, and the vendors will also rotate ensuring a different experience each time you visit. Designhype will be selling their super cool Metro Cuffs on Dec 7^th. When you tire of shopping and eating there are games; a ping-pong room and a black-light miniature golf course.

Fred Flare Sale
300 Kingsland Ave, between Nassau and Norman, Greenpoint
Friday, November 22 7pm-9pm and Saturday November 23 11am-4pm

This isn’t a holiday sale, it’s unfortunately a store closing sale. This beloved Greenpoint shop that features giant ice cream cone lamps next to Jeffrey Campbell boots, is now closing for good. Score some deals in apparel, accessories, props, home items, and vintage in this everything must go sale.

Hannukkah Craft & Social Justice Market
Congregation Beth Elohim, 274 Garfield Place, Park Slope
Sunday, November 24 11am-5pm

A curated selection of handcrafted products, many of which are made in Brooklyn or by Israeli artisans. There will also be supervised kids activities and a performance by the Dirty Sock Funtime Band, a band known for its videos on Nick Jr’s Jack’s Big Music Show.

build it green! nyc — This way to holiday craft deals. via Build It Green! NYC’s Facebook

Crafted at the Canal by Built It Green!
Gowanus Reuse Center – 69 9th Street, btw Smith St and 2nd Ave, Gowanus
Friday December 6, Craft Fair and Holiday Party 5pm-9pm all attendees get a complimentary beer
December 7, Craft Fair 10am-5pm

Crafted at The Canal will feature a range of products like soy candles from Lucie and Lacie Soy Candles, to pet products, and jewelry made from recycled bicycle parts.

St. Boniface Christmas Fair
St. Joseph High School Auditorium, 80 Willoughby Street, Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, December 7, 9am-4pm, Sun December 8, 9am-3pm

Support this Roman Catholic Church by coming to this fair and shopping. There will be lunch (bagels, coffee, hot dogs, and chili) and a baked goods table filled with goodies to take home.

PS 321 Holiday Shop
180 7th Ave (between 1st Street and 2nd Street), Park Slope
Saturday December 7, 10am-5pm

Be sure to shop the Made By The Parents’ table at this annual craft fair. All of the money from this table will go to the PS 321 PTA.

Brooklyn Friends School Winter Festival & Artisan Craft Fair
375 Pearl Street, between Willoughby Street and Marriott Hotel Plaza, Brooklyn Heights
December 7, 10:30am-5pm

Support the Horizons Program at the Brooklyn Friends School by shopping this winter festival and holiday craft fair.

Greenpointers Holiday Market
The Greenpoint Loft, 67 West Street, 5th floor, Greenpoint
Sunday December 8, 1pm-7pm

This is Greenpointers‘ biggest and best holiday market thus far. It features over 70+ local crafters, artists, and makers, food and beverages, in a Greenpoint Loft that promises views of Brooklyn and NYC. There will also be a holiday photo booth by Marofoto, Massages by Human@Ease, a DIY Nail Art Bar, and an Origami Ornaments Craft Table.

Brooklyn Holiday Bazaar by Brooklyn Makers
501 Union St, Gowanus
Sunday, December 8 11am-6pm

This is the Brooklyn Makers online store’s first ever holiday bazaar, and there will be champagne! There will also be handmade goods from local artisans and designers, local food from places like Dinosaur BBQ and Lavender Lake, specialty cocktails and the bar, a gift wrapping station by krrb, and music. There will also be a DIY workshop corner by Brooklyn Artery where teachers will be teaching various crafts like paper-making and jewelry-making. Make sure to bring your kids to my drop-in toy design workshop from 1pm-2:45pm!

Eat Pie and Shop
Cobble Hill PS 29- 425 Henry St
Sunday, Dec 8 11am-4pm

This is a fifth annual event which includes a holiday fair with vendors from the local Brooklyn markets, a pie social, and celebrity-judged baking contest with judges from “Top Chef” and the New York Times. Pies will be $5 per tasting ticket, and there will be frozen custard from Shack Shack to top it off. Kids can participate in free crafts, face painting, and glitter tattoos throughout the day. There will also be a holiday portrait studio by Ninety Nine Films, with all proceeds going to PS 29.

vegan shop-up — Who says vegans don’t know how to shop? via Facebook

Vegan Holiday Shop-Ups
Pine Box Rock Shop, 12 Grattan Street, Bushwick
Saturdays: Dec 14, and Dec 21 noon-6pm

This is NYC’s only vegan pop-up shop, featuring such tasty treats as Build Your Own Bun cinnamon buns with toppings like Homemade Marshmallow Fluff from Cake Thieves, gluten-free mini pumpkin pies from Gone Pie, and gluten-free deep dish pizza from BOT bakery.

Etsy New York Handmade Calvacade
The Space, 50N. 3rd Street, between Kent and Wythe, Williamsburg
Saturday and Sunday, December 14-15, 10am-5pm

Vendors have been selected from Etsy’s New York’s finest for this fair. Featuring such goods as handmade rock crystal jewelry from AdornmentsNYC, and whimsical paper goods from Be My Bee.

American Fine Craft Show
Brooklyn Museum- 200 Eastern Pkwy, Prospect Heights
Saturday, December 14 and Sunday, December 15 11am-6pm

This is the museum’s first annual American Fine Craft Show Brooklyn. Featured works will include ceramics, decorative and wearable fiber, furniture, glass, jewelry, leather, sculpture, and fine art.

The craft show entrance fee includes Museum admission. Tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors, $6 for students with valid ID, and free for children under 10.

S&J Crafts and Things 1st Annual Christmas Fair
Knights of Columbus Council #126 -3051 Nostrand Ave. at Quentin Road, Marine Park
Sunday, December 15 10am-4pm

This is a first annual fair in the Marine Park section of Brooklyn hosted by S&J Crafts and Things. There will be vendors with such items as decoupage wine bottles, pendant lamps, and vintage sports collectibles.

Lyceum Markets
Brooklyn Lyceum- 227 4th Ave, Park Slope
Saturday December 21 and Sunday December 22, 11am-7pm

This is the 6^th annual holiday marketplace at the Brooklyn Lyceum. Featuring such unique vendors like eco-friendly banks from Just for Littles, and tie-dyed by hand clothing from Royal Cuteness.