Holidays also mark the peak season of DIY, and people are scouring staples like Etsy and Pinterest to see what they can make, bake, gift or thrift for the upcoming holidays. If you are lacking inspiration needed to get those creative juices flowing, (because hey, aren’t we all) or if you just want a quick one-stop shop for all of your holiday shopping, head to your nearest holiday market.
Oh, what’s that? You need help finding one that close to you? As per usual, we’ve got you covered, with the borough’s finest in local gifts and crafts–enough to make even a scrooge splurge.
BUSHWICK
Shwick Holiday Market
395 Johnson Ave.
Dec. 3 & 4, 11am-7pm
The Shwick Holiday market hosts over 120 vendors and is sure to be a heavy hitter for the 3rd year in a row, boasting “unique” gifts. You can expect decor, fashion and tech accessories from local makers.
Awesometown Shopping Village
The Well, 272 Meserole St.
Dec. 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 1-8pm
The name may be a little on-the-nose, but unlike the other markets in Bushwick, this neighborhood flea offers the rare outdoor winter shopping experience. Sift through local artisans’ goods and get creative with festive gift ideas.
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Vegan Shop-up
Pine Box Rock Shop (12 Grattan St.), Bushwick
Dec. 3, 12-5pm
Veganism has fully penetrated the market for holiday markets, and boy does it have an appetite. Pot pies, hot dogs, donuts, brownies, jam and many more vegan-friendly items are ready to party in your belly. What about gifts, you ask? Vendors specializing in skincare, candles, and fun bags will all be at your disposal, so go cray– vegan cray.
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GREENPOINT
Kings Market Trading Co.
754 Manhattan Ave.
Dec. 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 12-8pm
Something of an indie mini mall for DIY aficionados, the Kings Market Trading Co. allows you to browse funky jewelry, unique housewares and fashion accents to your heart’s content in an airy retail space off the main drag of Manhattan Ave.
Phoenicia Flea
64 Dobbin St., Greenpoint
Dec. 3 & 4, 11am-7pm
Hold the elves: This might just be the quaintest f**king holiday market to date. Phoenicia is an adorable little town in the Catskills that takes a page right out of Gilmore girls. This winter, locals from the town take a trip downstate to our borough and gift us their finest food and drink, home goods, accessories, vintage, jewelry, furnishings, custom holiday cards, pottery… (trails off to a full swoon).
WINDSOR TERRACE
PS 130 Winter Bazaar
713 Canton Ave.
Dec 7., 11am-5pm
The lucky residents of Windsor Terrace have a special holiday market to call their own, and this one includes a CHILI COOK-OFF. It doesn’t feel quite like the holidays without an array of various chilis waiting for you to try, right? Nosh while you nose around custom goods, as live music makes a soundtrack for your shopping experience in the Upper School’s double gymnasium.
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WILLIAMSBURG
New Women Holiday Maker Faire
188 Woodpoint Rd.
Dec. 10, 12pm-6pm
Okay, this one’s for all the powerful kweens: The New Women Space celebrates “ambitions, ideas, passions and pursuits of women of all experiences” while showcasing their stellar work. You can give that gift to others by heading over to their one day pop-up and picking up ceramic ware, paper goods and everything in between.
Bulletin Holiday Market
111 N. 12th St.
Dec. 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 1-9pm
As befitting a flea market in Williamsburg, the venue for Bulletin is the new and sprawling William Vale Hotel. Enjoy a DIY wrapping station, down pints from Other Half Brewing Co., and rejoice in the fact that a portion of the proceeds will go to Planned Parenthood. Don’t forget to RSVP for free admission.
Artists & Fleas
70 N. 7th St.
Dec. 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 10am-7pm
Something of an institution in Williamsburg, Artists & Fleas offers the DIYer ample opportunities to get crafty in their gift-giving with home goods galore, unique cards, jewelry, vintage clothing and other holiday curios.
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COBBLE HILL
F.A.D. Weekend Holiday Market
St. Paul’s Church, 190 Court St.
Dec 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 11am-6pm
Nestled in the basement of St. Paul’s Church, this indie pop up is hosting 45+ local designers, inventors, ceramic artists, French bakers, and much more. They are also offering an array of free activities and crafting workshops throughout the weekend, including a snowflake station, holiday photo booth and seasonal crafting by Green Mountain Energy.
PARK SLOPE
Brooklyn Holiday Book Fair
Old Stone House, 336 3rd St.
Dec. 11, 11am-4pm
This isn’t a crafts fair per se, but in the age of Kindle Fire a good book feels pretty DIY, so how about giving a few as gifts? Forgo drones from Best Buy, or a callous gift card to Applebees and instead browse rare, vintage, out-of-date books from independent booksellers all over Brooklyn. It’ll offer a very personal touch to any present.
PS 321 Stuff you should Buy
180 7th Ave.
Dec. 10, 10am-5pm
PS 321 gets right to the point with the title of their holiday market. Housed inside this Park Slope Elementary school, you can expect Brooklyn moms vending their most delicious goods and festive gifts. There will also be vendors selling loom-making kits, specialty olive oils and everything in between (and that’s a wide-ranging category).
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GOWANUS
Morbid Anatomy Holiday Flea Market
The Bell House, 149 7th St.
Dec 11, 12-6pm
This holiday market takes ‘bazaar’ to a whole new level (get it?!). Ghastly gifts and peculiar findings cater to those who are looking to go beyond the standard holiday cheer. We’re talking Mexican folk art, taxidermy, osteological jewelry and everything in between. Admission is $1 (a small price to pay for the curiosities inside).
Threes Brewing Holiday Market
The Yard @ Threes Brewing, 333 Douglass St.
Dec 11 and 18, 12-6pm
The 2nd annual Holiday Market hosting by Threes Brewing is destined to be smash hit. With delicious frothy beer flowing endlessly from their taps, it’s really beginning to feel a lot like Crisp-smas. Come see curated spice blends by Crimson & Clove, designer handbags by Sylvan Park, or Jennifer Dunham’s jewelry collection inspired by erosion.
CROWN HEIGHTS
Holiday Bizarre at Shoestring
663 & 640 Classon Ave.
Dec. 18, 2016 12-7pm
This indie press offers up of local artist’s printed wares and one of a kind artworks. Sip on hot spiced cider and other holiday treats while you sift through prints, textiles, drawings, paintings, illustrations, comics, zines and various merch by Shoestring members to find the perfect new source of coffee table conversation for you or your folks’ home.
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SUNSET PARK
Renegade Craft Fair
Industry City factory floor, 233 37th St.
Dec 3 & 4, 10 & 11, 17 & 18, 11am-6pm
Industry City is booming in all the right ways. Their commitment to working with the surrounding community and its developing partnerships is really something that we can get behind. The Renegade Craft Fair is going to be a Sunset Park staple, housing fun DJ sets and an assortment of seasonal foods, as well as libations and gifts! Get your tintype portraits by Image Atlas while devouring a ‘gram-worthy crepe.
PROSPECT LEFFERTS GARDENS
MINKA Magical Holiday Bazaar
1120 Washington Ave., Prospect Lefferts-Gardens
Dec. 3, 11-7pm
Nestled west of the Park, MINKA’s Magical Holiday Bazaar serves to give the people of PLG gifting ideas from holistic colorpuncture therapy to natural handcrafted soaps and skincare.
Follow Gabrielle on Twitter: @GWestfield