New York has four big holiday markets, all in Manhattan and all a short subway ride apart. They don't share a calendar. Bryant Park opens first, on October 28, and Columbus Circle last, on December 1. So the date of your trip decides which ones you'll see. From December 1 to December 24, all four are open.
The dates and hours here come from each market's own page, checked on November 4, 2026. All four are free to walk through.
NYC Christmas markets 2026 at a glance
| Market | 2026 dates | Hours | Subway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holiday Shops at Bryant Park | Oct 28 to Jan 3, 2027 | Mon–Fri 11am–8pm, Sat–Sun 10am–8pm | B, D, F, M, 7 |
| Grand Central Holiday Fair | Nov 9 to Dec 24 | Mon–Sat 10am–7pm, Sun 11am–6pm; Dec 17–23 10am–8pm; Dec 24 10am–6pm; closed Thanksgiving | 4, 5, 6, 7, S |
| Union Square Holiday Market | Nov 12 to Dec 24 | Sun–Wed 11am–8pm, Thu–Fri 11am–9pm, Sat 10am–9pm | 4, 5, 6, L, N, Q, R, W |
| Columbus Circle Holiday Market | Dec 1 to Dec 31 | Mon–Thu 11am–7pm, Fri–Sun 10am–8pm | 1, A, B, C, D |
Which markets are open when
- Until Nov 8: Bryant Park only.
- Nov 9 to 11: Bryant Park and Grand Central.
- Nov 12 to 30: Bryant Park, Grand Central and Union Square.
- Dec 1 to 24: all four.
- Dec 25 to 31: Bryant Park and Columbus Circle. Union Square and Grand Central close on Christmas Eve.
- Jan 1 to 3: Bryant Park only. Its rink stays open to February 28.
Which market to pick
Union Square, if shopping is the point
The Union Square Holiday Market has nearly 200 vendors, mostly local makers, artists and small brands, and it keeps the latest hours of the four: 9pm on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. A Thursday or Friday evening is a good way to avoid the weekend crowd. It closes for the season on December 24, so it won't help on a trip between Christmas and New Year's.
Bryant Park, if you want the whole scene
The shops at Bank of America Winter Village run along the park's paths and terraces, around a 17,000-square-foot rink. Admission to the rink is free. Rental skates cost $18.72 to $64.48 depending on the time you book, and off-peak hours are the cheap ones. Bags aren't allowed on the ice, so pack light or budget for bag check.
From November 19 to January 3 the rink runs 8am to midnight, well after the 8pm closing time listed for the shops, though Bryant Park says many shops stay open late on weekends and in peak season. It also says the shops open every day, holidays included, which makes this the safe choice for Thanksgiving or Christmas Day.
Grand Central, if it's cold or raining
This is the indoor one, in Vanderbilt Hall inside the terminal. The fair's own rules for vendors favor handmade, made-in-the-US goods that aren't perishable, and they ask for a mix you can't find within ten blocks. So come here for gifts rather than food, and eat in the terminal's dining concourse downstairs. It's closed on Thanksgiving Day and stays open until 8pm from December 17 to 23.
Columbus Circle, if you're near Central Park
This market has the shortest season, running only in December, at the southwest corner of Central Park. It pairs well with a walk in the park or a show at Lincoln Center. Its dates run through December 31, but the page doesn't list a separate schedule for Christmas Day, so check before you go on December 25.
A one-day route through all four
This works any day from December 1 to 24. It follows the subway north and saves Bryant Park for dusk, because the sun sets around 4:30pm in December and the lights do the rest.
- 11am, Union Square. Give it 90 minutes and eat lunch here.
- 12:45pm, Grand Central. Take the 4 or 5 express from 14 St–Union Square to Grand Central–42 St, which is one stop. Allow 45 minutes for the fair.
- 2pm, Bryant Park. Walk west along 42nd Street, under ten minutes. Browse the shops, then stay for the rink once it gets dark.
- 5pm, Columbus Circle. Take the D from 42 St–Bryant Park to 59 St–Columbus Circle (the B also runs on weekdays). The market closes at 7pm Monday to Thursday and 8pm Friday to Sunday.
- After dark, the windows. Walk east along 57th Street to Fifth Avenue, about 15 minutes, then head south toward Rockefeller Center.
Fit the markets into a trip
Markets fill one day. Our three-day plan, Christmas in New York City, covers the rest: a Broadway night, the windows and the tree, and Grand Central and the skyline on the last day. Day 1 is free to read.
For the rest of the season, see the Dyker Heights Christmas lights in Brooklyn, what's open in NYC on Christmas Day and New Year's Eve without Times Square. If you're in town earlier, here's where to watch the Macy's parade.
Smaller pop-up markets run in Brooklyn and Queens, often for a single weekend. They change from year to year, so check the organizer's page before you plan around one.
Frequently asked questions
When do the NYC Christmas markets open in 2026?
Bryant Park opens October 28, Grand Central November 9, Union Square November 12 and Columbus Circle December 1. All four are open from December 1 to December 24.
When do NYC's holiday markets close?
Union Square and Grand Central close December 24. Columbus Circle runs through December 31. The Bryant Park shops close January 3, 2027, and its rink stays open until February 28, 2027.
What is the best Christmas market in NYC?
It depends on what you want. Union Square is the one for shopping, with nearly 200 vendors. Bryant Park has the skating and the atmosphere. Grand Central is the one to pick in bad weather.
Is there an indoor Christmas market in NYC?
Yes. The Grand Central Holiday Fair is inside Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal, from November 9 to December 24, 2026.
Are NYC Christmas markets free?
Yes, all four are free to enter. You pay for what you buy. Skating at Bryant Park has free admission, but rental skates cost extra.
Are the markets open on Christmas Day?
Bryant Park's shops are open every day, holidays included. Union Square and Grand Central have closed by then. Columbus Circle's dates run through December 31, but check its page for December 25.
