5 Best Holiday Craft Fairs In NYC
For a truly memorable holiday, you need a one-of-a-kind gift. Find something for everyone on your list, from the wee ones to the parental units, at one of the city's best craft fairs. Here are our favorites, ordered by schedule. Mark your planner/calendar, or plan to buy one. By Jessica Allen.
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Located just off Union Square, home to a huge annual market featuring 150-odd vendors, the Food52 Holiday Market focuses on edibles, potables, and kitchen gear. For a really cool gift, shop old props from the Food Network. Scheduled activities include cookbook signings, demonstrations, discussions about how to give the perfect gifts, screenings of holiday movies, and shopping happy hours (with cocktails!). Now through Dec. 20, hours vary.
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The annual holiday market at the Bronx Museum is co-run by the museum, the South Bronx Farmer's Market, THE POINT, FromTheBronx.com, and the Bronx Beer Hall, and features the work of more than 25 local artisans and craftspeople. We're particularly jazzed about the NYC Taxi Drivers 2016 calendar. Along with shopping, there will be live entertainment, face painting, and special guests. Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., free.
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Not in Brooklyn? Never fear: there's a proud movement of DIY-ers and crafters in Queens. See what these folks have been up to at the Astoria Holiday Market, at the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden (the city's oldest beer garden). Here you'll find things to eat, wear, admire, tote, read, peruse, and objectify. When you need a break, you can have a pint and klobasa in the beer garden. Sunday, Dec. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 20, 12 to 6 p.m., free.
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Showcasing both the creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit of its clients, Senior Planet's Holiday Arts & Crafts Fair features tons of booths with handmade crafts. Senior Planet describes itself as "the first tech-themed resource for people 60-plus who are living and aging with attitude." If you like your gifts with a side of sass and spunk, this is your crafts fair. Wednesday, Dec. 16, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m, free, but registration is encouraged.
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Celebrating its 10th year, the BUST Craftacular takes over the Brooklyn Expo Center for two days of nonstop spectacular shopping and crafting. Run by the "Fierce, Funny and Feminist ladies of BUST Magazine," the Craftacular features DJs, cocktails, prizes, DIY activities, and, of course, 200-something crafters and artisans of all stripes, selling homemade and vintage goods. Saturday, Dec. 19 and Sunday, Dec. 20, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., $3, tickets required.
