‘Tis the season to be jolly, so be sure to pay the elegant and European-feeling Columbus Circle Holiday Market in Central Park a visit, and get a taste of the magic of an Urbanspace Christmas! It’s a great place to look for gifts and munch on something savory or sweet. Cold? Grab a hot chocolate or hot cider to warm you up!
While people tend to agree that Urbanspace’s holiday markets at Union Square and Bryant Park are bigger and better, Columbus Circle offers smaller crowds and aisles that are easier to maneuver. Its central location is also a real plus.
So what can you expect at Columbus Circle? Aisles and aisles of delicious eats and a mountain of one-of-a-kind gifts for loved ones (or yourself): art, jewelry, home goods and other treats from local artisans and designers. There are much the same vendors here as in the other two Urbanspace markets, perhaps one or two that are unique, but the holiday spirit is just as tangible!
WHERE: Columbus Circle, 59th St & Central Park West, NYC
OPEN: November 28 – December 31. Monday – Saturday 11am – 8pm, Sunday 11am – 7pm. Closes at 4pm on Christmas Eve. Closed Christmas Day.
Located in Central Park, the surroundings of the Columbus Circle Holiday Market couldn’t be more picturesque for a Christmas market, especially if you, like us, are a fan of Home Alone! Head there early on a weekday to shop and avoid the worst of the crowds, and stay for the afternoon and early evening to soak up some Christmas spirit in the twinkling lights and live festive music.
Getting there earlier in the day will give you more chance to speak to the artisans, designers and small business owners there to show off their holiday wares. And it’s not all Christmas-themed. There are also toys, clothing, jewelry and other accessories that you can use well after Mariah Carey has been packed away for another year!
Within the stalls, local food vendors sell a choice of tasty snacks as well as hot chocolate if you need to recharge or warm up on the go.
And right at the entrance to the Columbus Circle Holiday Market (southwest entrance of Central Park), you’ll find eager drivers offering scenic pedicab and carriage rides through Central Park – lovely when it’s snowing, even when you’re not a tourist.
Let’s have a look in more detail what the Columbus Circle Holiday Market has to offer.
Go Shop
One of the market’s highlights is the opportunity to shop for personal and one-of-a-kind gifts, making it a great place to find special presents for loved ones during the holiday season, and it’s open all day, seven days a week during the season, giving you the chance to dash there during a lunch break or city tour if you’re pressed for time. And it has to be recognized as a wonderful opportunity for small business owners and artisan crafts people to sell their wares to the public.
And while there is a fair share of “festive” in the products on sale (check out the stocking tree decorations if nothing else!), there is plenty to find for those not looking for Christmas-themed gifts.
The market stalls are filled with handmade jewelry, bath and body goods, hand-decorated clothing, tiffany-style hanging lanterns, wood carvings, upcycled goods, spices and teas, paintings, unique neckties and other unusual goodies.
You can also pop into the Columbus Circle Time Warner Center nearby to shop at familiar stores and for more dining options.
Go Eat
Come hungry to the Columbus Circle Holiday Market, perhaps after a stroll through Central Park or an ice skating session at Wollman Rink, and sate your rumbling tum with anything your imagination can conjure up – Italian Tuscan gourmet sandwiches, tacos and bratwurst to doughnuts, cookies and Belgian waffles. All in all, there are about a dozen different pop up restaurants with an inspiringly eclectic mix of cuisines, and along the middle of them, wooden picnic tables and benches for communal chowing.
Go Drink
On offer at the Columbus Circle Holiday Market, among other thirst-quenchers, are season-favorites hot chocolate, hot cider and Glühwein, a German recipe for mulled wine spiced with cinnamon and sugar.
Relevant note: The nearest restrooms are at W. 61st Street Comfort Station.
Why You Should Go To The Columbus Circle Holiday Market On A Monday
If you find yourself in the Central Park area on a Monday, be sure not to miss the free Broadway performances in the shops at Columbus Circle provided by Broadway Under The Stars.
What Else Can I Do In New York City During The Holidays?
There’s a lot going on in NYC during the holiday season. First on your list, if it’s within your budget, should be a dose of holiday-themed theater. Then get your ice skates on in Central Park at Wollman Rink, just a block away from Columbus Circle. Beyond Central Park you have streets packed with twinkling lights, happy shoppers and festive window displays. Don’t forget to visit the iconic Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, and to check out Columbus Circle’s sister (but bigger) markets- the Union Square Holiday Market and Bryant Park, or the Grand Central Holiday Fair for more upmarket gifts.
And when you’re done exploring, photographing and soaking up NYC’s seasonal cheer, why not take yourself to a hot mineral water spa to recharge ahead of the New Year? We’ve found the best hot springs in New York State for your well-deserved soaking pleasure.
The Takeaway
Located in Central Park’s southwest corner, in close proximity to the iconic Wollman ice skating rink, you will find Columbus Circle Holiday Market. What better way to end (or start) a perfect wintery stroll through Central Park than with one of the best holiday markets in NYC for a shop, hot chocolate and festive music?
Disclaimer
While we at Traxplorio do our very best to give you the most up-to-date information, we always recommend you do your own research before you travel to a particular area or visit a specific destination, and check conditions with relevant official authorities. Thanks for understanding, and enjoy your adventure!
