Your Guide to NYC Holiday Markets, pt. 1

Weekend itinerary for Dec 7-8: ceramics, handmade, jewelry, vintage/secondhand, small biz & designers–plus, tips to find maker markets near you.

December marks my favorite time of year: holiday market season. I notoriously spend these chilly weekends running around Brooklyn, adamant about hitting every place on my list (which I usually do).

This is my Olympics.

I hate to admit it, but a good market makes my heart race and my palms a little sweaty. It’s not so much about buying things as it is about the discovery of it all—meeting new people, uncovering hidden gems, stumbling upon vintage treasures, or spotting exciting emerging designs. Maybe it’s also the allure of the inherently fleeting nature of pop-ups and the rarity of these markets that makes them feel like can’t-miss moments.

snapshots from last year’s markets

To be clear, I’m not talking about the Artist & Fleas franchise or Union Square-type nightmare (overpriced, overcrowded, generally homogenous). No, no—I’m talking about your neighborhood brewery hosting local makers, that cool vintage seller you follow finally putting on an IRL pop-up, or your favorite ceramicist opening their studio doors for a seconds sale.

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As the self-appointed market friend, it’s my job to know these things. And, in the past, it was also quite literally my job to attend markets, scouting for discovery and emerging trends.

I’ve learned you cannot solely rely on the algorithm to be in the know (unless you’re prepared to spend hours scrolling). Over the years, I’ve built up a rolodex of maker markets and compiled a guide just for you. Most of these markets I’ve attended myself or have some personal or professional connection to, so I can confidently vouch for them.

I couldn’t resist putting this holiday market guide together. But No Crumbs is meant for folks everywhere, not just New Yorkers (though I know there’s a lot of you). Wherever you’re based, these brands and makers are worth checking out. Plus, I’ll share a few tips for finding your own local market magic:

• If they hosted a holiday market last year (or any market), there’s a good chance they’re doing something this season.

• Ceramicists often team up with other makers to host markets—sometimes all you need is to remember one (or their space).

• Check community-oriented bars, cafes, or any spaces that often host pop-ups.

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Weekend 1 Itinerary

I have to say, the first weekend of December is shaping up to be the all-star weekend of the season—I wouldn’t blame you for canceling or reshuffling all your other plans. Choose which and how many neighborhoods to do depending on your energy level. The ones I won’t be missing are marked with asterisks.

Keep an eye on this list; I’ll be updating it with any new markets I hear about! So, let me know what I missed in the comments.

Saturday, December 7th

• Renegade Craft — Boreum Hill (all weekend)

  Great for: biggest variety and size (150+ vendors)

• BKLYN CLAY Holiday Pop-Up — Bergen Gallery, Boreum Hill (all weekend)

  Great for: artisanal functional and decorative ceramics

• Sustainable Baddie x Berriez Holiday Market* — Bed-Stuy

  Great for: one-of-a-kind sustainable and vintage finds

• Kiln to Table Night Market* — Artshack, Bed-Stuy

  Great for: handmade ceramics, clothes, and more by the community

Get an early start in Boreum Hill and hit up Renegade first, because it tends to get very busy and there is a lot to go through. This is the most established of the markets and the most expansive—it’s a good one-stop shop if there are a lot of people on your list! Then, drop by BKLYN CLAY’s pop-up and marvel at the handmade ceramics from a wide range of makers, each with their own unique style.

Take a little break before heading to Bed-Stuy for the Sustainable Baddie pop-up in the afternoon. I haven’t been to one of their markets before, but the founder, Jazmine Brown, is a sweetie and I’m really excited about their curated line-up! Finally, end your day at Art Shack’s night market and enjoy some wine—hopefully served in one of the handmade ceramic goblets they make there. In the past, I’ve scored a gorgeous utensil crock, a funky, colorful lady-shaped vase (possibly haunted), and my favorite hand-dyed silk scarf, made by a young artist from one of their community classes!

Sunday, December 8th

• Malka Dina Studio’s Holiday Market* — Ridgewood

  Great for: design-forward ceramics

• Honey Moon & Friends Holiday Market — Ridgewood

  Great for: trendy indie brands & makers

• Honey’s Holiday Market — Honey’s, Bushwick

  Great for: cool artist vendors

• Funny Pretty Nice Holiday Market* — Bushwick (also on 12/7)

  Great for: the vintage/fashion girlies

• Little Big Market* — Grimm Ales, East Williamsburg

  Great for: a variety of vendors (20+)

• Sesame Projects Holiday Market* — Moxy, Williamsburg

  Great for: a fun time, chic emerging brands (fine jewelry, food, accessories, beauty, wellness)

Start your day off on a quaint note in Ridgewood and knock two markets off your list: Honey Moon’s and Malka Dina Studio’s, conveniently located across from each other, both featuring sought-after makers. While you're in the neighborhood, head up the block to Lichen for design eye candy and beautiful homewares. Then, swing by Salty Lunch Lady's Little Luncheonette for a sandwich or, better yet, a slice of cake (they’re heavenly).

Make your east to Bushwick, stopping at Honey’s holiday market to check out work from small local artists. You’re likely to find a mix of jewelry, clothes, ceramics, and art. Then, head over to Funny Pretty Nice for cute accessories, vintage and small-batch apparel. Last year, it was pretty busy, so consider yourself warned! Nearby, you also have Friends gift shop which is great for anything food-themed and quirky paraphernalia.

Continue to the border of Williamsburg at make a stop at Grimm for LBM. This will be my third or fourth year there for a holiday market, you can’t beat a late-afternoon beer and browse. Little Big Market hosts markets year-round all over the city, if my memory serves me right they usually lean more vintage but also have a variety of artists that sell with them (i.e. jewelry, ceramics, glass, etc.). They didn’t share the vendor list this year so not 100% sure what to expect.

Last but not least, Sesame Projects—located in the hotel lounge of the Moxy, this is the boutique experience of holiday markets. Born from creatives and industry experts, it’s an elevated market offering a curated mix of products, along with a fun experience: a really good photo booth, djs, and raffle (I won a Hawthorne cologne).

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More Markets This Weekend

As promised, here’s the update to this weekend’s holiday happenings:

All Weekend

• Press Play* — Pioneer Works, Red Hook

• Fashion Art Design (FAD) Market — The Invisible Dog, Boreum Hill

• Holiday Ceramic (Mostly) Seconds Sale* — Bed-Stuy

• Sin Semi-Annual Oops Seconds Sale — Navy Yards

• Not A Normal Holiday Market (ticketed event) — Chelsea

Saturday, Dec 7

• Winter Art Market* — Williamsburg

• Alfargo’s Marketplace — Neue House, Flatiron

• Shop the Studios — Dumbo

Sunday, Dec 8

• The Art Market — Ridgewood

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Last year, I stopped by Grimm and picked up an amazing handknit hot pink balaclava from Filthy Acres before heading to Sesame Projects, where I wore it in their photo booth and snapped this iconic pic:

doubleshotdepresso

A post shared by @doubleshotdepresso

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Oh, and if you’re in the market for thoughtful, off-the-beaten-path gifts (or on a budget), consider making something special from scratch. I’ve rounded up eighteen DIY ideas you can craft or cook—no matter your skill level.

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This year, sharing these round-ups has been such a joy. But ever since helping out with Chinatown Soup’s holiday market back in my early NYC days (2018-ish?), I’ve dreamed of hosting a market of my own. Next year, I swear, it’s going to happen.