A Look at Holiday Markets: Bryant Park & Union Square

Shoppers at the holiday market in Bryant Park on Sunday. Several markets are open around the city through the New Year. (Phoebe Zheng/The Epoch Times)

NEW YORK—Holiday markets can go a long way in reducing holiday shopping stress and saving time. They provide one-stop shops for finding memorable gifts, as well as offer a great outing experience, especially on a nice sunny day. Many markets are popping up all around New York City this holiday season, with each one bringing something unique to the table.

Bryant Park Holiday Market

Shopping in a beautiful park fully decorated and centered around a large skating rink will inevitably put one in the holiday mood, and the layout of the Bryant Park market adds to a very enjoyable experience.

Walking around from shop to shop, one’s head is instantly filled with potential gift ideas, and may even inspire a few to get treats for themselves. The walkways are wide and the picturesque scenery of the park and the vibrant energy surrounding the shops add to the festive atmosphere.

Making a shopping excursion with young ones in tow can be a challenge in the best of circumstances, but a large variety of activities to keep the kids occupied and entertained are offered near the market, providing considerable relief to the parents.

Dozens of enthusiastic children gathered around to be entertained by a magician on Sunday, and just a few steps away kids twirled around on horses and carriages on the old-fashioned carousel. The park has also set up a reading area for children, complete with colorful tot-sized lawn furniture and a bookshelf.

The shops are mainly centered around the 170-by-100-foot skating rink, which had a formidable line of skaters in waiting over the weekend. The rink, which is free of charge, opened in late October and offers skating rentals for $13, as well as lockers and skate sharpening services. The rink will remain open until Feb. 27.

A 50-foot Norway spruce, which will be lit with 30,000 lights and thousands of ornaments in an upcoming ceremony, adds to the holiday scene near the rink. The tree-lighting ceremony is scheduled for Dec. 2 at 6 p.m. and will be accompanied by live performances and celebrity guest appearances.

Bryant Park is a great stop for a wide variety of gifts, such as leather wallets, watches, jewelry, trinkets, candles, and soaps. Plenty of chairs are also available near the market for those wishing to take a break from shopping with a cup of apple cider or hot chocolate in hand.

The Bryant Park holiday shops are open every day until Jan. 2, 2011, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Union Square Holiday Market

A very different atmosphere greets shoppers at the Union Square Holiday Market, which has been around for 16 years. At first glance, people may appear packed like sardines with little room to breathe along the considerably narrower walkways, but this isn’t the case for the entire market.

As one strolls through the winding walkways, exploring many interesting gift ideas along the way, it’s easy to melt into the cozy and entertaining shopping experience of the outdoor market.

With big Alpaca hats, Middle East-inspired home décor, toys, truffle samples, and tons of eclectic knickknacks being offered just a few feet away from each other, the Union Square market offers much convenience to those looking for a wide variety of unique gifts.

The Union Square Holiday Market is open every day until Dec. 24 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.