‘Tis the Season for Holiday Markets

The holidays are officially here, and seasonal markets are popping up throughout the city to spread holiday cheer, delight the culinary senses, and showcase original gifts for everyone on our lists. With roots in the traditional European holiday markets, the Bryant Park Winter Village, the Union Square Holiday Market, and the Columbus Circle Holiday Market are some of the most popular markets in NYC.

The holiday markets are a winter staple in the city, providing small businesses a chance to shine and showcase their artisanal goods and indulging the public with a variety of goods off the beaten track. With something for everyone, the markets are worth the trip, so bundle up, maybe take a spin around the skate rinks, and soak in the holiday spirit!

Bryant Park Winter Village

Here in the US, we are celebrating Thanksgiving! For many, this marks the start of the holiday season. In New York City, businesses and public parks are getting ready for the holidays. Every year, Bryant Park, adjacent to the New York Public Library in Midtown Manhattan, fills to the brim with festive shops. At the center of the park, visitors take advantage of the cold weather and go ice skating on the park’s rink. From friends skating circles around each other, to couples holding hands, and kids just learning to balance, the ice rink is a hit. The Winter Village is full of both tourists and native New Yorkers, all enjoying the frosty air and the excitement of the holiday season. It’s the perfect place to shop for unique and beautiful gifts for loved ones, or to simply sip hot chocolate and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Trailblazing Women

New York City has only five statues honoring female historical figures. (There are 145 male historical statues.) The five statues include Joan of Arc, Golda Meir, Eleanor Roosevelt, Har­riet Tubman, and the American author Gertrude Stein, pictured above at Bryant Park. Stein’s placement near the New York Public Library reflects her significant literary contributions, including plays, librettos, film scripts, and novels, as well as her influence on American writers. But Stein (and the others) won’t be alone for too much longer. This week during the start of Women’s History Month, NYC First Lady Chirlane McCray announced four more permanent monuments (along with the previously announced statue of Representative Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to Congress) that will honor "the trailblazing women who have helped shape New York City." The statues will depict Billie Holiday, the iconic singer; Elizabeth Jennings Graham, who fought racial segregation in 19th century New York City; Dr. Helen Rodríguez Trías, a leader in pediatrics and public health; and Katherine Walker, one of the first female light house keepers who is credited with saving at least fifty people. "We cannot tell the story of New York City without recognizing the invaluable contributions of the women who helped build and shape it," McCray told reporters at a press conference. “In honoring these four trailblazers today, New Yorkers will have the opportunity to see powerful women who made history receive the recognition they deserve."

Bryant Park Winter Village

With the cold snap covering the East Coast in freezing temperatures, it seemed appropriate to embrace the weather by going to Bryant Park's Winter Village, also known as "Midtown Manhattan’s winter wonderland." The Winter Village includes artisanal boutiques selling unique apparel and decorative goods, local food vendors, a rinkside eatery, and New York City’s only free admission ice skating rink. This 17,000 square foot rink offers high quality rental skates and features free skating shows and special events. Most importantly, there's plenty of room for me to perfect my triple salchow. (Pretty sure I still have time to qualify for the Winter Olympics.) What else am I going to do in this cold!