European-style outdoor holiday markets are a relatively new phenomenon in New York City. In recent years these temporary marketplaces have appeared in several areas around Manhattan including Union Square (the oldest), Columbus Circle (the newest), the cafe at St. Bartholomew’s Church (the smallest) and Bryant Park (the most centrally-located).
Now in its fifth year, the holiday market at Bryant Park is officially known as Fêtes de Noël. The market includes over 100 booths with green and white striped canvas roofs arrayed around the fountain (turned off for the season) and the skating rink (erected for the season). Most of the booths offer specialty items and handicrafts ranging from stuffed toys to suits of armor.
Tucked among and around the booths are an enormous star-topped tree and a refreshment area complete with tables, chairs and snacks including hot cider, cocoa, hot waffles, candy apples, caramel apples and shao bings (Chinese buns).
If shopping, snacking and skating becomes boring, you can always duck into the New York Public Library — the main research library shares the block with Bryant Park and its closed stacks are located directly under this space.
42nd Street entrance to Bryant Park
Booth selling goods from Thailand
Food booth: apples on the right, bings on the left
Greenery & booths around the fountain
NY Magazine: Fêtes de Noël
Fêtes de Noël
NY Magazine: Bryant Park
New York Public Library stacks
NYC Nosh: Bings
Roll and Dough
NY Times: Unique Pastry Bing
Thanks for sharing so many wonderful sights and different areas of the city. I love it.
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Now that’s a wonderful Christmas! I live the rural (relatively speaking) life and so it is extra special to see the big city activities. Thanks to you.
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SUPERBE noel a bryant park, j’en reve, c’est mon parc de new york prefere. chaque fin de journee, apres une longue promenade, je viens y prendre un capuccino pour me reposer.
SUPERB Christmas has bryant park, I dream some, it is my park of New York prefers. each end of day, after a long walk, I come to take a capuccino there to rest.
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