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Massive crowds and a lack of unique merchandise has caused many shoppers to move away from large malls and department store settings and to attend the growing number of holiday markets that take place around the city each year during this gift giving season. Outdoor settings and holiday themes create a village market atmosphere that many find welcoming. This season why not try a few for a taste of New York City shopping - holiday style. See Vanderbilt Hall transformed into a bustling market with 75 vendors carrying jewelry, linens, apparel, art and decorative items for the season. This market is the uptown version of the Union Square market. Organized by the same producers, the Columbus Circle market is similar in design and merchandise selection but somewhat smaller due to available space. Its smaller size is more than compensated for by its easily accessible location - right at the main entrance to Central Park and across the street from the Time Warner complex. For a day of brisk walking and shopping set out early. Give yourself enough time to spend time in the Time Warner complex. You'll enjoy the chance to warm up in the many indoor shops before heading back out for a stroll through Central Park. Whole Foods market on the lower level is a good place to grab a self service bite to eat. Its a bit pricey but wholesome and tasty, and seating is provided. Union Square Market14th Street at Union Square Nov 23 - Dec 24, 2007 Mon - Fri 11-8 Sat 10 - 8 Sun 11 - 7 (212) 529- 9262 Downtown Manhattan's Union Square has been revolutionized in recent years by the opening of stores and restaurants. During the holidays, the Union Square market takes of the south side of this crossroads with nearly one hundred vendors selling gift items ranging from knits, leathers, candles, toys, apothecary items and jewelry. Kaleidoscope Light ShowGrand Central Station 42nd Street at Park Avenue Dec. 1, 2006-January 1, 2006
While at Grand Central Station, also enjoy the new Kaleidoscope light show. Every 30 minutes from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., this new spectacular light show held in the main concourse creates a dancing effect of light and color that turns the building's interior into an incredible prismatic kaleidoscope image. Holiday Crafts on Park Avenue Seventh Regiment Armory Park Avenue (between 66th and 67th Streets) Dec. 2, 3-8 Dec. 3, 10-6 Dec. 4, 11-5 Admission: Adults $15, Children under 16 are free (800) 649-0279 artriders.com Held inside the armory, this fair gathers 175 of the best known artisans from throughout the states. With a more than twenty year history, this market is an exciting crowd pleaser. The high quality of the crafts displayed draws a large number of browsing art enthusiasts as well as serious shoppers. Featuring one-of-a-kind and limited editions this market is a great place to find something special for that special someone. Park Avenue Holiday Gift MarketSt Bartholomew's Church Park Avenue @ 50th Street Nov 21-Dec 24, 2006 Daily 8-8 (212) 809-5200 Lower Manhattan Holiday Market South Street Seaport Nov. 24 - Dec. 24, 2006 Daily 11 - 6 This outdoor market adds holiday flavor to this is already fun area. The shops and restaurants on South Street and along Pier 17 give you ample reason to run in and out of the cold. If this is your first visit, plan ample time for lunch or dinner at one of the many venues. After all, rested feet and warm bodies makes for happy shopping. Fêtes de NoëlBryant Park Sixth Avenue (between 40th and 42nd Streets) Nov. 25 - Jan 1, 2007 Mon - Fri 9-7 Sat - Sun 9-10 (866) 221-5157 fetesdenoel.com
Bryant Park located directly behind the main branch of the New York Public Library is one of New York City's largest holiday markets. 125 vendors in tented stalls surround the seasonal ice skating rink. The combination of free ice skating (through 1/17/07), of cocoa available from Jacques Torres' stand, quaint shopping booths and holiday lights makes this European style winter wonderland an experience worth venturing out for. While in the area, stop into the library. The lobby architecture and painted ceiling in the main reading room are quite beautiful. Bryant Park is within easy walking distance of the Grand Central market described above. For a full day of shopping combine these two venues. |
Grand Central Terminal Holiday Fair
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Concerts
27th Annual
Winter Solstice Celebration
This massive cathedral, the largest in the western hemisphere, is often the setting for concerts, readings and theatrical performances that represent and support the diverse ethnic cultures of New York City. For the past twenty-seven years the winter solstice has been celebrated with an evening of musical performances. The winter solstice celebrates the return of light after the longest night of the year. This musical celebration by the Paul Winter Consort includes performances by guest artists. Much of the cathedral's interior is closed off to allow for a slow and lengthy cleaning process underway to remove the smoke damage caused by the fire of 2001. As a result the cathedral's normal capacity of 2,500 is reduced to 900 and tickets are limited. Tickets range from $32-$42 for general admission and $75 for reserved seating and can be purchased on line at ticketweb.com or by phone at (866) 468-7619
St Thomas Choir Series
The Church of St. Thomas, a Fifth Avenue landmark built in 1913 is home to the most renowned church choir in New York City. Composed of fifteen men and twenty-four boys, the choir performs at weekly services and special events including holiday concerts. The men are all professional singers and the boys are students at the St. Thomas Choir School. The St. Thomas Choir School, a fully accredited academic school enrolls boys ages 8- 14 in a study program of English, Math, History, Science, Art, French, Latin and
Music Theory, plus piano, cello, flute, viola and trumpet. Eight new students are admitted each year and selection is made based both on vocal and scholastic aptitude. Currently, the choir is conducted by John Scott, a native of Yorkshire, England who joined St. Thomas after twenty-six years at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
Christmas With Renée Fleming
Renowned artist Renee Fleming fills Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium with the sounds of her incomparable voice in a holiday celebration that includes excerpts from Handel's Messiah, Mozart's Mass in C minor, Bach's Christmas Oratorio, Berlioz' Trio for Flutes and Harp, Bernstein's Simple Song plus traditional carols. Ticket prices range from $42-$125 and are available on line at www.carnegiehall.org or at the box office.
Trees Rockefeller Center Fifth Avenue (Between 49th & 50th Streets) In 1931, the construction workers building this now famous landmark complex put up the first Christmas tree proving that sometimes the best ideas in any corporation can come from its employees. In 1933 the completed and unveiled center erected its first official tree, a tradition that has lasted uninterrupted trough today. Trees reaching as high as 100 feet have been brought in from forested areas and, in some cases, private properties. Five miles of lights (thirty thousand bulbs to be exact) are added to create that perfect illumination to which we look forward each year. This event gathers one of the largest concentrated crowds of any event in New York City so be prepared. UNICEF Snowflake 57th Street and Madison Avenue 
Suspended at the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street, the UNICEF Snowflake is held in place by four of New York's most highly known establishments: Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Bergdorf Goodman and The Crown Building. This twenty-one year old tradition received a facelift last year with introduction of a new snowflake presented by Baccarat Crystal. Designed and handcrafted by Ingo Maurer in Germany the snowflake incorporates 16,000 Baccarat crystal prisms. Twenty-three feet wide and twenty-eight feet tall, this magnificent structure weighs in at over three thousand pounds and serves as a beam of hope for needy children around the world.
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Carnegie Hall
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Rockefeller Center 
The rink at Rockefeller Center was added to the complex in 1936 giving hundreds of thousands of skaters who visited over the years the thrill of a lifetime. The rink is open from October to April and skates are available for rent.
The Pond at Bryant Park Central Park November - March Mon & Tue 10:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Wed - Fri 10:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Sat 10:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. Sun 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. 
A continuous success since its inauguration in 1950, Wollman Skating Rink provides more than 30,000 square feet of skating surface in a scenic outdoor setting. In the evening, Fifth Avenue adds a dramatic backdrop. Admission is $9.50 for adults ($12.00 on weekends) and $4.50 for children under twelve ($5.00 on weekends). Rental skates are available. |
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Phone 1-800-891-3570
© 2006 The Manhattan Club