Shop ‘til You Drop Holiday Market Guide: Nine local markets to spend an afternoon at this month By Erin DeGregorio

❄ Winterfest at the Brooklyn Museum (200 Eastern Parkway) is taking place daily until Monday, Dec. 31. Their Makers Market features more than 50 artisans and vendors selling crafts, holiday decorations and food. Winterfest admission is free and open to the public with select paid attractions, such as photos with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, chocolate tastings and holiday scavenger hunts. Visit winterfestbrooklynmuseum.com for more information and to purchase tickets for paid events.

❄ The first-ever Gowanus Holiday Flea takes place every Saturday this month: Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22, noon – 4:30 pm. Twenty-seven Gowanus pioneering artists, most of whom have lived, worked and have been inspired by the Gowanus Canal for many years, will have small works for sale, less than $150 on display. Vendors will also offer an array of eco-friendly and natural gifts to wear, for the home and wellness. Shoppers can also enjoy Brooklyn-made food and drink, particularly from borough distilleries and local holiday bakers. Entry to this family-and dog-friendly indoor flea is free. There will be face-painting for kids and other activities by Murrow High School students on Dec. 1. It will take place inside the Gowanus Dredgers Canoe Club Boathouse (165 2nd Street).

❄ Artists & Fleas at Williamsburg Market (70 N. 7th Street) showcases what’s new and exciting in fashion, vintage, art, design and more. It takes place every weekend on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 am-7 pm.

❄ The indoor Smorgasburg and Brooklyn Flea Winter Market in Atlantic Center (625 Atlantic Avenue) is open to the public every weekend: Saturdays, 11 am-6 pm (Smorgasburg open until 8 pm) and Sundays, 11 am-5 pm.

❄ A “Polar Vortex”-inspired Greenpointers Holiday Market is happening on Saturday, Dec. 2, at The Greenpoint Loft (67 West Street, 5th floor) from 1-7pm. There will be free fun activities, live music and festive holiday cocktails.

❄ Brooklyn Collective’s Holiday Gift Fair will be held at 212 Columbia Street on Friday, Dec. 7, 6-9 pm. Guests can shop from the latest collections by more than 30 local artists and designers, and sip complementary sake and wine. A special holiday tasting menu will be by Kuryu New York, the fusion Japanese catering company owned by chef Teruo Yoshioka – this menu is prix fixed at $45 and available by reserving a spot with [email protected].

❄ Made By Hands Holiday Market will take place on Saturday, Dec. 8, at the Old First Reformed Church (729 Carroll Street), 1-6 pm. Products from the fields of fashion, jewelry, food, accessories, art, home and lifestyle goods will be available for purchase. There will also be live musical performances by Zamy Maa (3 pm) and Cole Collective (4 pm).

❄ NY Handmade Collective presents the 11th Annual Holiday Handmade Cavalcade, which showcases a wide range of handmade wares – like jewelry, natural bath and body products, and decorative home goods – from more than 50 indie vendors who are all from the tri-state area. It will take place on the weekend of Dec. 15-16, 11 am-6 pm, at Brooklyn Historical Society (128 Pierrepont Street).

❄ Shoppers can discover one-of-a-kind handmade items, purchase unique stocking stuffers and indulge in locally crafted artisanal food and drinks at FAD Market’s Holiday Pop-up Series. Held over the span of three weekends, there is a rotating roster of new makers each week. The artisanal food market will see over 40 makers featuring locally sourced, small-batch artisanal packaged foods including charcuterie, condiments, maple syrup, spices, finishing salts, chocolates, baked goods and more, as well as food-related products like handmade ceramics, chopping blocks, kitchen textiles, food-pun greeting cards, apparel and more. It is a free admission event.

FAD Market Holiday Pop-up Series Schedule

Makers Market
December 1+2
BROOKLYN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
128 Pierrepont St, Brooklyn
11am to 6pm

Makers Market
December 8+9,
December 15+16
CITY POINT
445 Albee Square W, Brooklyn
11am to 6pm

Artisanal Food Market
December 8+9
BROOKLYN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
128 Pierrepont St, Brooklyn
11am to 6pm

George Fiala

George Fiala has worked in radio, newspapers and direct marketing his whole life, except for when he was a vendor at Shea Stadium, pizza and cheesesteak maker in Lancaster, PA, and an occasional comic book dealer. He studied English and drinking in college, international relations at the New School, and in his spare time plays drums and fixes pinball machines.