‘Tis the season of scenic shopping splendor! New York State transforms into a shopper’s paradise during the holiday season, offering everything from luxury boutiques to charming, decked-out main streets brimming with festive cheer. Whether you’re hunting for one-of-a-kind gifts at bustling holiday markets, soaking in seasonal magic at special events, or scoring deals at top-notch outlet malls, the Empire State has it all.
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Visit festive holiday markets and shopping events
Ice skate, dine rinkside, and holiday shop in New York City’s winter wonderland, the Bryant Park Winter Village! The European-inspired, open-air market features an array of artisans from New York and across the globe. Stroll through Bryant Park’s scenic plazas, and terraces, where custom-designed “jewel box” kiosks showcase an incredible selection of unique items. From handcrafted apparel and accessories to artwork, health and beauty items, gourmet treats, kids’ games, and holiday treasures, you’ll find something for everyone. Manhattan, October 25-January 5.
The sixth annual Roc Holiday Village brings 17 days of enchanting festivities drawing in nearly 200,000 visitors to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park in downtown Rochester. Get in the holiday spirit as you revel in free ice skating, an outdoor shopping village with over 25 vendors, visits and photos with Santa, cozy fire pits, igloos, live music, and indoor and outdoor bars. Rochester, December 6-29.
This holiday season, Urbanspace and Macy’s Herald Square are teaming up to launch Macy’s Holiday Square, an expansive new market with over 150 vendors across two spaces. Shop for handcrafted gifts, artisanal products, and holiday treats on the mezzanine level of the iconic Macy’s flagship, with pop-ups on every floor. After the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the market expands outdoors with more vendors filling the plaza across two city blocks. Discover one-of-a-kind items from artists and musicians, olive wood kitchenware, and gourmet truffles. The outdoor Herald Holiday Market, opening December 6, will feature favorites like Gnocchi on 9th for Italian comfort food, Sabyloo’s dog-themed gifts, and Wacky Wonderworks’ intricate wooden puzzles. Manhattan, November 1-January 3.
A city visit during the holiday season is not complete without a stop at the stunning and shimmering Grand Central Terminal. Enveloped by chandeliers and stunning Beaux-Arts architecture of Vanderbilt Hall lies a 6,000-square-foot indoor artisan market filled with exclusive handcrafted jewelry, pottery, artwork, and so much more. New to the fair this year is The Grand Gift Shop, showcasing items from puzzles to prints that celebrate the legacy of New York City’s iconic landmark. Plus, enjoy complimentary gift wrapping for the perfect finishing touch! Manhattan, November 11-December 24.
Craft, Food & Wine Holiday Market
The Craft, Food & Wine Holiday Market, hosted annually by the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, brings together the best regional producers of handmade and artisanal goods for a festive holiday shopping experience, all under one roof. Support small businesses and shop locally from over 100 vendors selling candles, art, home decor, bath and body products, clothing and accessories, crafts, crochet and fabric creations, woodworking, jewelry, treats, and provisions. Potsdam, December 7-8.
Celebrate the holiday season with the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council at LARAC’s Winter Arts Festival, held at the historic Queensbury Hotel in downtown Glens Falls. Explore the work of over 50 regional artisans showcasing unique, handcrafted goods. As one of the area’s most anticipated juried art shows, the Winter Arts Festival brings together pottery, fiber arts, jewelry, culinary treats, handcrafted woodworks, photography, and more. Glens Falls, December 8.
Support small businesses owned by people of color and local Harlemites when you visit the Schomburg Shop Holiday Market at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Peruse thought-provoking artwork, clothing, jewelry, stationery, and items for all ages. Manhattan, December 20-21.
Splurge on a luxury shopping trip
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A holiday visit to Fifth Avenue is a must for shoppers and sightseers alike. One of the most iconic retail stretches in the world, Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan offers everything from luxury fashion houses like Gucci, Cartier, and Bergdorf Goodman to specialty shops like the American Girl Place, Tiffany & Co., and the 24-hour flagship Apple Store. Each year, the avenue transforms into a holiday wonderland as stores unveil elaborate window displays, a tradition dating back to the 1800s. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, these meticulously crafted displays turn Fifth Avenue into an open-air art gallery, making it a true destination for holiday magic.
For a truly luxurious holiday shopping experience, visit Americana Manhasset on Long Island’s scenic North Shore. Just 20 miles from Manhattan, Americana Manhasset offers a curated selection of more than 60 international boutiques, including Gucci, Chanel, Dior, Cartier, and Louis Vuitton. This premier shopping destination combines beautiful architecture with lush landscape design to enhance the setting as you indulge in designer fashion, fine jewelry, and gourmet dining.
East Hampton’s Main Street is as charming as it is lavish, perfect for finding thoughtful gifts in a scenic setting. This stylish stretch blends upscale national brands like Lululemon, Ralph Lauren, and Chanel with local gems, making it ideal for both designer finds and unique, curated treasures. Stop by West | Out East, a chic interior design showroom with a retro-modern flair, for stunning décor pieces, or browse BookHampton, a beloved independent bookstore known for its extensive photography and coffee table book collection.
Spend the day at a mall or outlet
Woodbury Common Premium Outlets
For luxury gifts at unbeatable prices, Woodbury Common Premium Outlets is the ultimate holiday shopping destination. With over 250 stores, including high-end brands like Gucci, Burberry, and Prada, you’ll find extraordinary deals on everything from fashion to home decor, with discounts ranging from 25% to 65% daily. Just over an hour from Manhattan, this shopping haven attracts visitors from around the world, and after a day of shopping, unwind at the nearby Glenmere Mansion, where luxurious rooms and a world-class spa and dining await to complete your experience.
DestinyUSA in Syracuse is New York’s largest shopping, dining, and entertainment destination—so massive it has its own zip code! With six floors and over 250 places to explore, you’ll find everything from Apple and Anthropologie to Carhartt and LEGO. Beyond the never-ending shopping, thrill-seekers can enjoy WonderWorks’ amusement park, home to the world’s largest suspended indoor ropes course, plus a comedy club, and a classic antique carousel.
Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls USA
Just minutes from Niagara Falls State Park, you’ll find one of America’s top 10 outlet malls, the Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls. Browse over 120 sought-after brands at outlet pricing, including Saks Off Fifth, where you might score a Stella McCartney blazer, Zac Posen tote, or Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress. For more designer favorites, check out Kate Spade New York, Michael Kors, and Coach. While you’re there, bring the holiday magic to life with a visit to Santa’s winter wonderland!
Roosevelt Field, the 10th-largest shopping mall in the U.S., is Long Island’s premier holiday shopping destination. With over 270 stores, including Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Nordstrom, Macy’s, The Lego Store, Build-A-Bear, and Victoria’s Secret, there’s something for everyone. After a day of shopping, unwind with a meal at one of the many on-site dining options or catch a movie at the mall’s theater.
Shop local along New York’s charming main streets
You’ll always hit a home run when shopping along Cooperstown’s Main Street. As the proud home of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Cooperstown keeps the theme alive with stores selling a lineup of autographed memorabilia, apparel, baseball hats and bats. Souvenir shops like Cooperstown Classics, Silver Fox Gift Shop, and Tin Bin Alley offer something for everyone, including homemade fudge, gourmet chocolate, and nostalgic treats. While you’re rounding the bases on Main Street, don’t miss a stop at Schneider’s Bakery for a homemade doughnut that’s a grand slam.
Rhinebeck, named one of the best small towns for shopping, is as rich in history and architecture as it is in retail experiences. Indulge your sweet tooth at Krause’s Chocolates or Samuel’s Sweet Shop, co-owned by Paul Rudd. Discover fine handmade jewelry at Adel Chefridi Studio & Gallery, browse the shelves of Oblong Books, the Hudson Valley’s largest independent bookstore, be a kid again at Land of Oz Toys or treat your furry friend to a gift from Pause Dog Boutique. The village is home to more than 40 speciality shops for you to enjoy!
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Spend a festive afternoon browsing the boutiques along Broadway, where sparkling window displays and a wide range of shops offer something for everyone. Discover elegant women’s apparel at Saratoga Trunk, equestrian-style fashion at Saratoga Saddlery, and horse and racing-themed souvenirs at Impressions of Saratoga. Find the perfect book at Northshire Bookstore, fine linens at Antara, and unique jewelry at deJonghe’s custom studio. Saratoga Olive Oil boasts over 60 olive oils and vinegars, while Saratoga Tea & Honey is the bee’s knees for all things honey, tea, and teaware.
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The cozy village of Ellicottville may be just one square mile, but it’s brimming with holiday shopping. Wander down Monroe and Washington streets to explore interesting shops, restaurants, and plenty of festive cheer. Snag quirky, colorful socks at the Purple Doorknob, find top-notch ski gear at City Garage and Mud, Sweat n’ Gears, or pick up a pack of craft beer for the brew lover in your life from Ellicottville Brewing Co. And for the chocolate enthusiast, don’t miss Western New York’s beloved treat, sponge candy, at Watson’s.
Lake Placid’s Main Street is a charming winter wonderland offering a festive blend of shops and scenery that feels straight out of a holiday movie. The Bookstore Plus, is brimming with books and unique gifts, while Man and Beast has treats and toys to spoil your four-legged friends. High Peaks Cyclery is a go-to spot for outdoor adventurers, with gear for skiing, hiking, biking, and more. The Lake Placid Christmas Company is the perfect place to buy beloved Adirondack chair ornaments and a range of festive décor. For sweet indulgences, Adirondack Chocolates offers perfect stocking stuffers, and The Maple Shop has mouth-watering maple syrup, cookies, and candies. Fans of Lake Placid’s Olympic legacy will love browsing the USA Spirit Shop, USA Hockey Store, and the Mike Eruzione Team Shop for one-of-a-kind sports memorabilia.
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Life at the lake is magical year-round, and downtown Skaneateles transforms into a charming Victorian Christmas village each winter weekend (Thanksgiving through December 24) for the beloved Dickens Christmas event, a tradition spanning over 25 years. Amidst a cast of lively characters from A Christmas Carol—including Charles Dickens and Father Christmas—visitors will enjoy free eggnog and roasted chestnuts, live music, entertainment, and festive holiday shops. Stop into DROOZ and Company, a modern-day general store filled with unique finds. For vintage treasures, visit Skaneateles Antique Center. First National Gifts is a perfect destination for gifts of all kinds, for any occasion and every age, while The Local Branch showcases hand-crafted clothing and decor that make memorable holiday keepsakes.
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The shimmering lights of Corning’s Gaffer District invite you to embrace the holiday season on November 30 with the Parade of Lights! This annual event features lively marching bands, intricately designed floats, and the eagerly awaited arrival of Santa Claus in a horse-drawn carriage. Each float sparkles with dazzling lights, illuminating historic Market Street as it winds through the charming district. For holiday shopping, Connors Mercantile offers home decor, jewelry, gifts for kids, and gourmet treats. Visit the Corning Museum of Glass shop for stunning ornaments and endless one-of-a-kind glass creations. Confluence Running has great picks for athletes, while the woman- and queer-owned Card Carrying Books & Gifts has a thoughtful collection of socially progressive books, curated gifts, and more.
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