Every year, during mid-November, Union Square undergoes weeklong construction for its annual holiday market. From cheese wheel pasta to painted eggs, this holiday market has it all. The festive lights, music, and decorations make it the perfect place to visit after a long day. And that is exactly what people do.
The best part of the holiday market is its variety. Filled with handmade items from small businesses, the Union Square holiday market offers the best holiday gifts that other stores couldn’t compete with. One vendor even sells jewelry made from the metal of undetonated bombs used in the Vietnam war. With the array of vendors this market has, you are bound to find something for yourself and whoever you are shopping for.
The food at the market is another highlight, and it’s what most people come for. Even if you already finished your holiday shopping, getting a snack after school is worth fighting through the crowds for. Although not the cheapest, the unique options are worth it. No Chewing Allowed is a popular vendor that sells chocolate with a unique rule: just like its name, no chewing allowed. “I really like No Chewing Allowed, it’s probably my favorite store, ” says Victoria Choi, a student at Clinton. There is always something else to try, which makes it difficult to get bored of.
Its location also makes it ideal for people to reach. The Union Square subway station leads you directly to the market. And since it is only a block away from Clinton, students have more than enough time to explore its options for lunch or simply browse the vendors in their free time.
Yet even with all this, the market isn’t perfect. You cannot escape the crowds of tourists, students, or commuters leaving the subway station. This makes it hard to explore for yourself, so it would be helpful to have a map or a plan of which stalls you will visit ahead of time. But even when you do reach the stalls, the prices are high, which is hard for students to deal with. For instance, Victoria says, “I would never buy a $24 Dubai chocolate cup, no matter how good it is.” Remembering this and preparing for these challenges will make your visit significantly easier.
Otherwise, the Union Square holiday market is a perfect place to visit during the holiday season to grab a hot chocolate. It has a vendor for every occasion, want, or need. It is perfect for tourists who want a taste of New York or students who need a snack after a long school day. As Victoria said, “I love all the decorations, and it just feels so festive!”