Open air X-mas markets

[Donatelo]

I heard that there are some interesting X-mas open air markets. Can anyone give me more info on that? (where, when). I'll be in NY between the 6th and the 12th Dec.

Thks

[Schadenfrau]

The big one is in Union Square.

[NYatKNIGHT]

Another one in Bryant Park.

[NewYorkYankee]

Are these street fairs more or less?

[Canadian]

No. Better quality items, generally & they are confined to one area instead of stretching for blocks.

[Schadenfrau]

Street fairs are more about food and bongs shaped like Darth Vader or something. The holiday markets are more about gifts that you can't use to smoke pot.

[NewYorkYankee]

Ha, Okay, sounds good, I may have to check one out! Since Im living in New York now my relatives are expecting high end things. Brands such as Gucci, Fendi, and Armani are on the top of their lists.

[Schadenfrau]

Are they talking about knockoffs or the real thing? You're going to find neither at the holiday markets.

[ryan]

I didn't pay a lot of attention, but I remember a lot of cra(ps)fts at the holiday fair. And it was in the way.

Fake label stuff is much more fun. I took my out of town cousin to Canal and followed a silent woman with an umbrella down broadway to an abandoned-looking storefront where we were ushered into our own booth full of plastic knockoffs. It all felt much more dangerous and fun than it should have.

[Donatelo]

Thank you. I'll try it.
The big one is in Union Square.

[Donatelo]

Thks 4 the tip.

Another one in Bryant Park.

[ryan]

Fake label stuff is much more fun. I took my out of town cousin to Canal and followed a silent woman with an umbrella down broadway to an abandoned-looking storefront where we were ushered into our own booth full of plastic knockoffs. It all felt much more dangerous and fun than it should have.
Someone PM'd me for details on how to find the fake stuff in Chinatown, so I thought I would reply here for the benefit(?) of all. It's hard to miss knock-off peddlers if you walk down Canal St. in Chinatown, but if you're having trouble, just start looking at any old stuff being sold, or try making eye contact. We found our guide (above) by saying yes to some guy who was muttering "Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci." He pointed at our guide who then took us to the "store."

[NewYorkYankee]

Are they talking about knockoffs or the real thing? You're going to find neither at the holiday markets.

They want the real thing.

[Schadenfrau]

You're not going to find any of that in an open-air market. The real thing is pretty much only sold at boutiques and department stores.

If they're asking you to spend thousands of your own money, tell them to go online and buy it themselves.

http://www.gucci.com/

http://www.fendi.com/

http://www.giorgioarmani.com/index.html

[ryan]

Or tell them to go to an outlet mall.