The Happy Holiday Handmade Market is coming back to Historic Downtown Jersey City in 2025. This event has become one of the area’s most anticipated winter traditions.
For two festive weekends in December, Newark Avenue and Grove Street will transform into a holiday hub. The market brings together handcrafted gifts, local food, and live entertainment, all while shining a spotlight on the creative energy of our city’s small businesses.
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Happy Holiday Handmade Market 2025: Dates, Locations & Atmosphere
The Historic Downtown Special Improvement District (HDSID) will host the market across two weekends: December 13–14 and December 20–21. More than 150 artisans will rotate through two different venues, each with its own vibe but both unmistakably downtown Jersey City.
The first spot is the open-air Grove Street PATH Plaza. It sits just steps from the PATH station and transforms into a seasonal streetscape of twinkling lights, tents, music, and a steady buzz of shoppers searching for the perfect local find.
Grove Street PATH Plaza: A Festive Holiday Village
At Grove Street, the market goes all-in on the classic outdoor winter experience. About 50 rotating vendors will fill the plaza each day, creating a lively corridor of makers selling everything from candles and ceramics to vinyl records and kids’ apparel.
The organizers are curating a full holiday atmosphere:
The vendor list changes daily. No two visits are exactly the same, which keeps things fresh and gives regulars something new to discover each time.
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The Ashford Rooftop: Cozy, Curated & Indoors
If you prefer your holiday shopping with heat lamps, cocktails, and skyline views, the second market location is for you. The winterized rooftop at The Ashford, at 145 Newark Avenue, offers a more intimate, lounge-like take on the seasonal market.
This heated rooftop space highlights a curated selection of 20+ artisans with a focus on quality, design, and giftability. It’s quieter than the plaza, perfect for lingering over drinks and browsing at a slower pace.
Seasonal Cocktails, Brunch & Free Gift Wrapping
The Ashford’s rooftop setting brings some perks you don’t usually see at a holiday market. Shoppers can expect:
The artisan roster rotates here too. Some names you might run into include Nicknack Ceramics, IndieVynl, Hudson City Kids, and BabaBoogs Candles.
Artisans, Pop-Ups & Community Impact
The Happy Holiday Handmade Market stands out for its mission. HDSID wants to pull shoppers away from anonymous online carts and back toward local, human-scale commerce.
You’ll find everything from handmade jewelry and ceramics to art prints, home fragrances, and kids’ apparel. Organizers are also adding special pop-ups and community-focused extras on select dates:
The market is free to attend, family-friendly, and open to anyone who wants to browse, shop, or just soak up the atmosphere.
Access, Transit & Why It Matters for Jersey City
The market sits right at the Grove Street PATH Plaza, making it super easy to reach. With the station just steps from the tents, visitors from Hoboken, Newark, and Manhattan can roll in without needing a car.
It’s a hassle-free seasonal trip for anyone curious about getting to Jersey City by transit. Out-of-towners spending the weekend can find Jersey City hotels nearby, so the market’s just a short walk from the waterfront, street art, and a bunch of new restaurants.
Honestly, it’s the perfect starting point for exploring different city districts, whether you’re into the historic downtown grid or the artsy Powerhouse zone. Local tourism and economic groups see the holiday season as the best chance to show off things to do in Jersey City that go way beyond the skyline.
This kind of market helps small businesses and brings new faces to neighborhood favorites—coffee shops, galleries, and restaurants that turn a quick shopping trip into a full day out. If you’re planning a December visit and wondering where to stay in Jersey City, the Historic Downtown area is hard to beat for walkability.
The PATH, the market, and a dense cluster of dining and nightlife all sit within a few blocks. In a way, the Happy Holiday Handmade Market isn’t just a seasonal event—it feels like a winter gateway to everything that makes Jersey City tick.
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Here is the source article for this story: HDSID’s Happy Holiday Handmade Market Returns to Jersey City for TWO Weekends
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