You'd think that with the two month warning of seasonal spirit overload this city delivers every year, we'd be better at preparing for Christmas.
But of course, Black Friday has come and gone and we bet you didn't take advantage of any of those super sales to cross any names off your holiday gift list.
Lucky for us, the only thing New York City loves more than capitalism is holiday-themed capitalism.
This weekend alone, there are nearly a dozen markets, pop-ups, and other holiday themed parties (if you're the daywalkers among us who get sh*t done in advance) for you to hit up.
Holiday hype not your thing? We still gotchu.
But remember, the quicker you're done shopping for everyone else, the quicker you can go back to buying stuff for yourself.
Friday, December 2nd
1. Holiday Vintage Pop-up Show
Manhattan Vintage Clothing shows feature NYC's greatest collections of vintage clothing, accessories, and antique textiles.
At their Holiday Pop-up, browse 25 top vintage clothing and accessories vendors to snag the perfect gift for your favorite retro gal or guy. They'll be open Friday, from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. and Saturday, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m.
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Head to MILK Garage at 451 West 14th Street, tickets are $10 online and $15 at the door, so grab yours in advance.
2. Soft Swerve's Grand Opening
Welcome Allen Street's newest dessert shop to the neighborhood– Soft Swerve serves premium soft serve ice cream that comes in flavors like ube, matcha, black sesame, strawberry shortcake, and more. For their grand opening they'll be offering an opening day special of 50% off their entire menu.
Also, if you follow them on Instagram, they'll be randomly announcing a limited run of FREE ICE CREAM. Find them at 85B Allen Street.
How are we supposed to be cultured if a beer at happy hour is $6 and museum admission is $18?
If you’re sick of the people at the Met glaring at you when you push over $1 to get in, definitely head down to The Frick, a smaller set of galleries that you can see for FREE every first Friday evening of the month– tomorrow, in this case.
The free hours run from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. and you can find the The Frick Collection in a beautiful 5th Avenue mansion at 1 East 70th Street.
Saturday, December 3rd
4. Slim Cinema
Living in NYC, we’re in constant movement. Any visual imagery with a message such as ads and billboards have to grab our attention instantaneously.
The idea of Slim Cinema is constructed in the same context. Many of the visual artists who wish to embark on the vertical film experience have to showcase a unique and creative eye for storytelling.
This year’s Winter Vertical Film Festival will include 8 to 10 films chosen from the 30 submissions. Driven by an audience vote, the winner will get $2,000 cash. It'll be hosted at Genius Event Space at 92 3rd Street in Brooklyn.
The festival will also include curated and live art from local artists, and 2 DJ sets to lay in the soundtrack. There will also be an open bar courtesy of Ciroc & Bronx Brewery and food provided by NYC’s own Bareburger.
You can check out our conversation with Michael Liu, the brains behind Slim Cinema, here. Don't forget to snag your tickets, too. Use the code "SPOILEDNYC" for 30% off!
This might be your first Ugly Sweater party of the season but it probably won't be the last. So go dig your Cos– UGLY, we mean UGLY sweater out of your closet (or your father's) and join this huge bar crawl.
A few of the bars selling registration have sold out already, but you can still hit up Pourhouse at 64 3rd Avenue (across from Webster Hall) for tix. Your ticket comes with a LED light-up wristband, an event wristband, a mug, or a t-shirt– basically, something that'll let the bartenders and bar staff know you're speshul.
Sure, you could always just show up at the participating bars as the Ugly Sweaters crawl through, but the organizers, Elite Bar Crawls, negotiated drink specials with the bars for official participants, so you should def try to do that.
6. The Food52 Holiday Market Pop-Up
All weekend, Food52 will be turning their Manhattan home and test kitchen into a winter wonderland. They'll have selections of their kitchen and home favorites for you to browse and shop through and Food52 members ready to help you order them right to your door.
They will also be serving RISE Nitro Cold Brew Coffee all day Friday and Saturday, as well as cooking demos and tastings, cookbook signings, and tons and tons of treats. They'll be open 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. daily, you can find them at 122 West 26th Street.
General admission is free but you can register here.
Find the perfect gift for the bookworms in your life (or yourself) at the 5th annual collaboration between Honey & Wax Booksellers, Unnameable Books, Terrace Books, Enchanted Books, Tom Davidson Bookseller, Brooklyn Books, and Freebird Books & Goods.
Choose from hundreds of collectible rare and unusual books; gift wrapping will be provided by Presence NYC. They'll be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Old Stone House (336 3rd Street, Brooklyn).
Sunday, December 4th
8. The Vinyl Revolution Record Show
Seriously, aren't we the best for basically taking care of holiday shopping for you? You're bound to find gifts for every person you know in Brooklyn here; there will be over 30 dealer tables and thousands of rare and collectible vinyls.
There will also be drink specials all day and food catered by TOUM, including a food truck, caterer, and restaurateur serving authentic Lebanese cuisine.
The Record Show will be raising money to aid BAD BRAINS legend Dr. Know for his medical expenses and additional home-care.
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They'll be raffling off 5 limited edition BAD BRAINS "Live at CBGBs" LP's and 100% of the proceeds will be directly given to help assist with his expenses. If you'd like to learn more, visit the Dr. Know GoFundMe page.
They're setting up shop at littlefield (622 Degraw Street, Brooklyn). Get your tickets here.
9. Saint Vitus Holiday Flea Market
Stop by Saint Vitus Bar (1120 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn) for their annual holiday flea for an amazing selection of handmade and vintage goods including records, books, toys, collectibles, jewelry, clothing, and guitar pedals.
There will also be glamour shots, massages, and drink specials– don't miss the fun!
[Feature Image Courtesy Edible Manhattan]