Weekend Market Picks October 26 & 27, 2013: Halloween at Chelsea Market

Edgar Allen Pumpkin and his Raven friend at Chelsea Market

Edgar Allen Poe Pumpkin and his Raven friend at Chelsea Market

If you’re looking for some Halloween Spirit, look no further than Chelsea Market! Every season, the ghosts, ghouls and zombie babies who inhabit the inner caverns of this old biscuit factory come out and play. There’s something scary around every corner.

Once again, the Manhattan Fruit Exchange has outdone itself with their incredible pumpkin artistry. Check out their pumpkin patch all along the passageway and be astounded by the carved pumpkins stacked throughout.

Obviously, you should go to Chelsea Market for breakfast, lunch or dinner to try all the wonderful foods there. But I’ll let you in on a little secret. The market stays open until about 9PM after the stores have closed, and it’s way scarier at night. Prioritize accordingly.

Weekend Market Picks:

Saturday, October 26, 2013

East Side Community High School MarketPlace: This flea market fund raiser for a study abroad trip for students has now become a weekly event! Stop by and shop for previously loved treasures, as well as handmade items, and hopefully a regular bake sale. 11AM – 5PM, 420 East 12th Street between 1st Street and Avenue A, Manhattan (map)

Grand Army Plaza Greenmarket: One of my favorite big markets, the Grand Army Plaza setting in the fall is beautiful! You can find everything you need from a farmers market and so much more. It’s also a great place to just sit, watch all the people and pat a lot of nice doggies. And it’s a short walk from the new flea at PS 321 (see below). 8AM – 4PM, Prospect Park West & Flatbush Avenue, Brooklyn [map]

Saturday & Sunday, October 26 & 27, 2013

NEW! Brooklyn Flea’s PS 321 Flea Market: I’ve long had a soft spot for this market, which has been a part of Park Slope for years. I know that a lot of neighbors walk right by it after all this time. So I am looking forward to seeing the Brooklyn Flea team work their magic and breath new life into this sweet vintage and flea market that also benefits school programs at PS 321. 10AM – 5PM, 180 Seventh Avenue between 1 + 2 Street, Brooklyn (map)

Chelsea Market: See above! 75 9th Avenue, Manhattan (map)

Factory Floor Market: Almost 40 brilliant New York City furniture and decor designers and makers are participating in this exciting event. There’s music, food trucks and family-friendly activities too. This is the final weekend for this market, at least for now! 10AM – 6PM, 241 37th Street, Brooklyn (map)

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Lower East Side Pickle Day: The LES holds New York’s richest immigrant history, and one can never underestimate the importance of the pickle in this part of town. LES Pickle Day features some of the finest picklers around, as well as dozens of local food and retail vendors all up and down Orchard Street. Whether you’re pickle person or not (and don’t tell anyone if you’re not a pickle person), this is an event you don’t want to miss. 12PM – 5PM, Orchard Street, Manhattan (map)

East Harlem Harvest Festival at Flea Marqueta: More than a good party, this event celebrates great food in a great neighborhood. Bring your kids and your friends and spend the afternoon eating around a beautiful communal table. There will be live music, face painting and shopping from local artisans. Plus beer and a pig roast! Did I mention that it’s a good party? 10AM – 6PM, 1640 Park Avenue at 116th Street, Manhattan (map)

New Amsterdam Market: This month’s market is A Gathering of Fisheries III. Please read the description of this event on the market’s website because it is going to be an amazing day of food and history. 11AM – 4PM, South Street between Beekman Street and Peck Slip, Manhattan (map)

SoHa Square Market & Children’s Monster Ball: Stroll over to Harlem’s west side to enjoy this neighborhood flea and craft market and bring the kids for some fun Halloween activities! The Harlem Food Festival is right next door too! 11AM – 7PM, 2171 Frederick Douglass Boulevard, Manhattan (map)

Enjoy all these wonderful, delicious and surprising market events on this perfect fall weekend!

~Karen Seiger, Markets of New York City