Holidays at Essex Market
Essex Market hosted a suite of holiday programs for the community celebrating the unique cultural traditions of the Lower East Side from coquito classes, to Hanukkah, to Santa coming to town.
Santa Claus Visits Essex Market with Puppetsburg
Essex Market welcomed Santa Claus for a magical holiday celebration in partnership with Puppetsburg Brooklyn, bringing festive cheer to families throughout the Lower East Side community.
Puppetsburg Brooklyn, known for their enchanting puppet performances and interactive children's entertainment, helped create a memorable experience for young visitors. Children had the opportunity to meet Santa, share their holiday wishes, and enjoy the whimsical puppetry that Puppetsburg is celebrated for throughout the borough.
Postres de la Navidad with La Cocina de Loisaida, Maria Bido, Loisaida Center
For the holidays, Essex Market and the Lower East Side Partnership teamed up to host Postres de la Navidad, a sweet night dedicated to traditional Puerto Rican desserts.
The class included time to enjoy the dishes prepared together as a group. The menu featured Coquito (Puerto Rican holiday drink), Arroz con Dulce (rice pudding), Tembleque (coconut milk pudding), and Flan de Queso (cheese flan).
La Cocina de Loisaida takes place in the Essex Kitchen, Essex Market’s demonstration and teaching kitchen on the mezzanine level. The series is presented in partnership with The Loisaida Center with the shared mission of preserving and passing down culinary heritage from the Lower East Side community.
Hanukkah with Museum at Eldridge Street and Mamala
Essex Market partnered with the Museum at Eldridge Street and Mamala to celebrate Hanukkah, honoring the rich Jewish heritage of the Lower East Side.
Mamala, home of the Matzomale™, Yentanada™, and Knosh, brought their unique culinary perspective to the celebration. Inspired by the food influences of 1980's NYC via the Lower East Side and Flushing, Queens, Mamala's fusion approach perfectly embodied the neighborhood's diverse cultural tapestry.
The celebration took place on the third night of Hanukkah, where attendees gathered to light the menorah candles together. The collaboration with the Museum at Eldridge Street, a historic synagogue and cultural center, and Mamala's innovative take on Jewish-inspired cuisine, created an authentic and memorable experience that connected visitors to the neighborhood's deep Jewish roots while celebrating its contemporary creative spirit.
Three Kings Day
Essex Market celebrated Three Kings Day with a special toy drive bringing joy to children in the Lower East Side community. The event honored the Latin American tradition of Día de los Reyes, commemorating the Three Wise Men's visit.
Community members generously donated toys that were distributed to local families, keeping alive the cherished tradition of gift-giving on January 6th. The toy drive served as a wonderful culmination of the market's holiday programming, reinforcing Essex Market's role as a cultural hub for the diverse Lower East Side neighborhood.