Experience Winter Solstice Magic At Harlem Night Market This Weekend

HARLEM, NY — Uptowners looking for a place to partake in seasonal joy or do some last-minute holiday shopping are in luck: the Harlem Night Market at La Marqueta is returning for one last time at the Park Avenue Viaduct this weekend.

The market, which will run this Saturday from 3-7 p.m. at El Barrio's historic market space, will feature local food vendors, and artisans selling perfect gifts galore.

This weekend's market will also feature a dance floor, with live DJ sets from Uptown Vinyl Supreme and Stormin' Norman, along with one of those 360 video photo booths that are all the rage.

Since it's the Winter Solstice on Saturday — the longest, darkest night of the year — the market will also be going extra hard, with a traditional Puerto Rican parranda starting at 4 p.m. from Los Pleneros de la 21, followed by a jazz jam with Blue Note saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins.

According to the market's organizers, there will also be oversized golf carts (!) and craft workshops from Harlem Needle Arts and Urban Garden Center.

For those looking to do some good, the market also features a 'Giving Tree' where people can shop for gifts for individuals affected by gender-based violence.

The holiday market is hosted by Uptown Grand Central, TBo (The Best Of) Harlem and the NYC Economic Development Corporation.

“Since its start as one of New York City’s public markets in the 1930s, La Marqueta has
achieved a storied status as the heart of entrepreneurship for East Harlem and all of Uptown,” Carey King, director of Uptown Grand Central, said.

“For nearly a century now, these blocks under the rumbling Park Avenue train tracks have launched thousands of entrepreneurs with great products and great ideas. It’s our honor to be a part of showcasing that vibrancy for the holidays.”

The night market is located at 112th Street and Park Avenue from 3-7 p.m. on Saturday.

For questions and tips, email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.