UNION SQUARE — It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Union Square.
The square's annual Holiday Market, inspired by Christmas Markets in Germany, opened Thursday — another sign that the season has snuck up on us.
The market runs until Christmas Eve and offers shoppers a chance to browse hundreds of booths selling homemade crafts and tasty treats.
► More: See DNAinfo Partners' Neighborhood Picks in the 2016 Holiday Guide
This year, shoppers can expect to find trinkets like Murano glass figurines, hand puppets and Christmas ornaments filled with living plants.
Some of the unique Christmas gifts on offer include wine cork art, candles made from old camera film, personalized stuffed animals and shirts with sewn-in LED lights.
The market is also known for its food vendors. This year, check out the tomato-sauce covered meatballs at Dan Marcini's Meatball Obsession, French cheeses at La Montagne Des Saveurs and vegetarian soups at Saeed Pourkay's Taste of Persia.
Market regulars like Sigmund's pretzels and crepes from Bar Suzette will also return.
The Union Square Holiday Market is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. Enter from Union Square's southern side.
