Through the lens: Brooklyn Paper’s most striking, surprising and unforgettable photos of 2025
Compiled by Gabriele HoltermannPosted on
From protests and politics to parades, fires and fleeting moments of joy, Brooklyn Paper photographers captured the scenes that defined life across the borough in 2025.
Clockwise from left: By Gabriele Holtermann, Lloyd Mitchell, Erica Price & Paul Frangipane
Brooklyn in 2025 moved fast — and our photographers were there to catch it.
From the streets of Gowanus to the shores of Coney Island, these images tell the story of a year shaped by civic engagement, cultural tradition and community response.
The news played out vividly through the lens. Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani appeared alongside U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders at a Starbucks union rally, while protests at Grand Army Plaza, the Brooklyn Navy Yard and Sunset Park underscored Brooklyn’s role as a hub of political action. Election night celebrations, arrests during demonstrations and vigils outside detention centers reflected a borough deeply engaged in the issues of the moment.
Just as prominent were Brooklyn’s enduring traditions and public life. Coney Island anchored the year with sand sculpting contests, the Mermaid Parade, the Cyclone’s reopening and Joey Chestnut’s latest Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest victory. Neighborhood festivals, parades and cultural events filled streets and parks, offering moments of levity and continuity.
The year was also marked by crisis and recovery. Firefighters battled multiple five-alarm blazes, 9/11 commemorations honored lives lost and first responders, and environmental efforts — from beach grass plantings to the release of a rehabilitated sea turtle — pointed toward resilience and renewal.
Here are some of Brooklyn Paper’s boldest, most striking and most unforgettable images of the year:
Crews from Engine Company 255 and Tower Ladder 157 respond to heavy fire conditions at 1005 East 38th St. in Flatbush as temperatures drop to 8 degrees.Photo by Lloyd MitchellFirefighters encrusted in ice work amid sub-freezing temperatures during a three-alarm fire in Flatbush.Photo by Lloyd MitchellMayor-elect Zohran Mamdani and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont join striking Starbucks union baristas in Gowanus, Brooklyn on Dec. 1.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannThe cold waters were no match for this super couple.Photo by Erica PriceThe method of madness for many was a quick dash in and out.Photo by Erica PriceConey Islanders laid The Coney to rest with a celebratory funeral on Sept. 29.Photo by Paul Frangipane“Mourners” pay tribute to the rejected Coney Island casino plan at a mock funeral.Photo by Paul FrangipaneCouncil Member Shahana Hanif celebrates her primary victory with supporters at The Commissioner in Park Slope.Photo by Paul FrangipaneSupporters of City Council Member Shahana Hanif celebrate during her primary election night watch party.Photo by Paul FrangipaneCity Council Member Shahana Hanif embraces City Council Member Sandy Nurse during Hanif’s primary election night watch party at The Commissioner in Park Slope on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.Photo by Paul FrangipaneThe beekeepers carefully shake the bees into the hive. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannMore than 200 firefighters worked through the night to bring the blaze under control.Photo by Lloyd MitchellFirefighters operates a tower ladder after a firefighters went defensive on a five alarm fire at 481 Van Burnt Street on Thursday, Sept 18.Red Hook artists and businesses are coming together after a devastating five-alarm fire.Photo by Lloyd MitchellMany of the warehouse’s windows shattered, and the street was littered with burnt debris and firehoses on Friday.Photo courtesy of David Singh/Lanoba DesignDogs and their owners gather in Fort Greene Park for the annual Great Pupkin costume contest, one of Brooklyn’s most beloved fall traditions.Photo by Erica PriceThe beach at Coney Island turned into a temporary art gallery during the 33rd annual Coney Island Sand Sculpting Competition on Aug. 16.Photo by Erica PriceTony Cusicanqui at Coney Island’s annual sand sculpting contest.Photo by Erica PriceJoey Chestnut celebrates his 17th Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest win, eating 70.5 hot dogs in 10 minutes on July 4, 2025.Photo by Lloyd MitchellA pair of runners high five after crossing the finish line.Photo by Erica PriceThrill-seekers enjoy one of the first rides of the season on the iconic Coney Island Cyclone at Luna Park’s 2025 reopening.Photo by Erica PriceWenzel W barrels down 17th Street on the Tron Bike during the 18th annual South Slope Derby on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. The event, hosted by Open Source Gallery and KoKo NYC is the culmination of a workshop where kids get to build their own racers.Tatianna Mack, art liaison for the Tanya Weddemire Gallery, debuts her first curated exhibition, ‘I GOT A STORY TO TELL,’ on view at the gallery through March 8.Photo by Paul FrangipaneThe 2025 Ragamuffin Parade.Photo by Arthur de GaetaThousands of visitors filled Third Avenue Sunday for the 52nd Annual Third Avenue Festival in Bay Ridge.Photo by Arthur de GaetaMiles of dedication: runners keep Chris Hoban’s memory alive as they navigate the course.Photo by Arthur de GaetaCommunity members celebrated the new ferry service between Staten Island and Bay Ridge.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannCouncil Members Kamillah Hanks, left, and Justin Brannan have long championed the restoration of ferry service between Staten Island and Bay Ridge.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannCaribbean Americans celebrate West Indian culture at the 58th West Indian American Day Parade. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannSenator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) and democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani (D-Queens) held a town hall as part of Sen. Sanders’s “Fighting Oligarchy tour at Brooklyn College. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannThe Memorial Wall dedicated to 9/11 related illnesses bears the names of 402 FDNY members.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannThe twin beams of the Tribute in Light shine over the New York City skyline, honoring all those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terror attacks.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannCaptain Liam Flaherty of Rescue Company 2 addresses firefighters, families and guests during the 9/11 commemoration.Photo by Lloyd MitchellJosh Pesin hold a photo of his friend, NYPD officer John William Perry who died on 9/11. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannFirefighters work to remove a resident of the building.Photo by Lloyd MitchellHundreds of students planted beach grass along the Coney Island Creek shoreline last month to protect the nabe against flooding.Photo by Erica PriceBusta Rhymes (center) attends “The People’s Runway” fashion show with his sons T’ziah Wood-Smith and Trilian Wood-Smith. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannBrooklyn designers took center stage at ‘The People’s Runway,’ part of New York Fashion Week.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannA model walks the runway showcasing the work by designer Kent Anthony. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannFDNY firefighters work around a fire hydrant blocked by a parked car while battling a house fire in Sunset Park on Sunday afternoon.Photo by Lloyd MitchellProtesters gather outside the Brooklyn Navy Yard every week, calling for the removal of two BNY tenants they say have ties to the Israeli military.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannPerformers from the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus dazzle the crowd with a two-hour, 19th-century Victorian-themed spectacular at Green-Wood Cemetery.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannLifters had their work cut out for them lifting the Giglio in its original spot. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannMichael “Kaves” McLeer sits on the famed Bay Ridge bench, dedicated to “Saturday Night Fever” and “all the Brooklyn dreamers.”Photo by Gabriele HoltermannThe 12th Station of the Cross depicts Jesus dying on the Cross. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannBishop Robert Brennan reflected on the life and legacy of Pope Francis. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannCatholics gather for a memorial Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. James in Brooklyn to honor the life and legacy of Pope Francis, who died Monday at age 88.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannCreativity takes over Brooklyn Public Library’s Central Branch as fashion lovers gather for the sixth annual People’s Ball.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannDeed theft victim Rachel Cyprien has been fighting for 15 years to get her deed back. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannDumbo impersonator warmed up the crowd before the drop.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannSuffolk’s four-legged teammate, Spot, climbs stairs with ease while gathering real-time progress updates.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannSunny’s Bar owner Tone Johansen described the Brooklyn waterfront staple as “people-focused” and free of gimmicks.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannHundreds of colorful groups marched through Coney Island’s streets in the 43rd annual Mermaid Parade on Saturday, June 21.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannSea creatures took over the Coney Island boardwalk at the annual Mermaid Parade.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannBambi the Mermaid called the parade the “high holy day” for creatives.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannKing Neptune and Queen Queenie join Coney Island USA artistic director Adam Rinn for the traditional summer season blessing at Coney Island’s beach.File photo by Erica PriceThe Mermaid Parade draws thousands, with colorful groups marching through Coney Island’s streets and along the boardwalk.File photo by Erica PriceThe Mermaid Parade draws thousands, with colorful groups marching through Coney Island’s streets and along the boardwalk.File photo by Erica PriceFourth Avenue at the Park Slope–Gowanus border, a spot known to flood during heavy rain, remained dry during Thursday’s downpour.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannSome tried to stay dry with trash bags serving as makeshift raincoats.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannProtesters gather at Grand Army Plaza during the “Families Stand Up for Gaza” rally calling for humanitarian aid and policy change.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannAn NYPD officer arrests state Assembly Member Marcela Mitaynes.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannElton, a rescued Kemp’s ridley sea turtle, heads back to the Atlantic Ocean after his release at Coney Island Beach on Aug. 6, following months of rehabilitation.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannU.S. Rep. Dan Goldman is demanding an answer from BOP as to why his request to tour MDC was denied.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannActivists with Indivisble Brooklyn held a candle light vigil outside U.S. Rep. Nicolai Malliotakis’s office for immigrants in ICE custody. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannHistory buff Antoine Watts plays the fife. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannProtesters are arrested after staging a sit-in that blocked the entrance to the Brooklyn Navy Yard.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannCommunity groups and activists joined a ‘Stand Against ICE’ march and rally in Sunset Park. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannLeaders and members of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Indivisible Brooklyn gather for their weekly “Vigil for Democracy” outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannLeaders and members of the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church and Indivisible Brooklyn gather for their weekly “Vigil for Democracy” outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannActor and activist George Takei talks about the power of books and the danger of censorship at a Banned Books Week 2025 event at the Central Brooklyn Public Library.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannLion dancers make their way through Industry City blessing businesses during the Lunar New Year on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.From left: H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth, and New York City Commissioner for International Affairs Aissata Camara attend the bicentennial celebration of Norwegian immigrants at Pier 16 in New York City.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannHundreds of pizza lovers gathered at Fornino on Pier 6 for Pizza on the Pier, a fundraiser supporting New Yorkers facing food insecurity.Photo by Paul FrangipaneModels showcase designs by six Brooklyn-based creators during the third annual “A Very Brooklyn Fashion Show” at brooklynONE Productions in Industry City on Oct. 15, part of Fashion Week Brooklyn.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannSidney Fisher of the ASPCA said pet adoption helps free up space and resources for other animals in need.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannBrooklyn food pantries and community fridges are bracing for the SNAP freeze expected to begin on Nov. 1.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannBrooklyn resident Carlos Calzadilla-Palacio voted in the 2025 mayoral elecion. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannKayla Santosuosso celebrates her victory in southern Brooklyn’s Council District 47 race with boss and sitting Council Member Justin Brannan at Salty Dog on election night.Photo by Gabriele HoltermannSpeed-limiting devices — known as intelligent speed assistance, or ISA, technology — would be installed in the cars of drivers who have 16 or more speed camera tickets in a year, or who accumulate 11 or more points on their license within 18 months. Photo by Gabriele HoltermannBernie’s Bait and Tackle keeps a year-round staff of 13 — a rarity for a 70-year-old neighborhood shop that prides itself on longtime employees and close community ties.Photo by Erica PriceNYSNA nurses rallied outside Maimonides Medical Center for a fair contract. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
