The holiday season is in full swing in Brooklyn, starting off last week with the annual tree lighting at Downtown’s Albee Square. Don’t fret if you missed it — the next few weeks are chock-full of lights, singing, and cheer in every corner of the borough.
Tuesday, Nov 23
Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation Tree Lighting: AALDC will host their annual tree lighting and celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 6 pm. Join the LDC, Councilmember Stephen Levin and councilmember-elect Lincoln Restler, and perhaps future council candidate Santa Claus to light up the night and celebrate the start of the festive season. The Select Choir of Brooklyn High School of the Arts will follow with a performance. If that’s not quite enough cheer, LDC has a whole host of holiday events coming up, including their annual toy drive and holiday window decorating competition.
Saturday, Nov. 27
Small Business Saturday Tree Lighting, Park Slope: The slope kicks off their festivities just after Thanksgiving with the annual Fifth Avenue tree lighting. Head over to the J.J. Byrne Playground at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Fourth Street on at 4:30 pm on Saturday, Nov. 27 for singing, a bubble display, art, and steel drumming and stilt walkers from Tropical Fete, and a meet-and-greet with old Saint Nick himself before the lights turn on at 6 pm.
Sunday, Nov. 28
Chabad of Park Slope, Largest Menorah in Brooklyn: Celebrate the first night of Chanukah by lighting the largest menorah in Brooklyn at Grand Army Plaza. Festivities begin at 4 pm with music, fresh hot latkes and gifts for the kids ahead of the lighting of the first candle. Festivities continue for each of the eight nights of Chanukah, until Sunday, Dec. 5. Check online for start times, not every evening is the same!
Monday, Nov. 29
Marine Park Alliance Menorah Lighting: The Marine Park Alliance is celebrating all month long, starting last week with a Diwali celebration and continuing with a menorah lighting on the second night of Chanukah. Rabbi Heidi Hoover from Temple B’SHert leads the ceremony and tells the story of Chanukah before lighting the candles. The event begins at 5pm at the Carmine Carro Center inside Marine Park.
Thursday, Dec. 2
NIA Tree Lighting, Shore Road Park: Carolers, Santa, and snacks make for a fine evening at the Shore Road Park Gazebo at NIA’s Christmas tree lighting, hosted in partnership with Councilmember Justin Brannan and state Sen. Andrew Gounardes. Head to 90th Street and Shore Road at 6 pm to join in on free festive fun right at the start of the jolliest month of the year. If you want to feel like Santa yourself, join NIA and Reaching Out Community Services for their annual Christmas Operation Smiles toy drive by dropping off an unwrapped toy with NIA or Reaching Out by Dec. 16.
DUMBO Improvement District Tree Lighting: DUMBO’s 15th annual lighting is packed with entertainment and events, from Calypso music from Jah Pan, Christmas covers with Curtis J. Social and even-more-cheerful cheerleaders from PS 307 and Dock Street Middle School. Enjoy donated cookies, sweets and hot cocoa, animated projections on the Manhattan Bridge, and, of course, a visit and photo op with the man in the red suit. The event runs from 4-7 pm at the Pearl Street Triangle at Water Street between Pearl Street and Anchorage Place, and the main event happens promptly at 5:30 pm. Don’t forget to bring coats, unwrapped toys and nonperishables to donate while you’re there!
Red Hook Lobster Trap Tree Lighting: Looking for something a little less conventional? The Red Hook Lobster Pound has you covered with their lobster trap tree lighting. Celebrations kick off at 6 pm with complementary snacks and drinks and the tree gets lit at 7. If you want to stick around for dinner afterward, be sure to make a reservation online to make sure there will be claws available for you to nosh on.
Friday, Dec 3
NIA & Investors Bank Tree Lighting: Dyker Heights is well known for their decked-out streets come December, but Investors Bank is once again getting in on the cheer this year. Carolers, candy canes, and more make the tree lighting and holiday ceremony all the better at 7474 14th Ave. at 6pm.
Tuesday, Dec. 7
NIA Dyker Park Tree Lighting: NIA is dedicated to spreading holiday cheer all through the borough: join them for a night of fun and festivities at the Dyker Park tree lighting at the corner of 86th Street and 14th Avenue at 6 pm. Sing carols, snag some festive treats, and get in the spirit alongside your south Brooklyn neighbors.
Wednesday, Dec. 8
If a tree lighting isn’t quite enough action, Holiday Happenings at Brooklyn Commons has you covered with live ice carvings from 4-6 pm. Watch artists from Okatomo Studios carve dogs from blocks of ice right in front of your eyes, but be sure to pick your favorites before they melt away. The Holiday Village at the Commons opens up on Dec. 1, so be sure to take a stroll through when you’ve had your fill of ice — there will be a selection of artisanal vendors for all your gift-giving needs, an ice rink, and, of course, a tree.
Thursday, Dec. 9
Festival of Lights, Marine Park Alliance: Decorate and light up an evergreen tree with the Marine Park Alliance to celebrate the season and the flora that stays green year-round with Bergen Beach Youth and Millennium Development. Meet at the Carmine Carro Center at 4 pm.
Sunday, Dec. 19
Festival of Lights, Marine Park Alliance: Celebrate the celestial bodies lighting up the December sky with park rangers at Marine Park and learn about the winter solstice and the shortest day of the year — and the turn towards the daylight stretching a little longer each day after Dec. 21. Gather at 5 pm at the Carmine Carro Center.
Monday, Dec. 27
Festival of Lights, Marine Park Alliance: The Alliance is back with one last event to celebrate Kwanzaa with the Brooklyn College department of Africana Studies. Learn about and celebrate the holiday and its seven principles at 5 pm at the Carmine Carro Center.
Did we miss a lighting? Let us know! Contact author Kirstyn Brendlen at kbrendlen@schnepsmedia.com.
