‘Tis the season in Brooklyn — and we’re not just talking about the Dyker Heights Christmas Lights.
From Downtown Brooklyn to Marine Park and beyond, pockets of Kings County are ushering in the holiday season with dazzling tree-lighting ceremonies, bringing communities together for music, treats and festive fun.
Here’s some of what you may have missed in South Brooklyn as the holiday season kicked off:
Cannonball Park
The festivities began early in South Brooklyn with the first tree lighting of the season at John Paul Jones Park, also known as Cannonball Park, on Tuesday, Dec. 3. The Xaverian Choir and Band filled the air with holiday classics, and members of the Guild for Exceptional Children led the crowd in joyful carols, and Santa’s booming “ho, ho, ho!” echoed through the park as children eagerly posed for photos beside him.
Residents counted down together, lighting the towering Christmas tree and marking the start of a season full of joy and togetherness. The celebration was hosted by Council Member Justin Brannan and state Sens. Andrew Gounardes and Iwen Chu.
Owl’s Head Park
On Wednesday, Dec. 4, Owl’s Head Park in Bay Ridge transformed into a winter wonderland for its annual Christmas tree lighting.
The event, hosted by Bay Ridge Cares, Council Member Justin Brannan, and the New York City Parks Department, offered live music by DJ Mr. Kid, gifts for children, and caroling to spread holiday cheer. The Bay Ridge Ballet also put on a special holiday performance.
Parks Commissioner Marty Mahr joined in the festivities, and Santa Claus made a special appearance, delighting kids eager to share their holiday wishes. Family members of the late Police Officer Christopher Hoban, a Bay Ridge native and 1980 Xaverian alum who died during an undercover narcotics operation in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, helped count down the lighting.
Carey Gardens Cornerstone
The holiday spirit was alive at Carey Gardens Cornerstone on Thursday, Dec. 5, where neighbors gathered to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa with tree, menorah, and kinara lightings.
The children from the Cornerstone Afterschool Program sang carols with their program director, Leonard Campbell, while the South Brooklyn Royals Drum Band performed for the crowd. Kids spoke about the significance of the different holidays — Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah — and what they mean to their families.
The NIA Carey Gardens Cornerstone Holiday Celebration concluded with Santa turning on the tree lights, as well as the menorah and kinara, all for attendees to enjoy while sipping hot chocolate. The corner of Surf Avenue and West 24th Street was filled with music, laughter and the warm glow of holiday lights as residents kicked off the season together.
With reporting by Arthur de Gaeta
