The holiday spirit was alive and glowing in Canarsie on Dec. 5, as the intersection of East 72nd Street and Avenue K once again transformed into “Christmas Corner,” drawing families together for an evening of lights, music and community cheer.
The annual celebration — now a beloved neighborhood tradition — owes much of its magic to former Brooklyn Democratic Party Boss Frank Seddio, whose name has long been synonymous with over-the-top Christmas displays in southeast Brooklyn. Though Seddio no longer decorates on the massive scale he once did, his influence continues to illuminate the neighborhood.
For decades, Seddio was the force behind Canarsie’s most famous holiday attraction: a dazzling display at his law office at Flatlands Avenue and East 93rd Street. Each year, the building was wrapped in more than 150,000 lights and filled with mechanical figures, moving scenes and inflatable decorations that attracted thousands of visitors and rivaled the most elaborate displays across the five boroughs. The tradition stretched nearly 50 years before dimming in 2021, when Seddio put the historic property up for sale.
Since moving, Seddio has been limited in how much decorating he can personally do. This year — like last — the celebrations found new life thanks to a friend, Austin Ferrazzano, and fellow community members who eagerly carried the torch. After seeing Ferrazzano’s house at 72nd Street and Avenue K fully decked out, Seddio suggested expanding it into something more. “Can I bring the kids from the community here for a little Christmas celebration?” he asked. The answer was an enthusiastic yes.
The result is the “Brooklyn’s Home for the Holidays” celebration, which turned the same corner into a winter wonderland. Many of the mechanical decorations on display — including Santa’s workshop, rooftop reindeer and towering Nutcracker toy soldiers — were donated from Seddio’s renowned Christmas House, allowing pieces of the legendary display to continue spreading joy.
Community leaders joined residents for Friday’s festivities, and children crowded around as Santa Claus arrived to greet them and pose for photos.
The celebration was held in partnership with Community Board 18, Assembly Member Jamie Williams, Council Member Mercedes Narcisse and the NYPD’s 63rd Precinct, and featured live performances by Take A Bow Dance Studio, students from P.S. 203 and P.S. 312 Compass, I.S. 78 SONYC and P.S. 276.
