5 Free Brooklyn Christmas Tree Lighting Festivities to Enjoy This Holiday Season

Brooklyn is about to light up as Christmas tree lighting ceremonies flip the switch on the holiday season. Across the borough you can find gatherings with food, music and appearances by Santa.

In chronological order, here are just a few of the events taking place.

1. Sunset Park 5th Avenue BID
Corner of 60th Street and 5th Avenue
Friday, November 29, 4 to 6 p.m.
Sunset Park is starting things off before December hits with a chance to get your photo taken with an elf on a trolley parked on 5th Avenue. There will be music and goodie bags for the first 100 children. The tree will light up at 6 p.m.

2. Lott House
1940 East 36th Street, Marine Park
Saturday, December 7, 2 to 6 p.m.

The Friends of Lott House will be celebrating the Dutch roots of the 18th century farmhouse with a visit from Sinterklaas at their annual outdoor tree lighting. There will be family-friendly games and crafts, music from local school choirs and abook signing with Tom Campanella, author of Brooklyn: The Once and Future City.

3. Fort Greene Park
Fort Greene Park, near the Myrtle Avenue and St. Edwards Street entrance
Sunday, December 8, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Myrtle Avenue businesses will be supplying cookies and cocoa to get everyone in the mood to meet Santa and cheer as the lights flicker to life. There will be live music and selfies with Santa and you can help the festive spirit by bringing a new, unwrapped toy for the toy drive. The event is hosted by the Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership and the Fort Greene Park Conservancy.

4. Dumbo Tree Lighting
Pearl Street Triangle
Thursday, December 5, 4 to 7 p.m.
The Dumbo Improvement District is sponsoring a jam-packed event that promises Santa, calypso music, festive projections on the Manhattan Bridge and performances by local school choirs. This tree lighting also has an opportunity to give back — you can bring a new, unwrapped toy for the Big Brooklyn Holiday Toy Drive or a coat in good condition for the New York Cares Coat Drive.

5. Atlantic Avenue Tree Lighting
St. Cyril of Turov Belarusian Church, 401 Atlantic Avenue, Boerum Hill
Thursday, December 5, 6 to 8 p.m.
The air will be filled with the sound of music for the Atlantic Avenue celebration. There will be caroling along the avenue, performances from local schoolchildren and a DJ providing tunes for a family dance party. Santa will be there to celebrate, along with local elected officials.

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