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.

Saturday, November 27

Small Business Saturday Tree Lighting, Park Slope
The slope kicks off their festivities just after Thanksgiving with the annual 5th Avenue tree lighting. Head over to the J.J. Byrne Playground at the corner of 5th Avenue and 4th Street on at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 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 p.m.

menorah in grand army plaza
The menorah at Grand Army Plaza in 2019. Photo by Todd Maisel

Sunday, November 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 p.m. 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, December 5. Check online for start times, not every evening is the same!

Monday, November 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 5 p.m. at the Carmine Carro Center inside Marine Park.

Thursday, December 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 p.m. 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 p.m. 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 p.m. with complementary snacks and drinks and the tree gets lit at 7 p.m. 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.

brooklyn christmas tree lighting dumbo
Photo via Dumbo Improvement District

Friday, December 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 Avenue at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, December 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 p.m. Sing carols, snag some festive treats, and get in the spirit alongside your south Brooklyn neighbors.

Wednesday, December 8

Holiday Happenings, Brooklyn Commons
If a tree lighting isn’t quite enough action, Holiday Happenings at Brooklyn Commons has you covered with live ice carvings from 4-6 p.m. 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 December 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.

santa in downtown brooklyn
A holiday extravaganza at Metrotech Center in 2019. Photo by Todd Maisel

Thursday, December 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 p.m.

Sunday, December 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 December 21. Gather at 5 p.m. at the Carmine Carro Center.

Monday, December 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 p.m. at the Carmine Carro Center.

Editor’s note: A version of this story originally ran in Brooklyn Paper. Click here to see the original story.

Related Stories

Email tips@brownstoner.com with further comments, questions or tips. Follow Brownstoner on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Brooklyn in Your Inbox

* indicates required
 
Subscribe

What's Your Take? Leave a Comment