Get Your Holiday Spirit On.
The arrival of the bone-chilling weather tends to keep us cooped up indoors. The holidays are a time, after all, for warmth, comfort, and cheer with loved ones. There is nothing like holidays in Brooklyn and NYC however. There are plenty of ways to get your holiday spirit on. Fight the winter blues, get into a giving mood, and support local businesses.
Get your Christmas holiday spirit on.
Christmas is a heartwarming holiday about the birth of Jesus, a man who would change the course of history. What better way to get your holiday spirit on than to attend a community Christmas Tree Lighting? Go catch some yuletide cheer!
- The DUMBO Holiday Lighting
Thursday, December 7 | 4-7pm | free | DUMBO Archway
Light off some holiday cheer with loads of festivities: a tree lighting, a menorah lighting, a Santa photobooth, a concert, PS 307 & Dock Street Middle School performances, free hot cocoa and sweet treats, holiday projections, a toy drive for the 84th Precinct’s Operation Sleigh Ride, New York Cares Coat Drive, and food drive for Vinegar Hill Pantry. - Carroll Park Holiday Tree Lighting
Friday, December 8 | 5-7pm | free | Carroll Park
Friends of Carroll Park and the Court Street Merchants host this party. There will be music and refreshments. Santa will make his entrance at 6pm with the lighting of the tree! The City Harvest holiday food drive will be there looking for non-perishable food items. Bring some donations in cans or boxes, but no glass please! - Grand Army Plaza Tree Lighting
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Get your Kwanzaa holiday spirit on!
Tuesday, December 26 – Saturday, December 30 | 10am-5pm | $14-15 admission | Crown Heights
Celebrate the Brooklyn Children’s Museum 16th annual celebration of Kwanzaa at the largest Kwanzaa event in all of NYC. The Brooklyn-based Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation is co-presenting this lively event where you will learn all about the cultural significance of Kwanzaa and its seven principles through workshops, live performances, art projects, candle lighting, and more fun activities! This year celebrates the 50th anniversary of Hip-hop and features special activities that demonstrate its enduring cultural impact.
Is it Hanukkah or Chanukah?
Which ever way you choose to spell it, Hanukkah is one-hecka time! It happens at different times every year because Jewish people follow the lunar calendar. It’s difficult for secular Jews to keep track of, but Brooklynites is here to help. Hanukkah starts after sundown on December 7th this year. Chanukah is yet another way to get your holiday spirit on.
Chanukah is a lighthearted holiday. Its backstory is incredibly sad however. While it’s a bleak, violent story, it’s also a story of unwavering hope amidst darkness. Ancient Israelites were colonized by the Greeks. One day Greeks amassed a Syrian-Greek army of 50,000 soldiers to slaughter the Israelites. A Jewish family called the Maccabees devised a guerilla warfare plan and were successful. The Israelites’ army’s highest recruitment count was 12,000. Despite the odds being against the Israelites’ favor, the small army defended coragiously and forced the Greek troops to retreat.
By the time the last battle was finished, Israelites realized they only had one flask of olive oil with the High Priest seal. There was only enough oil to light the menorah for one night. The oil miraculously lasted for eight nights however, and this is the miracle of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights.
Brooklyn has plenty of ways to get your Hanukkah spirit on.
Get your Chanukah spirit on.
Here are some funukkah Hanukkah events coming up!
- Chabad of Dumbo Chanukah on Ice at Glide BK
Thursday, December 7 | 4:30-5:30pm | DUMBO Join
Chabad of DUMBO celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with ice skating at the brand new rink Glide BK. Email jewishdumbo@gmail.com for tickets. - Chabad of Park Slope’s Grand Army Plaza Chanukah Kickoff Concert + Menorah Lighting Thursday, December 7 | 5pm | free | Park Slope
Light Brooklyn’s largest menorah for the first night of Hanukkah at Grand Army Plaza. Moshe Reuven gives a concert while hot latkes and gifts are provided. Menorah lightings continue for seven more nights. Jews and friends of all backgrounds are welcome! - Chabad of Brooklyn Heights’ Norough Hall Chanukah Kickoff Concert + Menorah Lighting Thursday, December 7 | 5pm | free | Brooklyn Heights
Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with a menorah lighting at Borough Hall with an accompanying Gad Elbaz concert. It begins at 5pm and menorah lightings continue for seven more nights. Jews and friends of all backgrounds are welcome! - Chanukah Donut Decorating at Jewish Children’s Museum
Thursdays, December 7-14 | 11:30am-5pm | $14-17, free for two and under | Crown Heights
Donuts are the official desert of Chanukah. Decorate your own donut at the Jewish Children’s Museum’s Hanukkah bar! - CBE BK Hanukkah Sing-Along+Sensory Sensitive Celebration
Saturday, December 9 | 3-5pm | free with RSVP | Park Slope
CBE’s 3rd annual Youth and Family Great Hanukkah Sing-Along returns with favorite Chanukah tunes followed by a menorah lighting and scrumptious sufganiyot. This event is great for children with special needs, disabilities, and sensory concerns. All ages are welcome to join. - Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Hanukkah Celebration Sunday, December 10 | 7-10pm | $20 adults, $10 kids | Park Slope
Parnering with The Neighborhood: An Urban Center for Jewish Life, BKCM’s annual Chanukah part will feature the Klezmer Big Band of Light, the vocal trio INDIGA, Hanukkah karoake, latkes, a coloring room for kids, and a bar with adult beverages. - JCC Brooklyn Hanukkah Celebration
Sunday, December 10 | 11am-1pm | free with RSVP | Williamburg
Join JCC Brooklyn for Chanukah games, dancing, and face painting. There will be refreshments and music provided by Yonatan. - Chabad of DUMBO’s Chanukah at the Carousel
Monday, December 11 | 4:30-6:30pm | DUMBO
Light up the fifth night of Hanukkah! Chabad of DUMBO lead the celebration at Jane’s Carousel with a menorah lighting, crafts, and carousel rides. Email jewishdumbo@gmail.com for more information. - Dirah Brooklyn Chanukah Celebration in Carroll Park
Tuesday, December 12 | 5:30pm | free | Carroll Gardens
Join for an evening of light and joy. Light the minorah for the sixth night of Hanukkah. There will be hot latkes and donuts, live music, entertainment, and a special program for Israel. - Chabad of DUMBO Menorah Lighting at DUMBO Archway
Wednesday, December 13 | 5-6pm | free | DUMBO
Join Chabad of DUMBO to celebrate the seventh night of Chanukah at the DUMBO Archway with a menorah lighting and festivities. Email jewishdumbo@gmail.com for more information.
A Dazzling Brookly tradition.
No holiday season is complete without a visit to the most gaudy, bold, patch of Vegas this part of the East Coast: the Dyker Heights Christmas lights! It’s a tradition going back to the 80s that was started by Lucy Spata. Drive up and down countless streets, viewing houses in fierce, electric, Christmasy competition with each other. You can even catch one or two Hanukkah themed houses! This will surely get your holiday spirit on.
Another thing to brighten spirits is the Lightscape tour at Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Walk an illuminated trail of colorful light and electric art. Running from Nobember 17, 23- January 1, 24, witness the Brooklyn Botanic Garden under the moon and in a completely new way. Tickets go from $34 to $12, and children under two are admitted for free.
Get your holiday spirit on with caroling.
There is nothing like singing that elevates the mood. Spread the holiday spirit and cheer with these caroling groups.
- Caroling in the Plaza at Bed-Stuy Gateway BID’s Winter Wonderland
Fridays, December 1-22 | 12-6pm | free | Marcy Plaza/Bed-Stuy
Bed-Stuy BID teams up with local houses of worship to make a raucous, joyful celebration to get your holiday spirit on! - Caroling at Time Out Market New York
Sunday, December 3-23 | 2-5pm | free | DUMBO
Sing along with “The Other Reindeer” Christmas carolers. Write your letter beforehand to drop into their North Pole mailbox and receive a Special Goodie Bag. - Brooklyn Conservatory of Music Holiday Caroling
Saturday, December 16 | 2-3:30pm | free
Join Brooklyn Conservatory for this cherished tradition of Christmas Caroling! Help spread cheer throughout the neighborhood, concluding with a garden reception. All ages, talents, and backgrounds are welcome. This year’s tunes have been updated to incorporate newer, popular tunes and traditional gospel hymns written for four-part harmony. The warmup will be at 2pm, and the official caroling will commence at 2:30pm.
Get your holiday shopping spirit on!
Buy your loved ones something memorable at one of many of Brooklyn’s holiday markets.
- Brooklyn Navy Yard’s 6th Annual Wallabout Wonderland Holiday Market Saturday, December 2-Sunday, December 3 | 12-5pm | free entry | Brooklyn Navy Yard
The market debuts at a new location this year, expand to 200 vendors, community partners, and Brooklyn-based businesses. There will be activities for all ages, and the highly praised kid’s zone, which will be available for both days. - UniFair Holiday Market at First Unitarian Church
Saturday, December 2 | 10am-3pm | Brooklyn Heights
UniFair sells beautifully crafted wreaths, jewelry, and baked goods. They will be featuring their famously delicious Connie Newsom fruit cakes, among other tasty holiday treats. - The Holiday Market at Brooklyn Museum
Saturdays & Sundays December 2-December 10 | 11am-5:30pm | Prospect Heights
Located in the Brooklyn Museum’s bright and airy, gorgeous glass pavillion, this holiday market will be held on two consecutive weekends. - FAD Market Pop-Up in at the Invisible Dog Art Center
Saturdays & Sundays December 2-17 | 11am-6pm | Boerum Hill
Held for the first three weekends of December, each market will have a rotating roster showcasing over 50 of the region’s most talented makers, designers, and artisanal food brands. It offers a curated selection of finely crafted jewelry, apparel, bath and body care, tableware, handmade foods, home furnishings, and much more. - Red Hook Holiday Market
Saturdays, December 2-17 | 1-6pm | Red Hook
Find unique, handmade gifts while supporting local artisans, makers, and crafters at the 2nd Floor of Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition. - Old Stone House Holiday Bazaar
Saturday, December 9th (12/10 rain date) | 10am-4pm | Park Slope
The Old Stone House Holiday Market brings together 40+ local artisans, makers, and small businesses. There will be free family activities thanks to the Textile Arts Center and Private Picasso, along with mulled wine for purchase. - Greenpointers Holiday Market
Sunday, December 10th | 1-7pm | Greenpoint
Returning for its 10th year in the Greenpoint Loft, the Greenpointers market is making this year extra special. You can look forward to music, art installations, cozy cocktails, and obviously one-of-a-kind, high quality shopping. - Sutton Pop-Up Holiday Market
Saurday, December 16 & Sunday, December 17 | 12-7pm | Greenpoint
Perfect for last-minute shoppers, this is where art, community, and music come together! Featuring local artisans, food vendors, vintage clothing, jewelry designers, ceramicists, and more, make your last-minute shopping haul special!
Kid-friendly holiday performances.
Music and dance are the perfect ways to get your holiday spirit on. Here is some of the best of what Brooklyn has to offer this season.
- Magical Crhistmas Ballet at Kings Theatre
Wednesday, December 6 | 7pm (Door open 6pm) | $45+ for tickets | Flatbush
Experience the phenomenal Ukranian Principal Artists perform classical European Ballet. You will be captivated by their gravity-defying acrobatics, larger-than-life puppets, and eye-catching sets and costumes. - JingleFest Holiday Concert + Cookie Swap at Brooklyn Conservatory
Saturday, December 9 | 3pm | $12, free for two and under | Park Slope
Go the Brooklyn Conservatory for a cheerful family concert and singalong. Let your voices soar to classics and beautiful, sacred carols. The concert will conclude with a visit from Santa, and the fun contnues with cookies and hot chocolate. Bring a batch of cookies to exchange and receibe one free ticket per family! - Jingle Bell Swing at Old Stone House
Sunday, December 10 | 11 am-12pm | Adults $40, free for 12 and under | Park Slope
Swing into the holiday spirit on a jazzy, musical journey. An interactive concert featuring Ric Becker and band will blend classics with snappy jazz standards. - Winter Wonderland Concert at St. Ann’s Church
Saturday, December 16 | 11-11:45am | Adults $40, free for 12 and under | Brooklyn Heights
Fun for the whole family, this concert weaves together enchanting tunes with jazz, creating a wonderour auditory tapestry. It will include tunes from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. Join the fun and sing along as ballerinas mesmerize with their graceful movements. - Brooklyn Brandenburger’s Family concert at the Old Stone House
Saturday, December 16 | 3pm & 7pm | $25, free for under 16
Join for their annual Family Holiday Concert featuring classical music by Beethoven, Vivian Fine, Grieg, Telemann, Bach, and Mozart. - Suzi Shelton’s Holiday Show at Jalopy Theatre
Saturday, December 16 | 2pm & 7pm | $39+ tickets | Red Hook | Ages 0-10
Award-winning folk musicians, rockers, puppeteers, and pop stars return to Jalopy Theatre for some engaging, educational, holiday fun! - The Brooklyn Nutcracker at Kings Theatre
Saturday, December 16 | 2pm & 7pm | $39+ tickets | Flatbush
The Brooklyn Nutcracker updates this holiday classic by fuzing ballet, hip-hop, and global dance genres to create a new holiday tradition. Culturally rich, The Brooklyn Nutcracker offers a charming, fresh take on the familiar Nutcracker characters and scenes. - Rock & Roll Playhouse Holiday Celebration at Brooklyn Bowl in Williamsburg Sunday, December 17 | 12pm | $16 tickets | Williamsburg | ages 0-10
Celebrate the holidays with some Beatles classics! - FunikiJam Holiday Beat Concert at Central Library
Tuesday, December 19 | 10:30-11:30 am | Grand Army Plaza
This one-of-a-kind Off-Broadway show will take you on a cultural journey unlike any other, touching on an array of holiday traditions, from Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Chinese New Year, and Shichigosan, all curated with kids and families in mind.
Merry Holidays to ALL!
The holidays are an important time to connect with loved ones and remind each other what we love so much about life. It’s a time to reflect on the past and our hopes and aspirations for the future. The most important gift of all is the present! Opening your heart is the key to getting your holiday spirit on.
Brooklynites wishes each and everyone of you a Merry ChristmaKwanzikkuh and a Prosperous New Year. Thank you as always for reading. Click back soon. <3
Did you know in Iceland it’s a tradition to exchange books on Christmas Eve? Here are some of Brooklyn’s best indie bookshoppes:
https://brooklynites.nyc/brooklyns-indie-bookstores/
Go see a movie or concert to escape the harsh winter winds! Of course you will have to brave them first though:
https://brooklynites.nyc/the-brooklyn-academy-of-music/
Learn more about Chanukah:
https://www.jewishhistory.org/the-miracle-of-chanukah/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA67CrBhC1ARIsACKAa8R9LBVrMmuhcCV9nUSiUZCRZgqtmrjBnzN7oegd230Z_N7UrC4L_R4aAuNqEALw_wcB
Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden:
https://www.bbg.org/lightscape
Learn about the history of the Dyker Heights Christmas displays:
https://executivelimousine.org/brooklyn-holiday-lights-dyker-heights-history-and-tradition/