Celebrate the holiday season in Brooklyn with these festive tree and menorah lightings!
File photo by Todd Maisel
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While Rockefeller Center is preparing to light the world’s most famous Christmas tree on Dec. 3, a host of Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremonies are scheduled in Brooklyn to ring in the most wonderful time of the year.
Here’s a roundup of festivities happening across the borough.
Christmas Tree Lightings
NIA Community Services lightings: NIA Community Services Network is hosting a slew of Christmas Tree Lighting celebrations in south Brooklyn: On Dec. 2 at John Paul Jones Park at 101st Street and 4th Ave in Bay Ridge from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; on Dec. 3 at Dyker Park in Dyker, also from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m; and on Dec. 10 at Kaiser Park at Neptune and Bayview avenues in Coney Island from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
All events will feature light refreshments, Santa, The Guild for Exceptional Children, Xaverian Choir and Band, Narrows Community Theater, and NIA Carolers.
Join NIA Community Services for a slew of tree lightings across south Brooklyn. File photo by Arthur de Gaeta
Tuesday, Nov. 25
DTBK Gets Lit: Ring in the holiday season at Albee Square from 6 to 7 p.m.! In addition to the traditional tree lighting, DBP will unveil a new dynamic light installation by Limbic Media and City1 to brighten the neighborhood this holiday season. The installation is programmed to shift hues, pulse in rhythm, or cascade dynamically across corridors, offering ever-changing combinations of color and motion, and will be featured on Fulton Mall, Abolitionist Place, and Court Street.
Entertainment includes an ugly sweater competition, free hot chocolate, music by DJ Mike Doelo, dancing, caroling by Janis Weatherly and members of The Lafayette Inspirational Ensemble, and performances by Andrea Flow, Brianna Kalisch, Flow Juggle, and Roller Boogie.
Saturday, Nov. 29
5th Avenue Tree Lighting: Coinciding with Small Business Saturday, the Park Slope Fifth Avenue BID is hosting its annual tree lighting ceremony on 5th Avenue at 4th Street in Park Slope. The festivities start at 4:30 p.m. -with the tree lighting scheduled for 5:15 p.m.- and include live music by Victor V. Gurbo, Mexican hot chocolate from Chela, an opportunity to take a photo with Santa Claus before he returns to the North Pole, and Bubble Dad.
A family enjoys a past Park Slope tree lighting. File photo by Trey Pentecost
Wednesday, Dec. 3
Bay Ridge Cares Tree Lighting Ceremony: The locl nonprofit is hosting its Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at Owl’s Head Park at 68th Street and Colonial Road. The “holly-jolly” celebration with Santa, DJ Justice, carolers, local performers, snacks, and gifts for the kids.
Thursday, Dec. 4
DUMBO Tree Lighting: This festive event features “carols, calypso, and cocoa.” The festivities in the Dumbo archway and plaza begin at 4 p.m., and the tree will be lit at 5:30 p.m. sharp with a countdown by Alexandria Sica.
Besides entertainment, visitors are invited to spread the cheer and bring unwrapped toys for children ages 0 to 14, which will be added to the 84th Precinct’s Operation Sleigh Ride, or packaged non-perishables for the Vinegar Hill Pantry Food Drive.
Christmas lights and festive projections will light up the Dumbo Archway on Dec. 11. File photo courtesy of Hassan Mokaddam/Dumbo BID
Friday, Dec. 5
Sunset Park Tree Lighting: The Sunset Park BID invites the community to join its traditional Tree Lighting event at the intersection of 60th Street and 5th Avenue in Sunset Park. The festivities start 3 p.m. and end at 5 p.m.
Fort Greene Park Tree Lighting: Light up the park at the 11th annual Fort Greene Lighting ceremony! The celebration kicks off at 5 p.m. at the Myrtle Avenue and St. Edwards Street entrance. Rain date is Saturday, Dec. 6.
Hanukkah celebrations
Sunday, Dec. 14
Chabad of Park Slope celebrates the first night of Hanukkah with the lighting of the “largest menorah in Brooklyn” and a free concert in Grand Army Plaza on at 4 p.m.
The Menorah lighting times for the following days of Hanukkah are at 6 p.m. on Dec. 15, 16, 17, and 18. On Dec. 19, the Menorah will be lit at 3:30 p.m.; on Dec. 20, at 7:15 p.m.; and on the 8th night of the festival of lights, at 5 p.m.
The massive menorah at Grand Army Plaza will light up every night of Hanukkah. File photo by Erica Price
Entertainment on all days includes live music, hot latkes, and gifts for the children.
The Chabad House of Mill Basin is hosting a Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Kings Plaza Shopping Center on from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Level 1 near Snipes.
More holiday festivities
If the lightings aren’t quite enough, there are more local festivities that spread holiday cheer! Check out the Dyker Lights spectacle in Dyker Heights and the dazzling Lightscape installation at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.