Thanksgiving is here! There are plenty of free events and activities for Brooklyn families to enjoy this week including tree lightings, free ice skating, story times and lots of ways to volunteer and give back in our communities.
Donate a Dish for CHiPS’s Thanksgiving Meal | Park Slope
Drop off dishes Monday, November 25 through Wednesday, November 27 | Sign up here
CHiPS Soup Kitchen & Women’s Shelter is once again hosting a special Thanksgiving meal this year, and will be accepting homemade or store-bought dishes to be dropped off the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Sign up here to contribute a dish (or two! or three!). They will also be distributing hats, gloves, scarves, and winter socks to guests on Thanksgiving Day, and will accept new items through Monday, November 25.
Free Skating for Brooklyn Residents at Roebling Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Mondays, 5-6pm & Sundays, 10-11am
Roebling Rink is opening under the Brooklyn Bridge on Monday, November 25! Take advantage of the first free skating sessions for Brooklyn residents: Monday, November 25 from 5-6pm and Sunday, December 1 from 10-11am. Tickets for the free sessions are first-come, first-served and must be booked in person with a valid Brooklyn address on your ID.
Prep Thanksgiving Dinner at Next Step Community Church | Downtown Brooklyn
Monday, November 25–Wednesday, November 27 | 5:30-8:00pm | Ages 11+ with guardian, 16+ no guardian required | Sign up here
Soup kitchen help needed! You’ll work along side the head chef to chop, peel and other light food prep to help the staff prepare to serve 100+ people in need on Thanksgiving Day. You can sign up to volunteer on Monday, November 25, Tuesday, November 26, or Wednesday, November 27. Next Step Community Church is focused on helping people in need—whether hungry, homeless, or seeking recovery from substance abuse.
Donate a Thanksgiving Pie to Next Step Community Church | Downtown Brooklyn
Tuesday, November 26 & Wednesday, November 27 | Drop off from 9am-8pm | No sign up required
Support the hundreds of neighbors with disabilities and experiencing homelessness or food insecurity who will dine at Next Step on Thanksgiving Day. Next Step Community Church is located at 360 Schermerhorn Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
Free Storytime at Private Picassos | Clinton Hill
Tuesdays | 11:00-11:30am
Join us each Tuesday at 11am and select Saturdays at 10am for a special storytime – perfect for babies and toddlers. Private Picassos Founder Valeen Bhat will read a favorite kid’s book in our cozy reading nook. Hang out after for coloring, toys and exploring all of the books we have at our Studio.
Tiny Storytime @ Books Are Magic | Cobble Hill & Brooklyn Heights
Tuesdays | 11am | 225 Smith Street in Cobble Hill
Thursdays | 11am | 122 Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights
Join Book Are Magic for Tiny Storytime for ages 6-36 months, every Tuesday in Cobble Hill and Thursday in Brooklyn Heights!
Comics with Mr. Nick at Red Hook Interim Library | Red Hook
Come to the brand new Red Hook Interim Library on Van Brunt St. to learn something new or indulge your love of drawing this summer. You will be drawing and learning about art from Mr. Nick. Topics such as how to make comic books, cartoons, and graphic novels will be covered. Mr. Nick is a professional artist who has created and published his own series of comic books. Don’t miss out. Beginners are always welcome! All supplies will be provided. For kids age 10 and up.
Downtown Brooklyn Gets Lit! | Downtown Brooklyn
Tuesday, November 26 | 5-6pm
Kick off the holiday season with DTBK Gets Lit, our annual Albee Square holiday lighting ceremony. In partnership with the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President, we bring you live musical guests, Kinto Zonó Unplugged and DJ Mikealong with LED poi and hula twirlers and Bond Street Theatrestilters. Empanada Loca will provide hot chocolate and there’ll be BANG Cookies while supplies last. Rock up wearing an ugly holiday sweater and you’ll be in the running to win a City Point gift card or a stylish Downtown Brooklyn beanie. Then, join us in our countdown to turn the holiday lights ON! (Prizes available for the first 20 attendees wearing ugly sweater who check in at the DBP tent!)
Atlantic Avenue Tree Lighting | Boerum Hill
Tuesday, November 26 | 6pm
Families from the community are invited to the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 26. The free public event will take place at the St. Cyril of Turov Belarusian Church, located at 401 Atlantic Avenue. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, and Council Member Lincoln Restler will officiate the ceremony. The Girl Scouts Troops 2133 and 2518 will count down to the official lighting of the holiday tree and the Brooklyn High School of the Arts choir will sing holiday classics!
Jazz Music Concert presented by New York Youth Symphony at Greenpoint Library | Greenpoint
The New York Youth Symphony Jazz Band is a 17-member swing ensemble dedicated to studying, rehearsing, and performing classic big band jazz music. Modeled on the bands of the 1930’s and 1940’s, the Jazz program preserves this heritage and, keeping with jazz traditions, incorporates it into the current and emerging styles that define the genre for the present generation.
Donate a Thanksgiving Pie to Heights and Hills | Downtown Brooklyn
Wednesday, November 27 | Drop off from 12-4pm | Sign up to drop off
Support homebound seniors this holiday season by donating a Thanksgiving pie! All pies should be dropped off to downtown Brooklyn office, 81 Willoughby Street, Suite 302 Brooklyn, NY 11201, on Wednesday, 11/27, from 12 pm to 4 pm. A confirmation email with more details will be sent after this form is submitted.
Wednesdays | 3-6pm | Reserve tickets here; free tickets are made available at 3pm the Monday before
Take advantage of free admission hours at the New York Aquarium in Coney Island, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays. There’s so much to do while you’re in Coney Island; check out our guide to planning a day trip to Coney Island! Note that advance timed tickets are required; the Wednesday Afternoon Ticket Store will open on Monday at 3:00 pm for that Wednesday’s reservations. Do not come to the aquarium without a reserved ticket! There’s a maximum of 4 tickets per order.
Autumn Tales at Marsha P. Johnson State Park | Williamsburg
Learn about fall by listening to some stories read by our educators. Then celebrate the changing season by making some leaf art! Best for ages 10 and under. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Chess Workshop at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Join us for an afternoon of chess with our very own Chessmaster. No registration required.
Teens DIY: Gratitude Bracelets at Greenpoint Library | Greenpoint
Give thanks and share gratitudes while making bracelets. You can make a bracelet for yourself or a loved one to let them know you’re grateful for them!
Anime Afternoon at Adams Street Library | DUMBO
Take a midweek break and try an anime and manga sampler! Chat with friends about the latest releases while enjoying some clips of new and favorite series. We’ll also have art supplies available to create your own fan art or draw your OCs. Open to Grades 5-12.
Post-Thanksgiving Day Hike | Prospect Park
Friday, November 29 | 10-12pm
On this Friday, work off your Thanksgiving feast while enjoying the great outdoors. Join the Urban Park Rangers for a hike! This hike will take you from the south end of Prospect Park all the way up to Grand Army Plaza at the north end.
Stock Grocery Shelves at Next Step Community Church | Downtown Brooklyn
Fridays, 5:30-7pm | Children are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult | Sign up here
Every Friday evening at Next Step Community Church, volunteers stock grocery shelves at the community food pantry. The community food pantry provides quality food to restore health and dignity for families in need. Your help on Friday evenings will ensure a smooth experience when families and individuals arrive on Saturdays to shop at the pantry.
Serve Neighbors at Next Step Community Church | Downtown Brooklyn
Saturdays, 8-11am | Children are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult | Sign up here
On Saturday mornings at Next Step Community Church, volunteers are needed to serve at the Community food pantry which provides quality food to restore health and dignity for families in need. Volunteers help distribute grocery items to guests from the community.
Introduction to Birdwatching Outing | Prospect Park
Saturday, November 30 | 10am-12pm | Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult
Whether you’re just starting out or have already joined the birding ranks, this introductory outing is for you! Every Saturday, join Prospect Park Alliance and a member of the Brooklyn Bird Club on an introductory walk to learn the basics of birding and search for the dozens of species that visit Prospect Park through all seasons. All levels are welcome and walks will begin at the Prospect Park Audubon Center. No registration necessary. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Please bring binoculars if you have them. Route Description: This outing is at a leisurely pace with lots of stops to observe birds. A different route through the park may be taken each week. There may be steps, slight inclines, and grass and dirt paths with exposed roots. We will cover approximately 1.5-2 miles.
Nature Exploration | Prospect Park
Saturday, November 30 | 10am-1pm
Join the Prospect Park Alliance for nature education programs at the Prospect Park Audubon Center, the first urban Audubon Center in the nation.
- Leaf Art | 10am–12 pm | Let’s have fun exploring the unique features of trees and their uniquely shaped leaves. Let your creativity flourish as you craft art inspired by nature.
- Animal Encounter | 11am–12pm | Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection. This program starts promptly at 11 am.
- Fall Nature Walk | 12–1 pm | Join us as we discover the wonders of nature! Are you curious about how invasive insects, like the Spotted Lanternfly, prepare for winter? You’ll get hands-on experience in citizen science as we observe how insect and plant life prepare for seasonal changes. Plus, you’ll learn how to protect trees from pests. This program leaves the Audubon Center promptly at 12 pm.
Magnetic Archery and Foam Axe Throwing at Owl’s Head Park | Bay Ridge
Saturday, November 30 | 11:00am-12:30pm | Foam axe throwing for all ages, archery for 8+
The Makers Show at City Point | Downtown Brooklyn
Kicks off Saturday, November 30 & Sunday, December 1 | 11am-7pm
Holiday ’24 at City Poin marks the return of The Makers Show, a pop-up platform which connects small businesses and creative makers with vibrant local communities. Every weekend in December leading up to Christmas, The Makers Show will bring back Brooklyn-favorites and introduce a new selection of artists and crafters, from local farmers to handmade potters to international artisans to sock designers. A little bit of Brooklyn for everyone on your list!
Storytime at The Center for Fiction Bookstore | Fort Greene
Saturdays | 12pm
Join us every Saturday at noon for Story Time at The Center for Fiction Bookstore, where each week we read from some of our favorite books for young people! Led by our booksellers, this is a free community event open to people of all ages.
Small Business Saturday Shopping, Caroling, and Hot Chocolate at Fowler Square | Fort Greene
Saturday, November 30 | 12-3pm
Kick off the holiday shopping season in a FAB way! Join us at Fowler Square for an afternoon of holiday caroling and seasonal cheer, with choir musicians from Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church leading favorite tunes, hot chocolate, and Small Business Saturday giveaways. We’ll also accept your gently worn warm outerwear for the annual New York Cares Coat Drive, so bring a donation to spread love the Brooklyn way!
Free Children’s Events at Dekalb Market Hall | Downtown Brooklyn
Saturdays & Sundays | 10am-12pm
On weekend mornings, stop by Dekalb Market Hall (downstairs at City Point) for free activities for kids ages 2 to 10 years old. Enjoy balloon twisting, magic shows, face painting, and more! Located in front of Osteria & Showroom Bakehouse.
Park Slope Tree Lighting | Park Slope
Saturday, November 30 | 4:30-5:30pm
Join for Park Slope’s annual tree lighting on 5th Avenue at 4th Street! The tree will be lit at 5:15pm. Bring a toy with you to donate to Camp Friendships’ Holiday Toy Drive, and enjoy all the holiday festivities! Before the lighting, activities will include:
- Join Park Slope Parents for Christmas crafts
- Take photos with Santa
- Play in soapy snowflakes with Bubble Dad
- Write a postcard to Santa with Private Picassos
- Munch on a churro from Simple Loaf Bakehouse
- Sip hot chocolate from Chela
- Listen to classic holiday songs performed live by Music with Patrick
Birdwatching: First Sunday Outings | Prospect Park
Sunday, December 1 | 10am-12pm
Join the Brooklyn Bird Club and Prospect Park Alliance on the first Sunday of each month through June 2024 in search of dozens of species that visit the park through all seasons. Learn about the different habitats in Prospect Park and why they are important for all types of birds. Please bring your own binoculars. Route Description: This outing is at an easy pace with stops to observe birds. A different route through the park may be taken each week. There may be steps, slight inclines, and grass and dirt paths with exposed roots on the route, which will cover approximately 1.5-2 miles.
Family Day at Barcade | Williamsburg
Sunday, December 1 | 12-5pm | Ages 10+
Join us for Family Day in Brooklyn! From 12-5pm on the first Sunday of each month, bring the family out for some classic arcade games and pinball! As this location doesn’t have a kitchen, feel free to bring a lunch! We also have snacks available for purchase. All children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Updated: November 24, 2024. Main Image: Free Skating for Brooklyn Residents at Roebling Rink.
