This week is packed with free holiday events for families: ice skating, Chanukah celebrations, tree lightings, caroling, photos with Santa, and holiday shopping! Highlights include the rescheduled DUMBO Holiday Tree Lighting, the Brooklyn Heights Tree Lighting, Cobble Hill Gather & Sing, Holiday Festivities on Atlantic Avenue with Santa, caroling, and a brass quartet, Flatfoot Flatbush in Park Slope and Prospect Heights, and Bed-Stuy Gateway BID’s Winter Wonderland.
Plus, don’t forget to check out our overviews of the best holiday markets, neighborhood tree lightings, where to meet Santa, where to ice skate this winter, and our roundup of family-friendly holiday experiences this season in Brooklyn and beyond.
Children’s Zumba Class at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Join us for dancing in fun in the multipurpose room! Zumba Kids classes are rockin’, high-energy dance parties packed with kid-friendly routines. We break down steps, add games, activities and cultural exploration elements into the class structure. Helps develop a healthy lifestyle and incorporate fitness as a natural part of children’s lives. No registration required.
Teen Chill Space at Adams Street Library | DUMBO
Come study or take a break from the grind in our Teen Chill Space. We’ve outfitted the room with lo-fi sounds, snacks, and materials for work and/or play.
Free Skating for Brooklyn Residents at Roebling Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park
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.
Stomp, Clap, and Sing with Vered at Cental Library Plaza | Prospect Heights
Tiny Storytime @ Books Are Magic | Cobble Hill
Tuesdays | 11am
Join Book Are Magic for Tiny Storytime for ages 6-36 months, every Tuesday in Cobble Hill and Thursday in Brooklyn Heights!
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.
Jack and Friends Presents: Moozika at Park Slope Library | Park Slope
Join us for our final Jack and Friends concert of 2024 with Moozika! Moozika! is singer-songwriter Jesse Goldman’s award-winning bilingual family music band and educational program based in Brooklyn. Named one of the top three “Absolute Best” kids’ music classes in NYC by New York Magazine, Moozika!’s playful Spanish – English tunes are powered by an ethos of big love and gentleness. For this show, Jesse will be performing solo tunes off his upcoming Moozika! album ‘We Are One.’ This program will have registration that will open 24 hours before the program begins. Only those registered will be admitted entry.
Singing Tree-Angles | Downtown Brooklyn
Tuesday, December 17 | 5pm
JOIN US! Tuesday, December 17th, at 5 PM at the 6th Avenue Triangle (Flatbush Ave & 6th Ave) for the Singing Tree-Angles – an unforgettable evening of music and lights! Enjoy a special live piano performance by Karl Larson (@karllarsonpiano), featuring his original piece Canopy. Watch as our holiday lights come alive as they interact with the sound of music, creating a magical, interactive experience! Bring your friends, family, & furry pals, and celebrate the holidays with us under the lights!
Hanukkah Celebration at Brookfield Place | Lower Manhattan
Tuesday, December 17 | 12:00-6:30pm | FREE
Embrace the spirit of the season with art, music, warmth and community. Enjoy lunchtime and early evening events with live klezmer band performances accompanied by a therapeutic art-making activity: participants will design a mini LED candle holder and coaster to brighten your spirit as you consider how you spread your light with others.
- 12-1pm | Shoko Nagai’s Menorahs Quartet & Drop-in Art-making Activity led by art therapist, Tova Speter
- 5:30-6:30pm | Michael Winograd’s Heimishe Klezmer Band with special guest Sarah Mina Gordon & Drop-in Art-making Activity led by art therapist, Tova Speter
Portside Holiday Party on Ship Mary Whalen | Red Hook
Tuesday, December 17 | 6-9pm
Portside’s Holiday Party will feature caroling around the fire pit, hot cider, toasting marshmallows, holiday recipe swap, and making holiday decorations!
A Very Modern Classical Evening at The Picnic House | Prospect Park
Tuesday, December 17 | 6:30-8:30pm | RSVP here
Brooklyn’s favorite free theater, Molière in the Park is back with a staged reading of Le’Asha Julius’ new play The Regulars + Molière’s The Ludicrous Ladies at Prospect Park’s Picnic House! FREE to attend with RSVP. Performance runtime: 90 minutes, no intermission. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase.
Conroy Warren – Jazz,Calpso & Reggae at Pacific Library | Downtown Brooklyn
Feeling the beat! Enjoy the power and pleasure of Jazz, Calypso and Reggae through singing and dancing for ages 0 to 5 years!
Grand Opening of Little Scholars Childcare Center | Downtown Brooklyn
Wednesday, December 18 | 2-4pm | Featuring The Grinch! | RSVP here
Celebrate with us at our new Downtown Brooklyn daycare center! The Grand Opening of Little Scholars Childcare Center will feature exciting activities for kids including face painting, balloon twisting, and more! Parents can meet our dedicated team and take a tour of our beautiful, new space, located at 345 Adams Street. Special Offer: Join our Grand Opening event and get 10% off for the first month if you enroll by January 31, 2025!
Stomp, Clap, and Sing with Suzi Shelton at Red Hook Interim Library | Red Hook
Suzi Shelton is a delightful and charismatic singer/songwriter who brings joy to families with young children, toddlers, and kids. Known for her warm and engaging personality, Suzi creates music that is both uplifting and fun, encouraging little ones to sing, dance, and explore the world around them. Join us for a special holiday-themed free performance by Suzi at the Red Hook Interim Library at 362 Van Brunt Street on Wednesday December 18th at 3:30! We will have some holiday treats and activities for kids and teens before and after the show. Please note that stroller parking at the interim branch is limited and that we may need to ask you to leave your stroller outside in front of the building during the performance.
Anime After at Adams Street Library | DUMBO
Wednesday, December 18 | 4-5pm | Grades 5-12
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.
DUMBO Annual Holiday Tree Lighting | DUMBO
Rescheduled for Wednesday, December 18 | 4-7pm
Originally scheduled for Wednesday, December 11, DUMBO’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting was postponed due to rain, and will now take place on Wednesday, December 18. Join for carols, calypso and cocoa in the Dumbo Archway Plaza. The tree will be lit at 5:30 pm sharp with a countdown led by Alexandria Sica, President of the Dumbo Improvement District. Enjoy Santa in a photo booth, holiday covers by Curtis J. Social, and performances PS307 and Dock Street Middle School students, and holiday projections by DUMBO-based animation studio Augenblick Studios. Bring an unwrapped toy, coat, or non-perishables for the toy drive, coat drive, and food drive. Plus, there will be hot cocoa, sweet treats, and mulled cider (for sale at The Archway Bar). Learn more here!
Montague Street Holiday Tree Lighting | Brooklyn Heights
Wednesday, December 18 | 5:30pm
Mark your calendar for the Brooklyn Heights Garden Club’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting. The tree will be lit at 5:30pm on Wednesday, December 18 on the Promenade, at Montague Street.
Cobble Hill Gather & Sing | Cobble Hill Park
Wednesday, December 18 | 5:30-7:00pm | RSVP here
Cobble Hill’s Holiday Gather and Sing is a community event co-sponsored by the Cobble Hill Association and the Brooklyn Youth Chorus. Head over to the park starting at 5:30pm for some refreshments and background music to get you in the spirit. From 6-6:30pm the music director from the Brooklyn Youth Chorus will lead a sing-a-long of classic holiday tunes and festive songs.
Tiny Storytime @ Books Are Magic | Brooklyn Heights
Thursdays | 11am
Join Book Are Magic for Tiny Storytime for ages 6-36 months, every Tuesday in Cobble Hill and Thursday in Brooklyn Heights!
Free Community Playdate at mi Centro BK | Bed Stuy
Thursdays | 11:30am-12:30pm | Ages 0-3
Free playspace for the community! Come discover a new stimulating setup each week with an ever-fresh variety of playthings, books, and activities. Meet and connect with other families, children, and caregivers in our sunny, temperature controlled space.
Bed-Stuy Gateway BID’s Winter Wonderland | Bed Stuy
Thursdays–Sundays | 12-6pm | Through December 22
Bed Stuy Gateway BID’s Winter Wonderland is back at Marcy Plaza in Bed Stuy and better than ever! Shop for the holidays and enjoy local eats at this pop-up marketplace. It’s a month-long family-friendly holiday tradition that includes live entertainment, fashion showcases and live music from local DJs. See the full schedule of events here, including visits with Santa!
Amazon Free Hours at Brooklyn Children’s Museum | Crown Heights
Thursdays | 2-5pm | Visit ColorLab & STEM Makerspace from 2:30-4:30pm
Join us during Amazon Free Hours, every Thursday afternoon from 2-5pm! Explore some of our most-loved exhibits, including toddler-favorite Totally Tots, the miniature shops of World Brooklyn, the new “In the Works” play space that is modeled after NYC scaffolding, and more. Then check out ColorLab, the family art studio located on the 2nd floor of the Museum. During Amazon Free Hours, there is also Animal Encounters with live animals at 3:00 and 3:45pm. And finally, check out Nature’s Engineers, the museum’s STEM makerspace, from 2:30 to 4:30pm. This month’s project is “Sink or Swim”: Build your own floating structures, and test their buoyancy and stability. Can you create a boat that holds more marbles than your friend’s?
Nature Storytime at Environmental Education Center | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Thursday, December 19 | 3:00-3:30pm
Join for Nature Storytime at the Environmental Education Center! Held at 3:00 PM on the third Thursday of every month (during Open Hours). Librarians from Brooklyn Public Library Adams Street location lead for an exciting and engaging storytime session, along with singing and rhymes. Each month they select a book to pair with the Education Center’s monthly nature theme. Stick around after to check out all the animals and activities in the room during Open Hours! Storytime is typically about a half hour long. Walk-ups only; we do our utmost to accommodate as many walk-ups as space allows.
Ezra Jack Keats Story and Craft at Central Library | Prospect Heights
Enjoy a story by author/illustrator Ezra Jack Keats, make a related craft, and pick out a free book to keep!
After School Movie: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) at Brooklyn Heights Library | Brooklyn Heights
Thursday, December 19 | 3:30-4:15pm | Ages 5+
After School Movie at Brooklyn Heights Library! For kids ages 5 and up. This week’s movie: “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993). PG. Run time: 1 hour and 16 minutes. No registration required; attendance limited by room capacity.
Sounds of the Season with Brooklyn Music School at Atlantic Terminal Mall | Downtown Brooklyn
Immerse yourself in the magic of the season with Brooklyn Music School’s talented musicians bringing classic holiday tunes to life. From heartwarming carols to soulful renditions of your favorite festive melodies, experience the joy of the holidays through the power of music. The performances will take place on the ground floor at Atlantic Terminal near Rumi on Thursday, December 19th from 5-6:30PM. See you there to celebrate the magic of the holiday season with some festive spirit.
Free Photos with Santa at Peanut and Honey | Williamsburg
Come meet Santa at Peanut and Honey! Join our complimentary event to snap photos with Santa, captured by our pro photographer. Appointments first, Walk-ins welcome! Come on by or book online!
Selfies with Santa at Brookfield Place | Lower Manhattan
Daily through December 24 | FREE
Everyone’s invited to Holiday Under the Palms at Brookfield Place to get a selfie with Santa! On select dates, bring your pup for a fur-tastic photo op with Santa. Click here to see all hours for Santa Selfies!
Caroling around the Neighborhood | Brooklyn Heights
Friday, December 20 | 6pm
Celebrate Christmas at St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church! Gather at St. Ann’s Church, then walk to the fire stations and nursing homes around the neighborhood!
Stargazing at Marsha P. Johnson State Park | Williamsburg
Did you know you can see stars in Brooklyn? Learn about the winter constellations and gaze at the night sky with us! Even though there’s so much manmade light in NYC, the stars are readily visible — especially in winter. Learn about the winter constellations and gaze at the night sky with us! Open to all ages, children must be accompanied by an adult. All materials will be provided. Meet at The Blue Park House at Marsha P. Johnson State Park, 90 Kent Ave, N 8th and Kent Ave.
His Toy Store at Redemption Church in Red Hook | Red Hook
Come get a free toy and have it wrapped! Quantities are limited and available while supplies last. Located at 27 Huntington Street.
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.
Free Inclusive Enrichment Programs POW! Power Of We! Kids at McCarren Park | Williamsburg
Saturday, December 21 | 10am-1:45pm | RSVP here
Power Of We! (POW!) provides enrichment programs to kids of all abilities in a safe and nourishing environment. Inclusion is our mission! POW! meets on Saturdays to celebrate each other and otherness with dance moves, brain gymnastics, sometimes yoga, art, story, music, and open play. Occasionally we have a therapy dog visiting or hold a grownups chat. Our nonprofit organization provides volunteer-based programs and emphasizes the inclusion of all. This is not a drop-off program. We are encouraging the participation of grownups to experience some quality time.
Brooklyn Flea Holiday Market | DUMBO
Saturdays and Sundays | 10am-5pm | Through December 22
The Brooklyn Flea brings 40+ vintage and handmade vendors to this curated Holiday Market under the DUMBO Archway.
Caroling on Atlantic Avenue | Brooklyn Heights & Boerum Hill
Saturday, December 21 | 11am-12pm
Join the Atlantic Avenue BID and the Mistle-tones for holiday caroling down Atlantic Avenue. Complimentary treats will be served by select Atlantic Avenue businesses to help you enjoy the gifting season! On Saturday, December 21, carolers will be at at Salter House and Earth Speaks.
Community Day at Brooklyn Book Bodega | Brooklyn Navy Yard
We have an excess amount of well loved and overstock books for kids and adult readers. Please sign up to come to our Brooklyn Navy Yard Book Hub to take as many books as you can carry! We are unable to accommodate anyone under age 10 in this space. If you want to bring your children under age 10, please join us at a different event. Learn more here!
Balloon Drop & Holiday Market at City Point | Downtown Brooklyn
Saturday, December 21 & Sunday, December 22 | Holiday Market open at 11am-7pm
City Point is bringing the holidays to life with a Holiday Balloon Drop and The Makers Show annual craft and gift market. Learn more here!
- Holiday Balloon Drop | December 5 through January 2 | Capture a selfie in front of the life-size gingerbread house, North Pole, and Menorah. All designed by Brooklyn balloon artist Angelica de la Paz.
- The Makers Show | Saturdays & Sundays through December 22 | 11am-7pm | 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!
FAD Holiday Markets in Brooklyn | DUMBO, Cobble Hill & Boerum Hill
Saturdays and Sundays in December | 11am-6pm | Through December 22
This December, FAD Market will present its largest holiday market series to date, showcasing the best of New York City’s independent makers, artisans, and designers. Holiday markets are coming to The Invisible Dog Center in Boerum Hill, St. Paul’s in Cobble Hill, and Empire Stores in DUMBO. Over the course of three weekends leading up to Christmas – December 7+8, 14+15, and 21+22 – FAD Market will feature a weekly lineup of 150 talented makers, offering one-of-a-kind holiday gifts ranging from jewelry, apparel, and home decor to artisanal foods. The holiday markets will also include fun attractions such as a holiday photo booth, live portrait artists, and exclusive giveaways, making it the ultimate holiday shopping destination for the season. FAD Market is free and open to the public. Pets are also welcome!
Holiday Meet & Greet with Old Saint Nick at 333 Lounge | Prospect Heights
Join us for a Holiday Meet & Greet with Old Saint Nick at 333 Lounge, hosted by Lips Cafe. Photo-op fun for the whole family. Pets are welcome!
Holiday Festivities on Atlantic Avenue | Brooklyn Heights & Boerum Hill
Saturday, December 21 & Sunday, December 22 | Brass Quartet performing on Saturday, December 21 @12:15-3:00pm
During Festivity Weekends, Santa will walk down Atlantic Avenue to take pictures and spread holiday cheer. Enjoy live performances from a brass quartet throughout the day and get a free reusable ‘Shop & Dine Atlantic Ave’ tote bag.
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.
Red Hook Holiday Market | Red Hook
Saturday, December 21 & Sunday, December 22 | 1-6pm
Join us for the 5th annual Red Hook Holiday Market! Find one-of-a-kind, handmade gifts for your loved ones this holiday season while supporting local artisans, makers, and crafters! Visit us each weekend in December on the 1st floor of Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition at 481 Van Brunt St, Door 7A. Come see the display of decorated holiday windows and cast your vote for the best holiday windows decoration. Shop Red Hook local stores and eat, drink, & shop local for the holidays!
The Black Santa Experience at Dekalb Market Hall | Downtown Brooklyn
Saturday, December 21 & Sunday, December 22 | 1-8pm
The Black Santa Experience is a family-friendly experience bringing in the holiday spirit to DeKalb Market Hall! Interactive 360-Degree Camera, Dancing Santa Claus, and Friendly Elf Assistant, located in front of Essex Squeeze & The Showroom Bakehouse.
Christmas Caroling with the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music | Park Slope
Come join us for Christmas Caroling with the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music on Dec. 21st, 2024, 2pm-3:15pm
We will meet at 5th Avenue and the corner of 4th street. We will plan to start moving around 2:20pm and going down 5th Avenue towards Union Street. Music will lean mostly four part harmony pieces with some classic children tunes thrown in. All ages and voice parts welcome. Digital Sheet music will be sent to people who RSVP, limited number of printed books will be available there. Spots may be limited so please RSVP.
Holiday Character Meet & Greet at Time Out Market | DUMBO
Saturday, December 21 | 2-5pm
Come meet your favorite holiday characters up close and personal Every Saturday! Meet Santa, The Grinch & Rudolph on December 21!
Flatfoot Flatbush | Park Slope & Prospect Heights
Saturday, December 21 | 2:00-5:30pm
Flatfoot Flatbush is Brooklyn’s first-ever flatfooting parade, celebrated as part of Make Music New York’s Winter Solstice Celebration. During Flatfoot Flatbush, dancers, fiddlers and pickers parade down Flatbush Avenue in Park Slope/Prospect Heights playing old-time tunes while flatfooting, a form of percussive dancing from Appalachia. See the schedule of events below, and learn more here!
- 2:00pm | Meet at Flatbush and Sterling for a flatfooting warm-up with Megan Downes
- 2:15pm | Parade kicks off at Flatbush and Sterling
- 2:15-4:00pm | Parade makes its way around the North Flatbush Avenue district, stopping at local businesses along the way, finishing at the 6th Avenue Triangle (6th Avenue and St Marks Avenue, at Flatbush).
- 4pm | More performances and participatory group dances led by Megan Downes and Brooklyn Contra, at the 6th Avenue Triangle. St Marks Avenue will be closed to traffic between Flatbush and 6th to allow more space for music, dancing, and merriment.
- 5:30pm | The after-party begins with an open jam led by The Flatfoot Flatbush House Band at 333 Flatbush Avenue
A Night with The Makers: Holiday Edition | Industry City
Saturday, December 21 | 4-7pm
Industry City’s Makers Guild welcomes you for a unique, immersive shopping experience this holiday season. The series “A Night with the Makers: Holiday Edition” will kick off on Small Business Saturday, November 30, and take place each Saturday until December 21. While listening to live electronic music beats, customers will be able to browse the floor, sipping complimentary drinks and participating in immersive free brand activations. A digital Gifting Concierge will also be available, for one-on-one personalized shopping guidance. Our goal is to make your gifting season seamless by starting with a gift to you: a unique experience filled with great memories.
Free Skating for Brooklyn Residents at Roebling Rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park
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.
Take a ride on New York Transit Museum’s Holiday Nostalgia Trains | Lower Manhattan
Sundays in December | 10am-6pm | Cost of one subway ride
This holiday season, we continue the annual tradition of Holiday Nostalgia Rides on the New York Transit Museum’s 1930s R1/9 train cars! Operating between 2nd Avenue – Houston Street on the uptown F line and 96th Street – 2nd Avenue on the Q line, the Holiday Nostalgia Train will transport straphangers back in time every Sunday in December. Don’t miss your chance to travel through time – for just the cost of a MetroCard swipe or OMNY tap!
Hanukkah Celebration at the Kings Bay Y | Sheepshead Bay
Sunday, December 22 | 11am-2pm | FREE | RSVP here
Enjoy a day full of fun with inflatable rides, live performances, raffles, carnival games, face painting, arts and crafts stations, photo booths, and some exciting surprises that are sure to light up the Festival of Lights!
Sunday, December 22 | 12-4pm
3rd Annual Toy Giveaway and Holiday Celebration! Join us as we spread holiday cheer to 500+ families, with free toys, food, fun activities, and a live DJ to keep the energy up!
Brooklyn Night Market | Industry City
Sundays, 12-6pm | December 22 & 29
Join us every Sunday in December at Industry City for the Brooklyn Holiday Market, where the spirit of the season comes alive! Explore a festive community of local artisans, craftspeople, and food vendors offering unique handmade goods, delicious treats, and holiday cheer. Whether you’re shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts, indulging in seasonal delights, or spending quality time with family and friends, this vibrant market has something for everyone. Don’t miss your chance to support local businesses and experience the magic of the holidays in Brooklyn!
Christmas Caroling with Plymouth Church | Brooklyn Heights
Caroling, caroling now we go, Christmas bells are ringing! Calling for carolers of all ages. Join us as we spread Christmas cheer through the Brooklyn Heights community. Meet us in Beecher Garden at 1:00 PM for an hour of singing through the neighborhood. Come prepared to lift your voice and share the joy of Christmas. Music will be provided.
Caroling at Time Out Market | DUMBO
Sunday, December 22 | 2-5pm
The Other Reindeer Carolers will be spreading joy with classic holiday tunes at Time Out Market this December! Join for festive Sunday afternoons on December 8th, 15th and 22nd from 2-5pm. Get into the holiday spirit with friends and family as you enjoy delicious food and drinks from the market’s vendors.
Updated: December 15, 2024.
