Our overview features the best events for Brooklyn families in December! Celebrate the season with tree lightings, holiday caroling, kid-friendly concerts, and performances of The Nutcracker. Shop locally at Brooklyn holiday markets, snap a photo with Santa, and take a ride on a vintage holiday train. Plus, celebrate Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve!
1. Holiday tree lighting celebrations
- Sunset Park Tree Lighting
Friday, December 6 | 3-6pm | 60th Street and 5th Ave. | FREE
Sunset Park’s tree lighting will take place in front of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. There will be free goodie bags for the first 200 children! The event will feature a historic trolly, clown performances, music, and of course, Santa! - Carroll Park Tree Lighting
Friday, December 6 | 5-7pm | Carroll Park | FREE
Join Friends of Carroll Park and the Court Street Merchants for music and refreshments. Music starts at 5pm; tree lighting and the arrival of a visitor from the North Pole at 6pm! - Fort Greene Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 7 | 4-6pm | Myrtle Ave. & St. Edwards Street | FREE
Join for the 10th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony in partnership with Myrtle Avenue Brooklyn Partnership. Meet us at Myrtle Ave and St Edwards Street entrance on Saturday, December 7 from 4:00–6:00pm for a magical evening as we illuminate the park. Rain Date: Sunday, December 8. - DUMBO Holiday Tree Lighting
Wednesday, December 11 | 4-7pm | DUMBO Archway Plaza | FREE
Join for carols, calypso and cocoa in the Dumbo Archway Plaza. The tree will be lit at 5:30pm sharp. Enjoy Santa in a photo booth, holiday music and performances. 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! - Brooklyn Heights Holiday Tree Lighting
Wednesday, December 18 | 5:30pm | Montague St. and the Promenade | FREE
Mark your calendar for the Brooklyn Heights Garden Club’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting. The tree will be lit at 5:30pm on the Promenade, at Montague Street. - See our full round-up of holiday tree lightings here!
2. Shop local at Brooklyn holiday markets
- FAD Holiday Markets | DUMBO, Cobble Hill & Boerum Hill
December 7-8, 14-15 & 21-22 | 11am-6pm | FREE
FAD Holiday Markets are coming to The Invisible Dog Center in Boerum Hill, St. Paul’s in Cobble Hill, and Empire Stores in DUMBO, featuring a weekly lineup of 150 talented makers and 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. - Wallabout Wonderland Holiday Market | Brooklyn Navy Yard
Saturday, December 7 & Sunday, December 8 | 12-5pm | FREE | RSVP here
The 7th annual Wallabout Wonderland Holiday Market with 200+ vendors will feature handmade jewelry, one-of-a-kind home décor pieces, and rare fashion finds from local artisans and designers, including a section of next generation youth vendors. Stop by the Family Corner presented by Brooklyn Bridge Parents, with free magic shows, cookie decorating, holiday crafts, story times, LEGO adventures, and book giveaways. Learn more about the market and kid-friendly activities here.
- UniFair at First Unitarian Chapel | Brooklyn Heights
Saturday, December 7 | 10am-3pm | FREE
UniFair is back at the First Unitarian Chapel! On December 7, come out and shop for great clothing, jewelry, baked goods, and beautifully decorated wreaths. All are welcome! Lunch is served at mid-day for a nominal cost. All proceeds support the mission of First Unitarian. - The Old Stone House Holiday Bazaar | Park Slope
Saturday, December 7 | 10am-4pm | FREE
Located adjacent to the Old Stone House in Washington Park, this seasonal Old Stone House Holiday Artisan Market brings together 50+ local artisans, makers, and small businesses. There will be free family activities curtesy of the Textile Arts Center and Private Picasso, as well as mulled wine for purchase, and visits from Santa Claus! - PS 321 Holiday Shop | Park Slope
Saturday, December 7 | 10am-5pm | FREE
Find the perfect gift for everyone on your list! The P.S. 321 Holiday Shop at 180 7th Avenue will feature unique, handmade treasures from over 90 local artisans. From jewelry and ceramics to clothing, soap, toys, and much more, you’re sure to find something special. PLUS, there will be a craft room for kids, a bake sale and caroling! Explore this year’s talented artists here and follow the Holiday Shop’s Instagram for updates. - Shop the Studios | DUMBO
Saturday, December 7 | 1-6pm | FREE
On December 7, 50+ artists all around DUMBO will open their buildings and studios to the public with holiday-ready artworks and gifts available for purchase. Holiday shoppers can pick up a map of participating artists at the Brooklyn Flea (operating in the Dumbo Archway, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm). Join us for a magical weekend of holiday art! - Park Slope Holiday Bazaar | Park Slope
Saturday, December 8 | 11am-2pm
At this family-friendly holiday market, children will get to do their own shopping for the people they love. The Holiday Bazaar will take place at Park Slope’s Wise Wonder Enrichment at 58 Garfield Place. Browse local vendors, enjoy a sweet street or warm drink, and make your own wrapping paper! - BRIC’s Winter Wonderland | Downtown Brooklyn
Sunday, December 8 | 12-4pm
Step into BRIC’s Winter Wonderland on December 8! BRIC House unveils a wintry realm brimming with family fun, where art, music, dance, and interactive media weave a magical tapestry. Come join us for a cozy cup of hot chocolate, live musical performances, and festive artmaking activities. Design a luminous snowflake lantern, write a special holiday message or paint a wintery watercolor landscape to give someone special, and test your building skills in our family Gingerbread House Competition. - Red Hook Holiday Market | Red Hook
December 7-8, 14-15 & 21-22 | 1-6pm
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! - PS 133 Holiday Bazaar, Kids Carnival & Holiday Concert | Gowanus
Saturday, December 14 | 10am-4pm | $5 tickets for Holiday Concert at 11am
The PS 133 Holiday Bazaar and Kids Carnival features local vendors, a holiday concert for kids, crafts and games, and a pay-what-you-wish bookstore. Get some holiday shopping done, enjoy some holiday tunes, and celebrate the season. The event open to the public and you do not have to be a student of the school to attend! - Powerhouse Arts x Brooklyn Pop-up Holiday Market | Gowanus
Saturday, December 14 | 11am-6pm
A curated selection of more than 100 vendors selling clothes, jewelry, candles, ceramics, prints and much more. Plus craft-making activities, gift wrapping, DJ and raffles. - And more ongoing holiday markets, including: The Makers Show at City Point, Brooklyn Flea Holiday Market in the DUMBO Archway, Fort Greene Park Artisans Bazaar, A Night with The Makers: Holiday Edition at Industry City, plus Holiday Market Pop-Up at Industry City. See our full round-up of holiday markets here!
3. Holiday caroling in our neighborhoods
- Caroling Extravaganza at Black Forest Brooklyn | Boerum Hill & Fort Greene
Saturdays & Sundays through December 22 | $15 tickets, FREE for kids under 5
Black Forest Brooklyn will once again host their Christmas Concerts & Caroling Extravaganza on December weekends. Each event will feature live Christmas music and caroling performance by a festive five piece band (brass & piano). There will be caroling in English & German, with the option to sing along. Prizes for the ugliest Christmas sweaters! Learn more here. - Christmas Caroling at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music | Park Slope
Sunday, December 15 | 3-5pm | RSVP required | Pay as you wish
BKCM is hosting their first Holiday Extravaganza, a multicultural, inclusive winter celebration. In addition to Christmas caroling on their stoop for adults and kids, there will be musical performances ranging from Hanukkah music to Calypso to Handel’s Messiah, plus instrument exploration and holiday crafts for kids. - Caroling at Time Out Market | DUMBO
Sundays, 2-5pm | December 8, 15 & 22 | FREE
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. - Cobble Hill Gather & Sing | Cobble Hill Park
Wednesday, December 18 | 5:30-7:00pm | RSVP here | FREE
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.
4. Indoor holiday celebrations with kid-friendly activities
- Holiday Character Meet & Greet at Time Out Market
Saturdays, 2-5pm | December 7, 14 & 21 | FREE | DUMBO
Come meet your favorite holiday characters up close and personal Every Saturday! Meet Gingerbread Man & Frosty on December 7 & 14, and Santa, The Grinch & Rudolph on December 21! - Celebrate the Holidays at City Point
Saturdays and Sundays in December | FREE | Downtown Brooklyn
Bring the family to City Point this December for a FREE Santa Photo Studio, Holiday Balloon Drop, and The Makers Show annual crafts and gift market. The Santa Photo Studio will be open on December 7, 8, 14 & 15, 11am-3pm. (December 15 only: Mama and Papa Claus!) Meet the Sugar Plum Fairy from Brooklyn’s own Nutcracker on Saturday, December 7 from 10-11am. Visit the December Balloon Drop from December 5 through January 2 and get a selfie in front of the life-size gingerbread house, North Pole, and Menorah. Plus, get some shopping done at The Makers Show! - SantaLand at Atlantic Terminal Mall
November 30–December 24 | $5 | Downtown Brooklyn
Need pics with Santa? Santa Land has been a holiday family tradition with a for over 15 years! The month kicks off with a Parade at 12pm on Saturday, December 7. Capture precious memories with your family, friends and pets at various Santa Land events! Click the link above for the month’s full schedule. - Town Square’s Cookies with Santa
Saturday, December 7 | $20/child online, $30 at the door | $10/adult online, $15 at the door | Williamsburg
Santa’s coming to Greenpoint/Williamsburg for a fun time at FourFiveSix! There will be hot chocolate, holiday cookie decorating, live music, and photos with Santa!
5. Outdoor holiday celebrations with kid-friendly activities
- Bed-Stuy Gateway BID’s Winter Wonderland
Thursdays–Sundays | 12-6pm | FREE | Marcy Plaza in Bed Stuy
Bed Stuy Gateway BID’s Winter Wonderland is back and better than ever! Join us for a month long family friendly holiday tradition that includes live entertainment, fashion showcases and live music from local DJs. - Holiday Festivities on Atlantic Avenue
Walk the Windows December 7 & 8 | Festivity Weekends December 14-15 & 21-22
Kick off the holiday season on Atlantic Avenue on December 7 & 8 by touring the festive windows between Fourth Avenue and the waterfront. There will be special events, sales, and treats! Save the date for Festivity Weekends, with Santa and music on Atlantic Avenue, giveaways, and more! - Children’s Party with Santa & Olaf at Hoyt Street Garden
Saturday, December 7 | 12-3pm | FREE | Boerum Hill
Don’t miss Santa and Olaf at the Hoyt Street Garden (98 Hoyt Street). Children are invited to create DIY ornaments to decorate the fences of the local garden! - Tree to Tree Holiday Trolley from Park Slope to Sunset Park
Saturday, December 14 | 3-7pm | FREE | Runs along 5th Ave. from 4th St. to 60th St. | First pick-up will be 5th Ave. and 60th St. at 3pm
The first Tree to Tree Trolley will run between two holiday trees, in Park Slope and Sunset Park! DJ Eddie will be entertaining along the way, and there will be goodie bags for the first 20 kids on the trolley! Plus, an appearance from Santa. Two stops only! See the full schedule here.
6. Take a ride on New York Transit Museum’s Holiday Nostalgia Trains
Sundays in December | 10am-6pm | Cost of one subway ride | Lower Manhattan
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!
7. Catch a kid-friendly holiday performance
- Mark Morris Dance Group’s The Hard Nut at BAM
December 12–22, 2024 | Tickets start at $45 | Fort Greene
Mark Morris Dance Group’s boisterous reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s beloved The Nutcracker is at BAM for the holidays! And join for a special Family Party on December 15, following the matinee performance of The Hard Nut ($30 for families of 2-3, $40 for families of 4-6). The party will feature cookies, cocoa, arts and crafts, and photo opportunities with characters from the show. - The Brooklyn Nutcracker at City Tech
December 12–15, 2024 | Tickets start at $35 | Downtown Brooklyn
The Brooklyn Nutcracker is New York’s only culturally authentic and inclusive production, featuring artists from all over the globe, blending ballet with hip hop, African dance, belly dance, traditional Native American Hoop Dance, Chinese dance, flamenco, traditional Ukrainian Hopak, and even a krumping Rat King in an epic street dance battle! - Free Holiday Concert by Suzi Shelton at Time Out Market
Friday, December 13 | FREE | RSVP here | DUMBO
With over a decade of experience, Suzi Shelton creates music that is both uplifting and fun, encouraging little ones to sing, dance, and explore the world around them. Join for this holiday-themed show at Time Out Market in DUMBO! - Mozart for Munchkins: The Nutcracker at St. Ann’s Church
Saturday, December 14 | 11am & 1pm | $40/adult, FREE for kids | Brooklyn Heights
The Nutcracker as you’ve never heard it before, featuring tap dance virtuoso Demi Remick, the sweet tones of Steve Whipple on the upright bass & Blanca González and Jesse Elder of Musiquita on violin and piano. The ensemble will also perform some holiday favorites, some Latin folk music & and a handful of children’s classics. - Mozart for Munchkins: The Nutcracker at St. Ann’s Church
Saturday, December 14 | 11am & 1pm | $40/adult, FREE for kids | Brooklyn Heights
The Nutcracker as you’ve never heard it before, featuring tap dance virtuoso Demi Remick, the sweet tones of Steve Whipple on the upright bass & Blanca González and Jesse Elder of Musiquita on violin and piano. The ensemble will also perform some holiday favorites, some Latin folk music & and a handful of children’s classics. - Brooklyn Brandenburgers Family Holiday Concert at the Old Stone House
Sunday, December 15 | 3pm & 7pm | $25/adult, FREE for kids 16 and under | Park Slope
Join the Brooklyn Brandenburgers for their annual Family Holiday Concert featuring music by Schubert, Eslava, Bach, Mozart, Cherubini, and more. - Suzi Shelton’s Merry Little Holiday Show at Jalopy Theatre
Saturday, December 21 | 11am | $10/adult, $5/kid | Red Hook
Suzi will be celebrating the holiday season with joyful songs along with musicians Jeff Litman and Andi Rae Healy as well as a host of special guests. Get ready to shake some jingle bells and sing along! This concert is geared for families with children 0-8 years, however everyone is welcome. Refreshments will be available for sale and there might even be a visit from a special jolly fellow in a red suit!
8. Celebrate Chanukah
- Lighting of Brooklyn’s Largest Menorah at Grand Army Plaza
Kick-off lighting on December 25 at 4pm | Lightings continue December 26–January 1, see all times here | FREE
Every night of Chanukah will be celebrated with the lighting of Brooklyn’s largest Menorah at Grand Army Plaza, plus live music, hot latkes and gifts for the kids! The first night will feature a Kickoff Concert Event beginning at 4pm. - Chanukah on Ice with Chabad of DUMBO
Monday, December 30 | 4:30-5:30pm | Free RSVP; $10 tickets will be purchased at ice rink | Brooklyn Bridge Park
Ice skate under the Brooklyn Bridge and then light the menorah!
9. Celebrate Kwanzaa at Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Thursday, December 26–Monday, December 30 | $15 admission | Crown Heights
Celebrate Kwanzaa returns to Brooklyn Children’s Museum this December! Celebrate the traditions of Kwanzaa at New York City’s largest family Kwanzaa event, presented in partnership with Brooklyn-based Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation. Now in its 17th year, Celebrate Kwanzaa takes place over 5 days. Each day features a mix of repeating and unique programs designed for all ages. This year’s theme is “Our Children Enlighten the Community,” and we are excited to highlight professional youth performers who embody the Nguzo Saba (principles of Kwanzaa). Explore the seven principles of Kwanzaa with daily candle celebrations led by Chinua Baraka Payne and the Asase Yaa Youth Ensemble, performances with the Kudo NYC, FIYAA (Forces of Nature Incredible Youth Arts Alliance), dance and drumming workshops, grafitti-inspired artwork in ColorLab and more!
10. Ring in the New Year at a family-friendly party
- Threes Brewing’s Family-Friendly Balloon Drop
Tuesday, December 31 | 2pm, Balloon Drop at 4pm | FREE, no tickets needed | Gowanus
Threes Brewing will host their Second Annual Family-Friendly Balloon Drop on New Year’s Eve. They’ll have a sparkling cider toast and food specials from our friends at Grand Army. Bar and kitchen open at 2pm, balloon drop at 4pm. No tickets needed. Bring the kids, bring the family, have everyone home and tucked into bed (including yourself, if you want) by 5pm!
Updated: November 30, 2024. Main Image: DUMBO Holiday Tree Lighting.
