Must Do Holiday Events in Brooklyn

It's the most wonderful time of the year.  Holidays are here and I have a couple of places in Brooklyn to visit, from tree lighting, where to take the best picture with old St. Nick and the best holiday show.



Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting in 2015-

1. Shore Road Park Christmas Lighting -Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Wednesday Dec 2, 2015
Free
State Sen. Martin Golden kicks off the festive evening at Shore Road Park, which includes Hot Chocolate, small gifts from Santa and the tree lighting. Revelers are encouraged to bring a donation for Toys for Tots.
http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2015/12/02/shore-road-park-tree-lighting

2. 10th Annual Dumbo Holiday Tree Lighting- Dumbo, Brooklyn
Thursday Dec 3, 2015
Free
Pearl Street Triangle for an evening of entertainment, including excerpts from The Gelsey Kirkland Ballot's Nut Cracker, steele drums by Jah Pan, hot chocolate, a visit and photo with santa and caroling.
Guest are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy appropriate for children 14 and younger in support of the Big Brooklyn Holiday Toy Drive.
http://dumbo.is/blogging/10th-annual-holiday-tree-lighting-is-december-3/http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2015/12/02/shore-road-park-tree-lighting

3.McKinley Park Christmas Tree Lighting-Dyker Heights, Brooklyn
Thursday Dec 3, 2015
Free
Hosted by State Sen. Martin Golden, who's joined by jolly old St. Nick. Enjoy hot chocolate as Santa distibutes a small gift to each child.
http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/mckinley-park/events/2015/12/03/christmas-tree-lighting-ceremony

4. Atlantic Ave-Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Friday Dec 4, 2015
Free
Watch the christmas tree at the Belarusian church light up while enjoying complimentary treats and performances by local Public School students. Santa on hand to hear kid's wish list.
http://atlanticave.org/treelighting/

5. Carroll Park-Carroll Garden, Brooklyn
Friday Dec 4, 2015
Free
Community Organization's the Court Street Merchant's Association and friends of Carroll Garden Park host this annual illumination. Santa helps flip the switch and there is food and fun in the Park House near the play ground. Canned goods and non perishables are collected for donation for @City Harvest.

6. 9th Annual Columbia Waterfront District Tree Lighting
Friday Dec 11, 2015
Take your picture with old St. Nick, refreshment from local restaurant, live music by Afro Latineers. Bring your kids for a surprise from Santa.
http://www.carrollgardensassociation.com/9th-annual-community-tree-lighting/

7. Fort Greene Park Holiday Tree Lighting-Fort Greene, Brooklyn
Free
Sunday Dec 6, 2015
Join friends, neighbors, the Fort Greene Park Conservancy and Santa Claus for an evening of caroling with free hot chocolate and holiday cheers.
http://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/fort-greene-park/events/2015/12/06/2015-fort-greene-park-holiday-tree-lighting

8. Grand Army Plaza Menorah Lighting-Park Slope
Free
Sunday Dec6 through Tuesday Dec 13, 2015.
The Menorah is lit and revelers enjoy hot latkes, gifts for children and live music.
http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/holiday-lightings

9.Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting-Midtown East
Free
Wednesday Dec 2, 2015
http://heavy.com/news/2015/11/rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-2015-lighting-performers-go-up-hours-come-down-history/

10. Pitkin Ave 6th Annual Tree Lighting at Zion Triangle- Brownsville, Brooklyn
Free
Friday Dec 4, 2015
Old St. Nicks, hot cocoa and cupcakes, music, caroling, special guest and more.
http://pitkinavenue.nyc/

11. Bedford Stuyvesant Third Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony-Bedford Stuyvesant
Free
Wednesday Dec 3, 2015, 6 pm.
West Plaza of Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration
Photos with Santa, christmas gifts and more. Music will be provided by Grammy Award Winning Artist Jeff Redd.

12. Lady Moody Triangle Tree Lighting-
Free
Thursday Dec 10, 2015
St. Nicks and State Sen. Martin Golden. Hot chocolate, caroling and a special visit from Santa Claus who will bring gifts for the kids.
http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/2015/12/10/christmas-tree-lighting

Best Holiday Shows in Brooklyn

1. A Charlie Brown Christmas- Gowanus Canal
Friday Dec 11, 2015- Sunday Dec 27, 2015
After years of performing this family favorite at the now closed Brooklyn Lyceum, the show moves to a huge brand new venue. thew Redwood Studios for its 7th annual run.
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2433028

2. Annie- Flatbush, Brooklyn
Tuesday Dec 15-Sunday Dec 20, 2015
This revival is helmed by Martin Charninn the show's lyricist and original Broadway director and is playing at Brooklyn recently re-opened King's Theatre.
http://www.kingstheatre.com/search-results?indexCatalogue=main%2Dsearch&searchQuery=annie&wordsMode=0

Ice Skating Rinks

1. Rockefeller Center-
https://therinkatrockcenter.com/

2. Central Park-
http://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/iceskating/4

3. LeFrak Center Lakeside- Prospect Park
Hours, rate and skate rental vary. Click on the link for updates.
https://www.prospectpark.org/visit-the-park/places-to-go/lefrak-center-lakeside/


Best Places To Take Pictures with Santa.

1. Items of Interest- Park Slope, Brooklyn
Friday Nov 2 through Wednesday Dec 23, 2015
Visit website for complete schedule and to make an appointment.
http://www.itemsofinterest.com/santa/

2. Sinter Klass at Wyckoff Farm House Museum- East Flatbush, Brooklyn
Sunday Dec 6, 2015 1pm-4 pm.
http://wyckoffmuseum.org/events/

3. Kings Plaza- Mill Basin, Brooklyn
http://www.kingsplazaonline.com/Events/Details/254943


Holiday Train Show-

1. The New York Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show- Bronx
Nov 21-Jan 18, 2015
http://www.nybg.org/hts15/

2. The New York Historical Society's Seasonal Exhibit Holiday Express Holiday Express, toys and trains from the Jemi Collection- New york
http://www.nyhistory.org/exhibitions/holiday-express-toys-and-trains-jerni-collection-0

3. The Annual Holiday Train Show- New York Transit Museum Gallery- Grand Central Terminal, Vanderbilt Hall
http://www.nycgo.com/events/holiday-train-show-at-grand-central-terminal1


Make sure to click on the link of your choice for schedule and prices.
                                   

                                         

Have a Safe and Happy Holiday

Let the Summer Fun begin, 2015 things to do in Brooklyn.

June in Brooklyn can't be beat. Kids are out of school, festivals, street fairs, block parties are beginning and the weather is warm.

1. Make Music New York: Make Music New York is a live, free musical celebration on Sunday June 21, the longest day of the year, with over 1,300 concerts on the streets, sidewalks, and parks across the five borough. http://makemusicny.org/

2. BAM Theater: (Brooklyn Academy of Music) is a multi-arts center located in Brooklyn. For more than 150 years, BAM has been the home for adventurous artists, audiences, and ideas-engaging in both global and local communities. With world-renowned programming in the theater, dance, music, opera, film and much more, BAM show cases the work of emerging artists and innovative modern masters.  http://www.bam.org/about

3. BargeMusic: Bargemusic Classic Music Concerts, Bargemusic presents great music up to five days a week, every week of the year. Walk across the gang plank of a renovated coffee barge into a wonderfully intimate wood-paneled room with thrilling views of lower Manhattan and excellent acoustics. New York City's Floating Concert Hall http://www.bargemusic.org/

4. Brooklyn Renegade Crafts Fair: Renegade Craft Fair is the world largest premier DIY craft market place, showcasing a curated selection of the best and brightest in the Indie craft and design community. http://www.renegadecraft.com/newyork

5. Brooklyn Bridge Park: A fabulous park straddling Dumbo and Brooklyn Heights, there's always something interesting going on at Brooklyn Bridge Park. Check their schedule for events 

http://www.brooklynbridgepark.org/

6. Brooklyn Cyclones Season Opens: For schedule and tickets
 http://www.brooklyncyclones.com/tickets/season/

7. Brooklyn Film Festival: The 2015 Brooklyn Film Festival will take place May 29-June 7, 2015. The 2015 edition is themed "Illuminate" http://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/

8. Brooklyn Kids Film Fest: Kids Film Fest, an exciting initiative of the Brooklyn Film Festival, presents programs of films tailored for children of all ages. http://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/

9. Brooklyn Museum: Target First Saturday. Join them for Target First Saturday and enjoy engaging and eclectic free art and entertainment programs every month, from 5-11 

pm. http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/visit/first_saturdays.php

10. Brooklyn Pride Parade and Festival: June 8-13, 2015
http://brooklynpride.org/

11. Celebrate Brooklyn: Celebrate Brooklyn, the popular concert series, known for its eclectic programming, great music, local audiences and $3 admission fee. http://bricartsmedia.org/performing-arts/celebrate-brooklyn

12. Leffert House and Audobon Center (Prospect Park): Lefferts House, a wonderful historic house that's both a landmark and a Children's Museum, offers educational programs for children. Both are located in Prospect Park. http://www.prospectpark.org/visit-the-park/places-to-go/lefferts-historic-house/

13. Coney Island Mermaid Parade: June 20, 2015 at 1 pm. Coney Island Mermaid Parade is the largest art parade in the nation. A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside.
http://www.coneyisland.com/programs/mermaid-parade

14. Coney Island Weekend Fireworks: Beach fireworks shoots off at 9;30 pm-10;45 pm every Fridaynight durning season, starting last weekend in June and concludes the Friday before Labor Day. http://www.coneyisland.com/tourist-information

15. Free Outdoor Summer Movies: Over 70 outdoor films are schedule to screen in Brooklyn between June and Sept 2015. Some film festivals run only six weeks, other from May-Sept. http://www.nycgovparks.org/events/free_summer_movies

16. Northside Festival: June 8-14, 2015. Northside celebrates the artists and thinkers moving us forward. They're talking 400 bands, 150 speakers and 50 films spread over seven days, each custom curated for the music, innovation and film enthusiast. http://www.northsidefestival.com/

17. Open Studio Tour: Arts in Bushwick. Founded in 2007, Arts in Bushwick is an all volunteer organization that serves and engages artists and other neighborhood resides through creative accessibility and community organization. http://artsinbushwick.org/

                                                                                                     


18. R&B Festival at Metro Tech" Free outdoor summer concert series outdoors in Downtown Brooklyn. http://www.bam.org

19. Red Hook Jazz Festival: 8th annual Red Hook Jazz Festival June 14-21, 2015

                                                                                                       

20. Afro Punk Festival: August 22-23, 2015 Commodore Park http://afropunkfest.com/

21. Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival: 50 Kent st in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. June 6-11, 2015

http://www.bkhiphopfestival.com/2015-brooklyn-hip-hop-festival-dates-are-here/

22. The Martin Luther King Jr. concert series:  July 21- August 19, 2015. Concert series offers free R&B and Gospel music. The concert takes place during the month of July and August at Wingate Field, opposite Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn. http://www.brooklynconcerts.com/mlk.html

23. The Brooklyn Music Festival: August 8, 2015. Location at a later date.

24. Summer Stage: Free shows, which happens at different city parks. It's an expanded Summer Stage season this year as well, running May 18,-Oct 4, 2015 with 140 free shows.
http://www.cityparksfoundation.org/summerstage/

25. The Kings County fair of Brooklyn: May 14-25, 2015. Brooklyn's most popular family event returns to Aviator Sports & Events Center, located at Floyd Bennett Field. This community event will once again include a variety of rides and games for kids of all ages. http://www.thekingscountyfair.com/

26. Family Performance Festival: June 21- September 6, 2015,Central Park. Every Sunday at 12 pm. Each summer, the Conservancy host a series of eco-education and multicultural performances for the whole family to enjoy. http://www.centralparknyc.org/about/programs/family-performance-festival.html