- Santa Claus in Queens - Dates, times, and locations to meet Old St. Nick
Atlas Park's unique take on the holidays is Mr. Bemberlinx, a 20-foot-high bush in the shape of a teddy bear decked out in holiday gear. This year the theme is swing music, with the The Cherry Poppin Daddys performing, plus fireworks and a parade. The Atlas Park mall people always do events well, and I expect this to be no exception.
- November 15, 2008
- Atlas Park, 8000 Cooper Ave, Glendale
Not to be out done, the Queens Center Mall kicks off its holiday season one week later with a tree lighting. The first 500 children will receive a free magic wand to help light the tree. Then it's milk, cookies, and Santa time. See more about Santa at Queens Center and the mall's other promotions in December.
- November 22, 2008, 4 p.m. (Level 2, JCPenney Wing)
- Queens Center Mall, LIE at Queens Blvd, Elmhurst
Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce lights up the tree at Joe Sabba Park with hot chocolate, singing, and Santa himself, followed by a prix fixe meal at Dazie's.
- December 1, 2008, 6 p.m.
- Joe Sabba Park, 50th St and Queens Blvd, Sunnyside
Queens Theatre knows how to entertain over the long Thanksgiving weekend and Christmas break. This year the theater does the tradition right with Babes In Toyland (November 30) and The Nutcracker (December 29 and 30).
- Queens Theatre in the Park - Flushing Meadows, Queens
The holidays start early at Forest Park with crafts, a live show, and a visit from Santa. Bring your camera for Santa photos.
- December 6, 2008, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Oak Ridge in Forest Park, One Forest Park
- $2. Tickets at Oak Ridge (One Forest Park) at door only. 718-235-4100. Details at NYC Parks.
Holiday Spectacular at Lost Battalion Hall
Music, crafts, and celebrations
- December 5, 2008, 5–9 p.m., Lost Battalion Hall, 93-29 Queens Blvd, 718-263-1163
- TBD
- At intersection of Forest Pkwy and Jamaica Ave
A slightly different holiday tradition, one that will get you out of the house and in nature, is the annual count of wild birds in Alley Pond Park.
- December 6, 8 a.m., free
- Alley Pond Park, 228-06 Northern Blvd, Douglaston, 718-229-4000
Celebrate Kwanzaa at a one-plus day fair, starting on December 12 and going all day on December 13, including crafts, folk tales, and live entertainment.
- December 12, 2008,4:40 p.m., and December 13, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Free
- Queens Library: Langston Hughes, Langston Hughes Community Library & Cultural Center, 100-01 Northern Boulevard, Corona, 718-651-1100
King Manor decorated for the holidays, plus a day of stories, crafts, and free winter fun for families.
- December 13, 2008, noon –1 p.m., King Manor Museum (150th St and Jamaica Ave)
Visit the Kingsland Homestead, the Quaker Meeting House, Flushing Town Hall, Voelker-Orth Museum, and Lewis H. Latimer House via a guided trolley ride with a local historian. There will be craft workshops, and a Christmas tree lighting and caroling at Latimer House.
- $10 for adults, and $5 for children under 12.
- December 14, 2008, 1–5 p.m., Queens Historical Society at 718-939-0647 ext 17.
Three performances cover the holidays at Flushing Town Hall.
- The Nutcracker - December 21 and 28, 2008
- Catch The Kwanzaa Beat - December 27
- Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah! - December 28
- Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd, Flushing, 718-463-7700
Join the annual holiday lighting festival in Jackson Heights and celebrate the season with neighbors. There will be a tree, a menorah, and holiday lights, plus music by school kids.
- TBD
- Jackson Heights Post Office, 78-02 37th Ave
The Oratorio Society of Queens performs Christmas carols and Hanukkah favorites.
- December 21, 2008, 4 p.m., $20, $18 seniors/students, free/12 and under
- Queensborough Performing Arts Center (at Queensborough College), Bayside
The Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council sponsors the largest Hanukkah menorah in the borough. The annual "Light Up The Night - A Spectacular Chanukah Celebration" features live music, dancing, latkes and sufganiyot, and dreidels, chocolate Chanukah gelt, and special entertainment for the kids.
- Menorah Lighting - December 21, 2008, TBD - Chabad of Eastern Queens, 211-05 Union Tpke, Hollis Hills, 718-225-6750x247
- Chanukah Party - December 14
- NEQJCC website, 718-225-6750 x247.
Celebrate the holidays with free Yule-time tours of the Queens Country Farm Museum, plus arts and crafts for kids and cider. Also come by the Farm in December to buy Christmas trees, wreaths, and poinsettias.
- December 26, 27, 28, and 29, 2008 - noon - 4 p.m., free
- Queens Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy, Floral Park, 718-347-3276
- Christmas Trees and Poinsettia Sales: December 1 to 24
Entertainment, prizes, store discounts, latkes, dreidels, and lighting of the Menorah at Atlas Park mall. First 100 attendees receive free Pawfect Chanukah gift bag. 10% of parking proceeds benefits Queens Jewish Community Council.
- December 28, 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
- Atlas Park, 8000 Cooper Ave, Glendale
In conjunction with the bilingual childrens musical "Goldilocks & the 3 Bears" (Ricitos y Los 3 Ositos), the Three Kings visit, giving gifts to children in the audience, a Latino holiday tradition.
- January 11, 2009, 3 p.m., $10/$12
- Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41-17 Greenpoint Ave, Sunnyside, 718-729-3880
