- Santa Claus in Queens - Dates, times, and locations to meet Old St. Nick (update in progress)
- Hanukkah in Queens
Not to be out done, the Queens Center Mall kicks off its holiday season 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 19, 2011, 4 p.m. (Level 2, JCPenney Wing)
- Queens Center Mall, LIE at Queens Blvd, Elmhurst
Holiday Lights at Sky View Center
Sunday afternoons this December this new mall in Queens puts on holiday events. There's a concert, holiday crafts, and sing-alongs. Chech the mall's website for details.
- Sky View Center, 40-24 College Point Blvd, Flushing, NY 11354
Sunnyside Christmas Tree Lighting
Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce lights up the tree at Joe Sabba Park with hot chocolate, the Sunnyside Drum Corp, and Santa himself.
- November 29, 2011, 6:30 p.m.
- Joe Sabba Park, 50th St and Queens Blvd, Sunnyside
At Queens Theatre - Christmas Carol, It's a Wonderful Life, and Chinese Acrobats
Queens Theatre puts on Christmas Carol for kids the Friday after Thanksgiving. It's a Wonderful Life is a "live radio play" staged December 14-24. The classic movie is imagined as a live 1940s radio broadcast. Over the long break between Christmas and New Year's, a troupe of Chinese acrobats performs. The Golden Dragon Acrobats perform December 27-31 with death-defying thrills and family pricing. Juggle your New Year's Eve plans with a performance that incldues a champagne toast.
- Queens Theatre in the Park - Flushing Meadows, Queens
Woodhaven Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade
- Woodhaven Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - December 2, 2011, 7 p.m.
- At intersection of Forest Pkwy and Jamaica Ave
- Woodhaven Christmas Parade December 3, 2011, 11:30 a.m., from 96th St to 75th St, along Jamaica Avenue.
- Jamaica Avenue
Queens Library Celebrates the Holidays
There are many holiday events at local library branches throughout Queens. Check the Queens Library website for a list of all events, including arts and crafts and concerts.
- December 10, 2011, 10:30 a.m. - 8 p.m., free
- Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center, 100-01 Northern Blvd, Corona, NY
Holidays on Jamaica Avenue
There's a Christmas tree lighting at Rufus King Park with gifts, caroling, and hot chocolate.
- Saturday, December 10, 2011, 6 p.m., details
- Rufus King Park, 153rd St and 89th Ave, Jamaica, NY
Also on December 10, just a few blocks away, and earlier in the day, it's Holiday Family Fun Day at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL). There's arts and crafts, puppets, and more.
- Saturday, December 10, 2011, 1 p.m., details
- 161-04 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, NY
With King Manor decorated for the holidays, there's a day of stories, crafts, and free winter fun for families on December 11. There's also a holiday concert on December 28- classical music in an intimate setting by Dongsok Shin.
- Holiday Fun: FREE Hands-On History: Snowed in at The Manor - December 10, 2011, noon, King Manor Museum (150th St and Jamaica Ave)
- Fortepiano Performance - December 28, 2011 - wine and cheese reception at 6 p.m., followed by concert. $15/$12
The Nutcracker and a Christmas Comedy at Secret Theatre in Long Island City
The Ballet for Young Audiences and Long Island City School of Ballet presents The Nutcracker, featuring students from The Long Island City School of Ballet.
- Nutcracker, December 10, 2011, several shows, $15 adults / $10 children
- The Secret Theatre, 4402 23rd St, Long Island City, NY 11101, 718-781-1169
- Christmas Show, December 21, 2011, 7 p.m., $25
- The Secret Theatre, 4402 23rd St, Long Island City, NY 11101, 718-781-1169
Annual Holiday Concert - Oratorio Society of Queens
The Oratorio Society of Queens celebrates on December 18, 2011, with excerpts from Handel's Messiah, plus sing-along Christmas carols and Chanukah favorites.
- December 18, 2011, 4 p.m., $30/$25/free
- Oratorio Society of Queens - 718-279-3006
- Queensborough Performing Arts Center (at Queensborough College), Bayside
- The Nutcracker, December 18, 2011, 3 p.m., $18/$12, details
Flushing Historic House Holiday Tour
It's a Flushing tradition to tour the historic sites of the neighborhood each winter. This year the event is December 11, 2011, $10 for adults and free for kids. Sites include Flushing Town Hall, Kingsland Homestead, Voelker-Orth Museum, Lewis Latimer House Museum, and Friends Meeting House. This is a lovely way to learn the history of Flushing with others interested in the wealth of local lore. Contact Flushing Town Hall for more information. You can pair the tour with seeing the The Nutcracker at Flushing Town Hall.
The Nutcracker and Hanukkah at Flushing Town Hall
Two performances cover the holidays at Flushing Town Hall.
- The Nutcracker - December 11, 2011
- A Hanukkah Celebration With Louie Miranda - December 18, 2011
- Robbi K and Friends: An All Ages Kwanzaa Celebration - December 18, 2010
- 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
Holiday Open House at the Queens Farm Museum
Celebrate the holidays with free Yule-time tours of the Queens Country Farm Museum, plus arts and crafts for kids and mulled cider. Also come by the Farm in December to buy Christmas trees, wreaths, and poinsettias.
- December 26, 27, and 28, 2011 - noon to 4 p.m., free
- Queens Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy, Floral Park, 718-347-3276
- Christmas Trees and Poinsettia Sales: December 3 to 24, 2011
Did we miss a holiday event? Email queens.guide@about.com with all the details. And I wish you a very happy Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, and any holiday I missed, plus a healthy New Year to you and your family!
Holiday Tours at Louis Armstrong House
The Louis Armstrong House Museum gives tours of the house all decked out for Christmas. Enjoy holiday season audio clips and recordings. In the gift shop you can find some unusual items, like Jazzmen Rice, a jasmine rice grown in Louisiana.
- Louis Armstrong House Museum - Holiday Tours
- December 1 - 30, 2011
- 34-56 107th St
