- 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 topiary bush in the shape of a teddy bear decked out in holiday gear and lights. Atlas Park mall always puts on a great display for the holidays. Bemberlinx lights up the night through New Year's Eve. Plus there's Santa and an outdoor "train" for kids to climb on.
- November-December, 2009
- Atlas Park, 8000 Cooper Ave, Glendale
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 21, 2009, 4 p.m. (Level 2, JCPenney Wing)
- Queens Center Mall, LIE at Queens Blvd, Elmhurst
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.
- December 1, 2009, 6 p.m.
- Joe Sabba Park, 50th St and Queens Blvd, Sunnyside
Queens Theatre puts on traditional musicals to entertain the kids (ages 4-10) over the long Thanksgiving weekend and Christmas break. This year the theater does the tradition right with A Christmas Carol (November 27), Santa Meets the Wicked Wizard (December 26), 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 own camera for Santa photos.
- December 5, 2009, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
- Oak Ridge in Forest Park, One Forest Park
- $5 suggested donation. Tickets at Oak Ridge (One Forest Park) at door only. 718-235-4100. Details at NYC Parks.
Woodhaven Tree Lighting and Christmas Parade
- Woodhaven Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony - December 4, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
- At intersection of Forest Pkwy and Jamaica Ave
- Woodhaven Christmas Parade December 5, noon - 4 p.m.
- 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.
Celebrate Kwanzaa at the Langston Hughes library with the music of Simply Skins, an all female percussion group. Join the dancing and drumming.
- December 12, 2009, 1 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 19, 2009, noon, King Manor Museum (150th St and Jamaica Ave)
- Groups require advance reservations
Celebrate Kwanzaa at Flushing Library
The Ebony Hillbillies -- one of the few black string bands in America -- perform for the holiday.
- December 19, 2009, 2 p.m., Flushing Library, Main St.
Three performances cover the holidays at Flushing Town Hall. The Klez Dispensers? They take the prize for best band name this holiday.
- Klez Dispensers - A Hanukkah Celebration - December 6, 2009
- The Nutcracker - December 13 and 19, 2009
- Bakithi Kumalo - A Kwanzaa Celebration - December 20, 2009
- 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 20, 2009, 4 p.m., $25, $20 seniors/students, free/12 and under
- Oratorio Society of Queens - 718-279-3006
- Queensborough Performing Arts Center (at Queensborough College), Bayside
The Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council sponsors what's probably the largest Hanukkah menorah in the borough. This year there's a lighting at the Chabad of Eastern Queens as well as at Bay Terrace mall. The celebration at the mall includes live music and dancing, latkes, raffle, and even a fire juggling juggler.
- Menorah Lighting - December 13, 2009, 5 p.m. - Chabad of Eastern Queens, 211-05 Union Tpke, Hollis Hills, 718-225-6750x247
- Menorah Lighting - December 13, 2009, 6 p.m. - Bay Terrace mall, Bayside - Free
- Green Chanukah Party - December 6 - at The Samuel Field Y
- Chanukah at Chabad of Little Neck - December 15
- 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, and 28, 2009 - 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
This January 2010 it's "Little Red Riding Hood and the Three Kings!" The children's musical "Little Red Riding Hood" (in English and Spanish) is followed by a visit from the Three Kings, bearing gifts to children in the audience, a Latino holiday tradition.
- January 9 and 10, 2010, 3 p.m., $10/$12
- Thalia Spanish Theatre, 41-17 Greenpoint Ave, Sunnyside, 718-729-3880
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!
