Park Slope Winter Holiday Guide: Lights, Holiday Markets, Hanukkah Lightings and Santa Visits!
Plus: Gingerbread Houses, NYE, Ornaments, Cartoons, Comedy, Cinema & Crafts
Welcome to a special edition of your Park Slope events newsletter. Our Park Slope Halloween Guide was our biggest post ever, and we’re eager to make this page a resource for you all month. We’ll keep updating, so check back! As always, links to sources are in (parentheses) after each event, and you can also follow our IG for event changes and scenes around the neighborhood.
Get Some Kids Some Toys!
Fourth Annual ‘Share the Toy’ Giveaway @ Brooklyn Museum. “’Tis the season! To help spread holiday cheer, we’re hosting our fourth annual toy drive. From November 14 through December 14, stop by the Admissions Desk to drop off new, unwrapped toys for children ages 0–14 in the designated bins. On December 17, 12–3 pm, pick up gifts for your little loved ones while supplies last. After the giveaway, any remaining toys will be donated to local family shelters.” (12:00 PM, Brooklyn Museum)
Camp Friendship Toy Drive 2023: “Accepting new unwrapped gifts for children 0-18 at business across the neighborhood. Recommended cost: $15-$25. Drop them off @ Camp Friendship, Little Things Toy Store, Old First Nursery School Christmas Tree Sale, Old Stone House, O Live Brooklyn, Paddy's, Slope Vintage, South Slope Pediatrics, YMCA 9th Street, & YMCA Armory.” (Camp Friendship)
Ongoing
Lightscape @ Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, Now Through New Year’s Day: My family went to Lightscape this month and it’s as beautiful as ever. As maybe the biggest holiday spectacle in Brooklyn, it’s also great for people-watching. When we visited, we were lucky enough to come around a corner and observe a marriage proposal in lights unfold. Recommended! (Brooklyn Botanic Garden)
Full Event Rundown
Thursday, December 14th
🪦❄️Things That Matter: Holiday Edition @ Green-Wood Cemetery: “Like Antiques Roadshow but with storytelling, or a Death Cafe turned Pinterest board. Everyone is welcome to join in—just bring an object of your choosing and share your story about loss. No judges, no prizes, no pressure. And no need to practice! Just want to come and listen? Awesome! Observers are always welcome. At this edition of Things that Matter, we’re focusing on the items, people, and stories that have made the year-end holidays a special time for us.” (6:00 PM, Green-Wood Cemetery)
🎨🌨Winter Landscape Paintings: “Students will learn basic watercolor techniques and then complete a finished winter landscape painting! Techniques such as dry brush and wet into wet will be demonstrated by our teacher, followed by ample time for students to experiment with the materials and techniques on their own.” (7:00 PM, Winemak'her Bar $45)
🎨Nutcracker Painting Contest and Weihenstephan Tap Takeover. “Grab a nutcracker to paint until we run out! We’ll have 🎁 prizes, 🍪 cookies, 🧉mulled wine,🎄 holiday music, movies and more!” (7:30 PM, Brewer's Row)
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️❤️🏡Holiday Karaoke @ Ginger’s Bar: “A holigay song along Karaoke with your queer fam.” (8PM, Ginger’s Bar)
Saturday, December 16th
❄️🐦🐤Family Holiday Bird Count: “Blooming naturalists of all ages can join a tradition more than 100 years in the making. The Prospect Park Audubon Center’s Family Holiday Bird Count is an homage to the nationwide bird census that helps conservation researchers track the long-term health of bird populations.” (10:00 AM, Audubon Center)
🎄🌷Terrarium Ornaments, Section A: “Learn how to create sculptural succulent terrarium ornaments that can thrive for years! Students will learn about making succulent soil, planting techniques for easier acclimation, what types of terrariums do best with succulents, which succulents are best to use, and how to diagnose any problems. You’ll be able to choose between two glass types: two hanging ornaments or one standing terrarium. An informative print-out will be available for you to take home, along with your little green terrarium world. Join us and get your hands dirty—they make great gifts!” (11:00 AM, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, $47)
🍿🧝‘Elf’ @ Nitehawk: “Elf is a mix between the misfit story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and the “believe in miracles” story of A Christmas Carol but with the added joy of Will Ferrell in an elf suit running around New York City. Starring as Buddy, one year he crawls into Santa’s toy bag as a baby and gets whisked off to the North Pole where he gets raised as an elf. Of course, he’s a tall fish out of water and eventually decides to head to his birthplace to meet his father. What he finds is a family and a city who have forgotten the meaning of Christmas so he sets out to save the holiday!” (11:00 AM, Nitehawk)
🇯🇵🏺Japan Village: Sawa Pottery Exhibition: “Explore a diverse array of masterpieces, from the traditional to contemporary. Witness the harmonious blend of tradition and innovation as celebrated potters, artisans, and crafters showcase their awe-inspiring creations.” (11:00 AM, Industry City)
🎄🎁Japan Village: Holiday Makers Market: “Japanese artists bring their passion to life through intricate handmade crafts. You can meet these skilled creators in person, listen to their inspiring stories, and delve into the artistry behind each unique piece. From exquisite accessories to captivating artworks, find the perfect blend of tradition and innovation.” (12:00 PM, Industry City)
❄️🎶☃️Events for Youth & Families: Once Upon a Snowflake! “In this hilarious musical, Sarah helps a fellow snowman, motivates the ridiculous Penguins and their exasperated trainer, and even sacrifices her chances of winning the Supreme Snowman Contest!” (1:00 PM, Central Library)
🎄🌷Terrarium Ornaments, Section B: “Learn how to create sculptural succulent terrarium ornaments that can thrive for years! Students will learn about making succulent soil, planting techniques for easier acclimation, what types of terrariums do best with succulents, which succulents are best to use, and how to diagnose any problems. You’ll be able to choose between two glass types: two hanging ornaments or one standing terrarium. An informative print-out will be available for you to take home, along with your little green terrarium world. Join us and get your hands dirty—they make great gifts!” (2:00 PM, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, $47)
🎵🎻Brooklyn Brandenburgers with Horns: “The Brooklyn Brandenburgers have been a staple of OSHs musical programming since 2004. Join us for their annual Family Holiday Concert with music by Beethoven, Vivian Fine, Grieg, Telemann, Bach, & Mozart.” (2:00 PM, Old Stone House)
🗣Holiday Caroling: “A beloved Brooklyn Conservatory tradition — holiday caroling! Please join us as we spread cheer throughout the neighborhood, culminating in a reception in our garden. All ages, voices, faiths welcome. To prepare, the Brooklyn Conservatory will lead a group in a warm-up and then split up to wander and carol. We will divide into separate groups for family music and for four-part madrigals, so there will be something to sing for everyone!” (2:00 PM, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music)
Christmas Carols in the Park w/Hope Community Church: “Live band! Music, s’mores, hot cider, kids crafts & cocoa. Free to all!” (3PM, Prospect Park, 15th Street/PPW Entrance)
🎅🍕Dinner with Santa: See listing above. (4:00 PM, Pizza Plus)
🍪☕️🍭Grown Up Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop @ Buttermilk: “Come for some grown up festive fun with gingerbread house decorating and boozy hot chocolate.” (6PM, Buttermilk)
Gemini & Scorpio/House of Scorpio Annual Holiday Party: “Come chill in our decadent private Loft and enjoy seasonal craft cocktails in a unique eclectic setting. Roaring fireplace projections, holiday classics retro lounge vibes soundtrack, and a sweet dance party to close out the night. Free popcorn from our vintage cart, hot cider & toddies in the bar. A few vendors will have their tables set up early for our holiday market the following day, so you can also pick up some holiday gifts. As always, this is the only night of the year when Miss Scorpio herself will be behind the bar (9pm-11pm), making our two specialty holiday cocktails.” (9:00PM, House of Scorpio)
Sunday, December 17th
🎅🍽Brunch with Santa @ Chela: “Santa will be visiting with each and every child for photos and their wishlist. He will also lead us in several Christmas carols and read a Christmas story.” (11:00 AM, Chela, $35)
🎁Holiday Artisan Market: “Vendors featuring jewelry, ceramics, textiles, chocolate, art prints and more. ” (1:00 PM, Brooklyn Flow, 198 5th Avenue)
🛍 Goldmine Holiday Market @ House of Scorpio: “Handmade art, gifts, clothing & accessories, plus vintage, thrift and designer resale. Find those last-minute holiday gifts for loved ones or indulge yourself. Relax in our jungle-themed bar and cozy lounge, enjoy chill beats on the big sound system and take pics at our selfie station.” (1:00PM, House of Scorpio)
🍗🔥🎺🎷A Seasonal Celebration w/Quality Brass Quintet: “We’ll also have @smokinjerksbbq back in the house with plenty of brisket and other BBQ treats.” (4PM, Wild East Brewery)
🐞🦟🐛Tim Platt’s Holiday Made Of Bugs: “Tim Platt hosts a holiday themed cabaret of the most innovative, genre bending comedians New York has to offer. This variety night celebrates the yuletide season with stand up, drag, sketch, monologue, and music with accompaniment from Kaye Loggins aka Time Wharp. Get ready for a feeling of good cheer and mayhem at MADE OF BUGS! Featuring: Julio Torres, Simple Town, Spike Einbinder and Richard Perez.” (8:00 PM, Littlefield, $10-$15)
🎅🍕Dinner with Santa: See listing above. (12PM & 3PM, Pizza Plus)
Monday, December 18th
🍿‘Maniac Cop 2’ @ Nitehawk: “Renegade police officer Matthew Cordell (Robert Z’Dar) once roamed the streets of New York City unleashing his murderous brand of vigilante justice upon its denizens before being struck down by good cop Jack Forrest (Bruce Campbell).” (9:15 PM, Nitehawk)
Tuesday, December 19th
🎵🎻Stomp, Clap and Sing with FunikiJam's Holiday Beat!: “This one-of-a-kind Off-Broadway show promises to take you on a cultural adventure like no other, celebrating an array of holidays, including Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Chinese New Year, and Shichigosan, all specially curated for kids and families.” (10:30 AM, Central Library)
🧑🎄Christmas Boy With Tommy Mcnamara: “Tommy McNamara brings back his annual holiday bash with a mixture of original, classic, and parody holiday music and comedy from some of New York's best. There will be special guests and special gifts and rocking around trees.” (7:30 PM, Union Hall , $10-$15)
😅Dan Joe Holiday Show: “Dan Licata and Joe Pera present a special DVD show for the holidays.” (8:00 PM, The Bell House, $15)
Wednesday, December 20th
🚫🏢🎉🍺The New York Groove Presents: The No Office Holiday Party: “Dhis is our chance to celebrate freelancers, gig workers, work-from-homers and anyone else who feels left out of company sponsored debauchery this year. Ditch the Zoom window for the stage and sing your heart out at live-band karaoke, show off your dance moves in front of your coworkers with tunes from melton, win some gifts in our holiday raffle, take out your frustrations on your boss live on stage, snap a holiday pic in our photo booth and more.” (7:30 PM, Littlefield, $15)
Feast of the Seven Fishes @ Cafe Mars: “To close out 2023, we will be offering a 5-course tour of the sea, with way more than 7 kinds of seafood, and a festive assortment of our own sweets and holiday digestivos. As always here at Café Mars, our take on Seven Fishes will be inspired by tradition and presented through a modern lens. The menu will be comprised entirely of new dishes.” (Café Mars, 6PM)
Thursday, December 21th
🎻🎻Flatfoot Flatbush!: “For the tenth year, the North Flatbush Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) teams up with Make Music New York and Porch Stomp to bring you another exciting year of music and dancing to celebrate community and the winter solstice. See dancers, fiddlers and pickers parade down the sidewalks of the ever-busy Flatbush Avenue playing old-time tunes while flatfooting, a form of percussive dancing from Appalachia.” (6:30 PM, Flatbush Avenue (Dean Street to Sterling Place)
🤣🪒Derrick Brown's A Close Shave With Heaven album release party: ‘Holiday Comedy Chortles Galore! Celebrate the release of Derrick Brown's comedy album A Close Shave With Heaven! Hosted by David Cross and Amber Tamblyn. Featuring performances from Janeane Garofalo, David Cross, Amber Tamblyn, Eugene Mirman and Derrick Brown. Poetry and comedy and holiday horn-doggin! Vinyl for sale! Last minute gifts from Pretty Good Friends! VIP early entrance and vinyl package too!’ (Union Hall, $15)
🍿🍺An Entirely From Memory Christmas: “Back at Littlefield for their next installment of the Entirely From Memory series! Performers will attempt (and most likely fail) to recreate “A Christmas Carol” and “Die Hard”, without the aid of scripts, rehearsals, or sobriety. All they will have will be their memory, a recent viewing of the films, and a lot of wigs. How certain are we that they’ll succeed? So certain that we’re making it harder for them.” (8:00 PM, Littlefield, $10)
🌈🎄A Gay Show For All People Christmas Spooktacular: "A Gay Show For All People Christmas Spooktacular Hosted By Aaron Jackson & Josh Sharp. Featuring: Jaboukie Young-White, Jo Firestone, Marie Faustin, Jan Sport, Richard Perez and a cameo from Cole Escola As The Little Boy In Christmas Shoes, with house band: Eric Gersen & His Straights.” (8:00 PM, The Bell House, $25)
Friday, December 22nd
🎄🗣The Sweetback Sisters' Country Christmas Singalong Spectacular: “The Sweetback Sisters are decking the halls with their modern take on the golden age of country music. For this show, the Queens of Christmastime put their signature twist on holiday classics and hidden gems that are sure to get even your scroogiest uncle in a festive spirit. Songbooks and plenty of warm fuzzy feelings provided.” (8:00 PM, The Bell House, $22)
Saturday, December 23rd
🍿‘It's a Wonderful Life' @ Nitehawk: “Based on the short story The Greatest Gift, Frank Capra’s annual holiday classic It’s a Wonderful Life has a somewhat bleak undertone that morphs into a celebration of being alive during the most wonderful time of the year. After businessman George Bailey wishes that he’s never been born, an angel is sent down to Earth to make George’s wish come true. It’s only until then that George can realize how many lives he’s changed and impacted and how different the world would be if he had never been there.” (11:00 AM, Nitehawk Cinema)
December 26 – Sunday, December 31
🎄🚮Holiday Tree Drop-Off in Prospect Park: “Join Prospect Park Alliance in recycling your holiday tree! Starting December 26, do the Earth a favor and leave your holiday tree along the Prospect Park perimeter fence.” (All Day, Prospect Park)
❄️🌲Winter Recess in Prospect Park: “Make the most of winter break! Join Prospect Park Alliance for family friendly programming every day during winter recess.
Nature Exploration, 12–4 pm
Nature Around Us, 12–3 pm: Enjoy different seasonal discovery stations and nature themed activities that will introduce you to the plants, insects and animals that call the park home. The Lake and Lullwater are home to many plants and animals. Help us to test the water quality and investigate pond samples that are filled with living organisms.
Animal Encounter, 2–3 pm: Join Alliance Naturalists in learning more about the animals in the Audubon Center’s collection. This program starts promptly at 2 pm.
Family Bird Walk, 3–4 pm: Prospect Park is a stopping point for hundreds of bird species each year! Join us as we search for these amazing creatures and other nature around the park. Binoculars and bird guides are provided. This program departs from the Audubon Center promptly at 3 pm.” (Prospect Park)
Friday, December 29th
🍾The Not My NYE Eve Eve Party: “Okay but who actually wants to go all out for NYE on a Sunday?! That’s why we’re raging the Friday before! What to expect: Glitter. Sparkle. Dazzle. Video clips. Resolutions. Mini-games. Drink tickets! Participation points. Bizarre prizes? A pinata?! Sing-alongs?! Hats! When Harry Met Sally re-enactments. Maybe someone will get PROPOSED to!” (7:30 PM, Littlefield, $5-$10)
🍾🗣Dar Williams: Almost New Year's Show. “Dar Williams’ lyrics contain bouquets of optimism, delivered on melodies alternating between beguiling lightness and understated gravity” (8:00 PM, The Bell House, $30)
Saturday, December 30th
🍿‘When Harry Met Sally’ @ Nitehawk: “Can a man and a woman be just friends? Or does sex always ruin it? Penned by Nora Ephron, When Harry Met Sally is a classic romantic comedy that chronicles this eternal question by following the eleven year relationship between Harry (Billy Crystal) and Sally (Meg Ryan). Beginning from when they first meet in college and then fast-forwarding to their re-connection ten years later, audiences can all rejoice when the inevitable happens. So come celebrate a truly beloved writer and a beautiful story of friendship.” (11:00 AM, Nitehawk)
New Year’s Eve
🍾🤣Best Year Ever: “Celebrate the end of 2023 and the beginning of what is going to be THE BEST YEAR EVER (fingers crossed) with some of NYC's best comedians presenting their BEST BITS of 2023 at Union Hall this New Year's Eve. With your host Jenny Gorelick and DJ Ilana Rubin. ” (7:00 PM, Union Hall)
🍾🗣New Year's Eve Time Machine: “Drink and dance your way to the future with New Years Eve Time Machine at Union Hall! Music on both floors from DJ Nina Vicious, playing throwback jams and all the best new songs!” (8:00 PM, Union Hall)
🍾🎆New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Prospect Park: “Join Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and Prospect Park Alliance for Brooklyn’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve fireworks celebration at Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Park. The event will include live entertainment by Quintessential Playlist who will perform live music at 10 pm before the fireworks begin.” (10:00 PM, Grand Army Plaza)
Y2K NYE at The Bell House: “Three unique spaces, with throwback DJs, NYC's finest drag queens, pop-up 2000's cover band, surprise guests & more -- all under one roof.” (9:00 PM, The Bell House, $20)
🍾🗣New Year’s Eve With The Smiths Tribute: “Featuring an opening set by the Screamin’ Rebel Angels, followed by a set of Smiths and Morrissey solo classics and deep cuts with The Smiths Tribute NYC.” (10:00 PM, Littlefield, $25)
We’re going to keep updating the guide, so let us know what we missed in the comments!