Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Brooklyn: Parades, Tree Lightings, More

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK — There is no shortage of things to do in Brooklyn to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

Tree and menorah lightings in Brooklyn are:

Thursday, Dec. 1

• Dumbo Tree Lighting (Pearl Street Triangle, Dumbo)

Friday, Dec. 2

• Hendrick I. Lott House Holiday Celebration (1940 East 36th Street, Marine Park)

Sunday, Dec. 4

• Fort Greene Holiday Tree Lighting (Fort Greene Park, near the Myrtle Avenue and St. Edward's Street entrance)

Thursday, Dec. 8

• Marine Park Festival of Lights: Christmas Tree (2331 Bergen Ave)

Thursday, Dec. 14

• Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch Christmas Tree Lighting (Grand Army Plaza)
• Brooklyn Heights Promenade Tree Lighting (foot of Montague Street)

Sunday, Dec. 18

• World's Largest Menorah Lighting (Grand Army Plaza)

Thursday, Dec. 22

• Marine Park Festival of Lights: Hanukkah (3000 Fillmore Ave)

Christmas parades — often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands — are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally.

Several big parades are taking place this year, including the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade in Baltimore City, Maryland, and the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, California.

Parades in Brooklyn may not be able to match those in size, but the heart behind them is just as big. Parades to catch here at home include:

Saturday, Dec. 3

• Santaland Community Parade (Washington and Atlantic Avenues)

Saturday, Dec. 10

• Park Slope YMCA Holiday Family Event (361 15th Street)

Holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. Some to catch in Brooklyn are:

Nov. 16 - Jan. 8

• Lightscape at Brooklyn Botanic Garden (150 Eastern Parkway)

Nov. 24 - Jan. 6

• Dyker Heights Christmas Lights (nearby 1152 84th Street)