It’s A Winter Wonderland Out There

The weather outside might be frightful, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had in Queens this December. From an immersive holiday lights festival at the Queens County Farm to holiday shopping markets featuring locally made goods in Astoria to indoor ice skating and hockey in Flushing, here’s a sneak peek at some of the many events you can partake in around the borough all month long.

The Christmas Tree Lighting In Athens Square

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Join us this December 3rd, at 6pm, for the second annual Christmas tree lighting at Athens Square Park in Astoria. Once again, the community is coming together, in what will arguably be the greatest display of Christmas tree lights this side of the East River! The event will feature live performers, a celebrity guest appearance, and an impressive 30-foot-tall tree lighting, thanks to several community business owners and Give Me Astoria.

30th St & 30th Ave | December 3rd, 6pm

Circus Vazquez at Citi Field

Circus Vazquez celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and is debuting a brand-new performance for the season. Enjoy showstopping juggling, daring trapeze acts, and a hilarious clown under the big top.

123-01 Roosevelt Ave | November 19 – December 12

7:30pm (Monday-Friday) and 2pm, 5pm, and 8pm (Saturday-Sunday)

Tickets available for $25-$50 on ticketmaster.com

Illuminate the Farm at Queens County Farm Museum

The NYC Winter Lantern Festival transforms the Queens County Farm Museum into an unforgettable world of color and lights during Illuminate the Farm. Marvel at the dazzling display of holiday lights and handmade lanterns in the shape of flowers, tractors, farm animals, and more. You can even choose a wish lantern from the field of lights to decorate and take home.

73-50 Little Neck Pkwy | November 25 – January 29, 4:30pm – 9:30pm (Thursday-Sunday);

Event will run nightly from December 24 – January 2
Tickets available for $16.99-$29.99 on showclix.com

Ice Skating at World Ice Arena

No activity screams winter quite like ice
skating. World Ice Arena in Flushing offers programs for the whole family. Whether you’re looking to skate recreationally with friends, take figure skating lessons, or play some pickup hockey, there’s something available to suit your interests. Plus, there’s plenty of programs for the kids as well.

131-04 Meridian Rd | Open daily 9am-7pm

Register on en.worldice.com; prices vary based on activity

New York Croons for Christmas at New York Irish Center

Get into the holiday spirit at New York Irish Center’s annual holiday fundraiser in support of their programming. Colm Reilly, son of co-founder Paddy Reilly, performs Christmas classics with some of New York’s most recognizable jazz musicians in a cabaret-style show. Your ticket even includes a buffet dinner.

1040 Jackson Ave | December 10, 7pm
Tickets available for $10 on eventbrite.com

Queens Craft Brigade Holiday Markets 2021 at Katch Astoria

Head to the back patio of this popular Astoria sports bar for some serious holiday shopping in December. Founded in 2017, Queens Craft Brigade is an independent market that brings together talented local makers from Queens. This is their first series of events since the pandemic temporarily shut things down in 2020. They’ve created a highly curated selection of jewelry, art, food, fashion, and more, so you can find gifts for everyone on your list.

31-19 Newtown Ave | December 11 and 18, 12-5pm
Free event; follow @queenscraftbrigade for details

Sunnyside Ballet Studio The Nutcracker at Queens Theatre

The holiday season wouldn’t be complete without seeing The Nutcracker ballet live. This December, the students at the Sunnyside Ballet Studio present their sugar plum-filled performance of The Nutcracker in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

14 United Nations Avenue South | December 19 | 2pm and 5:30pm

Tickets available for $20-$30 on eventbrite.com

Santa Claus Visits the New York Irish Center

Kids will love meeting Santa Claus when he visits the New York Irish Center before Christmas. Drop by to say hello and get Christmas wishes from Santa with an Irish accent.

1040 Jackson Ave | December 12 | 1pm

Register for free on eventbrite.com

The Artist Market NYC Holiday Pop-Up at Jamaica Performing Arts Center

Get all your holiday shopping needs taken care of in downtown Jamaica at this holiday pop-up featuring the works of talented local business owners, chefs, bakers, authors, artists, and more. Find everything from jewelry to handcrafted goods to beauty products to suit your holiday shopping needs.

153-10 Jamaica Ave | December 18, 12-6pm
Register for free on eventbrite.com

Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting Celebration

We are excited to announce the New
York City Department of Cultural Affairs
is hosting the “Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting” Celebration again this year! Join in the holiday festivities, brought to you by the Central Astoria Local Development Coalition, at the Astoria Park Great Lawn on Sunday, December 5th. The free event will kick off at 3pm and feature a balloon artist, live performances, a temporary tattoo table, and at 4:30, the lighting of the tree.

19th Street & 23rd Avenue | December 5th | 3pm

Greater New York at MoMA PS1

Escape the cold and head into one of Queens’ many museums. One of the most exciting new exhibits is MoMA PS1’s signature survey of New York City artists. It’s back for its fifth edition after being delayed a year due to the pandemic. The exhibit features the work of 47 artists and collectives and explores the way artists work to record their experiences around belonging and estrangement, from documentary to surrealism.

22-25 Jackson Ave | Through April 18, 2022 | open daily from 12-6pm
(Monday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday) and 12-8pm Saturday

Tickets available for $5-$10 on moma.org