Carolers, tree lightings and visits from the North Pole’s most famous resident will be part of the fun at holiday celebrations across the “World’s Borough” in the days ahead.
The festivities — scheduled to take place rain, snow or shine — include the following:
Astoria
The Third Annual Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting will take place on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m the Astoria Park Great Lawn, which is located at 19th Street and 23rd Avenue. There will be train rides, a gingerbread bouncy house, marshmallow toasting, craft vendors, songs of Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, Christmas carols and a tree lighting at 4:30 p.m.
Bayside
The Second Annual Children’s Holiday Parade will take place on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 3:30 p.m. at Bell Boulevard from 36th Avenue to 41st Avenue. The event is sponsored by Councilman Paul Vallone and the Bayside Village BID, and will feature holiday caroling, performances, marching bands, NYPD & FDNY, free holiday treats and hot chocolate for the kids, Christmas tree and holiday lighting, Menorah lighting and a visit from Santa on top of an FDNY fire truck.
Forest Hills
The Forest Hills Celebration of Winter is set for Monday, Nov. 30, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at 71st Road between Queens Boulevard and Austin Street. A holiday lighting ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m., and there will also be music, children’s activities, a raffle and giveaways.
Glendale
The Glendale Kiwanis is proud to host the annual Christmas Tree lighting on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Glendale Veterans Triangle, where Cooper and Myrtle avenues intersect. Santa Claus will be there giving out gifts to the children and taking pictures. There will be live Christmas music and refreshments will be served.
Jackson Heights
The seventh annual Jackson Heights Winter Caroling Sing-a-Long will take place on Saturday, Dec. 19. Community members will sing winter and holiday songs from all faiths, languages and cultures as a group, while walking through Jackson Heights. Carolers will begin at 75th Street, then walk up 32nd Avenue toward 76th Street, down 76th Street toward 31st Avenue, up 31st Avenue to 77th Street and up 77th Street toward 32nd Avenue. They will then go to Cassidy’s Ale House for food and drinks.
Long Island City
The seventh annual Holiday Lighting will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at Vernon Mall. There will be a Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah lighting. The Vernon Mall is located on Vernon Boulevard at 50th Avenue and the celebration starts at 6 p.m.
Maspeth
Festive music will put everyone in the holiday spirit during the Maspeth Chamber of Commerce annual tree lighting ceremony slated to take place at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, at Maspeth Memorial Park, located at the corner of 69th Street and Grand Avenue. The program includes performances by singers Liz and Bill Huisman and students of the Song-and-a-Dance School in Maspeth. A free prize raffle and a visit from Santa Claus are also scheduled.
Middle Village
Holiday songs from young carolers and a visit from Santa Claus will highlight this year’s Middle Village tree lighting ceremony which will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday night, Dec. 1, at Community United Methodist Church, located at 75-27 Metropolitan Ave. All guests are invited to bring an unwrapped toy to help disadvantaged children enjoy the holidays. The ceremony is sponsored by the Middle Village Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club of Middle Village and the Middle Village Property Owners and Residents Association.
Ridgewood
The Ridgewood Property Owners and Civic Association will hold its annual Christmas tree lighting and holiday concert on Thursday, Dec. 3. The festivities begin at 7 p.m. outside I.S. 93, located on Forest Avenue between Madison and Woodbine streets, with the tree lighting ceremony featuring carolers and a visit from Santa Claus. Then the celebration moves inside for a holiday concert featuring the St. Matthias Adult Choir, the I.S. 93 Glee Club, the Men’s and Women’s Gottscheer Choir and pianist Steven Haufe.
The Greater Ridgewood Historical Society presents St. Nicholas Day at the Vander Ende-Onderdonk House. Come out to the Onderdonk House, located at 1820 Flushing Ave. on Sunday, Dec. 6, from noon to 4 p.m. for a visit from St. Nicholas and to learn of his legend. There will be holiday treats and sweets, traditional music, crafts for children and a special tree lighting ceremony at 3 p.m. Children are free, adults $5 donation.
Woodhaven
The Woodhaven Business Improvement District will again sponsor its “Holidays in Woodhaven Weekend,” which kicks off on Dec. 4 with its annual Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah lighting. The ceremony takes place at 6:30 p.m. at Forest Parkway Plaza, located at the corner of Forest Parkway and Jamaica Avenue.
Then on Saturday morning, the community will greet Santa Claus in a special way with its annual “Welcome Santa to Woodhaven Parade.” The march begins at 11:30 a.m. from the corner of 96th Street and Jamaica Avenue, then heads west along Jamaica Avenue to Dexter Court. Free goodies and Santa hats will be offered to children. All guests should look for Santa Claus and other costumed characters at both events.
Woodside
The Woodside Holiday Lighting will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. at Sohncke Square Park, located on 58th Street between Woodside and Roosevelt avenues. Guests will celebrate the lighting of the park’s tree and decorations along Roosevelt and Woodside avenues. The program includes carolers, a holiday greeting from elected officials, hot chocolate and cookies and a visit from Santa Claus.
