Enjoy some delicious variety of cheeses, finish (or start) your holiday shopping, take a photo with good ol’ Santa and do more at these events around Queens.
Saturday, Dec. 5
The inaugural Great Northeast Cheese Fest will be held at Flushing Town Hall. Enjoy a diverse selection of cheeses from over 30 regional artisanal creameries that will be specially paired with a variety of fine wines. $60 per person, $150 for VIP tickets. 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. 137-35 Northern Blvd., Flushing. Go to nyepicureanevents.com to purchase tickets.
Interested in video and animation? Stop by a workshop led by New-York based artist Meriem Bennani and create short, playful digital videos using green-screen technology. Family-friendly with children ages 7 to 12. Each participant should bring along an object of their choosing and a smartphone. $10 fee per child to cover materials. 10 a.m. to noon. Pre-registration is required. 44-19 Purves St., LIC. Visit sculpture-center.org for registration.
Stop by the Annual Bazaar at Temple Beth Sholom of Flushing. Shop for used books, jewelry, records, toys, housewares and clothing and indulge in butternut squash soup and egg creams at the snack bar. 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. 171-39 Northern Blvd., Flushing. Call 718-463-4143 for more information.
Alley Pond Environmental Center will host “Yoga in the Elements.” Join certified master yoga instructor Mike Mancini for a yoga session open to all skill levels. Bring your own mat, towel and water bottle to the heated log cabin on-site. Pre-registration is required; limited to 10 participants. $10 for member, $16 for non-members. 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston. Visit alleypond.com for more information.
Sunday, Dec. 6
Bring the family to the Queens Botanical Garden for a Winter Solstice and Tree Lighting Celebration. Enjoy music by The Rough Dozen, pose for photos with Santa, and take a garden tour. Free. Small fee for a photo with Santa. 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 6. 43-50 Main St., Flushing. Visit queensbotanical.org for more information.
Learn about local Flushing history with your kids at the workshop “Then and Now with the Bowne House” at the Flushing Main Street library. Explore the life of a colonial-era child and make crafts and toys. Free. 1 to 2:30 p.m. 41-17 Main St., Flushing. Visit bownehouse.org to learn more.
Have breakfast with Santa at Masso Restaurant in Long Island City. Get a gift and take a picture with Santa while enjoying a delicious, prix-fixe brunch. $30 for adults and $25 for children under 10. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 47-25 Vernon Blvd. Call 718-482-8151 to make reservations.
The Samuel Field Y will host its annual Chanukah Festival and Winter Celebration. Wear your sneakers and participate in gym games, arts and crafts, sing-alongs and Lego building. Snacks will be available for purchase. Non-perishable food items will also be collected on-site. Free. 1 to 3 p.m. 58-20 Little Neck Pkwy., Little Neck. For more information call 718-225-6750.
Dress to impress and stop by the Rego Park Jewish Center for a Singles Social & Dance. There will be music by DJ Andrew Forman and refreshments served. $10 per person. 2 to 6 p.m. 97-30 Queens Blvd., Rego Park. Call 718-459-1000 to learn more.
The Sacred Music Chorale of Richmond Hill will perform a holiday-inspired set at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Hear professional soloists and a chamber orchestra play holiday favorites like Poulenc’s “Gloria.” $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and students over 12 years of age. 3 p.m. 86-20 114th St., Richmond Hill. Visit richmondhillyny.com/arts for more information.
The Dance Project of Whitestone presents the holiday classic “The Nutcracker” at St. Andrew Avellino School in Flushing. Enjoy a full-length ballet performance for the whole family. 4:30 p.m. Contact The Dance Project at 718-353-2450 for ticket information. 35-50 158th St., Flushing.
Monday, Dec. 7
Adults ages 60 and older are invited to a StayWell Exercise session at the Central Library in Jamaica. In partnership with the New York City Department for the Aging, the session will teach special exercises as well as relaxation techniques. Free. 10 to 11:30 a.m. 89-11 Merrick Blvd., Jamaica. Call 718-990-0700 for more information.
Want to learn how to drive defensively? Go to the Bellerose Library for a six-hour defensive driving course offered by AARP. Free. 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 250-06 Hillside Ave., Bellerose. Call 718-831-8644 for more information.
Tuesday, Dec. 8
Attend a sign language class for seniors at Peter Cardella Senior Center. 1 to 3 p.m. Lunch offered at noon for $1.50. Registration required. Contact Gloria on Wednesdays and Fridays at 718-497-2908 to register. 68-52 Fresh Pond Rd., Flushing.
Participate in a night of laughs at a comedy show at the RaR Bar. Enjoy performances by comics from NBC’s Last Comic Standing and Comedy Central and enjoy a showtime special: a bottle of red or white wine and a cheese plate for $30. No cover charge. 10 p.m. 30-01 35th Ave., LIC. Visit rarbarlic.com for more information.
Go to the Rego Park Jewish Center for a night of Bingo and fun. Play special games of Jackpot, Early Bird, Diamond and Tri-Color. All paper games. Everyone over 18 is welcome. $4 admission. Begins at 7:15 p.m; 7 p.m. Early Bird Game.97-30 Queens Blvd., Rego Park. Call 718-459-0431 for more information.
The Queens Museum is sponsoring a talk with artist Caroline Woolard at Queens College. View and discuss Woolard’s work which studies urbanism, architecture and political economy. 5 to 6:30 p.m. 65-30 Kissena Blvd., Queens College’s Klapper Hall, Fine Arts Department Room 672 on the sixth floor. Email sespinoza@queensmuseum.org with questions.
Come and celebrate the holiday season with Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley at her district office in Glendale located at 71-19 80th St. on the third floor community room from 4 to 7 p.m. Enjoy food, drinks and good company. RSVP at 718-366-3900.
Wednesday, Dec. 9
Decorate holiday cupcakes at the Alley Pond Environmental Center. Learn to how to decorate like a pro from Selina Sabolboro of Epic Cake NYC. Tweens and parents welcome. Pre-registration is required. $14 for members, $20 for nonmembers. 6:30 to 8 p.m. 228-06 Northern Blvd., Douglaston. Visit alleypond.com for more information.
Stop by the LIC Bar and listen to the musical stylings of singer and songwriter Shannon Söderlund. Influenced by pop and blues, hear Shannon’s songs about life, love and loss. 10 p.m. 45-58 Vernon Blvd., LIC.For more information visit shannonsoderlund.com.
Visit the Queens Village Library for a screening of “Jurassic World” as part of Movie Afternoon. Watch the 2015 film starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard about a theme park built on the original site of Jurassic Park. 3 to 5 p.m. 94-11 217th St., Queens Village.
