As December approaches, neighborhoods across Queens prepare to shine bright with festive holiday lights.
One of the best ways to kick off the holiday season is to attend one of the many annual Tree-Lighting ceremonies throughout the borough.
Here’s a guide to the dates and times of local tree-lighting events:
The Kiwanis Club of Glendale will hold its annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Sunday, Dec. 1, at the Glendale Memorial Plaza.
Club members are asked to arrive at 5:30 p.m., and the ceremony itself starts at 6 p.m. There will be live music, refreshments, a visit from Santa, and gifts for children.
The 104th Precinct Civilian Observation Patrol (G-COP) will help out at the event, which will conclude at approximately 9 p.m.
The Grand Christmas Tree Lighting will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, December 1, at 142-82 Rockaway Blvd. in Jamaica.
All ages are welcome to the annual free event to light up Queens’ largest Christmas tree.
The Maspeth Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Tree-Lighting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m.
The event will take place in Maspeth Memorial Square at 69th Street and Grand Avenue. It will include free raffles, entertainment and a visit from Santa.
If you would like to sponsor the tradition to kick off the holiday season, you can donate here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/.
Sponsors will be recognized at the event and on social media to thank them for supporting the community.
NYC Parks is also hosting a ‘Winterfest’ at the Roy Wilkins Recreation Center, 177-01 Baisley Blvd, Springfield Gardens, on Saturday, Dec. 7.
The event will take place between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and include tree lighting, a holiday market, large decorations, and various other winter activities.
The Bayside Village Business Improvement District (BID) is hosting its Holiday Tree Lighting on Sunday, Dec. 8, on the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Green.
The event will run from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., and attendees can sing along with holiday carolers, enjoy hot cocoa, make snow globe crafts for kids, and meet community leaders.
Santa will also be coming along to light the tree.
