Want to know what's going on for the holidays in Queens?
Well, listen up, because we've got the scoop. There are some very excellent tree lighting ceremonies, some holiday markets and historical tours, and some really festive museums for you to check out over the holidays in Queens..
You can twirl laps around the rink at City Ice Pavilion, meet Santa at the Winter Solstice in the Queens Botanical Garden, and buy gifts for everyone you love at the Flushing Town Hall Holiday Market.
The Winter Holiday Festival at Flushing Town Hall is probably the most essential activity of all as it gives attendees the shot to celebrate Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa all at once.
Doesn't that sound amazing? Colliding three cultures' holiday cheer into one celebratory festival? Yeah, we think so too.
Read on to find out what holiday activities you absolutely need to cross off your bucket list this season in Queens.
1. Winter Solstice and Tree Lighting at the Queens Botanical Garden (43-50 Main Street)
On December 6th, the Christmas tree at the Queens Botanical Garden will be lit. There will be a live performance by The Rough Dozen, a garden tour, botanical crafts, and tons of sales throughout the day at the Queens Botanical Garden's Shop.
Oh, and there's that whole added factor that the tree be lit-- and everyone knows what it means when a tree gets lit. We're alluding to Santa. Yes, Santa will be there. Yes, the actual Santa Claus himself.
It's all happening between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. The actual lighting ceremony will be at 5 p.m., with the garden tour, crafting, a capella performance by The Rough Dozen, and photos with Santa all happening beforehand.
We forgot to mention the best part! The best part is that the entire festival is free. Did someone say Christmas cheer? We mean, seeing a tree lighting ceremony is essentially required to celebrate the season in NYC.
2. City Ice Pavilion (42-32 32nd Place)
What says holiday cheer like some nice quality ice skating? We're pretty sure all the original carols were sung to the sounds of blades cutting across ice.
Here's what we have to say about City Ice Pavilion: yes, going ice skating at Bryant Park is great, but it's a small pond. All you can do at Bryant Park is twirl in small circles until you're bored.
The rink at City Ice, though? Let us tell you: this rink is a standard sized skating rink, and these are few and far between in NYC. This rink is huge, never too crowded, and only costs $5 during the week and $8 on the weekends. Also, the lockers only cost 75 cents.
Plus, open skate is entirely generous here on the weekends. It starts at 12 p.m. and ends at 4 p.m., which means you get four hours of skating for $8. Find us a better deal in the city, we dare you.
3. Flushing Town Hall Holiday Market (137-35 Northern Blvd)
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On December 6th, a ton of holiday festivity will be in the air at Flushing Town Hall.
There's the Winter Holiday Festival, which will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $5. You'll get to celebrate Hanuklah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa all at once with an art making workshop, storytelling by Robin Bady and Tammy Hall.
You'll also get to make beautiful Christmas poinsettias which will be donated to local senior centers in Queens. Get your tickets here.
On the same day, at the same time, at the same place will be the Flushing Town Hall Holiday Market. It costs nothing to get in, but you'll have the option to peruse all disciplines of arts and crafts. You'll get to buy handmade jewelry, paintings, ceramics, paper goods, T-shirts, and more.
Ready to get your gift-buying on? If so, make sure you get out to the Flushing Town Hall Holiday Market on December 6th.
4. Visit the Museum of the Moving Image (36-01 35th Avenue)
Do you love media? Is watching movies one of your favorite things? Well, we have excellent news for you. There's a museum in Astoria that specializes in all of that.
Basically, if you haven't been to the Museum of the Moving Image, you should go. It integrates, preserves, and displays works of art, artifacts, and audio-visual presentations and interactive exhibits.
Essentially, it'll be a fun, fascinating activity for you to pair up with some pals and hang out over the holidays.
They've also got some pretty great current exhibitions. They've got "Walkers: Holiday Alternative," which started on November 7th; "Lonely Places: Film Noir," which ends on December 20th; and of course, the classic "How Cats Took Over the Internet," on view until February 20th.
Also, make sure you get out to see their "Hollywood Classics" exhibit because it ends on December 27th.
,5. Oratorio Society of Queens Annual Holiday Concert (33-19 210th Street)
Music is where it's at for the holidays and everyone knows that. One wonderful way to bond with family and friends alike over the holidays is to get out and see a powerful, stunning, holiday show.
The Annual Holiday Concert at the Oratorio Society of Queens fits the bill. It'll be held on Sunday, December 20th at 4 p.m.
Performing will be David Close as conductor, Geraldine McMillian as soprano, Vaughn Fritts as bass-baritone, Josh Easertlin as tenor, Cantor Jerry Korobow as a guest artist, and of course, accompanying them will be the Orchestral Arts Ensemble of Queens.
They'll sing excerpts from Handle's "Messiah," and you'll get to sing along with your favorite Christmas carols and Hanukkah tunes. You in? Get your tickets here.
6. Flushing Historic House Holiday Tour (143-35 37th Avenue)
Do you want to take part in a quaint, lovely event that'll hurl you back to yesteryear? After all, part of what the holidays are about is honoring the history that brought us to where we are today, right?
If you're a history buff, you love learning about the holiday traditions of the past, or you're fascinated by ancient architecture, you need to get yourself into the Holiday Historic House Tour on December 6th at Flushing Town Hall from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Each site will offer special activities, delicious refreshments, and you'll get a pleasant trolley ride from each of the seven historic houses to the next. The houses include the Lewis H. Latimer House Museum, Friends Meeting House, Flushing Town Hall, the John Bowne House, and more.
Sounds good, right? Get your tickets here.
7. Holidays at the Queens County Farm Museum (73-50 Little Neck Parkway)
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Have you been meaning to make your way to the Queens County Farm Museum, but it just hasn't happened?
Well, we feel like what we're about to say might change all that because there's a lot going on at the Queens County Farm Museum over the holidays.
They're having a wreath-making workshop on Saturday and Sunday, December 5th and 6th. If you take part in the workshop, you'll have the chance to make your own gorgeous wreath to hang in your home over the holidays.
They'll also host a Holiday Open House on December 25th, 27th, and 28th. They'll have free, warm cups of freshly mulled cider, craft activities, and tours of the decorated Adriance Farmhouse. The holidays at the Queens County Farm Museum will be cheery indeed!
Check out 7 Must-Do Events to Cross Off Your Brooklyn Holiday Bucket List.
[Feature Image Courtesy Flickr]