Holidays are magical in New York City and Brooklyn has some of the top holiday experiences. Indoors and out, you can enjoy December and January (Sales! Shorter waits!) in Brooklyn.
Highlights
- Festive winter experiences: from immersive light shows at the Botanic Garden to world-class art at the Brooklyn Museum.
- Seasonal outdoor fun: including multiple skating rinks and a bustling makers market at Industry City.
- Local flavors: such as sought-after pastries at Radio Bakery and inventive treats from Vato Tortillería.
As a lifelong Brooklyn resident, I know that winter is one of the best times to visit. These are my favorite Brooklyn holiday experiences. I heartily recommend every one!
Are you ready to explore off the beaten path? Let us inspire you!
Bright Lights, Big Brooklyn
Brooklyn Botanic Gardens’ annual immersive “Lightscape” illuminates the dark evenings in Brooklyn. The music, the artistic lights and the good cheer make this a great holiday tradition.
Lightscape has several stops along the one-way trail for hot drinks, and an indoor cafe with drinks and warming food like a hearty vegetarian lentil soup and chicken and dumplings. There is also a sit-down restaurant, set up like a winter lodge.
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you are visiting with adult children, consider visiting on one of the new 21+ nights.
Global Art
Next door to the botanical garden, the Brooklyn Museum has five floors filled with paintings, photographs, period rooms, and Egyptian art. The current “Monet and Venice” through February 1, transports you to Europe, with no worry about forgetting your Real ID.
LeFrak Center at Lakeside, Prospect Park
LeFrak Center at Lakeside offers ice skating in Prospect Park. There are two rinks: one covered, the other open-air. Specials for the holidays include Skate with Santa, with holiday music and photo ops. There is also an ongoing open-air Winter Market. If you are trying to up your skate game, or are inspired by the upcoming Winter Olympics, there are three-hour skate clinics right around the holidays.
SheBuysTravel Tip: On Mondays, skate admission is $5.
Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park
Pre-global warming, the East River used to freeze over and you could ice skate across. Now, you have to “settle” for the scenic Roebling Rink at Brooklyn Bridge Park, skating underneath the Brooklyn Bridge.
This rink is only open until February 1, so go to Brooklyn now!
See the Dyker Heights Holiday Lights
You can take the subway and explore on your own, or see the highlights with a holiday lights tour. The Dyker Heights Holiday Lights are presented by individual homeowners, some of whom use professional designers to literally outshine their neighbors.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Whether you are going on your own or with a tour, this activity is strictly outdoors. Dress for cold weather – and then add another layer, just in case.
Relaxing at the Spa
World Spa transports you around the globe, with Turkish and Moroccan hammams, a Finnish sauna, and Himalayan salt therapy. For those dreaming of a white Christmas (or New Year), the snow room beckons. With a day pass, you can take a cold plunge, sweat in a steam room, get lunch, and even swim laps. Or just relax on a lounge by the pool.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Bring your own flip-flops. Robes and towels are provided, and floors are heated – and extremely clean – so you don’t really need footwear. But if you want them once you’re there, you have to buy them.
Indoor Holiday Market
Industry City in Sunset Park has a Makers Guild Holiday Market through December 21. This is a great place to shop local.
The Industry City complex is decked out for the holidays, and there are outdoor fire pits if you want to hang out outside but not get too cold. There is also a small outdoor skating rink, and plenty of places to get food and drinks. There are distilleries, breweries, and sit-down restaurants. Li-Lac Chocolates has holiday candy and hot chocolate.
Fueling Your Adventures
A great way to explore some of Brooklyn’s food gems is with a guided food tour. The places are too new to be on tours. Yet.
Radio Bakery
Radio Bakery, with locations in Greenpoint and Prospect Heights, has pastries and breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Lines are legendary, so bring a well-charged phone and patience. You will be rewarded with pistachio croissants, cardamom buns and a savory mushroom pastry that is listed under the croissant menu, but is in a category all its own.
Since Radio Bakery tends to sell out every day, don’t go with a specific plan. Just buy whatever looks good (it all does) and enjoy the feast.
Vato Tortillería and Bakery
The newly opened Basque and Northern Mexican Vato, in Park Slope, draws long lines for its cinnamon buns, chocolate chip cookies and burritos wrapped in homemade sourdough flour tortillas (made with butter, not lard). For now, Vato is open only for breakfast and lunch, but dinner will be added soon.
Level Up Your Luggage
If you are already IN Brooklyn and looking to get out of town, or need a new bag for your trip TO Brooklyn, Level8 has roomy, well-organized carry-on luggage with a lightweight hardshell exterior. I packed for a week in the Adventurer suitcase, and the 360° spinner wheels made moving through the airport easy. Shop the holiday markets, or after Christmas sales and fill this expandable bag.
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