Brooklyn is bulldozing through December, but there’s still plenty to do this month.
Start your weekend with a one-of-a-kind tree lighting with the Diocese of Brooklyn’s Christmas Tree Lighting at Grand Army Plaza. And if you’re looking for more holiday shine, check out Solid Gold at the Brooklyn Museum. 
The Poetry Society of New York hosts its first-ever Poetry Holiday Market on Saturday afternoon, while the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra brings holiday favorites to St. Ann and the Holy Trinity Church with a Very Merry Brooklyn concert.
On Sunday, wind down your running year with the NYC Holiday Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K, or unwind at Bar Blondeau’s Holiday Tea with views of the Manhattan skyline. Then catch Catz ‘n Dogz’s rooftop house set at Superior Ingredients on Sunday afternoon.
A little extra for your Friday: Brooklyn filmmaker Luke Hodges’ short documentary Cashing Out is having a one-week theatrical run at DCTV’s Firehouse Cinema beginning on Friday at 7 p.m. for a screening, Q&A, and reception afterward. The doc recounts a little-known AIDS-crisis-era practice where gay men sold their life insurance for quick cash.
Friday, December 13
‘Solid Gold’
Through July 6, 2025
Gold has been a fixture of art, fashion, and design for millennia. Its symbolism is immense, and its applications, whether as a color or a material, are seemingly endless. Solid Gold, a new exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum, celebrates a metal that has left an indelible impact on cultures the world over. 200 Eastern Parkway.
BrownstoneJAZZ ENSEMBLE
Friday through Sunday with two showtimes each day
Experience an intimate night of jazz in a beautifully restored 19th-century Bed-Stuy Victorian brownstone. The BrownstoneJAZZ Ensemble, featuring today’s top jazz artists, will perform jazz essentials curated by Debbie McClain and hosted by bassist Eric Lemons. Seating is limited, so be sure to grab your ticket early. 107 Macon Street. Tickets are $39.
‘The Brooklyn Nutcracker’
Runs through Sunday
The Brooklyn Nutcracker returns this weekend with an expanded run at the Theater at City Tech in Downtown Brooklyn. This one-of-a-kind, culturally inclusive production blends ballet with hip hop, African dance, flamenco, Chinese dance, and more, featuring a krumping Rat King in a street dance battle. With projections of iconic Brooklyn landmarks and live musicians including a beatboxer and accordionist, The Brooklyn Nutcracker is a holiday show unlike any other. 275 Jay Street. Tickets start at $35.
Mark Morris Dance Group’s ‘The Hard Nut’ at BAM
Runs through Dec. 22
Mark Morris Dance Group’s The Hard Nut is returning to the Brooklyn Academy of Music this holiday season, with a boisterous and whimsical reimagining of Tchaikovsky’s beloved The Nutcracker. This gender-bent, 1970s-inspired version features Mark Morris’ signature lyrical choreography, a lively “Waltz of the Snowflakes,” and Tchaikovsky’s complete score performed live by the MMDG Music Ensemble. Don’t miss the Family Party on December Sunday, where families can enjoy cookies, cocoa, arts and crafts, and photo ops with characters from the show. 30 Lafayette Avenue. Tickets start at $45.
Diocese of Brooklyn Christmas Tree Lighting
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The Diocese of Brooklyn’s Christmas Tree will be lit on Friday evening near Grand Army Plaza. Join diocesan officials and parishioners from Brooklyn and Queens for this festive event. The tree, shining with red lights 24/7 until January, is the only one of its kind in NYC. Celebrate this annual tradition that brings holiday cheer to the Prospect Park community. Grand Army Plaza. Free.
Kaskade Christmas
7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday
After last year’s debut of Kaskade Christmas, DJ Kaskade is bringing his one-of-a-kind, intimate holiday experience to Brooklyn. Join him at the Brooklyn Paramount on Friday and Saturday for a festive, music-filled celebration that’s perfect for creating new holiday traditions with family and friends. 385 Flatbush Ave. Ext. Tickets start at $41.
Saturday, December 14
Welcome Home Bakery’s Grand Opening
8 a.m.
Mark your calendars for Saturday morning when Welcome Home, a new kind of neighborhood bakery, opens in Bed-Stuy. After honing their skills at L’Appartement 4F, Isa Steyer and Billy Wright are combining traditional European techniques with creative, homestyle twists (think sourdoughs, flaky croissants, PB&J pop tarts, and even croissant pizza rolls). In the future, Welcome Home plans to serve wine, host baking classes, and be a gathering place for locals. 1047 Bedford Ave.
City Flavors
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Details are scarce, but UnitedMasters is teaming up with Vitaminwater for City Flavors, an event that included a scavenger hunt this week and that, at 99 Scott on Saturday, will showcase rising artists from the city, alongside a mystery headliner “that’ll have everyone talking.” RSVP for programming updates. 231 Randolph St.
Dreamland Glow-Up Roller Disco: Reindeer Rave Edition
Noon
Get ready to dance, prance, and sparkle at Xanadu’s Dreamland Glow-Up Roller Disco: Reindeer Rave Edition on Saturday. This festive celebration is filled with twinkling lights, holiday cheer, and dazzling costumes. Whether you’re channeling a glowing Rudolph, a Disco Dasher, or just vibing with some hot cocoa, this party is for you. With an epic playlist, costume prizes, and giveaways, it’s the ultimate holiday bash—so wear your Christmas best and roll-bounce your way over to Xanadu on Saturday. 262 Starr St. Tickets are $16.48.
The Little Elves Project
1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
This December, spread holiday cheer with the Little Elves Project, a toy drive and wrapping event benefiting the families of Brooklyn’s Providence House. On Saturday, you can head to Bk Backyard’s new location to help wrap gifts with fellow community members, preparing the donations for delivery to families at Providence House in time for the holidays. 151 Banker St.
Poetry Holiday Market
2 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Join the Poetry Society of New York for their first-ever Poetry Holiday Market on Saturday at 3 Dollar Bill. This unique market combines holiday shopping with poetry, featuring vendors like a Little Bit of Love, Black Lawrence Press, Boba Family, Kurt Boone Books, Poets of Queens, and more. Enjoy a festive atmosphere filled with books, art, jewelry, and unique gifts. 260 Meserole St. Free.
A Very Merry Brooklyn with New York Choral Society
7:30 p.m.
The Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra’s annual holiday concert is a festive celebration for the whole family at St. Ann and the Holy Trinity Church. Join Maestro Nuzzo, the BCO, and the New York Choral Society for a performance of timeless holiday favorites. With a program filled with classic tunes and joyful melodies, this concert promises to be another great holiday performance from the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra. 157 Montague St. Tickets start at $40.
Sunday, December 15
NYC Holiday Half, 10K, and 5K
9 a.m.
Celebrate the season and end your running year at the NYC Holiday Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K, set along one of the nation’s most historic riverfronts. Starting and finishing at the American Veteran Memorial Pier, this festive event takes you past the iconic Verrazano Bridge and the NYC skyline, with stunning views of Fort Hamilton, the oldest active military base in the U.S. Choose your distance—13.1, 6.2, or 3.1 miles—and enjoy a memorable race through history. Runners can dress up as their favorite holiday characters, from Santa to the Grinch, adding extra fun to the experience. 100th St. at Fort Hamilton Parkway. Registration begins at $60.
Share the Toy: Brooklyn Museum’s Toy Giveaway
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Join the Brooklyn Museum this Sunday for its fifth annual toy drive, where you can select gifts for your little ones while supplies last. Any remaining toys will be donated to local family shelters, ensuring the holiday spirit reaches even more families in need. The giveaway is taking place in the Martha A. and Robert S. Rubin Pavilion, on the first floor. 200 Eastern Parkway. Free.
Bar Blondeau’s Holiday Tea
1 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Sunday in December
Bar Blondeau at the Wythe Hotel is launching its first-ever Holiday Tea every Sunday during December. Enjoy stunning Manhattan skyline views while sipping Champagne by the glass and tea from In Pursuit of Tea, paired with savory bites like Smoked Salmon Toast and sweet treats like Vanilla Cream Puffs. 80 Wythe Ave., 6th Floor. Tickets are $55.
Catz ’n Dogz at Superior Ingredients
2 p.m.
Catz ’n Dogz hit Superior Ingredients on Sunday for an afternoon of unforgettable house music. With two decades of experience in DJing and music production, the pair have mastered the art of crafting immersive sets that captivate and inspire. Known for raising the bar in house music, the pair has collaborated with artists like Claude VonStroke, Jamie Jones, Bicep, and Gorgon City, and remixed tracks for pop icons such as Shakira, Rufus Du Sol, and Roisin Murphy. This is a rare opportunity to see a duo that consistently pushes their genre’s boundaries. 74 Wythe Ave. Tickets are $19.52.
Holiday Extravaganza by the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music is hosting its first-ever Holiday Extravaganza on Sunday afternoon. Their historic Park Slope brownstone will come alive with performances from the Klezmer Hanukkah Ensemble, David Bertrand’s Calypso holiday band, Christmas carolers, and more. Guests can enjoy cozy drinks at the Tea Station, take dance lessons celebrating Kwanzaa’s Kuumba principle, and join a sing-along of Handel’s “Messiah.” The event also features holiday crafts from around the world and interactive musical experiences for kids. 58 Seventh Ave. RSVP is required and the suggested ticket price is $20.
Steve Martin Presents
5 p.m. (doors at 4:30 p.m.)
SNL’s Andrew Dismukes and Michael Good’s long-running variety show highlighting the city’s best comedians is at Union Hall in Brooklyn, and their latest show is happening on Sunday night. But no, that Steven Martin isn’t involved. Sunday’s performers are still TBA, but they always book a great lineup. 702 Union St. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
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