A big menorah, Son Little and lots of holiday markets: 13 things to do this weekend

By Joshua Encinias

You didn’t think we would glide through the holiday season without hosting our own holiday market, did you? Join Brooklyn Magazine and our friends at The Lay Out in Industry City this Friday and Saturday for free hot chocolate, the very best local artists — including vendors selected by Buy/By Black — and enough seasonal cheer to carry you into 2023. 

Also on Friday, C’mon Everybody will throw a “holigay” party to honor America’s favorite Carols (Brady, Channing, Burnett etc.). Saturday brings “The Brooklyn Nutcracker” to Kings Theatre, which reimagines the Christmas classic through the filter of Kings County. And Sunday is the big kick-off to Hanukkah with events and lightings all over the place.

Find these and more in our weekend events round-up.

Friday, December 16

Donate clothes and toiletries for asylum seekers 
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Refugee Task Force at Congregation Beth Elohim in Park Slope is accepting donations of warm clothing and toiletries for asylum-seeking families now until Sunday, December 18. They’re in urgent need of warm gloves, hats, and socks for men, women, and children. They also need diapers for all ages, laundry detergent, and toiletries. You can bring items to the front desk of the Congregation’s Temple House (call if you can’t find the office: 718-768-3814). All items will be donated to local schools and community-based organizations, which will distribute them to families. 274 Garfield Place. 

Come to Brooklyn Magazine’s inaugural holiday market
Friday, 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday 1 to 6 p.m.
We spent the better part of December highlighting the brilliant holiday markets across Brooklyn, and now it’s our turn to spread some seasonal cheer. This Friday and Saturday, Brooklyn Magazine is excited to host our first-ever holiday market in partnership with the community organization The Lay Out, with an assist from Building Black Bed-Stuy. Taking place in Industry City, we’ll be hosting more than 30 mostly-local artists, artisans, and apothecaries. So come for the local vendors, DJ sets, and games, but stay for our free hot chocolate. All ages. 33 35th Street.

Booze-free holiday party
6 to 10 p.m.
Staying sober is hard for anyone during the holidays … in this city … in 2022. This year, Principles GI Coffee House has the holiday party for Brooklyn teetotalers: the “Booze-Free Holiday Pop-Off” will feature non-alcoholic craft beers, fancy sodas, pretzels, non-alcoholic cocktails, games, and music. Come dressed for the ugliest Christmas sweater contest and enjoy a hangover-free holiday get-together with your new friends at Principles. If you can’t afford the ticket fee, contact the event organizers (thirdplacebarnyc@gmail.com) for a sliding scale price. 139 9th Street. Tickets are $20. 

Son Little at Elsewhere
Doors at 6:30 p.m.
Catch Son Little with Lizzie No at Elsewhere. Blending acoustic blues, vintage soul, and conscious hip-hop, Son Little (born Aaron Livingston, the literal son of a preacher man) is a singer, instrumentalist, and songwriter. He’ll be supported by indie folk singer-songwriter, harpist, and guitarist Lizzie No. Tickets are $25 purchased directly through Elsewhere, with no hidden fees. 16+.  599 Johnson Ave.

Christmas Carols holigay party
7 to 10 p.m.
Who’s your favorite Carol — Channing? Kane? Burnett? No matter who you stan, bounce over to C’mon Everybody on Friday for a free interactive screening of Todd Haynes’ lesbian Christmas classic “Carol” while wearing your favorite Carol attire (any famous Carol will do!). The party is hosted by Carolyn Bergier (“Dyking Out Podcast”) and features prizes from Maker’s Mark for the best and most creatively dressed. 21+. 325 Franklin Ave.

Saturday, December 17

Holiday pop-up by Black-Owned Brooklyn
11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday
The Jummy’s Picks by Black-Owned Brooklyn Holiday Pop-Up is transforming a 30,000+ square-foot Atlantic Center storefront to host a holiday pop-up featuring 50 local Black-owned brands. The Holiday Pop-Up takes place from Dec. 10-11 and Dec. 17-18 at the space (previously occupied by Spirit Halloween, across from Barclays) into a boutique experience, featuring a unique selection of businesses, live DJ sets from Donwill, DJ Tara, Run P. and DJ Blue Monday, and family-friendly appearances by “Papa and Mama Soul Santa,” as well as lounge areas for dining and unwinding. Free. 625 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

BEM | books & more holiday pop-up
1 to 7 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays until December 23
BEM | books & more are hosting their second annual holiday pop-up at BRIC House through December 23. BEM is a digital literary home for the intersection of Black cultures and food, and their pop-up bookstore will come to life IRL through sharing food and stories, meeting fellow readers of the site, and teaching the histories and horizons of Black food. 647 Fulton Street. Free. 

See “The Brooklyn Nutcracker”
Showtimes at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
“The Brooklyn Nutcracker,” coming to Kings Theatre on Saturday, reimagines the Russian holiday classic and blends ballet with hip-hop to create a new tradition for today’s Brooklyn. The production places the story in old Dutch Brooklyn (also known as the village of Breuckelen) and modern-day Flatbush Avenue. 1027 Flatbush Ave. Tickets range from $30 to $115. 

Musical Kwanza celebration
4 to 5:30 p.m.
In preparation for Kwanza, which takes place from December 26 to January 1, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music will host an afternoon songwriting workshop for families this Saturday. Kids 8- to 14-years-old and their families are invited to come and learn songs that celebrate the principles of Kwanzaa. The event is free but RSVP is required, Masking and proof of covid vaccination are also required. 58 Seventh Avenue.

Industry City Ice Rink
4 to 8 p.m., every Friday thru Sunday until March 10
The IC Ice Rink in Industry City is decorated and open for the holidays, fully equipped with a heating system to keep you toasty. Complete with an outdoor bar serving hot cocoa and snacks, you have until March 10 (!) to enjoy the rink. All tickets are available for single entry at any time on the day of your choice and will grant you access to the rink for one session between 1.5 hours to 2 hours. Industry City Courtyard 5 / 6 at 51 35th Street. Tickets are $10 to $25.

Sunday, December 18

Hanukkah for Kids ft. The Macaroons
Doors at 11a.m., show at 12 p.m.
This Sunday at noon, Hanukkah for Kids is happening at the Brooklyn Bowl, and it promises to be a family-friendly musical celebration. Carla Friend will lead songs and an interactive Jewish teaching, and The Macaroons will bring the catchy pop-rock tunes. All ages. 61 Wythe Avenue. Tickets are $15 and free for kids under 1. 

Klezmer Hanukkah celebration
3 to 4:30 p.m.
The annual Klezmer Hanukkah celebration, hosted by the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, will take place on Sunday, outside at The Old Stone House, situated within the J. J. Byrne Playground at Washington Park. Bring an instrument to celebrate with the Community Klezmer Band, led by Ira Temple. The Fifth Avenue Menorah Lighting is taking place nearby from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. and people will migrate from one location to the next, so in this instance, it’s a good idea to follow the crowd. 336 3rd Street inside Washington Park. 

Come help light the largest menorah in Brooklyn
Program begins at 4 p.m., menorah lighting at 5 p.m.
Chabad of Park Slope proudly hosts one of the borough’s finest traditions: lighting Brooklyn’s largest menorah on the first and all eight nights of Hanukkah at Grand Army Plaza in Park Slope. Sunday’s celebration will kick-off with a concert by Zusha, but come back each night for more live music, hot latkes, and gifts for the kids. All ages. Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Park.