‘Massive Nights’ and holiday lights: 12 things to do this weekend

By Joshua Encinias

The holidays are in full-swing as we stumble from tryptophan hits last week to seasonal hangovers for the next four. It’s the perfect time to cozy up with the ones you love, or, maybe you can find your next love at one of the many happenings around the borough.

The Hold Steady brings their “Massive Nights” show back to Brooklyn Bowl on Friday. On Saturday night, there’s a Mariah Carey-themed Christmas dance party. And on Sunday, you can stop by Brooklyn Magazine table at Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Wallabout Wonderland, where we’re the media partner for this year’s festivities, presented by the good folks at the Lay Out. Come say hi.

Find these events, along with An Evening with Angela Davis and an opportunity to get lit in Fort Greene Park on Sunday, below.

Friday, December 2

Lightscape: illuminated holiday trail at Brooklyn Botanic Garden
Times vary
Brooklyn’s most enchanting winter show is back! Lightscape returns for year two at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden to light up the nights. The garden has over a million lights with illuminated sculptures, bright colors projected on the garden’s trees, along with seasonally decorated architecture and water fountains. Special music and soundscapes accent your walk through a winter wonderland. Select a time to walk through the trail and arrive within the 15 minute window on your ticket. The trail begins and ends at 990 Washington Avenue. Ticket prices vary.

Winter Weekdays at BBG
10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
If Lightscape isn’t your scene, but you still need a walk while the sun is out, Brooklyn Botanic Garden has pay-as-you-wish Winter Weekdays from December to February. Members always enter for free, and from December 2 to 16, the garden will double your member discount for holiday shopping. During winter hours, entrance to the garden ends at 3 p.m. 150 Eastern Parkway.

An Evening with Angela Y. Davis
7 p.m.
Author and activist Angela Davis comes to the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Friday night for an intimate conversation focused on the new edition of her classic memoir, “An Autobiography.” Award-winning scholar and public intellectual Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor will lead a discussion about Davis’ legacy at the cutting edge of the Black Liberation, feminist, queer, and prison abolitionist movements. 651 Fulton St. $15 event only; $40 with signed hardcover copy of “An Autobiography.”

Parents’ Night Out
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Brooklyn’s Preschool of Business has you and your little one in mind this December with two parents’ nights out, one on Friday and again on December 23. Drop your kids off for a party including a movie, puppet show, playtime, pizza and popcorn! This is a drop-off event for ages 2 thru 8. Kids not enrolled in the preschool program will need to upload a medical form. 260 Jefferson Ave. $30.

The Hold Steady’s Massive Nights
Doors at 6 p.m., show at 9 p.m.
Now that the kids are squared away, it’s time to see The Hold Steady’s annual Massive Nights at Brooklyn Bowl this weekend. Massive Nights kicked off in 2016 and it’s become a highlight of the early holiday season. The band says to expect “songs, drinks, friends, sing alongs, and everything else that makes these nights Massive.” 21+. 61 Wythe Ave. $45 – $155.

Saturday, December 3

Art of Tabla, an immersive finger drumming experience
12 to 1 p.m., 3 to 4 p.m., 6 to 7 p.m.
Tabla is considered to be one of the most expressive melodic percussion instruments on earth, and this weekend, you can give it a whirl yourself at the Surya Sound Temple. The musical sessions promise to explore mnemonic syllables as a musical language, and to develop left/right brain independence, hand/finger touch sensitivity and relaxation by melodic and rhythmic entertainment. 101 Wyckoff Avenue Unit 1H. $75.

Visit our table at Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Wallabout Wonderland
Saturday and Sunday, 12 to 5 p.m. 
The 5th edition of Wallabout Wonderland’s comes to the Brooklyn Navy Yard on December 3 and 4. We’re a proud media partner this year, so let us help you conjure up those holiday vibes while you shop local. The Wonderland has everything from unique fashion, good eats and drinks, and perfect gifts for everyone on your list, organized by The Lay Out. DJ sets will make the season bright as they bring their mission of radical joy, celebration and Black visibility to the Navy Yard. All ages. Brooklyn Navy Yard Building 77.

Je’Caryous Johnson: New Jack City
3 p.m. and 8 p.m.
The ‘90s movie cult classic “New Jack City” has been adapted for the stage by writer/director/producer, Je’Caryous Johnson, and comes to Kings Theatre this weekend. Like the movie, the new adaptation follows Nino Brown, a drug lord who must decide what’s most important: friendship, money, or total domination. As an added bonus, Allen Payne will reprise his role from the film as “Gee Money.” 1027 Flatbush Ave. Tickets are $76 to $103.

Party Like It’s 1999: All I Want For Christmas is Mariah
10 p.m.
Did you see Mariah Carey’s pink gown, tiara, and parasail at Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade? It’s the new Christmas drag, so buy one at the thrift store, lace up, and get down at this Mariah Carey Christmas themed dance party. “Party Like It’s 1999: All I Want For Christmas is Mariah” will feature Carey’s holiday classic and other hits from her catalog. DJ Steve Reynolds will spin a mix of your favorite pop, R&B, rock, hip-hop, and dance tunes from the ‘90s and ‘00s at The Bell House. 149 7th Street (Between 2nd and 3rd Ave). Free.

Sunday, December 4

Family Movie Matinees at Time Out Market
10 a.m.
Time Out Market New York will show a family-friendly movie (unannounced at the time of this writing) on the fifth floor and provide materials for a fun arts and crafts activity (coloring, watercolors) during the screening. Tickets are two-tier: $15 per person, which includes a $10 event card to use towards the purchase of a meal at any concession and $20 per person, which includes a $15 event card to use towards the purchase of Breakfast from Ess-A-Bagel or any other concession in the market. $20 tickets will also get you complimentary access to the nearby Jane’s carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park. 55 Water Street.

Red Hook Makers Market & Bar Hop
1 to 6 p.m.
Red Hook makers and creative types will be on hand this Sunday for a market and bar hop. Buy jewelry, knit goods, home decor, metal working, prints, soap, paintings, candles, and more from your neighbors!. Drinks from local joints Keg & Lantern, Widow Jane Distillery, Strong Rope Brewing, and Red Hook Winery are coming to help you sip as your peruse. All ages but 21+ to drink. 158 Beard Street. Free.

Get lit in Fort Greene Park
4 to 5 p.m.
And while you’re at it, come for the tree lighting! Ring Fort Greene Park’s annual holiday tradition returns with free hot cocoa, live seasonal music, letter writing to Santa, and, of course, the tree lighting. Neighbors are invited to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to the Myrtle Ave Toy Drive, benefiting families at Fort Greene’s Ingersoll and Whitman Houses. All ages. Northwest corner of Fort Greene Park, near the Myrtle Avenue and St. Edward’s Street.