Moving to Queens over the holidays? As New York’s largest borough, Queens has everything for a festive season done right. From quirky farmstead feasts to bohemian Christmas markets, there are plenty of holiday activities around—and lots of space to enjoy them. Here’s your guide to celebrating the holidays, Queens-style.
Food, Drink and Nightlife
- Code Astoria Night Club (20-30 Steinway St, Astoria, NY): If your idea of NYE involves R&B, DJs, and bottle service, Code Astoria is where you’ll want to go. With hors d’oeuvres to nibble and an open bar till midnight, ring in the New Year in VIP style.
- 18th Century Tavern Night (73-50 Little Neck Pkwy, Queens, NY): Over holiday clichés? Step into the past at Queens Farm’s Adriance Farmhouse, where the winter season is celebrated sans Santa. Instead, back in time for a farmstead feast with churned butter, handpicked carrots, and candlelit conversations.
Things to Do
- Winter Wonder at the Garden (43-50 Main St, Flushing, NY): Winter Wonder is December done right. There’s something for everyone at the Queens Botanical Garden event: Live music, tree lighting, menorah displays, holiday crafts, Santa photos, and Christmas shopping.
- The Little North Pole (144-03 Neponsit Ave, Neponsit, NY): Move over, Dyker Heights, Queens has a Christmas home tradition of its own. Each year, resident Joe Mure transforms his Rockaway home into a Christmas spectacle, to raise funds for Juvenile Diabetes Research. The lighting ceremony on Dec. 7 promises a night of food, live performances, and holiday magic.
- Keith Michael’s The Nutcracker (153-49 Reeves Avenue Flushing, NY): There are plenty of Nutcracker performances around the city, but this one in Queens stands out. New York Theatre Ballet’s one-hour rendition, choreographed by Keith Michael, is perfect for ages 3 and up. It’s performed at the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College.
- Community Grand Menorah Lighting (Yellowstone Municipal Park, 68-01 Yellowstone Blvd., Forest Hills, NY): Celebrate the 6th night of Chanukah with an evening of performances by Chanukah clowns, lighting of an 18-foot menorah, glow-in-the-dark activities, a fire show, and warm beverages.
Shopping
- House of Holiday (90-02 Atlantic Ave, Ozone Park, NY): Want to give the Little North Pole Christmas House a run for its money? Head to New York’s largest Christmas store (according to their website) House of Holiday, located in Ozone Park. Locals know this hidden gem well, but many trek across the city to this spot, which was once an artificial Christmas tree factory.
- Astoria Market (29-19 24th Ave, Queens, NY): Held in the iconic Bohemian Hall, this eclectic artisan market is a treasure chest of art, jewelry, toys, garments, pottery, and more. After shopping, take a breather and hit the bar for a beer and some Czech & Slovak bites.
Moving over the holidays? We know it can be a lot. That’s where Metropolis Moving steps in. Let the experts handle the heavy lifting, while you explore the neighborhood and enjoy all the festive fun that Queens has to offer.
