Celebrate the holidays on Atlantic Avenue

After kicking off their tree lighting ceremony on Tuesday, the holidays have officially begun on Atlantic Avenue!

On deck is the Atlantic Avenue Merchant Holiday Window Judging Competition, and we're thrilled to be a judge for this festive annual tradition this year! Read on for holiday celebrations hosted by The Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation (AALDC) through December!

Thursday, December 4: Atlantic Avenue Merchant Holiday Window Judging Competition

Enjoy a stroll down the avenue and admire the creativity of local businesses as they compete in this year’s Atlantic Avenue Merchant Holiday Window Judging Competition on Thursday, December 4. Judges will tour the avenue to select the most festive displays. This year’s judges are Michael Freedman, a Gowanus-based artist and founder of Why Not Art; Marj Kleinman, visual storyteller and founder of Stoop Stories; Meredith Kurnov, Publisher of Macaroni KID Brooklyn NW. The winners will be announced on the AALDC Instagram and Facebook by Saturday, December 6.

Saturday, December 6, 12-3pm: Children's Party at Hoyt Street Garden

Bring the entire family for a fun-filled afternoon at the Annual Children’s Party with Santa on Saturday, December 6th from 12-3 pm. The free event will be held at the Hoyt Street Garden located at the corner of Hoyt Street and Atlantic Avenue. Bluey is here for the first time, making this year’s celebration extra special. Kids can enjoy arts and crafts, meet Santa and Bluey, and decorate ornaments shaped like snowmen, holiday trees, and Santas. Children are also invited to bring a homemade ornament to display on the Hoyt Street Garden.

December 6, 13, 14, and 20, 1-3 pm: Free ‘Shop & Dine Atlantic Ave’ tote bags

Celebrate the spirit of the season by shopping local and enjoying the windows along Atlantic Avenue. Shoppers can pick up a free ‘Shop & Dine Atlantic Ave’ tote bag on December 6, 13, 14, and 20 from 1-3 pm. The bags are filled with local deals and events offered by our merchants during December.

Keep an eye out for Santa, his helpers, and the Triad Brass who will be strolling down Atlantic Avenue, playing music, and posing for photos with families and shoppers.

Through December 11: Annual Holiday Toy Drive

The AALDC continues to support the local shelters and organizations with our Annual Holiday Toy Drive. This yearly tradition benefits women and children living in homeless shelters during the holidays. Toys will be donated to organizations such as Arbor Inn and Lutheran Social Services of New York. We also donate toys to Council Member Lincoln Restler’s office for them to give out to the community. Buy a toy from their wishlist or drop an unwrapped toy into one of the toy boxes at Atlantic Avenue businesses until December 11th. For a list of participating businesses with a Holiday Toy Drive Box, please click here.