Brooklyn’s Top Annual Festivals and Celebrations

More than just a collection of neighborhoods, Brooklyn is a place where culture, community spirit and tradition come together for seasonal celebrations. From century-old traditions to newer creative gatherings, our borough hosts dozens of festivals that locals look forward to every year.

Depending on the year, dates may shift slightly with some festivals falling a month earlier or later, but this guide will give you a good idea of what to expect each season.

Winter

December

Holiday Markets happen across Brooklyn—from the Japan Village Holiday Craft Fair in Industry City, to the Winter Wonderland Market in Sunset Park, Red Hook Holiday Market and the Old Stone House Holiday Bazaar in Park Slope—where you can meet local makers and purchase gifts for your loved ones

Christmas Tree and Menorah Lightings — Through Brooklyn, different neighborhoods have their own lighting traditions including tree ceremonies in spots like Park Slope, Sunset Park, Downtown Brooklyn and Carroll Gardens, and the Largest Menorah at Grand Army Plaza in Park Slope 

Dyker Heights Christmas Lights — This annual neighborhood tradition is sure to get you in the holiday spirit as you tour extravagant light displays of Dyker Heights by foot, bus or virtually

Kwanzaa — Throughout Brooklyn, you’ll find a number of celebrations such as one at Brooklyn Children’s Museum in Crown Heights and the Kwanzaa Crawl, featuring Black-owned Brooklyn businesses

January

Polar Bear Plunge, Coney Island — What better way to spend New Year’s Day than by taking a frigid dip into the Atlantic along with the Coney Island Polar Bear Club?!

Lunar New Year celebrations featuring lion dances, arts and crafts, and food throughout Atlantic Terminal in Fort Greene, Albee Square in Downtown Brooklyn, IKEA in Red Hook and Brooklyn Museum in Prospect Heights

February

Lunar New Year celebrations sometimes occur in February, and you can find festive parades in neighborhoods like Bensonhurst and Sunset Park

Black History Month — Throughout NYC, a variety of celebrations take place at venues like Brooklyn Museum in Prospect Heights to celebrate the African Diaspora through art, theater, dance and community events

On Air Fest, Williamsburg — Media, tech and culture intersect at the On Air Fest, where creatives working in audio, video and new media mingle, catch performances and panel talks, see art exhibits and take part in workshops

Spring

March

Women’s History Month — Throughout March you’ll find a ton of Brooklyn events at places like Brooklyn libraries, Brooklyn Children’s Museum in Crown Heights and Wyckoff House Museum in Flatbush

Holi — New Yorkers come together each year for the colorful Hindu Festival of Colors to celebrate spring. Events typically involve throwing colorful powders, music, dance and vendors, and take place in different neighborhoods throughout Brooklyn

Rāginī Festival (formerly Women’s Raga Massive Festival) — A month-long virtual and in-person festival that takes place throughout the city including in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to celebrate artists challenging the patriarchy in the South Asian creative ecosystem

St. Patrick’s Day Parades — Each St. Paddy’s Day, locals don their festive green attire and unite to celebrate Ireland all over Brooklyn in neighborhoods including Park Slope, Windsor Terrace and Bay Ridge

April

Cherry Blossom Season — Stroll beneath canopies of cherry blossoms throughout NYC and catch themed events at Brooklyn Botanic Garden in Prospect Heights/Crown Heights

Brooklyn Half Marathon — Cheer on your local friends as they run from neighborhood to neighborhood, or take part in the run yourself

Luna Park Opening, Coney Island — Each year as temps begin to rise, Luna Park welcomes back visitors for fun, games and rides

May

Spring Fling, Brooklyn Heights — Family-friendly community event with puppet shows, dance and kids’ crafts

Five Boro Bike Tour — The first Sunday of every May, Bike New York puts on an epic ride for anyone who pays to register. Get up close and personal with the city on a rare day when streets that make up the route are closed to cars

Church Avenue Festival, Flatbush/Kensington — Meet neighbors and mingle with small business owners at this street fair featuring arts, crafts, food, rides, music and more

Dumbo Drop, Dumbo — Watch thousands of toy elephants parachute down to Washington Street, a cobblestone block where crowds gather to see live music, mingle with neighbors and sample neighborhood foods to help local charities

Graham Avenue Fiesta, Williamsburg — Stroll along Graham Avenue (Avenue of Puerto Rico) to explore over 100 local merchants and vendors, sample local cuisine, catch live performances and support local businesses

DanceAfrica Bazaar, Fort Greene — Celebrate African, Caribbean and African American foods, crafts and fashion at this annual fest with more than 150 vendors

Kite Festival, Brooklyn Heights — You’re only allowed to fly kites in Brooklyn Bridge Park on this particular day each year, so might as well take advantage! You can bring your own, make one on site, stay for the lawn games and live music, get your face painted or just observe

Brooklyn Film Festival, Greenpoint/Fort Greene/Williamsburg — From late May to early June, this annual fest promotes indie film and features screenings, talks and filmmaker parties

Summer

June

BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!, Park Slope — NYC’s longest running free outdoor performing arts fest takes place every summer at the Lena Horne Bandshell in prospect Park where you can catch all different types of creative events

Brooklyn Greek Festival, Brooklyn Heights — Feast on Greek cuisine, catch live music and folk dancing, and learn about Greek culture

Puerto Rican Parade and Festival, Sunset Park — Gather in the park for sunshine, music, parade floats, vintage cars and motorcycles, and traditional foods that celebrate Puerto Rico

Brooklyn Pride, Park Slope — Gather in a welcoming environment where neighbors sing, dance, march, donate and walk/run a 5k at this festival aimed to increase visibility, acceptance and inclusion, and ensure equality for LGBTQIA+ community members

Mermaid Parade, Coney Island — Coney Island is full of whimsy and that includes this annual parade where history, pageantry, art and the sea intersect. You’ll witness a King Neptune and Queen Mermaid crowning, creative costumes, marching bands, dance troops and community pride

PLG Arts Fest, Prospect Lefferts Gardens — Promoting visual arts, dance, theater and music for community members, this festival invites you to unleash your creativity whether participating in a craft workshop or catching a performance

Midwood Mardi Gras, Midwood — Street fair with food, live music, rides and family-friendly activities

July

International African Arts Festival, Downtown Brooklyn — Founded in Bed-Stuy in 1971, this festival celebrates African art, culture and family. Shop handmade products, clothing and accessories, and mingle with makers. Indulge in your favorite Caribbean, African and Latin dishes, take part in a workshop or dance with neighbors

Giglio Festival, Williamsburg — A tradition since 1887, this Italian festival features food, music, dance, entertainment, kids’ rides and the hoisting of the Giglio

Festival Minokan 2025: Mache Bòde, East Flatbush — Haitian festival where you’ll find drum demonstrations, craft activities, food and drink, and participate in cultural traditions

August

Feast of Santa Rosalia, Bensonhurst — Traditional Italian festival with Sicilian roots where you can see live bands, check out the carnival rides and sample Italian foods, as well as Greek, Spanish and other vendors. Did we mention there’s a cannoli-eating contest?

Brooklyn Rum Festival, Williamsburg — Sample different rums from the Caribbean Islands and stay for the food, dancing and entertainment

Pakistan Independence Day Parade and Festival, Midwood — Head to Little Pakistan where you’ll find a lively parade, music performances, handicrafts, boutiques and kids’ entertainment at this festival that’s taken place in Brooklyn since 1990

Brighton Jubilee, Brighton Beach — Enjoy music, multiple entertainment stages, merch and informational booths, kids’ rides and food vendors at this local fundraising festival where you can mingle with neighbors and support local businesses

Fall

September

West Indian Day Parade Carnival, Crown Heights — Head to the largest Caribbean Carnival in the country for a lively parade, vibrant costumes, delicious food, island music and other live performances

Bushwick Open Studios, Bushwick — Step into the creative studios of some of Brooklyn’s most talented artists, meet the artists themselves, tour a gallery, catch a live performance, or sample some local food and drink

Brooklyn Book Festival, Downtown Brooklyn — Get to know fellow bookworms, meet authors and publishers, pick up a new book or attend a workshop at this huge literary festival

Ditmas Shorts Fest, Ditmas Park — A new festival celebrating short films, filmmakers and Ditmas Park

October

Atlantic Antic, Multiple Neighborhoods (Brooklyn Heights, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Downtown Brooklyn) — Since 1975, locals have celebrated this 1.5-mile stretch of Atlantic Avenue with an annual festival where community members come together to mingle, support local businesses, see live performances and explore the many vendors

Oktoberfest — From the Zum Schneider Fest in Williamsburg to the celebrations at Brooklyn Brewery in Williamsburg and Black Forest in Cobble Hill and Fort Greene, you’ll find imported beer, Bavarian food and oompah bands

Panamanian Parade and Festival, Crown Heights — Celebrate Panama’s separation from Colombia through culture, tradition and folklore at this fest where you’ll find a parade, food, drinks and performances

Halloween — All across Brooklyn, neighborhoods like Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, Bushwick, Clinton Hill and Fort Greene throw parties, host parades and costume contests, trick-or-treating, Thriller dance-offs and other themed events to get in the spooky spirit. Throughout Brooklyn, you’ll also find a ton of different types of Halloween decorations, ranging from minimalist to extremist

November

NYC Marathon — Runners take on all five boroughs in this iconic race. Whether you’re pounding the pavement or cheering from the sidelines, the day brims with energy and a collective pride in New York’s spirit and scenery

Brooklyn Folk Festival, Brooklyn Heights — Celebrate national and international folk music, cultural diversity and community spirit at this festival where you can take part in a workshop or jam session, catch a film screening or enter a contest

New York Comedy Festival — Across the city, New York’s best comedians perform at venues, including The Bell House in Gowanus and Union Hall in Park Slope

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Whether you’re plunging into the Atlantic on New Year’s Day, celebrating Caribbean culture in Crown Heights or wandering cobblestone streets as you witness the Dumbo Drop, Brooklyn’s festivals capture our borough’s energy and diversity all year long. These events remind us that living in Brooklyn means more than just finding home—it’s about being part of a lively community where history, culture and creativity spill out into the streets.

Looking for more events and adventures in Brooklyn? Check out our posts on Free Brooklyn Summer Events, 7 Landmarks Celebrating Black Culture and Park Slope Architectural Marvels.