It’s never too early to plan for the holidays in New York. Neighborhood tree lightings are one of the city’s best traditions — free, festive, and a good excuse to get outside with hot cocoa in hand. Here are the 2026 dates to save, from Harlem to Staten Island.

The lighting calendar

November 17th — Harlem Holiday Lights. Harlem kicks things off, lighting up the neighborhood for the season.

December 3rd — DUMBO Holiday Tree Lighting. Brooklyn’s waterfront celebration under the bridge.

December 4th — Fort Greene Tree Lighting and Historic Richmond Town Tree Lighting on Staten Island — pick your borough.

December 5th is the big one, with three celebrations: the Bronx Little Italy Tree Lighting, Holiday on the Hudson, and the Queens County Farm Tree Lighting — yes, an actual farm in Queens.

December 12th — Riverbank Holiday Skating + Tree Lighting. Ice skating and a tree lighting in one night — hard to beat that combo.

What to expect

These aren’t just a switch being flipped. Expect caroling, live music, visits from Santa, neighborhood vendors, and plenty of lights. Most are free and family-friendly, which makes them some of the best-value nights out of the whole holiday season.

Planning your season? Start with what’s happening in NYC today to fill the weeks between now and the lightings. And for a cozy night in once the cold sets in, DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island is our family film pick.