Bayside And Douglaston To Host Holiday Lightings

BAYSIDE-DOUGLASTON, QUEENS -- Get into the spirit of the season with festive holiday lighting ceremonies scheduled on back-to-back weekends in Douglaston and Bayside.

Find your local dose of holiday cheer at Bayside's annual Children's Holiday Parade, the Douglaston Village Winter Festival, or both.

Bayside Children's Holiday Parade

The local holiday festivities start in Bayside with the fourth annual Children's Holiday Parade on Dec. 3 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. City Councilman Paul Vallone and the Bayside Village BID will kick off the parade down Bell Boulevard at 38th Avenue. The parade will end with a tree and menorah lighting, followed by celebratory holiday carols, at the LIRR Station on 41st Street.

The event will feature sweet treats, special appearances from holiday characters and other surprises. To register to march in the parade, contact Vallone's office at 718-619-8611 or the Bayside Village BID at 718-423-2434.

Douglaston Village Winter Festival

Douglaston will host its own day of community-wide winter fun on Dec. 9 from 2 to 6 p.m. The winter festival, organized by the Douglaston Local Development Corporation and the PS 98 fifth-grade class, offers a host of family-fun winter activities leading up to the village square's holiday lighting that evening.

The event at Douglaston Station Plaza will feature music, a hot chocolate bar and an ugly sweater contest that both dogs and humans can compete in. Pasta, chili, pretzels and hot drinks will be available for purchase to fundraise for PS 98 fifth-grade students. Local vendors, clubs and students will also be selling treats and holiday gifts throughout the festival.

For more information, check out the Douglaston Local Development Corporation's website or Facebook page.

Photo via Pixabay.