Queens is New York’s most diverse borough, and its holiday season reflects that, from a Chinese lantern festival on a colonial-era farm to Christmas Day feasts in Flushing.
Highlights
- Winter Lantern Festival at Queens County Farm — opens Nov 19.
- LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (LIC) — a family Nutcracker with a visit to Santa’s Toyland in mid-December (see Nutcrackers).
- Flushing and Elmhurst — a favorite Christmas Day dining tradition (see Christmas Day in NYC).
- Forest Hills Gardens and Douglaston — Tudor-style neighborhoods with beautiful decorated homes for a holiday stroll.
Nearby
Eastern Queens is close to Nassau County: see Christmas on Long Island.
Plan Your Queens Holiday Visit
Queens is New York’s largest borough by area, so focus on one area per outing.
- Eastern Queens: the Winter Lantern Festival at Queens County Farm in Glen Oaks, best reached by car or the Q46 bus. The farm’s historic farmhouse dates to the 18th century.
- Flushing: one of the largest Chinatowns in the country, with food courts, dumpling houses and bakeries. A Christmas Day tradition for many New Yorkers.
- Long Island City: skyline views across the East River from Gantry Plaza State Park, and family holiday shows at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center.
- Forest Hills Gardens: Tudor-style homes and a village-like station square that looks storybook-perfect in December.
- Astoria and Jackson Heights: diverse food scenes, from Greek bakeries to South Asian sweets, perfect for holiday treats.
Getting Around
The 7 train runs from Times Square to Long Island City and Flushing, and the E, F, M and R serve Jackson Heights and Forest Hills. For Queens County Farm, driving is easiest.
Nearby
Eastern Queens borders Nassau County: see Christmas on Long Island for Magic of Lights and LuminoCity, both within a short drive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Christmas events are in Queens?
The Winter Lantern Festival at Queens County Farm is the borough’s headline holiday event.
How do I get to the Queens lantern festival?
Queens County Farm in Glen Oaks is easiest by car. By transit, take the E or F to Kew Gardens–Union Turnpike and the Q46 bus to Little Neck Parkway.
