Team Dumbo (the Dumbo Business Improvement District) once again transforms into one of New York City’s prime outdoor holiday destinations starting on November 8, 2025, serving as the neighborhood-wide site of festive, family-friendly activities.
Making their return are gigantic animated video art projections that will take over the BQE and Manhattan Bridge Anchorages – among other sites – viewable beginning November 8 from 4:00pm through 11:00pmdaily through December 31, 2025 in six locations throughout Dumbo: Manhattan Bridge Anchorage on both the Pearl Street and Adams Street sides, inside the Dumbo Archway, BQE via Susan Smith McKinney Steward Park, on a building at the intersection of Front and Jay Street, and in the courtyard of Empire Stores. Team Dumbo has commissioned holiday animations for this annual projections series from Augenblick Studios, an award-winning, independent animation studio based in Dumbo that has created content for Netflix and PBS Kids. The holiday projections are presented in partnership with NYC DOT Art and the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation.
Whimsical elephants are taking over the neighborhood this year for a dreamy, festive holiday celebration! Set against the backdrop of Dumbo’s iconic architecture, this year’s animations feature elephants dressed in winter attire — dancing, caroling, exchanging gifts, and spreading joy. Experience a winter wonderland like no other, where elephants take center stage in a whimsical parade through the streets of Dumbo.
Visitors can slip on their skates at Roebling Rink, the ice skating rink located at the Emily Warren Roebling Plaza, beginning November 24. The ice rink – returning this winter for the third time as part of Dumbo’s available holiday programming – showcases spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline and is positioned alongside the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.
DUMBO is also the site of festive holiday markets this season
Brooklyn Flea in the Dumbo Archway, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00am to 5:00pm from November 16 through December 21, 2025. The return of this market serves as a beloved centerpiece for neighborhood holiday activities, with vendors from the Flea and shop owners of Dumbo joining forces as a one-stop holiday shopping destination with gifts for all.
FAD Market at Empire Stores on December 1 to 21, 2025 daily from 11:00am – 6:00pm.
Additional exciting holiday events include
Shop the Studios on Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 1:00pm – 6:00pm, where 65+ artists will open up their studios to the public with gift-ready art. Holiday shoppers can pick up a map of participating artists at the Brooklyn Flea (operating in the Dumbo Archway, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm).
The Annual Holiday Tree Lighting & Holiday Bar Crawl in the Dumbo Archway Plaza on Thursday, December 4, 2025 from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. The tree is lit at 5:30 pm sharp with a countdown led by Alexandria Sica, Team Dumbo President. Enjoy Santa in a photo booth, Dumbo’s cheeky construction cone tree – this is the last year to catch this creation! – holiday covers by Curtis J. Social and the Dumbo House Band, and treats from Dumbo bakeries.
-A mailbox for Santa, decked out by Creatively Wild Art Studio, will be stationed by the tree in the Dumbo Archway beginning on November 26. Those who have a wishlist that can be sourced in Dumbo may be the recipient of $100 of Dumbo Dollars, courtesy of the Dumbo Business Improvement District, to spend in the neighborhood as an early holiday gift.
“Dumbo is the ultimate local holiday daycation,” says Alexandria Sica, Team Dumbo President. “Shop more than 90 indie boutiques – including our new Fish’s Eddy. Ice skate under the Brooklyn Bridge, and of course, get a few photos for those holiday cards. Pro tip: December 6 is the best day because more than 40 art studios will be open for shop; the studios and the Brooklyn flea holiday market will be going strong.”
For those looking to shop small this holiday season, Team Dumbo publishes a comprehensive Gift Guide for the neighborhood, which is available online here.
