Downtown Jamaica celebrates the holidays with community event

The Jamaica Center BID is hosting a holiday event in Downtown Jamaica on Saturday, Dec. 11.  Photo via Jamaica Center BID/Facebook

By Jacob Kaye

Downtown Jamaica will get a holiday lift this month with several installations and activities supported by the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District.

On Saturday, Dec. 11, the BID will host Tis the Season, a holiday shopping event, replete with free, outdoor entertainment, discounts and giveaways throughout the Downtown Jamaica corridor.

“Last year was a terrible year for businesses, and consumers became more oriented than ever towards shopping online due to the pandemic,” said Jennifer Furioli, the executive director of the Jamaica Center BID. “This year we wanted to do something special to encourage our customers to return to holiday shopping in our local downtown Jamaica, re-engage with their neighbors and support our local economy.”

To celebrate the holidays, the BID has set up a drop-off location at the Parsons Public Space for children to drop off their letters to Santa. Free hot chocolate will be handed out at the Avenue NYC Cafe, located at the Jamaica Market at 90-40 160th St.

Additionally, over a dozen retailers and restaurants will be offering discounts ranging from 10 to 20 percent.

Rogue the Magician will make their way throughout the area providing entertainment. From noon until 3:30, musician David Sincere will be playing live in front of the Chase Building at 161-10 Jamaica Ave.

The centerpiece of the festivities will revolve around a centerpiece of the neighborhood – the historic landmarked Jamaica street clock.

The clock, which was recently restored and renovated, will be reinstalled back at its longtime home on the corner of Union Hall and Jamaica Avenue at noon. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be hosted by the BID, the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, City Councilmember I. Daneek Miller and the New York City Department of Small business Services.

To end the day, Cultural Collaborative Jamaica will host a tree lighting at dusk at Rufus King Park.

The celebrations first got underway on Saturday, Dec. 4, and featured live music by the Underground Horns.

The festivities are supported by a grant from JFK International Airport. The BID said that if successful this year, they hope to continue the holiday celebration next year, as well.

Head to jamaica.nyc for more information.