R. Kelly, Winter Bazaar, Caroling & More This Weekend In Ditmas Park

(Photo by pivotjourneys/instagram)
(Photo by pivotjourneys/instagram)

The weekend is finally here and we’d like to help you unwind or get riled up just blocks from your home. Whether you want to go caroling, shop at holiday markets, celebrate the solstice, or dance all night long — this is your spot for the hottest weekend events in (and around) Ditmas Park. If you have an event to share, email us at editor@ditmasparkcorner.com.

Caribbean Holiday Market
When: Friday, December 16 5pm–8pm; Saturday, 1pm–8pm; and Sunday, 1pm–5pm.
Where: Caribbeing House, 794 Flatbush Avenue between Caton Avenue & Lenox Road.
What: Shop for unique Caribbean gifts from a curated selection of artisans, while spending the evening immersed in Caribbean culture.
How Much: Priced per item.

Exhibit Opening: Raisa Nosova at Founders Workspace
Where: Founders Workspace, at 553 Prospect Avenue at 10th Avenue.
When: Friday, December 16 from 6pm to 8 pm.
What: See the atmospheric-turned-expressionist paintings of Russian-born Brooklyn artist Nosova, whose work reflects her travels around the world.
How Much: Free

Latin & Salsa music at Bar Chord
When: Friday, December 16 at 10pm.
Where: Bar Chord, 1008 Cortelyou Road, between Coney Island Avenue and Stratford Road.
What: Come out for latin rhythms, salsa, and more with the La Madrugada at the Illegal Mezcal Music series.
How Much: Free show, but don’t forget to buy drinks at the bar.

Saturday:

PS 130 Winter Bazaar, 2015. (Photo via PS 130 / Facebook)
PS 130 Winter Bazaar, 2015. (Photo via PS 130 / Facebook)

Christmas bird count, nature exploration, curiosity corner & more at Prospect Park
When: Saturday, December 17 & Sunday, December 18 from 8am to 4pm.
Where: Various locations throughout Prospect Park, including the Audubon Center and Lefferts Historic House.
What: Don’t let the cold keep you indoors this weekend, check out the Christmas birds tour at 12pm; nature exploration at 10am; curiosity corner at the Lefferts Historic House at 12pm; and more throughout the park. See the full schedule here.
How Much: Free

PS 130 Winter Bazaar
When: Saturday, December 17 from 11am to 5pm.
Where: PS 130, Upper School Building at 713 Caton Avenue.
What: Come out for this annual PS 130 tradition featuring more than 35 local vendors selling jewelry, home décor, paper goods, beauty products & more; a chili cook-off,  live music by PS 130 parents, photos with Santa or Elsa from Frozen, a Scholastic book fair, craft activities, and more at the winter bazaar.
How much: Free

Holiday Toy Party with Council Member Eugene
When: Saturday, December 17 from 12pm to 3pm.
Where: 43 Snyder Avenue between Bedford & Flatbush Avenues.
What: Join Council Member Mathieu Eugene for the annual toy drive, distributed to kids in our area on a first-come-first-serve basis.
How much: Free admission and refreshments.

PLG Holiday Craft Fair
When: Saturday, December 17 from 5pm to 8pm.
Where: PLG Coffee House & Tavern, 499 Rogers Avenue at Midwood Street.
What: The PLG craft fair returns for its last weekend. Shop for locally made, handcrafted jewelry, hair products, wood sculptures, greeting cards, knitwear and more this weekend — while enjoying mulled wine, cider, and baked goods.
How Much: Priced per item.

R. Kelly’s Holiday Jam at the Kings Theater
When: Saturday, December 17 at 8pm.
Where: The Kings Theater, 1027 Flatbush Avenue between Tilden Avenue and Duryea Place.
What: Grammy Award winner, multi-platinum selling singer, songwriter and producer, R. Kelly, releases his first holiday album, 12 Nights Of Christmas with soulful versions of holiday tunes.
How Much: Tickets start at $68, get yours here.

Sunday:

Green-Wood cemetery. (photo by Andrew B. White / instagram)
Green-Wood cemetery. (photo by Andrew B. White / instagram)

Winter Solstice Celebration at Green-Wood
Where: Green-Wood Cemetery, tour beings at 500 5th Avenue at 25th Street.
When: Sunday, December 18 from 2pm to 4pm.
What: Celebrate the upcoming shortest day of the year — and the longest night — with a historic winter-themed cemetery walking tour, ending with a bonfire, warm refreshments, sweet treats, and take-home decorations.
How much: $25 for members, $30 for non-members.

Free Community Chanukah Party
Where: Kings Bay Y, 1224 Prospect Avenue at the corner of Vanderbilt Street.
When: Sunday, December 18 from 3pm to 5 pm.
What: Come out for music, storytelling, raffles, crafts, and sing-alongs at this free party to celebrate the festival of lights.
How much: Free

Caroling with Opera on Tap and Sycamore
When: Sunday, December 18 starting at 4pm.
Where: Sycamore, 1118 Cortelyou Road between Stratford and Westminster Roads.
What: Opera on Tap is back for the annual Ditmas Park holiday caroling event. Neighbors are welcome to join the pre-caroling rehearsal at Sycamore’s Lodge at 4pm, then go out for caroling at 4:30pm.
How much: Free, but come back to Sycamore for post-carolling warm up drinks afterward.

Chanukah potluck at Hinterlands Bar
When: Sunday, December 18 from 6pm to 9pm.
Where: Hinterlands Bar, 739 Church Avenue between East 7th and East 8th Streets.
What: Bring a dish (traditional Chanukah food or any kind of food) or some cookies to celebrate the festival of lights at Hinterlands’ first annual Chanukah Potluck. Everyone welcome.
How much: BYO dish to share (store-bought or homemade).

Jennifer Charles and Jamie Saft’s ‘Low Standards’ at the Owl
When: Sunday, December 18 at 8pm (doors at 7:30).
Where: The Owl Music Parlor, 497 Rogers Avenue between Midwood and Maple Streets.
What: A night of American Songbook Classics interpreted by notorious pianist Jamie Saft and Jennifer Charles from Elysian Fields.
How Much: $10 suggested donation.