The magic and romance of the season is right here in Dumbo.
DUMBO NEIGHBORHOOD TRADITIONS
SANTA’S MAILBOX
Dumbo’s direct line to the North Pole!
Drop off your letter to Santa at our mailbox, and we’ll make sure the Clauses get it in time for the holidays. And if Santa notices that your wishlist can be sourced right here in Dumbo, he may just give you $100 Dumbo Dollars to spend in the neighborhood as an early holiday gift!
Find the the mailbox in the Dumbo Archway from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve.
Decked out with love by Creatively Wild Art Studio.
New this year, a construction cone holiday tree is on display in the Dumbo Archway in a cheeky nod to Dumbo’s ongoing capital street improvement project. We commissioned the tree from longtime Dumbo artist, Casey Opstad.
Find the tree in the Dumbo Archway from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve.
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
NEIGHBORS HOLIDAY HANG
Bring the kiddos and join the Dumbo Improvement District and Brooklyn Bridge Parents for pizza with your neighbors, legos, pick up games + a chance to watch the new projections in Dr. Susan Park.
JOIN US ON NOVEMBER 29 FROM 5PM-6:30PM!
In Susan Smith Mckinney Steward Park
SHOP THE STUDIOS
It’s a Dumbo Improvement District x Art in Dumbo tradition! For a third year, 50+ artists open up their studios with gift-ready art.
JOIN US ON DECEMBER 2 FROM 12PM-5PM!
Pick up a map of participating artists @ the Holiday Flea Market in the Dumbo Archway.
THE TREE & MENORAH LIGHTING
On the First Thursday of December, we gather to ignite some holiday cheer. The Dumbo Improvement District is thrilled to sponsor our 17th Tree + Menorah Lighting. Holiday covers, performances by Dumbo’s middle and elementary school students, sweet treats from neighborhood restaurants – and of course – Santa in a photo booth!
JOIN US ON DECEMBER 7 FROM 4-7PM IN THE DUMBO ARCHWAY!
HOLIDAY CAROLING + PROJECTIONS CRAWL
New this year! The Dumbo Improvement District is hosting a six-stop holiday crawl, with live entertainment at every stop. The first 300 attendees will receive a free drink on us, plus $10 Dumbo Dollars (Dumbo Dollars can be redeemed at various retail locations throughout the neighborhood).
JOIN US ON DECEMBER 13 FROM 6-8PM! STARTING @ SUSAN SMITH MCKINNEY PARK (YORK STREET ENTRANCE)
DECK OUT YOUR HOLIDAYS, DUMBO STYLE
THE 2023 GIFT GUIDE
DUMBO HAS THE BEST PRESENTS! WITH MORE THAN 80+ INDIE SHOPS, DUMBO IS THE BEST PLACE TO #SHOPSMALL THIS YEAR.
YOUR TREE, BY DUMBO
CHRISTMAS TREES FOR SALE
Find Cole in the Westville Courtyard at 81 Washington St in December, where he has his beautiful, organic, Vermont-grown Christmas Trees, plus wreaths and delicious maple syrup for sale.
ORDER YOUR TREE ONLINE + DUMBO DELIVERY! Order here!
IT’S A GREEN TREE
Designed by Dumbo artist Davide Cantoni, this beautifully designed, flat pack, plywood tree is an artistic (and infinitely customizable!) response to holiday tree waste. More info here!
A GREENER CHRISTMAS
Dumbo-based Lena Allers is an architect and a creative strategist. She co-founded A Greener Christmas in an effort to eliminate the need for one–time use materials often seen during the holidays. They source local trees, free of pesticides, and adorne them with thoughtfully designed decorations, With the purchase of every tree, a portion of each sale will be donated to an organization serving the New York City or Brooklyn community. More info here!
GIVE BACK THIS SEASON
HOLIDAY DRIVES
TOY DRIVE
We’re collecting unwrapped toys for children ages 0 to 14, for the 84th Precinct’s Operation Sleigh Ride. NEW TOYS ONLY!
*Find the donation box at the Tree Lighting on Dec 7, and thereafter in the lobby of Empire Stores.
COAT DRIVE
We’re collecting winter coats in good condition–all sizes welcome! – for 84th Precinct x New York Cares Coat Drive this season. Please note we cannot accept any clothing items other than coats.
*Find the donation box at the Tree Lighting on Dec 7, and thereafter in the lobby of Empire Stores.
FOOD DRIVE
We’re collecting packaged, non-perishables for the Vinegar Hill Pantry Food Drive. Here is their wishlist, if you need ideas!
*Find the donation box at the Tree Lighting on Dec 7, and thereafter in the lobby of Empire Stores, and at Dumbo Market, and Wholesome Foods.
WORTHY CAUSES, BASED IN DUMBO
OFFICE PARTIES, DUMBO STYLE
SPREAD HOLIDAY CHEER WITH…PAINT!
Beat the Bomb is the place of Holiday parties your team will talk about for all of 2023. 5 immersive live arcade games! Battle mode + Office Tournament options! Nothing like getting blasted – with paint – for bonding! And if virtual is your jam, they’ve got the virtual holiday party down. Learn more here.
IMMORTALIZE THE TEAM IN ICING!
Make your team crumble with the gift of a lifetime – give them themselves, in Funny Face Bakery cookie form! Each cookie is hand piped on Water Street in Dumbo by their talented team of artists. They’ll look so real you won’t want to eat them. Submit a request here.
ART IT UP WITH THE TEAM!
Whether you get the team together for a group graffiti mural, or go the drink & draw route, Creatively Wild can help you put together an event that’s creatively satisfying. Plus their gorgeous space can hold up to 200! Email hello@creativelywildartstudio.com to make some plans!
MAKE HOLIDAY FLORAL BOUQUETS!
There’s nothing quite like a beautiful bouquet to brighten one’s day. Bring the team together to learn the basics of bouquet building, and decorate the office in one go. Magdalena from La Catrina Flower Studio right here on Plymouth Street will bring flowers, vases and all the tools necessary make lovely flower arrangements! Call and ask for Magdalena: (347) 529-5259
SWEAT IT OUT!
DUMBO’s world famous boxing gym Gleason’s Gym is one of the most unique places in all of Dumbo – and possibly all of New York. Take over the gym for a dance party, host a group training session with one of their world-class boxers, bring in an inspirational speaker – the possibilities in this inspiration space are endless. Call and ask for Bruce: (718) 797-2872
EXPERIENCE ZEN WEAVING!
Weaving parties are a great way to share and make memories with others. Weave with your friends and family, enjoy weaving together, and take home your own unique tapestries.Loop of the Loom’s group sessions are perfect for birthday celebrations, team building, family gatherings, etc. Available for adults and kids (ages 6+), or both! More details here.
EAT!
LOOKING TO GO OUT FOR A FESTIVE DINNER, OR CATER A SPECIAL LUNCH AT THE OFFICE? DO IT DUMBO STYLE: DUMBO IS DELICIOUS.
COZY TREATS
Lazy Sundaes
Bingsoo Sundaes & Bubble Tea dreams await – with house made boba & mix ins.
170 Front Street
Cha Cha Matcha
All things Matcha – including specials, smoothies, and nitro cold brew, too.
55 Water Street
ARCHWAY CAFÉ
This classic café with a view of the Manhattan Bridge is one of Dumbo’s best kept secrets.
57 Pearl Street
BEEPUBLIC
Plant-based, zero-waste café serving coffee & food. #beesaredope
181 Front Street
DEVOCIÓN
This plant-filled, Farm-to-Cup roaster brings Colombia’s best beans direct to Dumbo.
105 York Street
FUEL FEVER
Make-your-own Smoothie bar is the main event.
52 Jay Street
BLUESTONE LANE
Gluten free treats, grain bowls and coffee await at this Aussie-inspired café in Dumbo Heights
55 Prospect Street
ODDFELLOWS
Creativity in a cone! Beloved for its ever-rotating slate of unusual flavors, and for its boozy ice cream cocktails.
44 Water Street
Funny Face Bakery
Works of art! Get your boss / bestie / brother-in-law / baby immortalized in icing. Or try their gooey chocolate chip cookies – one of the best in the city!
6 Fulton Street
ALMONDINE
Almondine has been baking croissants and baguettes since before Dumbo was Dumbo, and folks still flock to this charming bakery on Water St.
85 Water Street
USAGI
Japanese design shop x matcha bar x bookstore x art gallery makes Usagi one of Dumbo’s most unique finds.
163 Plymouth Street
ZARUMA GOLD COFFEE
Single-origin Ecuadorian coffee + treats and Ecuadorian weekend brunch.
66 Front Street
BUTLER BAKESHOP
Nothing beats brunch with a view of the Brooklyn Bridge. Plus a take-out window + treats for your pup!
40 Water Street
DAWN’S TIL DUSK
This woman-owned all day cafe on Main St may be famous for its whoopie pies, but don’t sleep on the savory menu + cocktails.
33 Main Street
BURROW
Hidden in an indistinct lobby, Ayako runs a magical bakery that has become revered by professional chefs and Instagrammers around the globe.
68 Jay Street
JACQUES TORRES
Jacques Torres opened his first-ever chocolate shop here in Dumbo in 2000! His famous chocolate chip cookie is one of the best ways to spend $3 in Dumbo.
66 Water Street
Wonder Beach
Tanning Studio & Sunless Tanning
117 Adam St, Suite 201