As the weather gets colder and the lights of the city get brighter, Bard High School and New York City have officially entered the holiday season. December always comes with stress, finals, and college applications, but it also brings some of the most fun and festive things to do, both around the city and right here at school. From community markets and light displays, to our very own school talent show and theater production, this December is full of events that bring people together and highlight the creativity of the five boroughs.
One of the biggest Queens celebrations this year is the Holiday Extravaganza 2025, which happened on December 14. It’s insanely energetic, and the kind of event where you walk in and immediately hear music. There’s holiday karaoke, seasonal treats, and even pictures with Santa. The mix of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Yalda Night performances represents Queens perfectly. It’s loud, colorful, and super family-friendly in the best way. Another favorite seasonal experience is the Winter Wonder event at the Queens Botanical Garden. There are holiday craft vendors, live music, and it’s a botanical garden unlike any other in the city. A Year 1 at Bard Queens attended this over the weekend and says that “It was a nostalgic experience that transported me back to my childhood, and reignited the christmas spirit within me,”
There are also a few neighborhoods tree-lighting ceremonies in Astoria, Glendale, Maspeth, and Jamaica, which always draw big crowds. People who live there say it’s one of the few times the whole community shows up for something that’s small but meaningful.
And of course, the Bryant Park Winter Village is a holiday classic. The moment you get there you’re hit with the smell of hot chocolate and the busy sounds of people doing their Christmas shopping. A lot of BHSECQ students end up going after school or on weekends because it’s one of the easiest holiday spots to go to, and honestly, it never gets old. Though it’s usually packed with tourists, whether you’re skating, shopping, or just hanging out with friends, it feels like the most classic New York winter moment. Back at school, the annual Bard Extravaganza brought the same energy as the borough’s big events. The Extravaganza, a school-wide talent show, featured singing, dancing, and much more, as multiple after-school clubs showed their talents. This year’s theater performance is also fun to go to, with students from all grades involved in acting, set design, tech, and costumes.
Whether we’re watching our friends perform in the BHSECQ auditorium or wandering through holiday markets around NYC, this season feels special because it reminds us that we have a community. And as winter break gets closer and final week starts causing us stress, these celebrations are a good reminder that even in a massive, nonstop city, the holidays are really about slowing down and having fun with the people around us.