Brooklyn to get its own winter festival and holiday market
Scenes from the new festival’s website (Photos courtesy of Winterfest at Brooklyn Museum)
A new winter festival and holiday market is launching in Brooklyn, promising a destination that will offer shopping, entertainment and winter activities. Organizers put out a call today for vendors and cultural groups interested in participating in the event, called Winterfest at Brooklyn Museum, which will run from Nov. 23 (the day after Thanksgiving) to Dec. 31.
The event will occupy its own small village, a 40,000-sq.-ft. space between the museum and the adjacent Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Planned attractions include a snow slider, a Santa house and grotto, a maze of lights, and a wine-and-beer garden called Vinopolis, which can be booked for holiday parties. The full program of attractions and activities is to be announced Oct. 2.
“Not only will this create a marquee holiday attraction for Brooklyn, but also benefit local entrepreneurs and cultural groups alike,” said Melanie Duault of Dumbo-based Masai Marketing, one of the partners in the event, in a press release. Winterfest is expected to draw 300,000 visitors in its first year, generating an overall estimated economic benefit of $15 million to the community, the organizers said. Entrance will be free and open to the public, with some paid attractions as well.
The pop-up retailers will be housed in 50 small chalets, which can be rented for $6,200 and up. “I have always envisioned Brooklyn having its own holiday market and winter celebration, and now it is all coming together in one place,” said Jeff Golden, co-founder of BearHands & Buddies, a maker of mittens, scarves and accessories. “As a Brooklyn artisan, I am very excited to participate in Winterfest and believe it will be an amazing platform to reach customers from all five boroughs during the busiest season of the year,” he said in the announcement.
Among the partners in the event, besides the museum and botanic garden, are Seasonal Activation Group, a London-based firm that plans holiday festivals internationally, and Totem, a Brooklyn real-estate technology and development firm.
A map of the festival, adjacent to the Brooklyn Museum and Brooklyn Botanic Garden (Rendering courtesy of Winterfest )
