Jamaica Center BID

Community Events

Family Fun on the Ave.

Several times a year three blocks of Jamaica Avenue close to vehicular traffic, transitioning to a museum and culture fest in the streets with live music, yard games, badminton, mini golf, colorful seating, exploratory science stations and more. 

Presented by Jamaica Center BID with support from NYC DOT Weekend Walks program funding.

Various Dates: Summer/Fall

Family Fun on the Ave July 13 Photos

Family Fun on the Ave August 17 Photos

Down to Earth Farmers Markets

Pick up fresh vegetables and chat with your neighbors at Jamaica’s two outdoor farmers markets run on Friday (Parsons Public Space) and Saturday mornings (160th, just off Jamaica Avenue).

Presented by Greater Jamaica Development Corporation.

Dates: Late spring, Summer, Fall

King Manor Museum’s Traditions Festival

It's a weekend full of food, music, art, and crafts from Jamaica in the 18th century to present day, with all the wonderful cultures in our community! Fun for adults and children with hands-on activities, demonstrations, and tastings. Come experience the past and present, for free.

Location: King Manor Museum

Dates: June

Queens International Children's Festival

A free two-day fun-filled event that brings family-friendly arts, crafts and activities to downtown Jamaica, inspiring young people and families to enjoy the arts together. A project of Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL).

Dates: June

Jamaica Downtown Jazz Festival

This weekend-long Festival aims to celebrate the rich jazz heritage rooted in Southeast Queens and promotes generations of talents who hail from diverse cultures residing in this community today. Tribute is paid to a legendary performer each year, and feature some of the most prominent names in jazz along with emerging musicians. Concerts occur in venues along Jamaica Avenue. A project of Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning (JCAL).

Dates: July

Jamaica Arts & Music Summer (JAMS) Festival

Jamaica’s signature annual festival that attracts over 200,000 residents and visitors to downtown Jamaica in early August. Hallmarks include the moonlight evening concert “JAMS Under the Stars” followed by the following day’s JAMS Festival—a 10-block extravaganza of vendors, live music, community booths, dance demos and more. A project of Cultural Collaborative Jamaica.

Dates: Early August

Harvest Fest(s)

Pumpkin Painting, live music, vendors, crafters, live performers....downtown Jamaica is home to TWO fabulous Harvest Fests, one presented by Greater Jamaica Development Corporation, the second by the Sutphin Avenue BID, just next door to our Jamaica Center BID, both located in downtown Jamaica.

Dates: Fall

Halloween on the Ave

Meet at Rufus King Park (with or without costume) for not-so-scary family friendly fun: facepainting, bubble entertainment, live music, quirky family photo shoots, tours of King Manor museum and so much more, followed by Trick or Treating at Jamaica Avenue merchants.

Dates: Fall

Halloween on the Ave Photos 

Holidays on the Ave

Free activities for children at an indoor location, followed by a traditional tree lighting at Rufus King Park. New additions to the longstanding fun include pop-up appearances by Mr. Jammy, Jamaica Avenue’s resident snowman, and quirky ugly sweater selfie walls.

Dates: December

A project of Cultural Collaborative Jamaica, Jamaica Center BID and others.

Previous Seasonal Guides

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