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
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
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
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
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’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
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
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
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.
