Here are some interesting things happening around Brooklyn this week (Jan 5 – Jan 11, 2026), from big shows to local happenings and fun experiences:

🎤 Big Ticket Events & Shows

At the Barclays Center

• WWE Raw on Netflix Anniversary Show — This special Monday Night Raw event with a Stranger Things crossover is happening Mon, Jan 5 live from Barclays Center. Wikipedia

Concerts & Live Music

• Several local music gigs and DJ nights around town on Jan 2–3 (e.g., at Brooklyn Bowl, The House of Yes, Signal NYC). AmericanTowns

• Elsewhere often has live shows and club nights — worth checking their calendar. Elsewhere

🎭 Arts, Culture & Experiences

• Immersive Traitors Experience — Runs Jan 14–22 in Williamsburg, an interactive game based on the TV show. Decider

• Comedy and variety shows (e.g., 50 First Jokes at The Bell House on Jan 3). AmericanTowns

🎨 Workshops & More Chill Activities

At Brooklyn Botanic Garden and around:

• Winter Birding series (Sundays starting Jan 11) — outdoor birdwatching walks. Brooklyn Botanic Garden

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• Floral & art-related classes like Winter White Centerpiece workshop (Jan 8). Brooklyn Botanic Garden

🕺 Live Nightlife & Local Scenes

Brooklyn’s nightlife districts (Williamsburg, Bushwick, Gowanus) are vibrant with live music, DJ sets, and dance nights throughout the week — especially weekends.

Some cool local venues to check for shows or social events:

• Elsewhere — popular for concerts & DJs

• Wonderville — arcade + bar + event space

• Prospect Park Alliance and Lena Horne Bandshell — outdoor/event spaces with seasonal programming

In 1883, Brooklyn officially became part of the city of New York. What iconic bridge was completed in the same year, connecting Brooklyn to Manhattan?

Super Flu 2026: What to Know About Symptoms and Treatment

Healthcare providers are seeing an increase in severe flu cases in 2026, often referred to as the “super flu.” While not a medical term, it describes flu strains that spread quickly and cause more intense symptoms.

Common symptoms include

high fever, severe body aches, persistent cough, extreme fatigue, chills, headaches, and sore throat. Some people—especially children and older adults—may also experience nausea or vomiting.

Most cases can be treated at home with rest, fluids, and fever-reducing medications. However, antiviral medications may be prescribed if symptoms are caught early, especially for high-risk individuals.

Seek medical care right away if you or a loved one experiences difficulty breathing, chest pain, confusion, or a fever that lasts more than a few days.

Health officials continue to recommend the 2026 flu vaccine, which helps reduce severe illness and hospitalizations. Staying informed and acting early helps keep our community healthy this flu season.

Joke Of The Day

Why did the hipster burn his tongue in Brooklyn?

Because he drank his coffee before it was cool.

Here’s your Local Hero of the Week in Brooklyn — someone actively making a difference in the borough right now 👇

🌿 Yonnette Fleming — Urban Farmer & Community Food Justice Leader

Who she is:
Yonnette Fleming is a Brooklyn-based urban farmer and community advocate focused on food justice and neighborhood sustainability. She works with community gardens in Bedford-Stuyvesant, most prominently the Hattie Carthan Community Garden Farm, where she helps provide fresh produce, host workshops, and teach gardening, cooking, herbalism, and urban agriculture skills to residents of all ages. Her work helps strengthen food security and brings people together around shared space and healthy food.

Why she’s a hero:
✨ She left a Wall Street job to devote herself full-time to community resilience through food systems that empower neighbors rather than depend on outside aid.
✨ Fleming teaches intergenerational workshops that focus on growing food, healing, and community empowerment.
✨ Her leadership at the garden market helps ensure nonprofit space for local growers and equitable access to nutritious food in a historically underserved area of Brooklyn.

Impact:
By helping communities grow food, learn sustainable practices, and connect with one another, Yonnette Fleming’s work goes beyond gardening — it’s about building resilience, community health, and long-term empowerment right here in Brooklyn.

"When you leave New York, you are astonished at how clean the rest of the world is. Clean is not enough." - Fran Lebowitz

Here’s a roundup of events & entertainment happening in Brooklyn this week (Jan 11–18, 2026) — from family fun and winter activities to live shows and social gatherings 👇

🎶 Live & Social Events

🎸 Sunday, Jan 11 – Rock & Roll Playhouse: Music of David Bowie + More (kids)

🎤 Family-friendly live music event at a classic Brooklyn venue, Brooklyn Bowl — great for kids and music lovers alike.

🕺 Salsa Latin Dance Social – Sat, Jan 10
Join a salsa social night in Brooklyn — good vibes, dancing, and community energy.

🎤 Sunday Sunsets Live Music at Sleepwalk (Free Show)
Local bands and artists are hosting early evening sets (from ~5:15 PM) in Bushwick — a relaxed, free way to catch emerging talent.

🎙️ Adult Talent Show (past week)
A variety showcase featuring local performers at Brooklyn Bowl — worth watching for future talent nights.

🎤 Live Band Karaoke “BOWIE-OKE” & More
Hosted at spots like Littlefield — great for spontaneous sing-along and community vibes.

🧘‍♂️ Sufi Silent Meditation – Weekend Event
Quiet guided meditation session for mental wellness at Brooklyn Friends Meeting House.

❄️ Outdoor & Seasonal Activities

⛸️ Ice Skating Under the Bridge
Enjoy ice skating at Roebling Rink with stunning skyline views under the Brooklyn Bridge through early February.

🌿 Winter Birding Classes (Sun, Jan 11)
Nature walk and winter bird-watching around local parks — part of Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s outdoor classes.

🎨 Arts, Workshops & More (This Week)

🎨 Botanic Garden Workshops (Jan 13 & Jan 15)

• Medicinal Plants intro class — Tue, Jan 13

• Watercolor Painting Succulents — Thu, Jan 15
  Great indoor creative + learning experiences (pre-registration may be required).

🎭 Immersive & Ongoing Experiences

🕵️ The Traitors Experience (Jan 14–22)
A themed interactive live experience in Williamsburg inspired by the hit show The Traitors — fun for groups and fans.

🧒 Family & Community Options

• Mulchfest Tree Recycling & Chipping — community sustainability activity ongoing through Jan 11.

• Brooklyn Bridge Park FREE Ice Skating Tickets (NYC Residents) — Mon–Thu sessions available on a walk-up basis.

🥳 Great Brooklyn Spots to Experience Events

Whether you’re grabbing drinks, catching music, or attending a show, these local venues often host community happenings, pop-ups, and entertainment:

• Bogart House – Legendary live music & events space

• 501 Union – Stylish venue with frequent art/music events

• Dear Brooklyn – Popular event space for social and cultural gatherings

• Lovejoys – Bar & venue for nightlife events

• Wonderville – Bar + arcade for social nights

• Commune – Relaxed venue with occasional pop-ups

Here’s a curated list of upcoming Martin Luther King Jr. Day (MLK Day) celebration events in Brooklyn around Monday, January 19, 2026, where you can reflect, honor Dr. King’s legacy, and take part in community activities 👇

🕊️ Annual Brooklyn Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

📍 Brooklyn Academy of Music — Fort Greene
🗓 Mon, Jan 19, 2026 — 10:30 AM
⭐ This is one of Brooklyn’s largest & longest-running MLK Day events, featuring inspirational civic leaders, artistic performances, music, and reflections on civil rights and equality. The event is free and open to the public (first-come seating).

🎨 MLK Weekend Art + Peace Parade Activities

📅 Weekend leading into MLK Day (Sat & Sun)
📍 In various Brooklyn locations
✨ Participate in a peace parade, make community art installations inspired by Dr. King’s vision, and enjoy workshops suitable for all ages. Arts activities often take place in local parks and community hubs.

🧠 MLK Remembrance & Reflection

📍 Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture (269 4th Ave)
🗓 Sun, Jan 18 — 12:30 PM–2:00 PM
💬 A powerful in-person event with stories and reflections celebrating Dr. King’s legacy. Suitable for adults and teens looking for a more contemplative gathering.

🤝 Brooklyn MLK Family Day of Service

📍 Hannah Senesh Community Day School (342 Smith St)
🗓 Mon, Jan 19 — 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
👨‍👩‍👧 A family-friendly volunteer event where children and adults work together on service projects — such as assembling care packages and supporting local groups — embodying Dr. King’s call to serve community.

🖍️ MLK Day Festival at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum

📍 Brooklyn Children’s Museum (Crown Heights)
🗓 Sun & Mon around Jan 19, 2026
🎭 A multi-day celebration with shadow puppet performances, protest marches with music, community art making, storytelling, and volunteer activities — great for families and kids.

🌳 MLK Day Street Tree Care (Volunteer)

📍 Various Parks (Sunset Park area)
🗓 Mon, Jan 20 — 10:00 AM–Noon
🌱 Join NYC Parks for a volunteer session caring for street trees and learning about urban greening as part of community stewardship.

🌟 Top Fine Dining Picks in Brooklyn

1. Aska – Nordic / Modern Fine Dining
A chef-driven, two-Michelin-star restaurant known for its inventive Scandinavian tasting menus and elegant service — one of Brooklyn’s most acclaimed culinary experiences. Chef's Pencil

2. The River Café – Iconic Fine Dining with Views
Brooklyn classic with stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and innovative New American cuisine — regularly listed among NYC’s best and a Michelin favorite. Yahoo

3. Francie – Italian-French Tasting Experience
Elegant Italian + French-inspired menu with seasonal tasting options and creative techniques — highly rated on Yelp and among Brooklyn’s most celebrated restaurants. Stacker

4. The Loft Steakhouse – Upscale Steakhouse
A top-rated steakhouse with beautifully prepared premium cuts, luxurious ambiance, and outstanding service — perfect for a special steak dinner. Chef's Pencil

5. Blanca – Michelin-Recognized New American
A creative, chef-led tasting menu restaurant in Brooklyn with a refined, intimate vibe — critically acclaimed and known for thoughtful ingredient-driven courses. MICHELIN Guide

🍷 Other Excellent High-End Options (Great Alternatives)

• DeStefano's Steakhouse – Classic upscale steakhouse with refined preparations and excellent wine list.

• Le Crocodile – Stylish French restaurant with excellent bistro-to-fine dining spectrum.

• Henry's End – Highly praised New American spot with seasonal menus and great service.

💡 Tips for Fine Dining in Brooklyn

• Reservations: Many of these restaurants fill up weeks in advance, especially on weekends and holidays.

• Dress code: Upscale attire is usually expected at these spots.

• View & Occasion: The River Café is ideal for skyline views and celebrations; Aska and Francie excel for tasting-menu enthusiasts.

Here’s your Brooklyn Real Estate Snapshot (Late 2025–Early 2026) — focused on sales and rentals trends in one of NYC’s hottest housing markets:

🏡 Brooklyn Housing Market Overview

📈 Home Prices & Sales Activity

1. Record-High Prices Across Brooklyn

   • In Q3 2025, Brooklyn’s median home sale price exceeded $1 million, with continued growth year-over-year as demand stays strong. Brooklyn Paper

   • Average sale prices across all home types climbed roughly 11.6% year-over-year to about $1.39 M, and median hit around $1.05 M — marking a record for the borough. Brooklyn Paper

   • Single-family homes remain highly valued, with median prices roughly $1.2 M and strong price per square foot gains. Brooklyn Paper

2. Inventory Still Tight but Growing Moderately

   • Listings and inventory have been rising, helping to alleviate acute shortages while still keeping pressure on prices. Brooklyn Paper

   • Sales activity shows movement across condos, co-ops, and houses — with particularly rising inventory in luxury and high-demand segments. Brooklyn Paper

3. Local Recent Stats (Late 2025)

   • A December report noted the median sale price just over $1 M, up modestly from prior months, with homes selling close to asking price — signifying competitive offers even amid higher mortgage costs. howardhannanyc.com

   • Realtors report many deals closing near or above list price, indicating sustained buyer interest. howardhannanyc.com

What this means: Brooklyn remains one of NYC’s most resilient and high-demand markets with prices near record levels and strong buyer activity.

🏢 Brooklyn Rental Market Snapshot

📊 Rent Levels & Trends

1. Rents Near Historical Highs

   • Median rents in Brooklyn have been at or near $4,000 monthly in 2025 — up year-over-year with certain unit types hitting even higher figures. Inhabit | A Blog from Corcoran

   • Larger units (3-bedrooms) climbed to $6,000+ in median rent in spring. Inhabit | A Blog from Corcoran

2. Rental Inventory & Leasing Activity

   • Active rental listings saw sizable year-over-year increases, reaching multi-year highs, which helps some renters find options but leasing activity remains subdued. Inhabit | A Blog from Corcoran

   • Average days on market are lower than typical seasonal norms, showing continued competition for units. Inhabit | A Blog from Corcoran

3. Price Pressure Still Present

   • Independent reports note asking rents climbed significantly — with median near $3,850–$4,340 depending on report and month — and price-per-square-foot rising. Brownstoner

What this means: Brooklyn continues to be expensive for renters, with rents rising despite increased listings — though leasing pace varies with seasons.

📊 Brooklyn Market Quick Stats

🧠 Market Takeaways for Brooklyn

• 🏘️ Strong Buyer Demand: Despite economic headwinds and higher mortgage rates, buyers remain active — especially for desirable homes and established neighborhoods.

• 📈 Prices Near Peak: Brooklyn pricing continues at or near record levels — it’s not a bargain market, but values show resilience.

• 🏙️ Rental Competition: Renters still face high rents, though increased inventory in some months offers a bit more choice.

• 🏡 Neighborhood Variability: Prices vary widely by neighborhood — from highly prized areas like Park Slope and Cobble Hill to emerging corners with slightly more accessible pricing. New York Post

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