Hey neighbor!

If you were anywhere around the neighborhood last week, you probably caught the energy. Hundreds of henna tables lining the streets, families shopping for holiday outfits, incense in the air, Bollywood music on the next block. It was Eid al-Fitr, the holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, and Jackson Heights was celebrating in the most Jackson Heights way possible.

On the civic side, Thursday's monthly Community Board 3 meeting ran past 10pm and covered a lot. Here is the one number that stuck with me: 120,000 people applied for 880 affordable apartments at Willets Point. The first residents move in next month. Meanwhile, at the same meeting, the board gave the go ahead for several new liquor licenses, with one bar in Corona got 4am hours every night of the week, which, predictably, started the biggest debate of the evening. You can find the full summary here.

​The Queens Eagle covered how local politics races in the district are heating up too, as new campaign filings showing serious money flowing into the races with over $230,000 raised in two months between three candidates.

And switching over to what's coming up this week, Wednesday night is time for our monthly dinner club and we are stoked! Signups for this one are already closed, but if you want in on the next one, it will be happening on Tuesday, April 28th. Head to dinnerclub.jacksonheightsinsider.com to grab a spot before it fills.

Alright, let's get into what else is happening around the neighborhood this week.

This Week in Jackson Heights

March 24–30, 2026

Featured Event

📚 Get Home Safe with Rana Abdelhamid, Thu Mar 26, 7:00 PM, The World’s Borough Bookshop
A powerful talk on safety, activism, and community, plus book signing. Proceeds support Malikah → Join the conversation​

Life feels lighter when you don’t have to figure everything out alone. Join The Wellness Circle on Thursday, April 9 at 6pm for a small, intentional group for reflection, guided conversation, and genuine community. Limited seats to keep the experience personal. Save Your Seat

Tuesday, March 24

Paella Nights @ Addictive Wine and Tapas Bar | 4:00 PM | Addictive Wine and Tapas • saffron rice, good wine → Reserve your table​

Wednesday, March 25

Spanish Storytime With Bilingual Birdies | 10:30 AM | Queens Public Library • sing, dance, learn Spanish. Kids 0–11 → Bring the little ones​

Queens Distance Runners Community Run | 6:30 PM | 80th St & Northern Blvd • friendly 5K, no Lycra required → Run with the crew​

Thursday, March 26

Get Home Safe with Rana Abdelhamid | 7:00 PM | The World’s Borough Bookshop • author talk and signing → Join the conversation​

New here or looking to get more plugged in? Meet Some Friendly Locals. Join our upcoming neighborhood meetup on Monday April 13th where newcomers can connect with longtime residents and people involved in local projects - from arts to small businesses to community spaces. Come Meet the Neighborhood

Friday, March 27

Bill Popp Solo Show | 8:30 PM | Espresso 77 • coffeehouse tunes, cozy vibes → Hear him live​

Saturday, March 28

Saturday AM Kids Art Club | 9:00 AM | A.R.T. Shop • bilingual class, ages 6–15 • $25 → Make something cool​

Linocut Workshop: Postal Postcards | 6:00 PM | The World’s Borough Bookshop • carve, ink, print your own card • RSVP encouraged → Print your postcard​

MONECO — Psychedelic Peruvian Chicha | 9:00 PM | Terraza 7 • cumbia, chicha, dance all night • $20 → Feel the rhythm​

Sunday, March 29

Jackson Heights Greenmarket | 8:00 AM | 34th Ave & 79th St • veggies, bread, neighborhood vibes → Shop the market​

Monday, March 30

Flow + Connect Yoga Para Todos | 5:30 PM | 2nd Story Pilates + Yoga • bilingual class, all levels • $10 → Stretch and reset​

More to do in Queens

In partnership with events newsletter Astoria Live - another local events newsletter well worth having in your inbox

Astoria Live Astoria Live is your weekly guide to what’s happening in Astoria, Queens — from live music and comedy shows to pop-ups, classes, and community events. Sign up for the newsletter to discover local gems and connect with your neighbors every week. Subscribe​

Astoria Tech Meetup #52 | Wed Mar 25, 6:30–8:30 PM | Our House Queens, Astoria • demos, tools, tech chat, RSVP encouraged → Come geek out​

Stand-Up Showcase at Grove 34 | Fri Mar 27, 7:30–8:30 PM | Grove 34, Astoria • local comics, big laughs → Grab your laugh slot​

EmpowerHER Latina Summit | Sat Mar 28, 10:30 AM–3:00 PM | Astoria World Manor • networking, resources, RSVP required → Save your spot​

Eastern Fire Hip-Hop Showcase | Sat Mar 28, 7:00–10:00 PM | The Local NY, LIC • underground hip hop night → Catch the heat​

Afro-Colombian Music Workshop | Sun Mar 29, 1:00–2:00 PM | Flushing Town Hall • rhythms, drums, ages 8+ • $5 → Tap into the rhythm​

The Peking Acrobats | Sun Mar 29, 4:00–5:00 PM | Colden Auditorium, Flushing • family show, jaw-dropping stunts → Prepare to be wowed​

Heads-up: times and places can change, so make sure you confirm event details with the organizers before you go.

And remember - this list is just a selection of everything that’s going on locally. You can check out full listings for more events at JacksonHeightsInsider.com/events​

High-Fives & Local Love

Shout-out to the brands keeping this newsletter going:

Own a local business? Help keep this neighborhood newsletter free and community-powered, with your logo featured above → Sponsor Jackson Heights Insider​

And a big thanks to our personal supporters: Emily Hackenburg, Zach McCurdy, Diana Chery, Nikki Amberstone, Alice Crespo, John Capouya, Nancy Cardenas, Ursula Avelino, Philip Washburne, Paola Bakos, Joseph Varghese, RJ Harden, Barbara Goodwin, Patricia Marjoribanks, Sara Klar, Sam Raker, Ankit Gupta and Arlene Gilbert.

Want to join them in supporting this newsletter? → Become a Jackson Heights Insider supporter here (and unlock extra perks)

That’s it for this week. If you need me I will be at the greenmarket buying vegetables I did not plan to buy, running into three people I know, and somehow leaving with empanadas!

Jonathan (JBS)