Hey neighbor,

Jackson Heights made it all the way to Japanese public TV this week. Our local tree volunteers were featured, which means the neighborhood’s trees are now officially more internationally famous than most of us.

We also had three local restaurants land on The New York Times’ 100 best NYC restaurants for 2026. Kabab King, Birria-Landia, and Nepali Bhanchha Ghar all made the cut. Not bad for a neighborhood where you can casually eat your way across multiple continents before you even reach the 7 train.

One bittersweet update, BQE Billiards on 70th and 34th is closing at the end of the month. If you still want a local place to shoot pool, Ready Penny Inn is one nearby option to keep in mind.

And yes, the Travers Park water fountains are back on. I discovered this much later than I should have (apparently they were turned back around mid-april), but better late than thirsty.

And don’t forget, there’s still time to enter the giveaway with Green Duster cleaners. They’re a local, eco-friendly cleaning company and they’re giving one lucky neighbor a $350 professional deep cleaning. The deadline to enter is May 18, and the winner will be announced May 19. You can enter the giveaway here.

Alright, neighbor. The trees are famous, the food is elite, and the fountains are flowing. Let’s see what else is happening this week.

This Week in Jackson Heights

May 12 to May 18, 2026

Featured Event

🎨 Les Petites Gallery | Sunday, May 17, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM | 34th Avenue between 82nd and 83rd Street

NYC’s only permitted open-air art gallery on an Open Street arrives in Jackson Heights this Sunday. Think less flea market, more outdoor gallery stroll. Curated artists, original work, and one very good reason to linger on 34th Ave. Free and open to all. Artists can still apply for limited founding member spots.

​Come collect​

Come Solo. Leave with Plans. On Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30pm, we’ll pair you with 5 other neighbors at a Jackson Heights restaurant for a relaxed group dinner. Afterward, everyone meets up at a nearby bar to keep the conversation going. Most people come alone. Everyone leaves with a few more familiar faces in the neighborhood. Sign Me Up

Tuesday, May 12

Makin’ Biscuits Cat Adoption | 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM | The Queensboro • meet cats, foster heroes, and cat-loving humans → Meet the biscuits​

Paella Nights @ Addictive Wine and Tapas Bar | 4:00 PM to 10:30 PM | Addictive Wine and Tapas • saffron rice, seafood, and patience rewarded → Taste Spain​

Wednesday, May 13

Wolf Runners of Queens, Run/Walk for Mental Health Awareness | 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM | Queens Beer Factory • all paces welcome, runners and walkers included, bag check available for a refundable $5 → Move for mental health​

JH Art Talks #60, Jess Levey and Nancy Gesimondo | 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM | Espresso 77 • grab a drink, settle in, and get artsy → Hear the artists​

Thursday, May 14

AANHPI Month: Bhangra Dance | 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM | Queens Public Library at Jackson Heights • joyful family movement for kids 0 to 11, balle balle → Feel the rhythm​

Weekly ¡DALE! Runs | 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM | Queens Beer Factory • get your miles in, then hang → Run with the crew​

Charlie’s Chaos Art Club for Adults | 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM | A.R.T. Shop • neo-futuristic collage night, no perfectionism allowed, donations welcome → Make some chaos​

Friday, May 15

Friday Wine Tasting | 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM | Addictive Boutique Winery • wines worth talking about → Find your pour​

Samuel Torres Sextet, Contemporary Latin Jazz | 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM | Terraza 7 • explosive Afro-Latin jazz from a Latin Grammy winner • $20 cover for the Mezzanine → Catch the groove​

Saturday, May 16

Shared Language: Community Writing as Care | 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM | The World’s Borough Bookshop • free drop-in workshop for mothers and caregivers, no writing experience needed → Write with care​

Sunday, May 17

Les Petites Gallery | 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM | 34th Avenue between 82nd and 83rd Street • NYC’s only permitted open-air art gallery on an Open Street, free and open to all → Come collect​

Bangladeshi Day Parade | 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM | 37th Avenue, from 69th Street to 87th Street • music, performers, community pride, rain or shine → Celebrate on 37th Ave​

Abstract Painting Workshop in Acrylics w/ Pistachio | 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM | A.R.T. Shop • playful abstract painting for adults and curious teens 13 and up, purchase required → Paint outside the lines​

Monday, May 18

Creative Aging: Crafts for Older Adults Series | 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM | Queens Public Library at Jackson Heights • Spanish-language crafts for Latinx older adults, materials limited, first come first served → Create en español​

​

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​

Queens Taste 2026 | Tue May 12, 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM | Sound River Studios, LIC • unlimited Queens bites, skyline views • tickets from $125 → Taste the borough​

Citi Field’s annual “Bark @ the Park” | Tue May 12, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM | Citi Field, Flushing • bring your pup, enter Bullpen Gate early • dog ticket required → Take your dog out​

Cairo to Cartagena Festival | Sat May 16, 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM | Culture Lab LIC • Latin and Middle Eastern rhythms all day • ticket required, no re-entry → Dance across continents​

Queens Night Market | Sat May 16, 4:00 PM to 11:59 PM | Flushing Meadows Corona Park • big bites, small prices, take the 7 • parking is limited → Eat around the world. And for smart tips on what to eat and when to go, read The Ultimate Guide to the Queens Night Market by longtime vendor Nigel Sielegar.

The 100th Anniversary Edition of The Texas Chili Cook-off | Sun May 17, 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM | Pig Beach BBQ, Astoria • chili, queso, open bar, big Texas energy • ticket required, family and pet friendly → Bring the heat​

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: John Needham, Felice Amera, Emily Moore, Oda Friedheim, Joseph Faillace, 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)

And that’s a wrap! Until next week, may your tree bed be tidy and your Birria-Landia line move faster than expected.

Jonathan (JBS)