If you're brave enough to face the Black Friday crowds this Friday, November 27, then you'll find plenty of day-after-Thanksgiving bargains in Brooklyn.  This guide to Brooklyn Black Friday special sales and store hours will help.

Another way to save in Brooklyn during the holiday season is with the Shop Brooklyn campaign: If you see the "Shop Brooklyn" decal in a store's window, ask the store merchant what his or her "Brooklyn bonus" is. Many local businesses are offering discounts or a gift-with-purchase as part of the program.

Thanksgiving in Brooklyn
Whether you go out for a turkey meal or spend the day in the comfort of your own home, have a happy, food- and family-filled holiday!

Ice Skating in Prospect Park
Grab your skates and get ready to go: Prospect Park's 48-year-old Wollman Rink opens to the public on Thanksgiving day, launching the winter ice skating season.
Wollman Rink is located between the Lake and the Concert Grove in Prospect Park.

Music on the River
Mendelssohn's "Songs Without Words" will be performed at Brooklyn's very own floating concert hall this Friday. $35.
Friday, 8pm at Bargemusic, Fulton Ferry Landing near the Brooklyn Bridge

Winter on a Flatbush Farm
Lefferts Historic House will be tranformed into a 19th century farming village during this annual event. Kids can learn how to make candles, quilt, and cook the old-fashioned way.
Saturday and Sunday, 1pm to 4pm at Lefferts Historic House, Children's Corner of Prospect Park

The countdown to T-Day has officially begun, and if you're staying in Brooklyn for the holiday, then here are some ideas for Brooklyn-based things to do (and eat). Enjoy!

1) The Feast: It's not too late to place your orders for pies and other baked goods at local bakeries like Baked, One Girl Cookies, Almondine, and Bread Stuy.

If you're going out for Thanksgiving dinner, these Brooklyn restaurants are dishing out holiday prix fixe specials (you'll find everything from a harvest bisque soup made from lobster and nutmeg cream at Magnolia to cornbread stuffing at Dressler and a Latin-inspired menu at Palo Santo).

2) The Pre- and Post-Feast Workouts: Start your Thanksgiving off with a morning run: Brooklyn's annual Turkey Trot, a 5-mile race around Prospect Park, starts at 9am sharp. Or, burn off some of that turkey dinner later in the day with a spin on the ice. Prospect Park's ice skating rink officially opens for the season on Thanksgiving Day.

3) The Day After Shopping Craze: Black Friday sales abound in Brooklyn, and if you're brave enough to face the crowds, then this guide to day-after-Thanksgiving deals and steals will help you get the most bang out of your holiday buck.

Think you know everything there is to know about the Brooklyn restaurant scene? Know your Defonte's from Di Fara? Take the Brooklyn Foodie Trivia Quiz, and put your local restaurant know-how to the test.

Children's Book Fair
The third annual Children's Book Fair at the Brooklyn Museum will boast over 30 Brooklyn-based children's book authors and illustrators. Expect book signings, special readings, and arts & crafts for kids.
Saturday, 12pm to 4pm
Brooklyn Museum, 200 Eastern Parkway

smART Brooklyn Gallery Hop
Here's your chance to check out the Brooklyn art scene: This weekend, 70 local galleries are offering free admission and refreshments as part of the second annual smART Brooklyn Gallery Hop. The event features free bus loops that will run through four different gallery districts, as well as a special tour that will hit galleries off the beaten path. Reservations are required for the bus tours (call 718-802-3530 to reserve your seat).
Saturday and Sunday at participating galleries

Open House at Urban Glass
Take a free tour of Brooklyn's Urban Glass Studio, and enjoy a glassblowing demonstration (or try your own hand at glassworking).
Sunday, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm
Urban Glass, 647 Fulton Street

Kick off your holiday shopping tomorrow night at Annie's Blue Ribbon General Store: The boutique (located at 365 State Street) is offering 20% off the entire shop from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. 

Can't make the trip? Visit the store's website at any time tomorrow and enter in the code THANKFUL at checkout to get the discount online.

Know of more Brooklyn-based holiday deals and steals? E-mail me, and I'll post them here.

Get ready to hit the ice: Prospect Park's Wollman Rink opens for the 2009 skating season this year on Thanksgiving day, when, weather permitting, the rink will be open from 10am to 6pm.

Admission for the 2009 skating season is $5 for adults and $3 for kids. Skate rentals are $6.50, and you can buy hot chocolate and treats at the rink's snack bar. The rink will be open seven days a week; for hours, check the official Wollman Rink website.

Wollman Rink is located between the Lake and the Concert Grove in Prospect Park. Enter through the Parkside/Ocean Avenues entrance or the Lincoln Road/Ocean Avenue entrance.

Photo courtesy Prospect Park Alliance

The Muppets Take Manhattan
Celebrate the 1984 Muppets classic at a special, one-night screening that includes a pre-movie talk with "Sesame Street Dad" Roscoe Orman. Tickets are $10 for kids and $15 for adults; profits will be donated to Brooklyn's Puppetry Arts organization.
Thursday, 8pm
UA Court Street 12 Regal Cinemas, 106 Court Street

"NewNew" Sale at the Brooklyn Indie Market
Get a head start on the holidays at this market filled with goods from local designers and artists. Visit TheNewNewNY.com for a 10% off coupon.
Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 7pm
Brooklyn Indie Market, Smith Street and Union Street in Carroll Gardens
 
The Brooklyn Chocolate Experiment
This chocolate culinary showdown is sure to be rewarding: Either compete in the cook-off for the chance to win great prizes, or stay on the sidelines and sample the goods as an audience member/judge. $25 includes a free afterparty.
Sunday, 1pm to 5pm
The Bell House, 149 7th Street

If you're a veteran or are currently serving active military duty, then make your way to Applebee's tomorrow and eat for free. The restaurant is dishing out, in honor of Veteran's Day, meals on the house to customers who can show proof of military service.

Applebee's locations in Brooklyn include restaurants at 395 Flatbush Avenue, 1360 Fulton Street, and 2505 Emmons Avenue.

I just got an email from Stinky Bklyn about a "last chance turkey dance"... The Smith Street cheese shop is selling Vermont turkeys for the holidays, and the last day to get your Thanksgiving order in is this Tuesday, November 10. Turkeys are available in sizes from 12 pounds to 24 pounds (@ $4.90 per pound). Call (718) 522-7425 to reserve your bird.

Alternatively, if the idea of slaving away in the kitchen all day on T-Day doesn't appeal to you, then now's the time to make your Thanksgiving restaurant reservations. Try your luck at one of these great Brooklyn restaurants that will be open (and serving up some fine menus) on Thanksgiving. Bon appetit!