Last Updated on 6 April 2026 by Vanessa
In the heart of Red Hook, Brooklyn—where old warehouses lean into the waterfront and ferries glide across the harbor—there’s a Christmas display that quietly steals the spotlight every single year. It’s not because of dazzling lights or giant inflatables. Instead, it’s a humble nativity scene that’s earned local legend status, thanks to a colony of feral cats who’ve claimed it as their own.
Feral cats find home in Christmas nativity scene in Brooklyn, New York
A beloved attraction in Brooklyn
At 344 Van Brunt Street, just steps from the harbor and between converted brick buildings, a handcrafted nativity scene appears each winter.
On the surface, it’s a traditional creche—Mary and Joseph, hay-filled manger, and all.
However, a colony of feral cats has taken up residence in and around the display. They turned the scene into something absolutely memorable.
The cats don’t just coexist with the nativity. They star in it.
Every Christmas Day, after the statue of baby Jesus is placed in the manger, the cats climb in, scoot him to the side, and settle into the hay as if it were built just for them.
Visitors laugh, snap photos, and return year after year to see who’s napping in the holy crib this time around.
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The sisters behind the Christmas nativity scene
This tradition is the work of sisters Annette and Sue Amendola, who live right next door.
Nearly a decade ago, they set up the nativity to share the Christmas spirit with their neighbors. They quickly realized they’d unintentionally created a feline sanctuary, too.
Rather than shoo the cats away, they embraced them. When it’s not Christmas season, the Amendolas carefully move the creche to the back of the lot, giving the feral cats a safe space year-round.
Locals pitch in, too. Some help with food, others have taken part in trap-neuter-release efforts to make sure the cats stay healthy. Many are marked with ear clips, a sign that they’ve been vaccinated and spayed or neutered.
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Red Hook
Red Hook itself feels like a place out of time—maritime and gritty, artistic and welcoming.
You hear the low hum of a Staten Island ferry crossing the bay, or catch a breeze carrying in from the pier. It’s a neighborhood that blends old Brooklyn industry with indie galleries, seafood joints, and bakeries tucked into former factories.
The nativity scene fits right in. It’s part public art, part community care, and totally Red Hook.
Once you’ve visited the nativity, you can easily stick around to explore the rest of the neighborhood.
You can stroll down cobblestone Pearl Street or visit Louis Valentino Jr. Park & Pier, where you’ll get panoramic views of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline.
You may also want to visit Pioneer Works, a creative space housed in a 19th-century warehouse, or hop over to The Waterfront Museum, located on a historic 1914 barge floating just off Conover Street.
Feeling hungry? Grab world-famous BBQ at Hometown Bar-B-Que, a slice of tart perfection at Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie, or sip a local brew at Strong Rope Brewery, where picnic tables and harbor views make it easy to linger.
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Conclusion
New York is already one of the best city trip destinations for Christmas, but it’s smaller, unexpected spots such as this one that really make it memorable.
So, if you’re looking for something a little heartwarmingly different this holiday season, head to the nativity scene at 344 Van Brunt Street in Red Hook. You’ll definitely be walking away with a smile…and probably a few great photos, too.
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Source: DNA Info New York
A cozy cat memoir with a Christmas heart
Looking for another heartwarming story? One that also brushes up against the magic of the Christmas season?
Avalon: A Heartwarming True Cat Story might be the next cozy read you didn’t know you needed.
This memoir captures the messy, hilarious, and emotional journey of life with a stubborn, neurotic cat named Avalon.
But this isn’t your typical “cute pet” story. Avalon has the dramatic flair of a movie star, the attitude of royalty, and a way of showing up at exactly the right (and wrong) moments.
Through chaotic vet visits, disrupted dates, and quiet holiday nights, Avalon shows how a pet can change your world in ways you never planned for. It’s a funny, heartfelt, and sometimes bittersweet reminder of the deep connections we form with the animals who let us into their hearts. On their terms, of course.
