The Flushing Business Improvement District (BID) kicked off the holiday season on Monday with its 7th annual holiday party at Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel in downtown Flushing.

“This is a way to get everyone together and truly celebrate the season while also promoting local businesses,” said Mabel Law, executive director of the Flushing BID.

The Queens Historical Society and Flushing Town Hall were on hand to sell attraction and event tickets, as well as wares from their gift shops.

The Flushing community toasted councilman and comptroller-elect John Liu in his last holiday season serving the area in the City Council.

“I’m going to miss being in the City Council representing Flushing, but I’m not going anywhere,” said Liu. “I live in Flushing,”

Prior to the party, Liu did the honors of switching on the lights that line downtown Flushing at a holiday lighting ceremony sponsored by the BID.

Santa stopped by to take Christmas requests from the children, and kids and adults received goody bags filled with trinkets and coupons to local stores.

“This really ties in how local business goes hand in hand with the culture and the community,” said Law.