Whether you celebrate Christmas or Hanukah or you just delight in the holidays, there are plenty of festive occasions to bring some sparkling lights into your winter days. Here are some places in Nassau and Suffolk Counties where you can watch Christmas trees and menorahs lit up in all their splendor.
Note: This list is updated every year. Here are the Christmas Tree & Menorah Lightings on Long Island for 2011.
Thursday, December 1 to Friday, December 30
Unfortunately, there will be no annual Jones Beach Holiday Lights this year. But take heart. The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County present the largest light show on Long Island: their annual Holiday Light Show at 600 Lakeview Avenue in Bayport from December 1 to December 30 open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each night. (Note: the display is CLOSED on December 24 and December 25.)
Drive through a lovely woodland trail surrounded by dazzling light displays and holiday vignettes. There are new displays every years. Cost: $12 per car from Monday through Thursday, $15 per car from Friday through Sunday. More information: 8th Annual Holiday Light Show.
Friday, December 2
Christmas Tree Lighting - Town of Brookhaven at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY. FREE. Rain or shine. Show starts at 6 p.m. and Santa arrives at 7.Come and enjoy music and entertainment from the town's Talent Show Winners, Michelle Ferraro Dance U.S.A., William Floyd High School Select Chorus , Rocky Point High School Singing Santas.
Please bring a new, unwrapped child’s toy for the town's INTERFACE Program.
For more information, please call (631) 451‐TOWN or visit www.brookhaven.org and at www.facebook.com/brookhavenparks
Saturday, December 3
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at 4:30 p.m. Bring the whole family. 4:30pm Celebrate the season with your friends and neighbors as the Holbrook Chamber of Commerce hosts their annual Christmas Tree lighting. There will be a special appearance by Santa. Location: in front of the Irish Times Pub, 975 Main St, Holbrook (across from the Holbrook Diner)
More info: Holbrook Chamber of Commerce. or call (631) 471-2725.
See Tuesday, December 20 for menorah lighting time.
Saturday, December 3
Starting at 5:30 p.m. Annual Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremony on the village Green, Mina Street and Mill Road, Westhampton Beach, NY. More info: Village of Westhampton Beach or call (631) 288-1654.Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, 2011
Montauk Tree Lighting Weekend. The Hamlet of Montauk will be lit up and decorated for the season, and "The Best Decorated Montauk Storefront" prize will be announced.
More info: Montauk Chamber of Commerce.
Saturday, December 3
Old Westbury Gardens will host its annual First Night and Tree Lighting from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., with the mansion decked out in holiday splendor. Tree lighting, cookies and cider served, performance by the Bethel Concert Choice, and of course, a visit from Santa.
General Admission: $10.00 adults, $5.00 children (2 to 12 years). Members: $5.00 adults, members' children: free. Due to limited space, reservations are required.
More info: www.oldwestburygardens.org.
Sunday, December 4
FREE event. Annual Tree Lighting and visit from Santa at 4 p.m. The tree lighting will take place across from the firehouse at 69 West Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, NY. There will be holiday music and a visit from Santa inside the firehouse, along with hot chocolate, cookies and gifts for the kids. FREE photo with Santa for each child.
More info: Hampton Bays Chamber of Commerce.
Sunday, December 4
Stony Brook Village presents its FREE Annual Holiday Festival from 1 to 6 p.m. Bring the kids to see Santa, a petting zoo (from 1 to 4 p.m.) model train display (from noon to 4 p.m.), "Goat on a Boat" puppet shows (1:30 and 2:30 p.m. in the Inner Court) and much more. For more information, please visit Stony Brook Village or call (631)751-2244.Sunday, December 11
Annual Tree Lighting from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Living Room c/o The Maidstone, 207 Main Street, East Hampton, NY, (631) 324-5006. The event will feature several activities and goodies for all attendees:At 4 p.m., Santa will arrive for cookie decorating with the kids, and there will be coffee, hot cocoa, hot cider, grog and cookies offered for attendees.
At 5 p.m., c/o The Maidstone owner Jenny Ljungberg will greet guests, Brad Beyer will perform holiday songs on the piano, and the tree will be lit. The East Hampton High School Choir will perform holiday songs and a sing-along.
AT 6 p.m., there will be a raffle drawing, with all proceeds going to the East Hampton Food Pantry.
The Living Room at c/o The Maidstone is also running a toy drive for Toys for Tots. A collection box will be available for new unwrapped toys throughout the holiday season. For further information contact The Living Room Restaurant at c/o The Maidstone at (631) 324-5006.
Tuesday, December 20
Menorah lighting at 6 p.m. in the Friendly Drugs parking lot at 1036 Main Street, Holbrook, NY. More info: Holbrook Chamber of Commerce. or call (631) 471-2725.
See also Saturday, December 3 for Christmas tree lighting time.
Wednesday, December 21
Menorah Lighting at 6 - 8 p.m. at Brookhaven Town Hall, 1 Independence Hill, Farmingville, NY. More info on the menorah lighting at Brookhaven Town Hall..
