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 2012.
Thursday, November 29 through Sunday, December 30, 2012 (closed 12/24 & 25)
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 November 29 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 year. Cost: $12 per car from Monday through Thursday, $15 per car from Friday through Sunday.
And after you take a drive through the light show, visit the Holiday Village, where you can take photos with Santa, visit the Hall of trees, buy gifts and more.
More information: 8th Annual Holiday Light Show.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at 4:30 p.m. Bring the whole family. 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, who'll give out candy canes to the kids. 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 8 for menorah lighting time.
Saturday, December 1, 2012 (rain date: Saturday, December 9, 2012)
Starting at 5:30 p.m. Annual WinterFest and Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremony at Westhampton Beach Village, Main Street and Glover Lane, Westhampton Beach, NY. At 10:30 a.m., see holiday movies at the Hampton Arts Twin Cinema, then enjoy a ride down Main Street in a horse and buggy. There will be kids' crafts and holiday treats, visits with Santa at the gazebo, story time with Mrs Claus in the Westhampton Beach library, and more.The Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremoney starts at 5:30 p.m. More info: Village of Westhampton Beach or call (631) 288-1654.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
The 5th Annual Lighting at The Lighthouse at 4:30 p.m. (stays lit through Tuesday, January 1, 2013), Montauk Lighthouse, Montauk, NY.
More info: Montauk Chamber of Commerce.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Belmont Lake State Park Tree Lighting Festivities start at 4:15 p.m., and the tree will be lit around 5 p.m. There will be holiday music, ice sculpting demo, and a fireworks display. Santa will arrive on the Long Island Sleigh Express. Everyone is welcome to this celebration.Belmont Lake State Park, Southern State Parkway - exit 38, West Babylon, NY. More info: (631) 667-5055.
Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2, 2012
Montauk Chamber of Commerce Starbrite Holiday Lighting Weekend. Contest for the best-decorated storefront. The winner will be announced on Sunday evening.More info: Montauk Chamber of Commerce. To register, please call (631) 668-2428
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Update: Sorry...this popular event is sold out. 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 2, 2012
FREE event. Annual Tree Lighting and visit from Santa at 4:30 p.m. The tree lighting will take place across from the firehouse at 69 West Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays, NY. There will be a visit from Santa inside the firehouse, along with complimentary hot chocolate, cookies and gifts for the kids.
More info: Hampton Bays Chamber of Commerce.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Stony Brook Village presents its FREE Annual Holiday Festival from 1 to 6 p.m. Bring the kids to see Santa (from 2 to 5 p.m. at the rear of the village, and again at 5:30 p.m. on the Stony Brook Fire Department's 3000-light float, to throw the switch to light the holiday tree), a petting zoo (from 1 to 5:30 p.m. in the Inner Court) model train display (from noon to 4 p.m. in the WMHO Educational & Cultural Center), "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.Friday, December 7, 2012
FREE. Annual 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 tree lighting is 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
