NOTE: This page is updated annually. Here are the events for December 2011.
It's time to get ready for the holidays and think about where to go to combat cabin fever. From holiday concerts to visits to adorned houses and even a Dickens Festival, there's plenty to do on Long Island this month.
Ongoing Sundays
Family Sunday at the Museum. Each Sunday, the Nassau County Museum of Art offers a 1 p.m. docent-led family walk-through of the exhibition, and beginning at 1:30 p.m., supervised art activities for the whole family. Family Sunday at the Museum is free with museum admission. The Nassau County Museum of Art is located at One Museum Drive (just off Northern Boulevard, Route 25A, two traffic lights west of Glen Cove Rd.) in Roslyn Harbor. Admission to the main building PLUS the Art Space for Children is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (62+) and $4 for students and children ages 4-12. These prices include admission to the MiniArtMuseum for Children.
Friday, November 25 Through Wednesday, December 23
Bring the kids to Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury, to view LIVE reindeer, and Santa will be at the store every day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. for pictures. Admission is FREE. Visit during store hours, which are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday and until 8 p.m. on Sundays. More information: Hicks Nurseries or call (516) 334-0066.
Thursday, December 1
Come to Book Revue, 313 New York Avenue, Huntington, NY at 4 p.m., for a special signing event with the author of the Best Selling Children’s Storybook, The Elf on the Shelf!, written by mother/daughter team, Carol V. Aebersold and Chanda A. Bell, Illustrated by Coë Steinwart.Friday, December 2 and Saturday, December 3
The 33rd Annual Candlelight House Tour Around The Bay. The Three Village Historical Society presents its yearly Candlelight House Tour, a showcase of select local homes decked out in the holiday spirit by professional decorators. For more information and tickets, please visit the Three Village Historical Society or call (631) 751-3730.
Friday, December 2, Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4
The 16th Annual Dickens Festival in the Village of Port Jefferson. The event will include music, singers in period costume, street performers, horse drawn wagon, house tour, "Crystal Ball," and much more. For more information, please go to the Port Jefferson Dickens Festival.
Saturday, December 3
At 2 p.m., Annual Holiday Parade, Brookwood Hall to Town Hall West 401 Main Street, Islip, NY. Please visit the Islip Chamber of Commerce or call the Town of Islip Cultural Affairs Office at (631) 581-2720 for more information.
Read more about Christmas Tree and Menorah Lightings on Long Island.
Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4
Old Westbury Gardens' period rooms will be exquisitely decorated with wreaths, mantelpiece drapes, topiaries, plants and other horticultural arrangements. Antique clothing and toys from the Westbury House collection will be on display. Bring the children to create crafts and share their holiday wishes with Santa. Visit OWG's gift shop for unique, hard-to-find presents. Enjoy hot cider and cookies on the West Porch. $8 General Admission $5 Seniors and Children (2 to 12) Members free.
Also on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, December 9. 10 and 11 and December 16, 17 and 18.
Old Westbury Gardens is located at 71 Old Westbury Road.
Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4
Lumiere Ballet's Nutcracker, Svetlana Caton-Noble and Venti Petrov, artistic directors.Saturday, December 3 at 7 p.m., Sunday, December 4 at 2 p.m. Maguire Theater, SUNY College, Old Westbury. Tickets: $30/general, $25/seniors and children. Call for reservations: (516) 586-2921. www.lumiereballet.com
Sunday, December 4
At 2 p.m. Christmas with the Boston Pops. Conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops are joined by Rockapella at Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, 720 Northern Boulevard, Greenvale. Tickets: from $50 to $120 per person. Call (516) 299-2752 or visit Tilles Center.
Sunday, December 4
Christmas at Hallockville. Start the holiday season at the museum farm. Featuring guided tours of decorated historic homes, costumed interpreters, antique toys, musicians, carriage rides, children's activities and Santa Claus! 12 to 4 PM. There is an admission fee. The Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Avenue in Riverhead. Visit the Hallockville Museum Farm website or all (631) 298-5292 for more information.
