The holidays bring all kinds of activities to our area. From tree and menorah illuminations and choral presentations to lighting spectaculars and visits from Santa–there's plenty to ignite the spirit of the season.
Bellport: Make plans to see the Holiday Spectacular on Ice featuring Nancy Kerrigan at the Gateway through December 31. Come see Santa at the Middle Country Library December 20 between 5-6:30 p.m. Also, at the library December 1, volunteer to write holiday letters and cards to seniors starting at 4 p.m. And don’t forget the parade and tree lighting at the Community Center on December 2 starting at 6 p.m.
Calverton: Don't miss the 6th Annual Light Show at the Splish Splash water park through December 31 from 5-10 p.m.
Center Moriches: Main Street will be a merry place with the downtown closed to traffic for a Winter Wonderland Festival on December 10 organized by the Chamber of Commerce of the Moriches from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Also, on the 10th, Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck will feature Breakfast with Santa. Later in the day, the 84th presentation of Handel's Messiah by the Choral Society of the Moriches at St. John the Evangelist RC Church will start at 3. The chamber will also host a Holiday Tree & Menorah Lighting on December 8 at 7 p.m. at the Center Moriches Square Shopping Center (King Kullen).
East Moriches: Celebrate Christmas at the South Bay Bible Church on December 24 with a special breakfast starting at 10 a.m. and services at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
East Setauket: The Stony Brook Christian Assembly will present its annual Drive Through Live Nativity on December 2 from 6-9 p.m.
Holtsville: Throughout December, bring the family to the Brookhaven Holiday Light Spectacular hosted by Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro at the Holtsville Ecology Site. The dates are December 2,3, 8, 9,10, 15, 16 & 17, with doors opening at 5 p.m.
Mastic/Shirley: Everyone is urged to bring a camera and letters to Santa to a holiday event sponsored by the Greater Mastic Beach Chamber of Commerce at Ultimate Mower on Commack Road December 2 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. A Holiday Parade will leave from the Kohl’s shopping center December 3 at noon and head east to the Mastic firehouse. On the 9th, head to the Community Thrift Store on Neighborhood Road for another holiday celebration with Santa and all of his helpers. For great holiday gifts, participate in Colonial Youth's 6th Annual Basket Auction at William Floyd High School on December 1, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Jump on the bus with the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library for a Holiday Train and Light Show at the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and New York Botanical Gardens on December 8 leaving the Moriches Branch at 1 p.m.
Medford: Visit Santa at the Medford Fire Department’s Annual Pancake Breakfast on December 3 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Oregon Avenue firehouse. St. Nick will roll through town during the department’s Operation Santa December 14, 15, and 16 from 6-9 p.m. Listen for the sirens.
Patchogue: Angels of Long Island will hold their Third Annual Dream Big Holiday Benefit at the Stereo Garden in Patchogue on December 8. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tis the Season at the Patchogue United Methodist Church on December 3 will feature the Chorus of the Bay Area Friends of the Fine Arts and a sing-along from 4-5 p.m. Santa's Toy Trot 5K Run/Walk sponsored by the Kiwanis of Patchogue will kick off at 10 a.m. at Shorefront Park on December 3. The Ugly Sweater Bar Crawl will start at the Meetball Place December 17 at 3 p.m. The Messiah, under the direction of Martha Campanile, will be presented by the Moriches Choral Society at the United Methodist Church of Patchogue December 8 starting at 7:30 p.m.
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Ridge: Head out to the Longwood Estate as Brookhaven Town welcomes Santa with old-fashioned sleigh rides, roasted chestnuts and hot chocolate on December 2 and 3 from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Riverhead: Historic Holidays will be celebrated at the Hallockville Museum on December 3 from noon-3:30 p.m. The Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Wild & Swing'n Holiday Party will go off at The Suffolk December 8 at 8 p.m. If you want to spoil your dog, take it to the 2nd Annual Holiday Pawlooza December 9, starting at 1 p.m. at the Twin Fork Beer Company in Riverhead. Enjoy Brunch with Santa at the Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center Riverhead December 10 beginning at 10 a.m. A Kids & Family Luminous Laser Light Show will dazzle at the 4H Camp from 5:30-11 p.m. on December 21. A Classical Music Christmas Holiday Spectacular will be presented at the Suffolk December 22 beginning at 8 p.m.
Rocky Point: Bring your kids to the Children’s Christmas Party at the VFW December 9 starting at 11 a.m.
Ronkonkoma: Ballet Long Island will stage Elf Jr. The Musical on December 2 and 3 at 3 p.m. Have Brunch with Santa on December 10 at Windows On The Lake from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Selden: Head to the 41st Annual Craft & Gift Fair on December 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Newfield High School.
Smithtown: The Smithtown Historical Society will feature a World of Enchantment with Holiday Illuminations until December 31 from 5-9 p.m. The Smithtown Library will light its tree and erupt into song on December 1 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Stony Brook: The Ward Melville Heritage Organization will run its 44th Annual Holiday Tree Competition at the Stony Brook Village Center with voting on December 3. Decorated trees will be on display throughout the holidays.
Wading River: The Shoppes at East Wind will run its 7th Annual tree lighting December 2 from 4– 8 p.m. in Wading River. There will also be a Big Little Holiday Party at East Wind on December 15, starting at 7.
Yaphank: Catch the Holiday Parade on December 2 starting at 4:30 p.m. Until the end of December, enjoy the Holiday Light Show sponsored by the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County at the Enchanted Forest located at Southaven Park beginning at nightfall.
Editor's Note: Most of the holiday events are free, while some require admission. Google the ones you're interested in for full details.