2024 town holiday events: Christmas tree, menorah lightings on Long Island

GLEN COVE

• Dec. 25 at 6:30 p.m.: The menorah lighting celebration includes live entertainment, children’s crafts, Hanukkah dreidels, gelt, sufganiyot doughnuts and more; Village Square on School and Bridge streets. 

BELLMORE

• Dec. 29 at 4:30 p.m.: The Bellmore Chamber of Commerce will host a menorah lighting at the Veteran's Memorial; Bedford Avenue and Broadway.

HEMPSTEAD

• Dec. 26 at 6 p.m.: The village hosts its annual Kwanzaa celebration at Kennedy Memorial Park featuring lighting of the kinara and discussion of the seven principles, followed by refreshments; 335 Greenwich St. 

LYNBROOK

• Dec. 26 at 6 p.m.: There will be a menorah lighting ceremony; 5 Corners Plaza, Merrick Rd. and Hempstead Ave.

MERRICK

• Dec. 25 at 5 p.m.: The Chabad Center for Jewish Life will host an annual 12-foot menorah lighting. A car parade will follow to the school at 2174 Hewlett Ave., with music, dancing, hot latkes, doughnuts and children's crafts; Merrick LIRR station, Merrick Avenue and Sunrise Highway.

MINEOLA

• Dec. 25 at 5 p.m.: Come celebrate Hanukkah with a Menorah lighting; Jericho Turnpike next to the firehouse.

WANTAGH

• Nov. 22-Jan. 4 from 5-10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 5-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat.: Jones Beach State Park's annual drive-through light show, Magic of Lights, featuring themed light displays using LED technology and digital animations including Prehistoric Christmas, the all-new Bigfoot Monster Truck display and Barbie. Also stop in the Jolly Holiday Village to see the illuminated trees, take pictures with Santa, visit concessions and more. Fee Starting at $30; Advance ticket purchase suggested. Print out a letter to Santa and drop it off at the mailbox. 

LONG BEACH

• Dec. 26 at 6 p.m. Celebrate Hanukkah with the Beaches Jewish Community with the lighting of the menorah in Kennedy Plaza, the Great Chocolate Gelt Drop, hot potato latkes, jelly doughnuts and coffee.

BAYVILLE

• Dec. 6 through Dec. 22 from 6-10 p.m. Fri., 4-10 p.m. Sat., 4-9 p.m. Sun., closed Mon.-Thurs. Also, open 4-9 p.m. Dec. 26-Dec. 28, 4-8 p.m. Dec. 29-Jan. 1 (Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day): Walk around an outdoor holiday Winter Wonderland park surrounded by decorations and lights. Attractions include ice skating, Toy Factory Fun House walk-through and photos with Santa. Enjoy the Holiday Express train ride, the Christmas tree forest and holiday character meet-and-greet, as well as holiday arts and crafts. Reserved time entry, buy tickets in advance. Fee $26.75, $22.75 ages 8 and younger, $17 per family, up to 6 people extra fee for Magical Santa Experience with photo and letter to Santa; 8 Bayville Ave.

HICKSVILLE

• Nov. 29-Jan. 2, available times vary: Christmas House at The Shoppes on Broadway features indoor themed rooms including a snow room with real indoor snow and nearly a dozen holiday experiences for all ages. Advance tickets (christmashouselongisland.com) or tickets at the door. Fee Starting at $24.99; 358 N. Broadway. 

FARMINGVILLE

• Dec. 26 at 6 p.m.: The annual lighting of the menorah at the Brookhaven Town Hall will feature entertainment, hot latkes and doughnuts; 1 Independence Hill.

PORT JEFFERSON STATION

• Dec. 25 from 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Head to the menorah lighting ceremony where refreshments will be served; intersection of Routes 112 and 347. 

RIDGE

• Dec. 26-31 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: See a festive train display to round out the holiday season. Fee $5 ages 12 and younger, free ages 13 and older.

RONKONKOMA

• Dec. 26 at 7 p.m.: Observe Hanukkah with a menorah lighting at Raynor Beach County Park; 174 Ronkonkoma Ave. 

SHIRLEY

• Nov. 29-Dec. 30: The Girl Scouts of Suffolk County’s walk-through Enchanted Forest holiday-themed light show at Camp Edey will get kids into the holiday spirit. The light show is Fri.-Sat. (Sundays are rain dates) closed Dec. 24-25. Fee Admission starts $12 per person. Tickets will be sold at the gate or online (no cash at the gate); 1500 Lakeview Ave.

STONY BROOK

• Dec. 4-20: Bundle up and stroll through the Holiday Tree Competition at the Village Center. The event features dozens of decorated trees; Main Street.

DIX HILLS

• Dec. 25 at 5 p.m.: Attend the grand menorah lighting on the first day of Hanukkah with latkes and doughnuts at The Chai Center; 501 Vanderbilt Pkwy.

GREENLAWN

• Dec. 26 at 6 p.m.: Join the menorah lighting ceremony at the front circle at Harborfields Library; 31 Broadway.

HUNTINGTON

•  Dec. 30 at 5 p.m.: Attend the menorah lighting on Wall Street in Huntington Village.

BLUE POINT

• Dec. 26 at 5 p.m.: Celebrate Hanukkah at the menorah lighting at the base of Nicolls Road. 

DEER PARK

• Through Dec. 29: ChristmasLand at Tanger Outlets, located on the 2nd floor of the former NYSC, 152 Arches Circle, Deer Park. Use parking lot 7A. Features 20,000 square feet indoor space with over 12 themed vignettes such as the "Christmas Light Mirror Maze," "Santa’s Reindeer Stable," "Ice Island" with polar bears and penguins and more. Also, enjoy synthetic ice skating for an additional fee. Hot cocoa, snacks and gifts are available for purchase at Mrs. Claus Bake and Gift Shoppe. Hours 3-8 p.m. with last entrance at 7 p.m. Nov. 15-Nov. 17 and Nov. 22-Nov. 24; 3-9 p.m. Fridays with last entrance at 8 p.m. Nov. 29-Dec. 27, noon-9 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays with last entrance at 8 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 29. Ticketed admission is every 30-minutes. Fee Tickets are $25 ages 3 and older now through Nov. 24 online plus $6.50 service fee; $27 ages 3 and older Nov. 29 through Dec. 29 online and at the door; ice skating includes skates $10 online, $14 at the door. Advanced online ticketing is recommended. All tickets include a wristband for free digital photos. Ticket availability at the door may be limited.

EAST ISLIP

• Dec. 19, 23, 26, 30 from 5-8 p.m.: The Town of Islip Holiday Light Show features a free drive-through from your personal vehicle at Brookwood Hall Park; 50 Irish Lane, weather permitting.
• Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.: Bring the family to see a Holiday Drive-In Movie featuring the "Home Alone" movie at Brookwood Hall; 50 Irish Lane.

HOLBROOK

• Dec. 26 at 6 p.m.: Come celebrate Hanukkah at the annual menorah lighting; 1000 Main St.

ISLIP

• Dec. 26 at 4:30 p.m.: Make your way to the menorah lighting ceremony at Town Hall; 655 Main St.

OAKDALE

• Dec. 26 at 8 p.m.: Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a menorah lighting at the Oakdale LIRR station; the corner of Oakdale-Bohemia Road and Montauk Boulevard.

SAYVILLE

• Dec. 26 at 5:30 p.m.: Celebrate Hanukkah at The Sayville Chamber Menorah-lighting ceremony at Lincoln Avenue and Main Street.

ST. JAMES

• Dec. 25-26 at 5 p.m., Dec. 27 at 4 p.m. and Dec. 28-Jan. 1 at 5 p.m.: Menorah lighting is for eight nights at the Triangle at Lake Avenue, Moriches Road and Route 25A. The event includes light refreshments. Nonperishable food donations accepted for the local food pantries.

SMITHTOWN

• Dec. 20-22 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.: The Holiday Trail of Lights, at the Smithtown Historical Society features one-of-a-kind decorated holiday trees throughout the grounds. Each tree was donated by the businesses in the community. Fee $10 a person. rain date Dec. 23-24; 239 E. Main St.

AMAGANSETT

• Dec. 31 at 4 p.m.: The Chabad of the Hamptons hosts the annual Menorah lighting at the flagpole on Main Street and Atlantic Avenue, with hot chocolate, doughnuts and music.

CALVERTON

• Dec. 19-31, hours vary: The drive-through Riverhead Holiday Light Show at Splish Splash where you'll spot festive light displays. Fee $25 plus taxes and fees in advance, no gate sales; tickets can be purchased online; 2549 Splish Splash Dr. 

EAST HAMPTON

• Dec. 25 at 3:30 p.m.: The Chabad of the Hamptons hosts the annual Grand Hanukkah lighting with a 12-foot Menorah at Herricks Park with latkes, hot chocolate and doughnuts; 67 Newtown Lane.

GREENPORT

• Dec. 29 at 5 p.m.: Congregation Tifereth Israel hosts a menorah lighting at Mitchell Park with songs, prayers led by Rabbi Gadi Capela. Greenport Mayor Kevin Steusi will add remarks. Synagogue president Sara Bloom welcomes everyone to the synagogue for refreshments and music traditional for Hanukkah.  

MANORVILLE

• Nov. 23-Dec. 23 Winter Wonderland from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Wed.-Sun.: Check out the Winter Wonderland at Waterdrinker featuring twinkling lights, vintage airstream village, barnyard animals, wooden playland, synthetic ice skating, s'mores fire pit stations and magical holiday photo-ops. Christmas tree farm is free to enter. Fee $20 ages 3 and older; 663 Wading River Rd. 

MONTAUK

• Dec. 26 at 4:15 p.m.: The Chabad of the Hamptons hosts the annual Menorah lighting at the Montauk Village Green with latkes, hot chocolate, doughnuts and music; 742 Montauk Hwy. 

SAG HARBOR

• Dec. 25 at 6 p.m.: Attend Temple Adas Israel will host a menorah lighting on Long Wharf Village Pier in Sag Harbor with hot chocolate and doughnuts. The congregation will sing blessings and festive songs.