Austin Handler explained how he and his wife created a Harry Potter-inspired room under the stairs in their Water Mill home for their son, Wesley.


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Long Island's secret rooms: Harry Potter in the Hamptons

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<p><span style="background-color:transparent;color:#000000;">See inside the 2024 Fall/Winter Fun Book with guides to u-pick apple orchards, pumpkin farms, holiday festivals and more.</span></p>

Guide to fall fun

Pair a light show with ice skating, a Toy Factory Fun House and more festive activities for a magical holiday experience.

Holiday light shows

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Raised on LI? Put your memory to the test with these interactive questions on locations, pop culture, pastimes and more.

Growing up on Long Island quiz: Test your nostalgia knowledge  

Edmunds highlights five dream-worthy vehicles for holiday wish lists, focusing on models that are luxurious yet somewhat attainable.

Edmunds: Five dream-worthy vehicles you wish you got for the holidays

A network of faith-based organizations minister to seafarers in hundreds of the world's ports.

Seafarers move global trade — and Christmas gifts. These ministries bring them holiday cheer

Crackling fires have long been an idyllic gathering place where chestnuts are roasted, stories shared and souls warmed.

Find out where your firewood comes from to prevent the spread of invasive pests

These six Long Island restaurants have special menus and extended parties to ring in 2025.

6 LI restaurants to ring in New Year's Eve

This holiday season, some religious congregations across the U.S. are holding events designed to be accommodating to and inclusive of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

How faith communities can be welcoming of believers with disabilities this holiday season and beyond

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Entertainment options range from stand-up comedy to '70s rock anthems to jazz and disco music.

Rock out with Billy Joel or see a comedy show: 9 concerts, shows and more to ring in 2025

If you're feeling too overwhelmed to cook during the holidays, maybe a new book by Margaret Eby can help.

She's here for 'a kitchen pep talk' during the holiday whirlwind

Whether it was in Venice or Zambia or even the North Pole (not the one you think), this was the year to step outside of my comfort zone. Here's why you should try it, too.

4 places that reminded me why travel matters

Santa makes house calls, the Polar Express comes to Long Island and the Rockettes create holiday magic — all for a price.

$2,500 private Polar Express? $1,500 NYC day trip? What LI families splurge on for the holidays

Pasticceria Gollini in Vignola, Italy, is home to the sumptuous flourless chocolate cake known as torta Barozzi.

This Italian flourless chocolate torta is rich and dense yet remarkably light

Newsday food critics pick their top dishes of the year.

Best things we ate on LI in 2024

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From house decorations and candy makers to restaurant and theater offerings, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano checks out how Long Islanders are celebrating this holiday season.

Holiday celebrations around LI

This event takes place at the UBS Arena, where families can partake in ice-skating, meeting Santa, and so much more.

inside the Great American Family Christmas Festival at UBS Arena

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano learned how to make jelly doughnuts for Hanukkah at ZuckerBakers in Plainview. 

'They're fried in oil that lasted for the eight days for Hanukkah'

For the past 23 years, volunteers have spent weeks making Christmas magic happen here at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Westbury, with an detailed Italian nativity scene called Presepio. NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano reports.

'We take a lot of pride in it'

You can get an authentic, award-winning holiday treat from Italy much closer to home.

D'eCaffè in Long Beach selling standout Italian panettone

South Asian supermarket are now expanding even further east with the opening of Sanjha Bazaar in Commack.

South Asian supermarket opens first Suffolk location

The company is known for comfy athleisure wear and a playful logo.

Goat USA opens 5th location on Long Island

NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano and Meghan Giannotta make charm bracelets at Hitch in Babylon; one of many DIY gift ideas found inside Newsday's 2024 Ultimate Gift Guide.

DIY gift idea: Making charm bracelets in Babylon

Long Island's Tara Tubridy has kicked off her 19th season as a Rockette. She gave NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano a behind-the-scenes look at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

'Dream big in our house is a reality'

Syed educates her audience about the difference between culture and religion while also sharing her love for music and things to do across Long Island. 

Wearing a hijab on social media helps her "reclaim the narrative" of how Muslims are perceived, a TikToker says.

He travels across the country sharing his story at schools to inspire students to overcome adversity.

Rohan Murphy, a double amputee, travels to Long Island schools to help inspire students to overcome adversity.

Think your local deli has the best BEC? Russo might have rated it.

Rating cheese pulls and tasting breakfast sandwiches at delis around Long Island helped this Amityville teen reach thousands on TikTok. 

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If you're looking to skip the snow and freezing wind chills this holiday season, take a virtual trip to these warm, sunny destinations.

Where to go if you want warm weather this holiday season

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