Kickstart the holidays with these events and experiences happening on Long Island
Santa Claus rides during the Hempstead Town's annual Christmas tree lighting. Credit: Marisol Diaz
Now that the Thanksgiving feast is over, it’s time to kick-start the holidays. Since 2020 was a quiet season due to the pandemic, this year, the activities have been turned up a notch. Here are a few ways to get your sleigh bells jingling:
SANTA SPOTTING: DRIVE-THRU SAINT NICK
Visit ol' Saint Nick from your car at the Port Jefferson Station-Terryville Chamber of Commerce's "Drive-Thru Santa" event in Port Jefferson Station. Credit: Jeff Kito
Come see ol’ Saint Nick while social distancing at the Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber of Commerce’s "Drive-Thru Santa" event at the antique train car in Port Jefferson Station on Dec. 4.
"Santa is inside his sleigh in the middle of the road. Cars drive up right behind him, everybody pokes their head out the window and Snapshot Long Island will take your photo, then text it to you," says chamber president Jennifer Dzvonar. "There’s even a mailbox for kids to put their letters to Santa Claus into."
The event is free but donations will be accepted for a food drive for St. Gerard Majella R.C. Church of Port Jefferson Station and a toy drive for the Town of Brookhaven’s Interface Program.
WHEN | WHERE 6-8 p.m., Dec. 4, Port Jefferson Station/Terryville Chamber Train Car, 1003 Rt 112 in Port Jefferson Station
INFO pjstchamber.com
ADMISSION Free
SHOPPING OP: HOLIDAY MARKET
Venture into the warehouse of the Great South Bay Brewery in Bay Shore to shop for gifts at the 4th annual Holiday Market on Dec. 4 and 5.
"If you come both days you’ll get different vendors with no doubles to ensure a broad spectrum of gifts," says coordinator Jessica Cunha of WKND Outpost in East Northport. "We try to keep it as local as possible."
There will be jewelry, clothes, handmade ornaments, painted signs, homemade cookies and chocolates, pet apparel, handbags and more for sale. Guests can grab a fresh pint in the tasting room from 25 taps and some nibbles at the food truck of the day.
WHEN | WHERE Noon-6 p.m., Dec. 4-5, Great South Bay Brewery, 25 Drexel Drive, Bay Shore
INFO 631-392-8472, greatsouthbaybrewery.com
ADMISSION Free
BREW FUN: HOLIDAY HOP BEER CRAWL
Head out east to follow the Riverhead Ale Trail for the inaugural "Holiday Hop Beer Crawl" on Dec. 3, enjoying craft beers at various breweries throughout downtown Riverhead.
"Everything is within walking distance," says organizer Kristy Verity. "Each location is approximately one block apart."
Participating locations include Peconic County Brewing, North Fork Brewing Company, Tradewinds Brewing and Montauk Distilling Co. The fun continues with food and entertainment during after-parties at River Walk Bar & Grill, Diggers Ale N’ Eats and Craft’D. All ticket proceeds go to the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless.
WHEN | WHERE 6-9 p.m., Dec. 3, check-in at Montauk Distilling Co. at 24 E. Second St., Riverhead
ADMISSION $19.99 ($14.99 in advance), must be 21 and over
HOLIDAY SPLURGE: THE SANTA EXPERIENCE
Reese Polansky, of Northport, meets Santa Claus at Einstein's Attic in Northport. Credit: Einstein’s Attic
Enjoy your own 20-minute encounter with Santa Claus in a private room at Einstein’s Attic in Northport Dec. 1 through Dec. 12. Participants can fill a sack full of toys after purchasing a store gift certificate and can decorate their own holiday ornament.
"Santa sits in a big red and gold throne beside 6-foot Christmas trees and wreaths with golden reindeer," says owner Lori Badanes. "He will talk to the children, read to them and tell jokes. Parents can even put in requests."
Each experience is reservation only. Photos and video are allowed plus social media posting is encouraged.
WHEN | WHERE 4-8 p.m., Dec 1-12, Einstein’s Attic, 79 Main St., Northport
INFO 631-261-7564, shopeinsteinsattic.com
ADMISSION Must purchase a $250 store gift certificate
FESTIVE CONCERT: NUTCRACKER SUITE
The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook will hold "The Nutcracker" concert on Dec. 2-4 and 23. Credit: The Jazz Loft
Witness Tchaikovsky’s "Nutcracker Suite" with a 17-piece big band at The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook Dec. 2-4 plus an encore performance on Dec. 23. The nightclub setting offers craft beers, local wines and homemade spiked eggnog during each show.
"This event draws three generations — parents, children and grandparents," says Jazz Loft president/musical director Tom Manuel. "It’s as classic old-school Americana as you can get."
A second set features singer Allan Harris (Nicole Zuraitis on Dec. 23) performing holiday classics like "The Little Drummer Boy," "I’ll Be Home for Christmas," "The Christmas Song," "Sleigh Ride" and "Winter Wonderland."
WHEN/WHERE 7 p.m., Dec. 2-4 and 23 (plus a 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 4), The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook
INFO 631-751-1895, thejazzloft.org
ADMISSION $35 ($30 seniors, $25 students, $20 children 16 and under)
LIGHT UP: TREES AND MORE
Diana and Brian Enterlin, of East Northport, take a selfie in front of the Big Duck in Flanders. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Early December brings plenty of town tree lightings, light shows and more. At 7 p.m., Dec. 1, the annual ceremony to light the Holiday Big Duck will take place. See Santa and listen to carolers; free.
Bright Lights at the Vanderbilt Museum, taking place through Dec. 23, features holiday lights, themed displays, festive food and more; 5-9 p.m.; $25, $15 younger than 12.
The Village of Hempstead held its Christmas tree and menorah lighting late November, but its annual Kwanzaa celebration is still to come. Taking place virtually on Dec. 26, make your own dinner to eat while you watch a guest speaker, dancers and singers. A traditional Kwanzaa chief will discuss the seven principles of the holiday; hempsteadny.gov.
And over in Montauk, drop by and see the lighthouse which is now fully lit.
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
