Santa sightings, menorah lightings - and more holiday happenings - across Long Island

It often doesn't feel quite like Christmastime until Santa Claus has made an appearance. Here are some of the places where Santa (and Mrs. Claus) will be appearing on Long Island. Likewise, menorah lightings across Nassau and Suffolk counties mark the start of Hanukkah, which begins at sundown Dec. 2.

NOV. 23

NORTHPORT

The Village of Northport will hold its tree lighting at 7 p.m. at Northport Village Park, at the end of Main Street. Santa is due to arrive at the end of the ceremony by firetruck from the Northport Volunteer Fire Department.

NOV. 24

BAY SHORE

The Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce's annual winter festival on Main Street at 3:30 p.m. will include tree and menorah lightings and visits from Santa.

HUNTINGTON

The parade that kicks off at 5:30 p.m. from the Big H Shopping Center on New York Avenue heads north on Main Street to West Neck Road and ends with Santa’s arrival at the Tree Lighting Ceremony.

MASSAPEQUA PARK

The menorah lighting is at 5 p.m. at Village Square, Park Boulevard and Front Street. Santa will arrive on a sleigh, and there will be performances by the Massapequa High School cheerleaders and kick-line team.

PORT WASHINGTON

Port Washington will begin celebrating the holiday season with Port Holiday Magic. From 1 to 5 p.m., residents can enjoy a trolley traveling up and down Main Street. Santa Claus will be onboard the trolley handing out candy canes and Hanukkah gelt.  

NOV. 30 

BABYLON

The Town of Babylon will host its annual tree-lighting ceremony at 7 p.m. in Babylon Town Hall Park, 200 E. Sunrise Hwy. Santa will be on hand and children will receive a special gift and can write letters to Santa. 

BRENTWOOD

The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce is hosting a tree lighting and menorah lighting at 6 p.m. at Ross Memorial Park, near Brentwood Road and Suffolk Avenue, where Santa is expected.

FLORAL PARK

The Floral Park Chamber of Commerce, the Floral Park Jr. Women’s Club and Our Lady of Victory Church will hold a Christmas festival and tree lighting in Memorial Park from 4 to 10 p.m. At 8 p.m., there will be holiday craft beer, mulled wine and a visit from Santa. 

DEC 1.

BAY SHORE

Santa will visit the Bay Shore Historical Society from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HOLSTVILLE

Santa will take up residence at the Holtsville Ecology Center starting Dec. 1 for the annual Brookhaven Town Holiday Spectacular. 

ISLANDIA

Islandia Village officials will host a tree lighting at 4 p.m. at Village Hall, 1100 Old Nichols Rd. The event is free, but open only to village residents. Santa is expected aboard a firetruck.

GLEN COVE

The Glen Cove Downtown Business Improvement District’s holiday festival is from 1 to 3:30 p.m. It features free horse and carriage rides, photos with Santa, free hot cocoa and live performances.

MATTITUCK

The Mattituck Chamber of Commerce will host its annual “Santa Day” at 10:30 a.m. at Mattituck Plaza, 10095 Main Rd.. Children can visit Santa Claus while also enjoying a free movie, cookies and hot chocolate.

RIDGE

Children can deliver letters to Santa and have the family or friends take photos at Longwood Estate from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; $5 per person. Call 631-281-7655.

SAG HARBOR

Santa Claus will arrive by firetruck near the windmill in downtown Sag Harbor at 3 p.m. Santa will be available for visits following his arrival. A tree lighting on the Long Wharf Village Pier is set for 5 p.m.  

DEC. 2

GREENPORT

The annual menorah lighting will be held at 5 p.m. in Mitchell Park, 115 Front St.

GARDEN CITY

The Garden City Chamber of Commerce will host a visit from Santa at 3:30 p.m. at the gazebo on the village green.

HOLBROOK

The Holbrook Chamber of Commerce will host a menorah lighting at 6 p.m. in the parking lot at 1000 Main St.

KINGS PARK

Kings Park Chamber of Commerce will light its menorah 11 a.m. at Veterans Plaza. 

LINDENHURST

The Village of Lindenhurst will hold “Santa in the Park,” where children can meet Santa at the Village Park Gazebo, from 1 to 3 p.m. Tree and menorah lightings will take place at Monument Plaza after the annual firefighters’ Christmas parade, which begins at 4 p.m.

MALVERNE

There will be a menorah lighting at the Malverne train station on at 5:30 p.m. 

SAG HARBOR

Temple Adas Israel will host a menorah lighting in Sag Harbor at 6 p.m. The congregation will sing blessings and festive songs, and doughnuts and hot chocolate will be available at the event on Long Wharf Village Pier.  

SAYVILLE

The Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce's Hanukkah menorah lighting will be at the Sayville chamber house at dusk.

STONY BROOK

Puppets on parade and the annual Promenade of Trees mark the unofficial start of the holiday season in Stony Brook. Santa arrives at 2 p.m. and will hear children’s wishes until 5 p.m. Don’t tell the kids, but he’ll be back at 5:30 p.m. atop a fire engine for the tree lighting. 

DEC. 3

GLEN COVE

The lighting of the Grand Chanukah Menorah, outside Glen Cove Police Department headquarters, 1 Bridge St., is at 6:30 p.m. There will be traditional Hanukkah doughnuts, music, a “dreidel moon bounce,” gelt and Hanukkah crafts.f

HEMPSTEAD

The Town of Hempstead will hold a Christmas tree, menorah and kinara lighting ceremony at 4 p.m. at Town Hall Plaza. The event will include caroling and Santa atop an antique fire engine.

ISLIP

Islip Town officials will host a menorah lighting at Town Hall at 5 p.m. 

DEC. 4

BRENTWOOD

The Brentwood Chamber of Commerce, along with Town of Islip officials, will host a tree lighting at 6 p.m. at the Brentwood Country Club, 100 Pennsylvania Ave., where Santa is expected.

LOCUST VALLEY

The Locust Valley Chamber of Commerce and Matinecock Neighborhood Association are having a village Christmas tree lighting with Santa and the Locust Valley Middle School chorus beginning at 5 p.m. on Birch Hill Road between Elm Street and Forest Avenue.

DEC. 5

MANHASSET

The Town of North Hempstead will hold a menorah lighting at 4:30 p.m. at Town Hall, 220 Plandome Rd. The event is held in conjunction with the Chabad of Port Washington.

DEC. 6

MONTAUK

Chabad of the Hamptons will host a menorah lighting at Kirk Park Beach in Montauk at 4 p.m. Hot drinks and doughnuts will be available.  

DEC. 7

AMITYVILLE

Santa will be visiting different parts of the Amityville Village on his firetruck sleigh to hand out candy canes starting at 6 p.m., and continuing Dec. 8 and Dec. 9 at 2 p.m.

OYSTER BAY

Planting Fields Arboretum will hold its annual tree lighting at 6 p.m. on the Camellia House Lawn. Santa Claus will be see visitors in the Hay Barn until 7:30 p.m.

MANHASSET

The Town of North Hempstead will hold a tree-lighting event at 4 p.m. at Mary Jane Davies Green. The event is a dual lighting: Town officials plan to light Christmas trees at the park and in front of Town Hall at the same time. After the lighting, Santa will make an appearance.

MINEOLA

Mineola will hold its annual tree lighting at Village Hall, 155 Washington Ave. After the tree lighting, there will be a visit from Santa inside the Village Hall community center. 

DEC. 8

FREEPORT

The Freeport Recreation Center will host its annual Christmas tree lighting and Santa visit at 6 p.m. at 130 E. Merrick Rd., including free Skate Academy ice show at 7 p.m.

OYSTER BAY

The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a holiday market and tree lighting from 3 to 7 p.m. at the town bandstand, 1 Shore Ave. in Oyster Bay. Santa Claus will appear toward the end of the evening

DEC. 9, 16

WADING RIVER

Desmond's Pub & Restaurantwill host “Desmond’s Brunch with Santa” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 16 at The Shoppes at East Wind, 5720 Rte. 25A. Santa will visit. The event also comes with a Little Elf Kids’ Buffet with scrambled eggs, chicken fingers and more, an omelet station, carving station, Mrs. Claus’ Brunch, Santa’s Salad station and a holiday dessert table featuring a chocolate fountain.

DEC. 16

ASHAROKEN

The Village of Asharoken will have a visit from Santa at Village Hall, 1 Asharoken Ave. New York City-based a cappella group Valence will perform at 2:30 p.m., followed by Santa at 4 p.m.

DEC. 21

GLEN COVE

The Glen Cove Youth Bureau’s Milk & Cookies with Santa is from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. The event, geared toward infants and children to age 10 and their families, features a holiday reading, treats and a free photo with Santa. The free event is open only to city residents. Reservations are required. Call 516-671-4600 from Nov. 20 to Dec. 8.