Long Island doesn't shut down come Dec. 25. Movie theaters, light shows, state parks and other attractions are offering holly, folly fun on Christmas Day.
Go ice skating or roller skating
Skate along to DJ music at United Skates of America in Seaford. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Slip on a pair of skates for a glide at a Long Island rink. Hit the ice at Port Washington Skating Center, which is open for a public session 12:45 to 3:45 p.m. ($18; $7 skate rental; 70 Seaview Blvd., Port Washington, 516-484-6800, pwskating.com) Or roller skate Christmas night away at a Holiday Hip-Hop Skate Party, 7 to 10 p.m. at United Skates of America ($7.75; $7 skate rental; 1276 Hicksville Rd., Seaford; 516-795-5474, unitedskates.com/seaford).
Hit the lanes
Sarahy Pineda prepares to bowl alongside her twin sister Becky at Ultra Lanes Baldwin. Credit: Johnny Milano
Spend your spare time eating, drinking and merrily throwing strikes at bowling alleys open to holiday revelers. The options include Ultra Lanes Baldwin (2407 Grand Ave., Baldwin; 516-208-2748, baldwinbowl.com) and Woodmere Lanes (948 Broadway, Woodmere; 516-374-9870, woodmerelanes.com). Both venues offer snacks, fancy cocktails, and shoe and bowling ball rentals.
Walk in the park and see holiday trees
Stroll around Belmont Lake State Park and see the decorated holiday tree. Credit: Barry Sloan
Bundle up for a brisk stroll at Belmont Lake State Park in North Babylon or Orient Beach State Park in Orient, both of which are open from sunrise to sunset. Belmont Lake’s nature trail winds past a decorated holiday tree on the western shore (Southern State Parkway Exit 38). At Orient Beach State Park, check out the holiday tree at the park entrance, then drive to the beach for views of Gardiners Bay (40000 Main Rd., Orient).
- Cost Free
- More info parks.ny.gov
Enjoy a 'Minions'-themed Family Fun Day
Sid Jacobson JCC, 300 Forest Dr., East Hills
Kids ages 1 through 8 can enjoy 'Minions'-themed fun from 10 a.m. to noon at the Sid Jacobson JCC.
Dress the kids in pajamas for a breakfast of mini-bagels and cereal, craft-making and a showing of "Minions" (2015). One of the cute yellow characters will also show up to greet the children.
- Cost $18 per family
- More info 516-484-1545, sjjcc.org
Drive through the Magic of Lights and Toyota Holiday Village
350 Bay Pkwy., Wantagh
Michael and Laurie Labbe, of Rockaway Beach, wander through the light displays at the Toyota Holiday Village at Jones Beach State Park. Credit: Kathy M Helgeson
Illuminating the night with 2 million lights, the milelong drive-through along Jones Beach State Park roadways features a 32-foot animated Mattel's Waving Christmas Barbie, a prehistoric Christmas scene with dinosaurs celebrating the holidays and a Bigfoot Monster Truck display. Warm up at the Toyota Holiday Village, where hot chocolate and seasonal treats will be sold. Visitors can also make s’mores (weather permitting), see illuminated trees and a menorah display, and take pictures at selfie stations and with the Grinch, 5 to 10 p.m.
- Cost Starting at $30
- More info magicoflights.com
Take a fun-filled drive at the Riverhead Holiday Light Show
2549 Splish Splash Dr., Calverton
Take a drive and see the Riverhead Light Show at Spish Splash in Calverton. Credit: Tom Lambui
Through Dec. 31, give the whole family a treat on a milelong drive-through synchronized to a holiday music soundtrack, 5 to 9 p.m.. The show, which changes yearly, features "larger-than-life scenes with multiple displays in each," spokesman Daniel Smith says. Highlights include a Hawaiian beach scene with reindeer on Jet Skis and playing volleyball and a whimsical take on the poem "A Visit From St. Nicholas" (or "The Night Before Christmas") with "a mouse sleeping with little z's coming off him," Smith says.
- Cost Starting at $25.
- More info holidaylightshow.com
Head to a theater for a movie marathon
Supersize your snacks and your moviegoing at a multiplex near you. Christmas Day offers new releases, including Timothée Chalamet pursuing table tennis champ dreams (and Oscar buzz) in the 1950s-set comedy-drama "Marty Supreme," Jack Black squeezing out laughs and frights in "Anaconda," and Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson as Neil Diamond tribute artists singing their hearts out in "Song Sung Blue." Return to Pandora for "Avatar: Fire and Ash," the third installment in James Cameron’s blockbuster sci-fi/fantasy film series, or take a deep dive to Bikini Bottom in "The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants."
Walk through a holiday wonderland in the RXR Plaza atrium
102 RXR Plaza, Uniondale
Christmas decorations inside the lobby of RXR Plaza in Uniondale. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Step into a holiday wonderland inside the atrium/lobby, which is open 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily, including Christmas. The festive scene under the glass-ceilinged atrium features evergreens and palm trees covered with lights and colorful snowflake mobiles hanging from above.
- Cost Free
- More info 516-683-0339
