Events, things to do this Thanksgiving weekend on Long Island
Michael DelGuidice channels Billy Joel when he plays with his popular tribute band, Big Shot. Credit: Bruce Gilbert
Once Thanksgiving is over, the weekend has just begun. From a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, to sporting events and concerts, there are plenty of fun things to explore this extended weekend on Long Island:
MEET SANTA AT HICKS NURSERY This holiday celebration features festive animatronic scenes and read-alongs at Hicks Nursery. Guests can also meet and take pictures with Santa Claus from 1 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. A live brass band will also be performing holiday classics from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; 100 Jericho Tpke., Westbury, hicksnurseries.com, 516-334-0066.
Decorated boats traveling on Huntington Harbor during the Huntington Harbor Parade of Lights. Credit: Uli Seit
HUNTINGTON LIGHTHOUSE BOAT PARADE See decorated boats parade along the Huntington harbor starting at 6 p.m. Friday. Decorate your vessel for prizes in categories that include “Best in Show,” “Best Sailboat,” “Best Powerboat,” “Best Theme” and more ($50 boat registration fee); Huntington Lighthouse Preservation Society, huntingtonlighthouse.org, 631-421-1985.
GOTHAM CLASSIC See a Notre Dame vs. St. Bonaventure men's basketball game at 4 p.m. Friday at UBS Arena at Belmont Park. Tickets start at $37.50; 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont, ubsarena.com, 516-460-8950.
MIKE DELGUIDICE AND BIG SHOT Rock out during this Thanksgiving weekend concert featuring the music of Billy Joel and more at 9 p.m. at Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall on Friday and Saturday. Admission is $23.10; 3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh, muls.com, 516-783-7500.
Philadelphia Flyers right wing Wade Allison (57) fights for a puck with New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson (8) in the second period at UBS Arena, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. Credit: Corey Sipkin
ISLANDER HOCKEY GAME The New York Islanders take on the Philadelphia Flyers on the home ice at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at UBS Arena at Belmont Park. Tickets start at $55, parking tickets start at $33; 2400 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont, ubsarena.com, 516-460-8599.
WANTAGH WINTER WONDERLAND Holiday lighting ceremony features a visit by Santa Claus and The Grinch, holiday shopping, the Wantagh Preservation Museum will be open, entertainment by the Wantagh American Legion Pipe Band, The Jewel Tones, Show Stompin’ Irish Dance and more from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday; Wantagh Preservation Society, 1700 Wantagh Ave., Wantagh. Bring a new unwrapped toy for the John Theissen Children’s Foundation, park at Wantagh High School and take a trolley ride over to the wonderland.
SNOWFLAKE SOCK SKATING Skate on an indoor rink that does not require blades, just wear socks at the Long Island Children’s Museum. Explore the Snowflake Village, where you can become a baker in the holiday sweet shop, serve hot cocoa or take a turn in the rink ticket booth from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Jan. 8. Admission is $15, free younger than 12 months; Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Garden City, licm.org, 516-224-5800.
1863 THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION The celebration includes historical cooking methods using open hearths and beehive ovens to prepare turkey and pumpkin pies at Old Bethpage Village Restoration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Attendees can also enjoy live fiddle and banjo music. Admission is $15, $12 ages 5-12; Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage, oldbethpagevillagerestoration.org, 516-572-8409.
The Montauk Lighthouse will again be decorated for the holiday season. Credit: Lighthouse Committee of the Montauk Historical Society
LIGHT THE LIGHTHOUSE The event will feature the lighting of the lighthouse and holiday music from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Montauk Lighthouse. Attendees can also meet and take pictures with Santa Claus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday; 2000 Montauk Hwy., Montauk, montaukhistoricalsociety.org, 631-668-2544.
Shawn Stockman, Wanya Morris and Nathan Morris of Boyz II Men perform onstage during 2021 CMT Artist Of The Year at Schermerhorn Symphony Center on October 13, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. Credit: Getty Images/Terry Wyatt
BOYZ II MEN The R&B group will perform at 7 p.m. Sunday at NYCB Theatre at Westbury. Tickets start at $70.50; 960 Brush Hollow Rd., Westbury, thetheatreatwestbury.com, 516-247-5200.
