Best bets on Long Island this weekend

Friday

Step inside the world of Blue, the animated puppy, in the 11 a.m. performance of "Blue's Clues Live! The Most Spectacular Place," at the Bellmore Movies (222 Pettit Ave.). Stick around to meet the cast after the show. Also Saturday.

Why wait for Dec. 31? Celebrate the coming of 2012 with a four-course "Night Before New Year's Eve" fixed-price wine pairing dinner, 8 p.m. at Bistro 72 in Riverhead (830 W. Main St.).

Live music accompanies.

Saturday

Spend part of the last day of 2011 watching the Islanders, with John Tavares, below, take on the Edmonton Oilers in their only scheduled clash this year. The puck drops at 1 p.m. at Nassau Coliseum.

Sunday

Start the new year off right. Meet up with the Long Island Road Runners Club at 9 a.m. for a five-mile New Year's Day "Hangover Fun Run." Meet at the Field House near parking field 2 in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow.

KIDS

Can't stay up till midnight? Get an early start on 2012 with a New Year's Eve afternoon celebration and craft workshop.

A puppet performance features Mr. Mouse trying to convince Suzie Snowball that it's all right to be different; after the performance, learn how to make winter puppets, for pre-K to third-graders.

Learn about and identify some odd plants and animals that live in the park, including horseshoe crabs and seahorses, through hands-on games and demonstrations, for ages 5 and older.