Best bets on Long Island this weekend

Friday

PUPPY LOVE

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.

ADMISSION $10

PHONE 516-599-6870

WEB plazatheatrical.com

NIGHT BEFORE

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.

COST $59-$85

PHONE 631-369-2200

WEB indigoeastend.com

Saturday

GOOD TIMES

The Who Dat Loungers bring the spirit of a New Orleans-style Mardi Gras to the New Year's Eve Dance Ball, 9 p.m. at Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor. There will be dancing between sets, and a big screen will simulcast the 2012 countdown from Times Square. A champagne toast at midnight is followed by a late dessert.

ADMISSION $60

PHONE 631-725-9500

WEB baystreet.org

HOCKEY HOLIDAY

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.

ADMISSION $23-$119, $7 parking fee

PHONE 516-794-9300

WEB nassaucoliseum.com

Sunday

GET GOING

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.

ADMISSION Free

PHONE 516-569-4959

WEB lirrc.org

KIDS

NOON YEAR'S EVE

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

WHEN | WHERE Noon-4:30 p.m. tomorrow, Long Island Children's Museum, Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Garden City

ADMISSION Free with museum admission: $11, free younger than 1

INFO licm.org, 516-224-5800

'MR. MOUSE AND THE RUNAWAY SNOWBALL'

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.

WHEN | WHERE 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. today, Mills Pond House Gallery, 660 Rte. 25A, St. James

ADMISSION $8

INFO stacarts.org, 631-862-6575

WILDLIFE ODDITIES

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.

WHEN | WHERE 10-11:30 a.m. tomorrow, Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown

ADMISSION $4, $3 for ages 4-12, free for 3 and younger

INFO nysparks.com, register, 631-265-1054