Merrymaking transforms LI's main streets for the holidays

Parades, carolers, ice sculptures and visits from Santa are all part of the holiday fun along Long Island main streets this year, enticing revelers to stay -- and buy -- local.

Small-town holiday events boost the spirit of the season, says Donna Perricone, chamber of commerce president in Bay Shore, one such community where -- on Saturday -- children will decorate the village tree with bells, and carolers dressed in Victorian garb will wander along the street and into downtown shops and restaurants, starting at 3 p.m.

"All the trees glistening and wreaths hung -- there's something so right about it," she says. "There's nothing like it in the world."

Here are four other communities planning festivities:

PORT WASHINGTON

WHEN | WHERE 5-8 p.m. Dec. 4, along Main Street

INFO516-883-6566, portholidaymagic.com

About 70 stores and restaurants along Main Street are participating in this year's Port Holiday Magic, a one-night celebration.

"They'll be open and have something fun for the holidays," says Port Washington Chamber of Commerce executive director Bobbie Polay. "It could be a discount or treats."

Trolleys take visitors from Port Washington Boulevard to the waterfront, with stops along the way.

Singing toy soldiers, mimes and jugglers will be interspersed among the crowd, along with balloon artists and face painters.

Santa and his elves will be walking about, happy to take photos with the children.

SAYVILLE

WHEN | WHERE9-11 a.m. Santa parade Saturday, with craft workshops 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and other entertainment 5-9 p.m.

INFO631-567-5257, sayvillechamber.com

A 9 a.m. parade starts off the festivities with Santa as guest star along with fire department trucks and bands, says Sayville Chamber of Commerce board member Barbara Whitbread. New this year: an all-day Santa's Workshop, which is a place for kids and adults to make holiday crafts.

Later, the village's main event boasts live reindeer, a carousel, carolers, bounce houses and a gingerbread competition display. Main Street will be closed for the party, with old-time holiday movies shown on large screens (and seats on bales of hay).

The village's tree lighting starts at 6:30 p.m., where Main Street forks. "It's very old world," she says. "It kind of takes you back to yesteryear."

MALVERNE

WHEN | WHERE4:30-9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, along Hempstead Avenue

INFO516-599-1200, malvernevillage.org

Face painting, dancing with Frosty the Snowman, horse and buggy rides, and lots of strolling carolers are just part of the attractions for kids and adults alike along a closed-down Hempstead Avenue.

The evening's highlight is a parade at 5:15 p.m., when Santa and his elves march to the tree lighting and blessing of the crèche at the village's fountain.

Afterward, wander down St. Thomas Place to the Church of the Intercessor Episcopal church to see a living Nativity, complete with animals. A choir will sing inside the church, and all are welcome, says the Rev. Joseph Ciccarello, who will also talk about the history of Christmas. Children can visit the petting zoo.

RIVERHEADWHEN | WHERE4-8 p.m. Dec. 13 (rain date: Dec. 14). Peconic waterfront behind Main Street, Riverhead

INFO631-727-3200, ext. 226, townofriverheadny.gov

Boats? Fireworks? Bonfires? Must be holiday season in Riverhead.

It's all part of the Christmas tree-lighting festivities on the Peconic River. Santa will jump- start the event, arriving via an iceboat on the river to light the tree. Parents can take their own pictures with the jolly red guy, and there's free hot cocoa, too. Sing along with carolers as they perform holiday classics.

A bonfire, usually seen on beaches in the summer and fall, will be aglow at the riverfront park.

As the bonfire fades, the finale begins -- a fireworks display, starting at 8 p.m.

"It's a really nice, festive time," says Riverhead Councilman James Wooten.