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Speed down the slides at Planet Play.
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34 Free Holiday and Christmas Events on Long Island for Kids

The animated Christmas story at Hicks Nurseries features Santa and his elves as they prepare for the big day. Photo courtesy of Hicks Nurseries
The animated Christmas story at Hicks Nurseries features Santa and his elves as they prepare for the big day. Photo courtesy of Hicks Nurseries
12/3/23 - By Jaime Sumersille

Looking for FREE Christmas events on Long Island? Read on for tons of great options.

From Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremonies to visits with Santa and holiday light displays, we’ve put together a list of FREE things to do at Christmas and the holidays with your kids. These events will keep your family entertained and you'll still be able to afford those last-minute gifts.

Find all our top picks for holiday fun in our Long Island Christmas Guide. And check out our constantly updated Family Activity Calendar for even more fun things to do.

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Visit with Santa for free at the Holiday Festival in Stony Brook Village. Photo courtesy of the Stony Brook Village
Visit with Santa for free at the Holiday Festival in Stony Brook Village. Photo courtesy of the Stony Brook Village

Free Holiday and Christmas Events on Long Island in 2023

Bellmore Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Extravaganza

Bellmore
Friday, December 1, 2023
The annual holiday tree lighting and holiday extravaganza takes place in the Bellmore village area. Bedford Avenue is closed to vehicular traffic, making this a safe space for families to roam. READ MORE

Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers Open House

Levittown
Fridays-Sundays, December 1-Sunday, December 10, 2023
Take a peek at Long Island's largest operating O-gauge train layout when the Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers holds its annual holiday open house. READ MORE

Photos with Santa at Heritage Farm & Garden

Muttontown
December 2, 9, 10 & 17, 2023
Santa's next stop is Heritage Farm & Garden. Bring your camera and get ready to have you little ones tell the big guy what's atop of their Christmas list. Pets are welcome too! READ MORE

Santa at the Merrick Golf Course Clubhouse

Merrick
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Enjoy free candy, hot chocolate, and photos with Santa headline at this free event at the Merrick Golf Course Clubhouse. READ MORE

West Island Model Railroad Club Open House

Hicksville
Weekends December 1-3 & 8-10, 2023
West Island Model Railroad hosts its annual open house on three weekends this winter. View its 5,600-square-foot model railroad, operating on 11 miles of double tracks. READ MORE

Port Jefferson Village Annual Charles Dickens Festival

Port Jefferson
Saturday, December 2-Sunday, December 3, 2023
The Village of Port Jefferson magically transforms into the Dickens era with streets filled with roaming characters such as Father Christmas, Dickens Mayor, Scrooge, the town crier, and the beloved chimney sweeps. READ MORE

Railroad Museum of Long Island Holiday Open House with Visit From Santa

Riverhead & Greenport
Weekends December 2-3 & 9- 10, 2023
The Railroad Museum of Long Island invites guests to its free Holiday Open House with a special visit—via the rails—from Santa himself. READ MORE

Santa Claus at Stew Leonard's

Farmingdale
December 2, 9, 10, 16 & 17, 2023
Families are invited to take pictures with Santa and enjoy a variety of treats provided by Stew Leonard’s team members and Wow the Cow.   READ MORE

Holiday Lighting Spectacular in Syosset-Woodbury

Syosset
Sunday, December 3, 2023
The Syosset-Woodbury Chamber of Commerce presents its annual Holiday Lighting Spectacular. Enjoy music and dance performances and a visit from Santa.  READ MORE

Winter on Wellwood

Lindenhurst
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Santa is visiting the Lindenhurst Village Square for Winter on Wellwood. This free, family-friendly day includes Santa in the park, carousel rides (12-3pm), a Christmas Kindl Market (12-6pm), and holiday parade (4:30pm). READ MORE

Holiday Festival in Stony Brook Village

Stony Brook
Sunday, December 3, 2023
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s 44th Annual Holiday Festival returns on with celebrations, live entertainment, children's activities, and more.  READ MORE

Menorah Lighting and Parade in Merrick

Merrick
Thursday, December 7, 2023
Celebrate Hanukkah with the Chabad Center for Jewish Life. Meet at the Merrick LIRR station for the lighting of the 12-foot menorah and other holiday festivities.  READ MORE

Reenactment of the Flying Santa at the Fire Island Lighthouse

Fire Island
Saturday, December 9, 2023
In 1953 Pilot Snow (a.k.a. “Flying Santa”) flew his plane past the Fire Island Lighthouse and left packages of holiday gifts for the lighthouse keeper and his family. Relive this historic event and expect a special guest in a red suit. READ MORE

Long Beach Electric Light Parade

Long Beach
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Marvel at antique cars, fire trucks, floats, and bicycles wrapped in Christmas lights at this festive holiday parade throughout the west end of Long Beach. READ MORE

The Magic of Montauk Holiday Celebration

Montauk
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Join the Montauk Chamber and Visitors Center for its Magic of Montauk holiday event. Follow the decorated holiday path to seek out fun around every corner.  READ MORE

Riverhead Holiday Parade and Bonfire

Riverhead
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Frosty temps are no match for downtown Riverhead’s annual holiday parade and riverfront bonfire. Join the fun along the scenic Peconic Riverfront with free hot cocoa. READ MORE

Long Beach Electric Light Parade

Long Beach
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Marvel at antique cars, fire trucks, floats, and bicycles wrapped in Christmas lights at this festive holiday parade throughout the west end of Long Beach. READ MORE

Gingerbread House Competition

Farmingdale
Saturday, December 9, 2023
The 9th Annual Long Island Gingerbread and Chocolate House Competition is set for December 9 at the Chocolate Duck in Farmingdale.   READ MORE

Three Village Electric Holiday Parade

East Setauket
Sunday, December 10, 2023
See a spectacular array of well-lit floats streaming down Setaucket's Main Street during the annual Electric Holiday Parade. Santa makes an appearance and there is hot chocolate and cookies for all at the end. READ MORE

Hanukkah on Main Street

Brightwaters
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Join the Chabad of Islip in the festive celebration of light, featuring a giant ice blue and white menorah. Plus, be on the lookout for a chocolate gelt drop. READ MORE

Sensory Friendly Show: Once Upon a Snowflake at Syosset Public Library

Syosset
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Syosset Public Library is hosting an Autism/special needs-friendly show, "Once Upon a Snowflake."  READ MORE

Manhasset Hanukkah Festival

Manhasset
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Enjoy a menorah lighting, a live performance by the Manhasset High School Band, latkes & donuts, and a break dance performance by Emphasis Entertainment. READ MORE

Holiday Reading: The Gift of the Magi

Floral Park
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Grab your fleece, hats, gloves, coats, and woolies, and throw on your winter boots! The Queens County Farm Museum hosts a special outdoor holiday reading of O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi. READ MORE

Central Operating Lines Model Train Open House

Bohemia
Saturday, December 16-Sunday, December 17, 2023
The Central Operating Lines Holiday Train show and open house boasts a huge layout, spread across 23 scale miles. Santa will be on hand too! READ MORE

Holiday Train Display at Longwood Estate

Ridge
Weekends December 16-17 and 26-31, 2023
View this majestic holiday train display at the Longwood Estate and engage in a fun game of I Spy to try and find all of the hidden items. READ MORE

Town of Islip Holiday Light Show

East Islip
Through Thursday, December 28, 2023
Bring the whole family to view the lights at Brookwood Hall Park as you drive through this festive holiday display. READ MORE

New Year's Bash at the Locust Valley Library

Locust Valley
Friday, December 29, 2023
Celebrate New Year's at the Locust Valley Library! There will be karaoke in the community room and board games in the tween/teen room. Food will be provided. READ MORE

Marshmallow World at Olde Towne Gardens

Setauket
Through Friday, December 29
Visit Olde Towne's Marshmallow World this holiday season and walk through the indoor winter village, enjoy s'mores and hot chocolate around the fire pits, visit the arts and craft station, stand next to the Grinch tree, take a ride on the winter themed inflatable slide, and more. READ MORE

Holiday Model Train Exhibit at Town of Babylon History Museum

Babylon-FREE
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through December 31, 2023
The Town of Babylon History Museum and Babylon Town Historical Society features an interactive 240-square-foot model train display highlighting historic points of interest from around the Town of Babylon.  READ MORE

Christmas Animated Story at Hicks Nurseries

Westbury
Through Sunday, December 31, 2023
Visiting the Christmas Children’s Story at Hicks Nurseries has been a family tradition on Long Island for generations. The walk-through Christmas story features Santa, his elves, and friends preparing for the holiday. READ MORE

Greenport Holiday Festival

Greenport
Through Sunday, December 31, 2023
Greenport's Holiday Festival lights up the village throughout December. From tree and menorah lightings, window decorating, crafts and Santa visits round out a festive  READ MORE

Huntington Holiday Spectacular

Huntington
Through Monday, January 1, 2024
Stroll through the streets of downtown Huntington to enjoy a Winter Wonderland. The nightly festivities will include lights, ice carving, Santa, and other  surprises. READ MORE

Long Beach Boardwalk Lights

Long Beach
Through mid-January, 2024
Boardwalk Lights is a free holiday nautical-themed lights display on the boardwalk.Families looking for a little sparkle during the holiday season are invited to stroll the boardwalk and then visit the great local restaurants and shops throughout the city.  READ MORE

Festival of Trees in Port Jefferson Village

Port Jefferson
Through January 2, 2024
The Festival of Trees 2023 will take place at the Port Jefferson Village Center for a month during the holiday shopping season. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Chabad Center for Jewish Life
West Beech Street
West Beech Street
Town of Babylon History Museum