Weekend Fun for LI Kids: Breakfast with Santa, Menorah & Gingerbread Workshops, December 5-6

12/2/15 - By Jaime Sumersille

With the turkey talk long gone, it's high time to focus on the next batch of holidays. From luminous light displays in Jones Beach or Long Beach to gingerbread decorating to Hanukkah celebrations, check out this weekend's go-to event guide. And for more seasonal fun, visit our Holiday Guide.

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Holiday Lights SpectacularWantagh. At Jones Beach, this drive-through holiday light show features more than 150 displays, hot beverages, snacks and make your own s’mores. Multiple dates; check for closed dates in the event description.

Boardwalk LightsLong Beach. Walk along the Long Beach Boardwalk after sunset and look up at the holiday lights display. Free.

Bayville Winter WonderlandBayville. At Bayville Adventure Park, this ongoing event includes ice skating, holiday light show, train ride, rock climbing, character meet and greet, holiday arts and crafts and more. Except for some closed days, this event runs through Jan. 2.

Dickens Festival - Port Jefferson Village. There is a variety of holiday-related events happening throughout the town, including a Christmas marketplace, caroling and more. Free.

Elf Jr. The MusicalBellmore. Live theatrical performance at The Bellmore Movies at the Showplace.

Meet Santa & His RendeerWestbury. At Hicks Nurseries, Santa will be in the store daily. Mail a letter to Santa in their North Pole mailbox and Santa will answer it. Visit real, live reindeer, landing on November 28th and departing on December 22. Runs through Dec. 24.

The Little MermaidSmithtown. Live theatrical performance. Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts.

St. James Model Railroad Open House and Holiday MarketSmithtown. Choo choo lovers unite at the Smithtown Township Arts Council.

 

Saturday, December 5

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary MusicalGarden City. At live performance at the Long Island Children's Museum.

My Christmas Elf The MusicalSmithtown. Live performance at Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts.

Mrs. Claus Saves The DayIslip. At BayWay Arts Center, this is a live performance.

Breakfast With SantaVarious Locations. Head to your local Applebee’s where Santa will arrive via fire truck. Stay for breakfast and photos, prizes and treats.

Make a Snow GlobeQuogue. Make your own snow globe at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge.

Snow People Mommy & Me PaintingBellmore. This is a duo effort at As You Wish. Includes food and drinks, as well as all supplies.

Melanie's Green-Power LabBridgehampton. At the South Fork Natural History Museum, catch the wind with Melanie and make your own wind-powered spinner to take home.

Gingerbread Decorating WorkshopsBridgehampton. Check out one of two Children's Museum of the East End as kids can decorate a pre-built gingerbread house.

Christmas with the Roosevelts at Sagamore HillOyster Bay. This historic experience takes place at Sagamore Hill, and showcases how the Roosevelts celebrated Christmas.

Holiday Family FestivalNorthport. At The Learning Experience, Raffles, Crafts, Pictures with Santa, Holiday Shopping and More. Free.

Santa in the ParkWantagh. Santa comes to Wantagh Park via fire truck with cookies and hot chocolate.

Smiling SnowpeopleGarden City. This craft is offered free with admission to the Long Island Children's Museum.

Kennedy Plaza Christmas Tree Lighting CeremonyLong Beach. At Kennedy Plaza.

 

Sunday, December 6

Sunday ScienceRockville Centre. The Center for Science Teaching & Learning is offering Sunday Science, a new a drop-off program designed to further engage your child with scientific topics outside of the classroom.

Hands-on-Hanukkah at Walt Whitman MallMelville. At Walt Whitman Mall, free raffle with prizes, Hanukkah cookie decorating, crafts, music, face painting, community service and more.

Hands-on-HanukkahLake Grove. At Smith Haven Mall, free raffle with prizes, Jester Jim will perform juggling at 2:30pm, Hanukkah cookie decorating, take a selfie with JoJo the Dreidel, crafts, music, face painting, community service and more.

Gingerbread WorkshopOld Bethpage. Kids can participate in this gingerbread making/decorating at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Reservations required.

Breakfast with SantaIslandia. This event is held at Dave & Buster's and includes a buffet, $5 Power Card, unlimited video game play and more.

Hanukkah ExtravaganzaPlainview. At HANC Plainview, this free event features Hanukkah carnival games, latkes & donuts, a live olive press, Hanukkah crafts and Cique-tacular Entertainment.

Brunch With Santa & Mrs. ClausFarmingdale. At Black Forest Brew Haus.

Friedberg JCC Community Chanukah CelebrationOceanside. At Friedberg JCC, celebrate Chanukah at the JCC with Live Entertainment, Menorah Lighting, Chanukah Crafts, Refreshments, Raffles, Face Painting and more.

Santa DaySeaford. Join Century 21 AA Realty as Santa makes his 34th landing. Free photo with Santa.

ScroogeBellmore. Live performance at The Bellmore Movies at the Showplace.

A Yuletide Family Day With Santa & Johnny CuomoMelville. At Walt Whitman Birthplace NYS Historic Site, musician and storyteller Nicole Olivia presents an interactive holiday program, complete with a spirited holiday sing-along. Also featuring a visit with Santa, cookie decorating and more.

Menorah Workshop at the Whaling MuseumCold Spring Harbor. At The Whaling Museum and Education Center of CSH, dive into the world of oil, from whale oil to olive oil. See different oil lamps from our collection, try testing seeds for their oil, and create a wooden menorah for the first night of Chanukah.

Santa at The Dolphin BookshopPort Washington. Bring your camera to The Dolphin Bookshop for photos with Santa.

Public Menorah Lighting Montauk. At Kirk Park.

 

Main photo: Science Sundays at the Center for Science Teaching & Learning.