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Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Lights Shows on Long Island
Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on
For a touch of holiday magic on Long Island, it's hard to beat the glow of a spectacular Christmas light show or holiday lights drive-thru.
We've rounded up several of our favorite holiday light shows and drive-thru Christmas lights displays on Long Island, as well as immersive, walk-through winter wonderlands you won't want to miss.
Find all our top picks for holiday fun–including Long Island's best Christmas activities–in our Long Island Christmas Guide.
Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 on Long Island: Turkey Trots, Light Shows, and Santa
Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on
Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this Thanksgiving weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.
Work up an appetite for your Thanksgiving feast by participating in a family-friendly turkey trot on Thursday morning. Or, get some activity in by driving through the Jones Beach Magic of Lights. Debuting this weekend is the Holiday Illuminations installation at the Smithtown Historical Society. For a throwback feel, check out how Christmas was celebrated in 1863 at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration.
If you're more interested in indoor activities this holiday weekend, you can view miles of tracks and trains at the West Island Model Railroad Club Open House in Hicksville. Or keep the feast going by booking reservations to grab breakfast with jolly old St. Nick himself.
Check out our picks for the Nutcracker ballet and other holiday shows, and find more seasonal fun in our Long Island Kids Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events.
Christmas Tree Farms on Long Island
Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on
Finding the perfect Long Island Christmas tree is the next logical holiday ritual after you've finished Thanksgiving turkey and completed your Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping.
From Huntington to Riverhead and points farther east, Long Island has many great tree farms where enthusiastic families can cut a gorgeous tree for a modest cost. These farms range from simple roadside acreage to full-fledged holiday destinations.
These farms are all located in Suffolk County, where farmland is more abundant, and are listed by town. If you want to get away, consider a day trip to a Christmas tree farm in New Jersey or the Hudson Valley. And, as always, find more ways to celebrate in our Holiday Fun Guide.
Holiday Train Shows on Long Island for Families
Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on
If watching a model train making its way around a tiny Christmas village isn’t on your family’s list of Long Island holiday fun, why not add it this year?
We guarantee children and adults alike will gaze with wide-eyed wonder at the sights and sounds of these model train shows. Below, we’ve put together a list of some of the best train shows that are sure to delight the entire family.
If all this train watching makes your family eager to climb aboard a real caboose, check out our roundup of Polar Express and other Santa trains near Long Island and NYC, and find many more ways to enjoy the season in our Guide to Holiday Fun on Long Island.
17 Things To Do in Garden City, New York with Kids
Submitted by Thien August on
Garden City is one of Long Island's most desirable communities, with tree-lined streets, a vibrant downtown, highly-rated schools, and plenty of green space. Take a stroll down historic Seventh Street, which plays host to family-friendly events all year round; spend the day learning on Museum Row; or shop till you drop at the area’s largest shopping mall, Roosevelt Field.
It’s no wonder so many families enjoy living and visiting this village. We've rounded up the top things to do on a visit to Garden City with kids.
Be sure to check out our posts on the best parks in Nassau County for kids and the best indoor play spaces in Nassau County for more great activity ideas in the area.
Breakfast with Santa on Long Island
Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on
Breakfast with Santa is a great way to celebrate the holiday season, and several Long Island venues are serving up the opportunity to hang with St. Nick over pancakes and eggs.
These events give the whole family a chance to fill up their tummies while enjoying a festive atmosphere. Kids can sit on Santa's lap, whisper toy requests in his ear, and snap a photo with the jolly old fellow himself. Be sure to snag reservations early, because some of these Long Island Santa stops fill up fast!
Find all our top picks for holiday fun–including Long Island's best Christmas activities–in our Long Island Christmas Guide. And check out our constantly updated Family Activity Calendar for even more fun things to do.
The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids on Long Island
Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on
If your child is nuts about The Nutcracker, several top-notch companies perform the holiday favorite right here on Long Island, so ring in the holiday season by taking in a theatrical performance or two. Kids of all ages will enjoy the magic of music, storytelling, and dance in a classic performance of The Nutcracker.
Or, check out one of the other great holiday-themed shows hitting Long Island stages this season, like The Happy Elf and Frosty.
Read on for amazing holiday show options for families on Long Island in 2023. And be sure to check out our events calendar and Holiday Guide for more seasonal family fun.
Veterans Day Weekend 2023 on Long Island: Best Things To Do with Kids
Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on
Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this Veterans Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list.
Veterans Day falls on Saturday this year, and there are plenty of things to do on Long Island with kids that day, including a visit to the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum.
Other top things to do this weekend include celebrating the season at LuminoCity, which has returned to Long Island in a new location at Eisenhower Park. Or, kick off your shoes for some Snowflake Sock Skating at the Long Island Children's Museum.
Of course, it's not too early to start plotting your holiday outings with this list of 25 must-do Christmas and holiday activities on Long Island.
