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Things To Do on Long Island This Weekend with Kids: Trains, Santa Fly-Over, Holiday Parade & Bonfire

Enjoy Clark Botanic Garden's Winter Wonderland celebration. Photo courtesy of the garden
Enjoy Clark Botanic Garden's Winter Wonderland celebration. Photo courtesy of the garden
12/11/19 - By Jaime Sumersille

'Tis the weekend for holiday fun! Line up along the Peconic River and Riverhead's Main Street for the Holiday Parade and Bonfire. Chug on down to FREE train club open houses in Levittown and Farmingdale. Hear carolers sing throughout the house, visit with Santa, enjoy some refreshments and get into the holiday spirit at Coe Hall at Planting Fields Arboretum.

Chart a course and hit the open road this weekend to peep these Long Island homes with spectacular holiday lights. Inject some holiday culture into your family's lives this season with these Nutcracker and other holiday performances. 

See our Holiday Family Fun Guide for the best in seasonal entertainment, including our Christmas tree cutting guide, breakfast with Santa events, ice skating rinks and plenty of FREE events and activities. Our Event Calendar and December GoList are likewise loaded with fun, daily happenings for Long Island kids.

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Thrill to Magic of Lights at Jones Beach. Photo by Amanda Gill for Live Nation
Thrill to Magic of Lights at Jones Beach. Photo by Amanda Gill for Live Nation

Things to Do on Long Island All Weekend

Jones Beach Magic of Lights Drive-Thru Show

Wantagh
The Magic of Lights drive-thru spectacular returns to Jones Beach and Nassau County's South Shore this holiday season. The display is stacked with themed LED lighting displays and digital animations, plus plenty of returning favorites. READ MORE

Riverhead Holiday Light Show

Riverhead
Visitors enjoy an incredible drive-thru experience featuring a mile of holiday light displays at the Riverhead Holiday Light Show.  READ MORE

The Polar Express Trolley Ride

Riverhead and Southampton
Depart from The All Star in Riverhead or from The Omni/Hampton Jitney in Southampton and travel north, interacting with a character from the movie and listening to Liam Neeson’s reading of The Polar Express.  READ MORE

Holiday Spectacular at the Holtsville Ecology Site - CANCELED

Holtsville
NOTE: This event has been canceled for 2024. The tree lighting will be held on December 6 at 6pm.   READ MORE

Santa's Workshop at The Drowned Meadow Cottage

Port Jefferson — FREE
Meander through the whimsical rooms in Port Jefferson's historic Drowned Meadow Cottage. READ MORE

CANCELED - Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers Open House

Levittown — FREE
Thrill to one of Long Island's largest operating model train clubs. READ MORE

Train Masters of Babylon Model Train Show

Holiday Tree Competition in Stony Brook Village

Stony Brook — FREE
Cast a vote at Stony Brook Village Center's holiday tree competition. There will be 46 beautifully decorated trees lining the walkways in Stony Brook Village. READ MORE

American Dance Theatre of LI Presents The Nutcracker

East Hampton
Warm your spirit this holiday season as you witness toys that come to life, a Christmas tree that grows before your eyes, flowers that dance, and snowflakes that waltz in this classic magical story. READ MORE

Tea with Tink at Cultural Arts Playhouse

Syosset
Flutter over to the Cultural Arts Playhouse to watch performances and enjoy a complimentary meet-and-greet with all of the characters. READ MORE

Home for the Holidays Festival at Coe Hall

Oyster Bay
Join the annual two-day, family-friendly Home for the Holidays celebration at Coe Hall. Experience the magic of the season with live holiday music, crafts, activities, and more. Plus, snap a photo with the Grinch.  READ MORE
Relive this historic event with the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society when Santa arrives at the Fire Island Lighthouse. Photo courtesy of the NPS
Relive this historic event with the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society when Santa arrives at the Fire Island Lighthouse. Photo courtesy of the NPS

Things to Do on Long Island Saturday, December 14

Reenactment of the Flying Santa at the Fire Island Lighthouse

Fire Island — FREE
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

ARTful Adventures at the Hofstra University Museum

Hempstead
Look, listen, and create together. Bring your child to the museum to look at and discuss art and then engage in a hands-on art project. READ MORE

Greenport Holiday Festival

Greenport — FREE
Greenport's Holiday Festival lights up the village throughout December. Enjoy tree and menorah lightings, window decorations, crafts, and Santa visits.  READ MORE

Riverhead Holiday Parade and Bonfire

Riverhead — FREE
Frosty temps are no match for downtown Riverhead’s annual holiday parade and riverfront bonfire. Join the fun along the scenic Peconic Riverfront and watch for Santa to arrive by boat.  READ MORE

Gingerbread House Decorating Workshops at CMEE

Bridgehampton
This holiday season, let your child’s confectionery creativity run wild during CMEE's annual Gingerbread House Decorating Workshops. Budding architects choose their materials, including vivid and vibrant edible goodies from our candy buffet, plan their designs, and decorate their own pre-built gingerbread houses.  READ MORE

Gingerbread House Competition

Farmingdale — FREE
The Annual Long Island Gingerbread and Chocolate House Competition is set for December 7 at the Chocolate Duck in Farmingdale.   READ MORE
Clark Botanic Garden's Winter Wonderland is a treat for children of all ages. Photo courtesy of the garden
Clark Botanic Garden's Winter Wonderland is a treat for children of all ages. Photo courtesy of the garden

Things to Do on Long Island Sunday, December 15

Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could

Westbury — FREE
Big-hearted music for kids and families. READ MORE

Three Village Electric Holiday Parade

East Setauket — FREE
See a spectacular array of well-lit floats streaming down Setauket'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

Menorah Workshop at Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum

Cold Spring Harbor
Kids can dive into the world of oil, from whale oil to olive oil. See historic whale oil lamps and create a whale menorah to light up your home. READ MORE

Breakfast With Santa at The Heritage Center NSYC

Mt. Sinai
The Heritage Center NSYC carries on the tradition of Breakfast with Santa at the Heritage Center in Heritage Park. Also included is a family photo with Santa and a favor for each child.  READ MORE

Breakfast with Santa at United Skates of America

Seaford
Attend dressed in your Christmas pajamas and meet the gang from the North Pole at this Breakfast with Santa event at United Skates of America. READ MORE

Sunday Brunch with Santa at East Wind

Wading River
Bring the kids and visit with Santa while enjoying a hearty and delightful brunch at Desmond's in Port Jefferson. READ MORE

Santa Brunch at the Long Island Aquarium

Riverhead
Celebrate the season at the Long Island Aquarium's annual Santa Brunch. Enjoy a delicious buffet brunch in the Sea Star Ballroom, make a special take-home holiday keepsake, and snap a family photo with Santa. READ MORE

Holiday Gingerbread Man Paint Event at Key to My Art

Amityville
Paint a Gingerbread Man with step by step instruction at Key to My Art. READ MORE

Brunch with Santa with Elsa and Anna at Stereo Garden

Patchogue
Brunch with Santa with special guests Anna and Elsa at Stereo Garden. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Village of Port Jefferson - Village Center
Van Nostrand Theatre, Suffolk County Community College,
Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum and Education Center