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20+ Santa Claus Activities for LI Kids During the Christmas Season

Share your wish list with Santa at the Mansion at Glen Cove. Photo courtesy of the mansion
Share your wish list with Santa at the Mansion at Glen Cove. Photo courtesy of the mansion
11/29/18 - By Jaime Sumersille

If you're looking to mix it up with jolly ol' St. Nick at an outing that's a wee bit different, we have rounded up some of our favorite Santa activities across Long Island. While some events are FREE and require no preregistration, many that are require advanced tickets. These events are quite popular and can sell out early, so you'll want to book reservations as soon as possible.

For more seasonal cheer, check out our roundup of LI holiday lights, and our list of seasonal entertainment, including our Christmas tree farm guide and breakfast with Santa events. Don't forget to check out our Holiday Fun Guide and events calendar often for more hopping holiday happenings.

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OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Arrive at the
Arrive at the "North Pole" and visit with Santa via the North Fork Trolley. Photo by Jaime Sumersille

Ongoing

Jones Beach Magic of Lights Drive-Thru Show

Wantagh — A special feature of 2018 Magic of Lights is the Holiday Festival Village, where guests walk through a winter wonderland of hot cocoa, s’mores by the fire pit, holiday music and movies, a hay maze, and pictures with Santa.
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

The Polar Express Trolley Ride

Riverhead & Southampton. After arriving at the "North Pole," disembark the trolley and visit with Santa; where he and the elves entertain you and your family.
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

Meet Santa at Hicks Nurseries

Westbury — FREE. Walk through an animated display, pet Santa's reindeer, and sit on the lap of the jolly ol' man himself at Hicks Nurseries all month long.
Santa will be in the store daily for a visit and photo opportunities. READ MORE

Bayville Winter Wonderland

Bayville — Add a magical Santa experience for the whole family in this ultimate winter holiday park adventure.
Bayville Winter Wonderland, Long Island's winter holiday park, returns for another season of fun. Enjoy tons of over-the-top holiday attractions, including Santa's Toy Factory Funhouse, a holiday train ride, an ice skating rink, rock climbing, character meet-and-greets, holiday stories, a build-a-bear experience, axe-throwing, and more.  READ MORE

Breakfast With Santa at Milleridge Inn

Jericho — Families can walk around Santa's Christmas Village and Workshop and take part in stuff-a-bear, letters to Santa, and holiday shopping.
Mrs. Claus whips up a secret menu for this extra-special brunch, where families can indulge in breakfast treats and enjoy a visit with Santa Claus himself. After breakfast, explore the Christmas Village, stuff a bear, and get a jump on your holiday shopping. READ MORE

In the Spirit of Christmas at Spirit's Promise Equine Rescue

Riverhead — Meet Santa and his friends, listen to a story, sing carols, and meet the resident equine reindeer.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be back at Spirit's Promise on December 2, 9, and 16, 2018. READ MORE

Candlelight Evenings Holiday Show at Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Old Bethpage — Thrill to chestnuts roasting on an open fire, broom making, a visit with Santa, hot mulled cider, and musical performances.
Enjoy the holidays in a place where the clock is always turned back to the 19th century. The evening features a candlelight procession each night. See chestnuts roasting on an open fire, broom making, visit Santa, and more.  READ MORE
Meet Santa at his
Meet Santa at his "workshop" at Drunken Meadow Cottage. Photo courtesy of Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce

December 1, 2018

Santa's Workshop at The Drowned Meadow Cottage

Port Jefferson — FREE. Santa and his elves welcome all to visit Santa's Workshop at the historic Drowned Meadow Cottage.
Meander through the whimsical rooms in Port Jefferson's historic Drowned Meadow Cottage. READ MORE

Winter Festival at Longwood Estate

Ridge
Kick off the holiday season with old-fashioned sleigh rides, elves, train displays, and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Longwood Estate. READ MORE
Join in Christmas caroling at the Bellmore Holiday Extravaganza. Photo courtesy of the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores
Join in Christmas caroling at the Bellmore Holiday Extravaganza. Photo courtesy of the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores

December 7, 2018

Bellmore Old Fashioned Christmas

Bellmore — After the Christmas tree lighting and a visit from Santa, hop aboard a horse and carriage ride down Bedford Avenue or a trolley ride through the community.
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

December 8, 2018

Home for the Holidays Festival at Coe Hall

Oyster Bay — See Santa, enjoy children’s face painting, and listen to live music throughout the day at Planting Fields Arboretum.
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

Reenactment of the Flying Santa at the Fire Island Lighthouse

Fire Island — FREE. Relive this historic event with the Fire Island Lighthouse as Santa arrives via the clear blue skies.
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

Holiday Celebration at Newbridge Road Park

Bellmore — Hit the ice for some skating at Newbridge Arena and then hop on Santa's lap for a photo.
Activities start at 1:30pm with a dog adoption event and continue all day, ending with a Christmas tree, menorah and kinara lighting at 5:45pm.  READ MORE

Breakfast/Brunch With Santa at the Glen Cove Mansion

Glen Cove — Santa Clause hands out candy canes, small toys and holiday cheer at this regal, early-1900s Gold Coast mansion. Also on December 9.
Breakfast with Santa is twice as nice at the mansion this season. Join the jolly fellow on Saturdays and Sundays throughout December until Christmas. READ MORE
Visit with the man of the hour at Dave and Buster's. Photo courtesy of Dave And Buster's
Visit with the man of the hour at Dave and Buster's. Photo courtesy of Dave And Buster's

December 9, 2018

Breakfast with Santa at Dave & Buster's

Islandia — Enjoy breakfast with Santa before playing video games and other competitive activities.
Enjoy this Dave & Buster’s Holly Jolly Breakfast with Santa event. READ MORE

Brunch With Santa Claus at O'Connell Gardens

Oceanside — In addition to Santa, enjoy a special appearance by the Grinch.
Enjoy a buffet-style brunch, kids magic show, face paint, balloon animals, and cotton candy.  READ MORE

December 15, 2018

Gingerbread Cookie Decorating at Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Old Bethpage — Also on December 16
Decorate a jumbo gingerbread cookie and take photos with Santa. READ MORE

Santa at The Dolphin Bookshop

Port Washington — FREE
Santa is visiting the Dolphin Bookshop, where he will read a story and hear what is on each child's wish list. READ MORE
Join the Clark Botanic Garden for an indoor-outdoor kickoff of the holiday season. Photo courtesy of the town of North Hempstead
Join the Clark Botanic Garden for an indoor-outdoor kickoff of the holiday season. Photo courtesy of the town of North Hempstead

December 16, 2018

Santa's Winter Wonderland at Merrick Theatre & Center for the Arts

Merrick — Enjoy Christmas cupcakes, cookies and juices. Bring a camera to take a photo with Santa and his friends.
Head to the Merrick Theatre & Center for the Arts for Santa's Winter Wonderland. READ MORE

December 19, 2018

A Magical Cirque Christmas

Uniondale — See Santa in an aerial acrobatic way as the Cirque troop performs gravity-defying acts set to Christmas tunes.
This holiday entertainment blockbuster features talent from around the globe, including America’s Got Talent stars Duo Transcend. READ MORE

December 20, 2018

Alive After Five Winter Wonderland in Patchogue

Patchogue — FREE
Enjoy the spirit of the holiday at the Alive After Five Winter Wonderland. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Spirit's Promise Equine Rescue Program
Village of Port Jefferson - Village Center