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20 Best Things To Do on Long Island December 2023 with Kids

Laurie Berkner performs her holiday hits at the Paramount in Huntington this month. Photo courtesy of Laurie Berkner
Laurie Berkner performs her holiday hits at the Paramount in Huntington this month. Photo courtesy of Laurie Berkner
12/1/23 - By Jaime Sumersille

Christmas lights and holiday activities are back this December, and that's just the beginning of things to do on Long Island this month.

Here are our favorite must-do events for December on Long Island, from spectacular light shows and immersive holiday displays to festive ways to spend New Year's Eve.

You'll find plenty more seasonal fun in our Holiday Guide for Long Island Families.

We’re adding more events to our Family Activity Calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.

Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

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Enjoy a holiday storytime event at Sands Point Preserve. Photo courtesy of Sands Point Preserve
Enjoy a holiday storytime event at Sands Point Preserve. Photo courtesy of Sands Point Preserve

Top Things To Do on Long Island With Kids – December 2023

Port Jefferson Village Annual Charles Dickens Festival

Port Jefferson–FREE
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–FREE
Saturdays, December 2, 9-Sundays, December 3-10, 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

Winter Festival at Longwood Estate

Ridge
Saturday, December 2, 2023
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

Santa On The Long Island Game Farm

Manorville
Saturdays & Sundays, December 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 2023
Visit with Santa and feed his deer at the Long Island Game Farm's Holiday Wonderland during three December sessions. Snap your family holiday photos, get crafty at art tables and browse holiday gifts. READ MORE

Happy Hanukkah at LICM

Garden City
Sunday, December 3, 2023
Get ready for Hanukkah at the Long Island Children's Museum by learning all about dreidel. Discover the game’s history and rules and decorate your own dreidel to take home.  READ MORE

Menorah Workshop at the Whaling Museum

Cold Spring Harbor
Sunday, December 3, 2023
See different oil lamps from the museum's collection and create your own tiled menorah. READ MORE

Chanukah Parade & Experience in Merrick

Merrick–FREE
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

Gingerbread Barn at the Suffolk County Farm

Yaphank
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Decorate a gingerbread barn, sip on some cider, and enjoy all the Suffolk County Farm has to offer in December.  READ MORE

Peppa Pig Sing-Along Party at The Tilles Center

Greenvale
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Peppa, George, Mummy Pig, and Daddy Pig are throwing a Sing-Along Party and you are invited to join in the fun.  READ MORE

Holiday Tales at Sands Point Preserve

Sands Point
Sunday, December 10, 2023
Bring the kids for holiday tales and more afternoon fun at the Sands Point Preserve. Castle Gould’s Great Hall serves as the perfect setting for holiday family fun.    READ MORE

Home for the Holidays Festival at Coe Hall

Oyster Bay
Saturday, December 16-Sunday, December 17, 2023
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

Laurie Berkner Holiday Hits Show at The Paramount

Huntington
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Best-selling artist Laurie Berkner performs a special holiday show at The Paramount. Playing hits from her albums, this pop concert will have families singing and swaying.  READ MORE

Dinner with the Grinch at Milleridge Inn

Jericho
Monday, December 18, 2023
Head to the Carriage House at the Milleridge Inn for a dinner buffet and a meet and greet with The Grinch. Be sure to bring your camera there will be plenty of photo ops!  READ MORE

Luminous Drive-In Holiday Light Show

Riverhead
Thursday, December 21-Saturday, December 23, 2023
Luminous, Long Island's only drive-in laser light show, takes visitors on a one-hour journey through a world of stunning lights and music that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your car. READ MORE

Candlelight Evenings Holiday Show at Old Bethpage Village Restoration

Old Bethpage
December 21-23 and 26-29, 2023
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

The Polar Express in Port Jefferson Station

Port Jefferson
Various days through December 23, 2023
Take a magical journey on the Polar Express at the Port Jefferson Station rail car and enjoy popcorn, cookies, and hot cocoa as this timeless tale unfolds on a movie screen. READ MORE

Dinosaur Carnival at The Center for Science

Rockville Centre
Saturday, December 23-Sunday, December 31, 2023
Step right up and get your ticket to the Dinosaur Carnival at The Center for Science. The event makes the holiday break an ideal time to celebrate everything roar-tastic. READ MORE

Celebrate Kwanzaa at LICM

Garden City
Thursday, December 28, 2023
During Kwanzaa, many African-American families get together to give thanks and enjoy the blessings of family. At the Long Island Children's Museum, learn about Kwanzaa's rich traditions and make your own crafts to join in the festive fun. READ MORE

Countdown to 12 at LICM

Garden City
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Celebrate the New Year in the style of New York’s famous Times Square festivities. This year’s event is sure to be “Out of This World!” as the Long Island Children's Museum prepares for the arrival of the “Moon to Mars” exhibit in January. READ MORE

Holiday Illuminations at the Smithtown Historical Society

Smithtown
Through Sunday, December 31, 2023
Holiday lights, vendors, food trucks, and live entertainment headline the seasonal Holiday Illuminations event at the Smithtown Historical Society.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Long Island Game Farm Wildlife Park & Children's Zoo
Suffolk County Farm & Education Center