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29 Free Holiday and Christmas Events on Long Island

Thrill to the Three Village Electric Light Parade this month. Photo courtesy of the event
Thrill to the Three Village Electric Light Parade this month. Photo courtesy of the event
12/4/22 - By Jaime Sumersille

Looking for FREE Christmas events on Long Island? Read on for tons of great options.

Keep your wallet tucked away at these FREE holiday and Christmas events across Long Island.

From Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremonies to visits with Santa and holiday light displays, we’ve put together a list of FREE things to do at Christmas and the holidays with your kids. These events will keep your family entertained and leave you able to afford those last-minute gifts.

Find all our top picks for holiday fun in our Long Island Christmas Guide. And check out our constantly updated Family Activity Calendar for even more fun things to do.

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Mail your letters to Santa in Babylon. Photo courtesy the Town of Babylon
Mail your letters to Santa in Babylon. Photo courtesy the Town of Babylon

Free Holiday and Christmas Events on Long Island, 2022

Port Jefferson Village Annual Charles Dickens Festival

Port Jefferson
Saturday, December 3-Sunday, December 4, 2022
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

Holiday Lighting Spectacular in Syosset-Woodbury

Syosset
Sunday, December 4, 2022
The Syosset-Woodbury Chamber of Commerce presents its annual Holiday Lighting Spectacular. Enjoy music and dance performances and a visit from Santa.  READ MORE

Winter on Wellwood

Lindenhurst
Sunday, December 4, 2022
Santa is coming to the Lindenhurst Village Square for Winter on Wellwood. This free, family-friendly day includes Santa in the park, carousel rides (12-3pm), a Christmas Kindl Market (12-6pm) and holiday parade (4:30pm). READ MORE

Holiday Festival at The Ward Melville Heritage Organization

Stony Brook
Sunday, December 4, 2022
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization (WMHO)’s Annual Holiday Festival will return on Sunday, December 4 with Santa, music, performances, a petting zoo, displays, activities and more.  READ MORE

Story Time with Mrs. Claus at Walt Whitman Mall

Melville
Select dates from Wednesday, December 7-Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Cozy up around Mrs. Claus as she holds story times this holiday season at the Walt Whitman Mall. READ MORE

Re-Enactment of the Flying Santa at the Fire Island Lighthouse

Fire Island
Saturday, December 10, 2022
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

Oyster Bay Holiday Stroll, Market, and Tree Lighting

Oyster Bay
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Enjoy an afternoon of festivities throughout Oyster Bay! Ice skating for the kids begins at noon eating and shopping and strolling throughout town from lunch through dinner. READ MORE

Long Beach Electric Light Parade

Long Beach
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Marvel at antique cars, fire trucks, floats, and bicycles wrapped in Christmas lights at this festive holiday parade throughout the west end of Long Beach. READ MORE

The Magic of Montauk Holiday Celebration

Montauk
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Join the Montauk Chamber and Visitors Center for its inaugural Magic of Montauk holiday event. Follow the decorated holiday path to seek out fun around every corner.  READ MORE

Brookhaven Holiday Cheer

Brookhaven
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Join the Brookhaven Village Association for its holiday tree and menorah lightings. Bring a toy for the toy drive, enjoy live music, ornament making, card making, and more. READ MORE

The Magic of Montauk Holiday Celebration

Montauk
Saturday, December 10, 2022
Join the Montauk Chamber and Visitors Center for its inaugural Magic of Montauk holiday event. Follow the decorated holiday path to seek out fun around every corner.  READ MORE

Railroad Museum of Long Island Holiday Open House with Visit From Santa

Riverhead & Greenport
Weekends through Sunday, December 11, 2022
The Railroad Museum of Long Island hosts two weekends of train show fun. Santa arrives from the North Pole on the LIRR at 11:05am each day with a gift for all little boys and girls.  READ MORE

Three Village Electric Holiday Parade

East Setauket
Sunday, December 11, 2022
See a spectacular array of well-lit floats streaming down Setaucket'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

Tree Lighting Holiday Festival

Miller Place
Sunday, December 11, 2022
Join the holiday festivities and annual Christmas tree lighting at the Daniel Hawking House. READ MORE

Snacks with Santa

Southold
Monday, December 12, 2022
The Southold American Legion Auxiliary Griswold Terry Glover Post 803 invites North Fork children to enjoy afterschool snacks and activities with Santa Claus. READ MORE

Holiday Reading: The Gift of the Magi

Floral Park
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Grab your fleece, hats, gloves, coats, and woolies, and throw on your winter boots! The Queens County Farm Museum hosts a special outdoor holiday reading of O. Henry’s The Gift of the Magi. READ MORE

Once Upon A Holiday at LI Pop-Up

Westbury
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Enjoy an afternoon of shopping for parents and holiday playland for the little ones. The Snow Sisters are stopping by for a character meet and greet, plus enjoy soft play, a bounce house, and spend time writing letters to Santa!  READ MORE

Santa's Workshop at the Merrick Hook and Ladder Co. 1

Merrick
Saturday, December 17, 2022
The Merrick Hook and Ladder Co. 1 hosts a free Santa's Workshop with hot cocoa, s'mores, photos with Santa, and more seasonal fun. READ MORE

Holiday-Themed Crafternoon for Kids at Emma Clark Library

Setauket
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Stop by Emma Clark Library on Saturday, December 17 anytime from 1:30-3:30pm for a holiday-themed Crafternoon. READ MORE

Holiday Train Display at Longwood Estate

Ridge
December 17-18 and 26-31, 2022
View this majestic holiday train display at the Longwood Estate and engage in a fun game of I Spy to try and find all of the hidden items. READ MORE

Family Hanukkah Celebration at Suffolk YJCC

Commack
Sunday, December 18, 2022
A Hanukkah play featuring Stage 74 and “Just One Wheel," latkes and gelt, dreidel spinning, and more take center stage at the Suffolk YJCC Family Hanukkah Celebration. READ MORE

Grand Menorah Lighting & Parade at Chabad Center for Jewish Life

Merrick
Sunday, December 18, 2022
Celebrate Hanukkah with Chabad of Merrick-Bellmore-Wantagh. Meet at the Merrick LIRR station for a lighting of the 12-foot menorah and other festivities.  READ MORE

Manhasset Hanukkah Festival

Manhasset
Sunday, December 18, 2022
Ice menorah sculpting, a gelt drop, magic, face painting are all planned activities as Chabad of Manhasset hosts the Manhasset Hanukkah Festival at Mary J. Davies Green. READ MORE

Hanukkah on Main Street

Brightwaters
Sunday, December 18, 2022
Join the Chabad of Islip in the festive celebration of light on December 18, featuring a giant ice menorah sculpted by the artist on site. READ MORE

Town of Islip Holiday Light Show

East Islip
Through Friday, December 30, 2022
Bring the whole family to view the lights at Brookwood Hall Park from your own vehicle. READ MORE

New Year's Eve Ball Drop in Lindenhurst Village

Lindenhurst
Saturday, December 31, 2022
Watch the ball drop in the Village of Lindenhurst on New Year's Eve night. Ring in the new year as the village celebrates its 100th year. READ MORE

Christmas Animated Story at Hicks Nurseries

Westbury
Through Saturday, December 31, 2022
Visiting the Christmas Children’s Story at Hicks Nurseries has been a family tradition on Long Island for generations. This year's theme is A Stroll with Santa. READ MORE

Holiday Model Train Exhibit at Town of Babylon History Museum

Babylon-FREE
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through Sunday, January 1, 2023
The Town of Babylon History Museum and Babylon Town Historical Society features an interactive 240-square-foot model train display highlighting historic points of interest from around the Town of Babylon.  READ MORE

Long Beach Boardwalk Lights

Long Beach
Through mid-January, 2023
Boardwalk Lights is a free holiday nautical-themed lights display on the boardwalk.Families looking for a little sparkle during the holiday season are invited to stroll the boardwalk and then visit the great local restaurants and shops throughout the city.  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

West Beech Street
Fire Place Park
Miller Place – Mount Sinai Historical Society
Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center
Chabad Center for Jewish Life
Town of Babylon History Museum