Take a thrilling final run down the water slide at Splish Splash in Calverton. Photo courtesy of the park
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The beaches in Montauk are among the nation's best. Photo by Joe Shlabotnik via Flickr
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The Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo Memorial Spray Park thrills kids young and old. Photo by Jen Tomeo
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The complex at Centereach Pool offers lane swimming and a splash pad area for younger kids. Photo courtesy of Centereach Pool
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Chill out at Splish Splash Water Park when the mercury rises. Photo courtesy of Splish Splash
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Explore the playground before hitting the beach at Jones Beach State Park. Photo courtesy of Jones Beach
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Learn to surf at Montauk's SurfLuca or another surf school. Photo courtesy of the school.
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Alive After Five is a series of free street festivals on Thursdays in Patchogue. Photo courtesy of the event
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Meet the world’s tallest mammals at White Post Farms' giraffe experience. Photo courtesy of the farm
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Strut your stuff at Friday Night Promenades in Garden City. Photo courtesy of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce
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The Long Island Aquarium has a 120,000-gallon shark tank, year-round sea lion shows, and a super-cute African penguin population. Photo courtesy of the aquarium
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The tranquility of Ocean Beach on Fire Island will win your family over. Photo by Tais Melillo via Flickr
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A day at Sunken Meadow State Park can feature playground games, a walk on the beach, and more. Photo by Kimberly Chacon
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Westfield South Shore mall's family play space is an ideal pit stop when shopping with kids.
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Enjoy the engaging exhibits at the Long Island Children's Museum. Photo courtesy of LICM
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Keep the kids busy at Applebee's with games on a tableside tablet. Photo by Anne Caminiti - Momee Friends of Long Island www.momeefriendsli.com
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The Vanderbilt is a great place to explore on a rainy day. Photo by Kristen Markel
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Slip on your “sock skates” and take a spin on the Long Island Children's Museum's indoor rink. Photo by Gina Massaro
Slip on your “sock skates” and take a spin on the Long Island Children's Museum's indoor rink. Photo by Gina Massaro
12/2/22 - 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.

From holiday lantern shows to spectacular light shows and immersive holiday displays, December on Long Island will not disappoint. Here are our favorite must-do events for the month, up to and including New Year's Eve.

Find more top December fun among these FREE Christmas activities. And discover Elf on the Shelf inspiration, and 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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Laurie Berkner will perform a special holiday show. Photo courtesy of the band
Laurie Berkner will perform a special holiday show. Photo courtesy of the band

Top Things To Do on Long Island With Kids This December 2022

West Island Model Railroad Club Open House

Hicksville–FREE
Fridays to Sundays, December 2-4 and 9-11, 2022
West Island Model Railroad will host its annual open house on three weekends this winter. View their 5,600-square-foot model railroad, operating on 11 miles of double tracks. READ MORE

The Polar Express in Port Jefferson Station

Port Jefferson
December 2, 4, 8, 10, 11, 16, 17, 2022
Take a ride on the Polar Express and enjoy popcorn, cookies, and hot cocoa as this timeless tale unfolds on a movie screen. READ MORE

Port Jefferson Village Annual Charles Dickens Festival

Port Jefferson–FREE
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

Elf Workshops at the Long Island Explorium

Port Jefferson
Saturdays, December 3, 10, and 17, 2002
Join the Long Island Explorium for Elf Workshops this winter. Kids can make a gift and engage in some STEM learning along the way. READ MORE

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

Riverhead & Greenport–FREE
Saturday, December 3 to Sunday, December 4 and Saturday, December 10 to 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

Winter Festival at Longwood Estate

Ridge
Saturday, December 3, 2022
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

Holiday Farm Tour with Mrs. Claus at Spirit's Promise

Riverhead
Sundays, December 4, 11, and 18, 2022
Visit Spirit's Promise for a special 90-minute holiday tours at the farm. Meet equine reindeer and our other farm animals. Then head into the barn for story time with Mrs. Claus.  READ MORE

Winter on Wellwood

Lindenhurst–FREE
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

A Visit with Postman Pete

Miller Place
Sunday, December 4, 2022
Children are invited to bring their pre-written letters for Santa to the old Miller Place Post Office. READ MORE

Laurie Berkner: A Live Holiday Concert

Huntington
Sunday, December 4, 2022
Best-selling artist Laurie Berkner will perform a special holiday show at The Paramount. READ MORE

Holiday Festival at The Ward Melville Heritage Organization

Mount Sinai–FREE
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

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

Fire Island–FREE
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

Train Masters of Babylon Model Train Show

Farmingdale–FREE
Saturday, December 10-Sunday, December 11, 2022
Train Masters of Babylon Model Train Club presents a 4,000-square-foot model railroad with 10 trains running on 19 scale miles of track. READ MORE

Grand Menorah Lighting & Parade at Chabad Center for Jewish Life

Merrick–FREE
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

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

Candlelight Evenings Holiday Show at OBVR

Old Bethpage
December 21-23 and 26-29, 2022
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

Long Island Garden Railway Holiday Show

Old Bethpage and Garden City
Wednesday, December 21-Thursday, December 29 and Wednesday, December 21-January 1, 2023
The Long Island Garden Railway Holiday Show travels to three locations this holiday season. READ MORE

Snowflake Sock Skating at LICM

Garden City
Through Sunday, January 8, 2023
Slip on your “sock skates” and take a spin on the Long Island Children's Museum's indoor rink, made from a high-tech synthetic polymer surface that lets kids slide around without blades. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Chabad Center for Jewish Life
Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center
Sayville Historical Society