Jaime Sumersille

Latest posts by Jaime

Christmas Weekend 2022 on Long Island: Holiday Lights Displays, Train Shows, and More Things To Do

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Wed, 12/21/2022 - 11:59am

The nightly festivities at the Huntington Holiday Spectacular include lights, music and surprises. Photo courtesy of .the event

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this Christmas weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

Christmas weekend has arrived on Long Island, and holiday fun abounds. There's still time to enjoy seasonal treats like breakfast with Santa or see a spectacular holiday show or Nutcracker performance.

Spend Saturday registering your last-minute requests with Santa or visit the Long Island Children's Museum to craft a cookie-inspired necklace. Come evening, enjoy a drive through one of the region's spectacular light shows.

We've got plenty more holiday fun in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events on Long Island, including our top picks for what's open on Christmas Day and restaurants open on the holiday, in case you want to nab a last-minute reservation and give yourself Christmas dinner out!

Holiday Break on Long Island: 30 Things To Do Between Christmas and New Year's

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 12/18/2022 - 2:57pm

Fill your holiday break with smiles and bright lights at Magic of Lights Jones Beach. Photo courtesy of Magic of Lights

With the holiday break on the horizon, you may be staring down an entire week-plus of unstructured time with your kids. For most Long Island kids, Christmas break runs from Monday, December 26, 2022, through Monday, January 2, 2023.

To help fill the void, we've rounded up 30 holiday break activities for Long Island families. From lingering must-do holiday events to visiting nearby attractions or planning a bigger escape, we've got you covered.

You can find even more Long Island happenings in our event calendar and holiday guide.

29 Free Holiday and Christmas Events on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 12/04/2022 - 8:00am

Thrill to the Three Village Electric Light Parade this month. Photo courtesy of the event

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.

Best of December: 18 Top Things To Do on Long Island with Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 12/02/2022 - 7:04am

Slip on your “sock skates” and take a spin on the Long Island Children's Museum's indoor rink. Photo by Gina Massaro

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.

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Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Lights Shows on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 11/27/2022 - 8:19am

Winter Lantern Festival's drive-thru experience is happening at the Nassau County Museum of Art. Photo courtesy of the festival

Looking for the best Christmas light displays on Long Island? Check out our roundup of festive drive- and walk-through installations.

For a touch of holiday magic on Long Island, it's hard to beat the glow of a spectacular holiday light show or drive-thru Christmas display.

We've rounded up several of our favorite holiday light shows and drive-thru Christmas lights displays on Long Island and another few immersive, walk-through winter wonderlands you won't want to miss.

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

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2022 on Long Island: Turkey Trots, Light Shows, and Breakfast with Santa

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Tue, 11/22/2022 - 6:35am

The magical light displays at Old Westbury Gardens will captivate your family. Photo by the author

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this Thanksgiving weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the holiday weekend.

Work up an appetite for your Thanksgiving feast by participating in a family-friendly turkey trot on Thursday morning. Or, get some activity in by driving or walking through a lantern show or a light show. For a throwback feel, check out how Christmas was celebrated in 1863 at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

If you're more interested in indoor activities this holiday weekend, you can view miles of tracks and trains at the West Island Model Railroad Club Open House in Hicksville or the TMB Model Train Show in Farmingdale. Or keep the feast going by booking reservations to grab breakfast with jolly old St. Nick himself.

Check out other holiday shows and more ideas for seasonal fun in our Guide to Holiday and Christmas Events for Long Island Kids. And, as always, our Long Island Family Activity Calendar is a must-visit for picks any day of the week.

The Nutcracker Ballet and Other Holiday Shows for Kids on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 11/14/2022 - 7:14am

Eglevsky Ballet presents special performances of the timeless holiday classic "The Nutcracker." Photo courtesy of the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts

If your child is nuts about The Nutcracker, you don't have to go to New York City to see a great production—there are several top-notch companies performing the holiday favorite right here on Long Island, so ring in the holiday season by taking in a theatrical performance or two. Kids of all ages will enjoy the magic of music, storytelling, and dance in a classic performance of The Nutcracker.

Or, check out one of the other great holiday-themed shows hitting Long Island stages this season, like The Happy Elf and Frosty.

Read on for amazing holiday show options for families on Long Island in 2022. And be sure to check out our events calendar and Holiday Guide for more seasonal family fun.

Breakfast with Santa on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Sun, 11/13/2022 - 8:57am

Breakfast with Santa is a great way to celebrate the holiday season, and several Long Island venues are serving up the opportunity to hang with St. Nick over pancakes and eggs.

These events give the whole family a chance to fill up their tummies while enjoying a festive atmosphere. Kids can sit on Santa's lap, whisper toy requests in his ear, and snap a photo with the jolly old fellow himself. Be sure to snag reservations early, because some of these Long Island Santa stops fill up fast!