Times … and dates: Dec. 12 to Dec. 19, 2024
Ongoing
Holiday Light Show
The Riverhead Holiday Light Show, 149 Edwards Ave., Calverton is back for its 7th season on various days from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31. The largest drive-through light show in Suffolk County features dozens of dazzling displays to delight the entire family! For schedule and tickets, visit www.holidaylightshow.com.
Festival of Trees
Visit the Festival of Trees, a month long extravaganza to kick off the holiday shopping season, on the second floor of the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 E. Broadway, Port Jefferson Dec. 1 through Jan. 2 (except Dec. 25) from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free. 631-802-2160
Thursday Dec. 12
Garden of Lights
Sachem Public Library, 150 Holbrook Road, Holbrook will hold its 6th annual Garden of Lights: Once Upon a Snowfall walk-through light show for all ages tonight and Dec. 13 from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Free but donations including nonperishables, pet supplies and toys accepted at the gate for those on need. 631-588-5024
Nutcracker Holiday Show
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook will be presenting the Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, one of the most often performed jazz versions of the holiday classic, today, Dec. 13, Dec. 19, Dec. 20 and Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.. The show will feature The Jazz Loft’s 17-piece Big Band, led by Tom Manuel, and Danny Bacher on vocals. Tickets are $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students and $25 children. www.thejazzloft.org
Friday Dec. 13
Garden of Lights
See Dec. 12 listing.
Winter Wonderland Holiday Festival
Spirit of Huntington Art Center, 2 Melville Road North, Huntington Station will hold a Winter Wonderland Holiday Festival today from noon to 3 p.m. and Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy musical performances, cookie and tree deocrating, hot chocolate, desserts, eggnog, custom train mural and layout and holiday craft fair (Saturday only).
Drive Through Live Nativity
Stony Brook Christian Assembly, 400 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook will hold its annual Drive Through Live Nativity tonight and Dec. 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. Take a trip back in time to experience the magic and mystery of the first Christmas. This is a free event. No tickets or registration required. 631-689-1127
Grounds and Sounds Concert
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 380 Nicolls Road, East Setauket hosts a Grounds and Sounds concert featuring award-winning singer/songwriter Rupert Wates at 8:15 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m, with an open mic at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person at the door, by calling 631-751-0297 or at www.groundsandsounds.org.
Nutcracker Holiday Show
See Dec. 12 listing.
Holiday Concert
North Shore Community Band will hold its annual Holiday Concert at St. John the Baptist Church, 1488 North Country Road, Wading River at 7:30 p.m. Come and enjoy a fun and festive night of holiday music. Tap your toes, sing along, and listen to your seasonal favorites. Bring the children for a visit and a story by a very special guest! Free admission.
Avalon Astronomy Night
The Observatories at Avalon Nature Preserve, Shep Jones Lane, Stony Brook will host a live observing session, The Planets and the Moon, (weather permitting) from 8:30 p.m. till 10:30 pm. Using their telescopes, they will be providing both digital and visual views of the Moon and the outer planets of our solar system. Free. Dress for the weather. 631-689-0619
Saturday Dec. 14
Winter Wonderland Holiday Festival
See Dec. 13 listing.
Drive Through Live Nativity
See Dec. 13 listing.
Santa on the Farm
Santa returns to Long Island Game Farm, 489 Chapman Blvd., Manorville by popular demand. Meet the jolly fellow in the heated Woodland Hall today, Dec. 15, 21, and 22 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 11 a.m. to noon, and 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Bring your camera to take treasured family photos, visit with the animals, and enjoy holiday crafts. $35 per person. www.longislandgamefarm.com
Northport Winter Craft Fair
Northport High School, 154 Laurel Hill Road, Northport hosts the 31st annual Winter Craft Fair today and Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Long Island’s largest indoor craft fair showcases over 200 exhibitors featuring original art, photography, one of a kind crafted jewelry, woodcraft, textiles, apparel, personalized ornaments, organic specialties as olive oils, soaps, bath & body butters, jellies, chocolates and bakery delicacies, teas and local honey, and much more. Free admission. 631-846-1459.
Holiday Gift Fair
Farmingville Residents Association will hold their annual Holiday Gift Fair at Gambino Catering Hall, 2005 Route 112, Medford from 10 am. to 4 p.m. Featuring over 50 vendors, live music, Chinese auction, 50/50 raffle, and a visit from Santa. Free admission. 631-260-7411
Snow Globe Selfies
Drop by Comsewogue Public Library, 170 Terryville Road, Port Jefferson Station to take a photo in a life-size snow globe provided courtesy of Mather Hospital and Northwell Health today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or Sunday, Dec. 15 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Bring your own device for taking and saving photos. Snow globe holds 5 people; no high heels, please. No registration required. 631-928-1212
Holiday Craft and Vendor Fair
Comsewogue High School, 565 North Bicycle Path, Port Jefferson Station presents its 6th annual Craft and Vendor Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Featuring over 50 vendors, student club fundraisers, pictures with Santa and so much more. 631-474-8179
SBU Holiday Market
Stony Brook University, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook will host a Holiday Market in the Student Activities Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Come shop for holiday gifts from local small business vendors.
All Souls Poetry Reading
The Second Saturdays poetry series returns to All Souls Church via Zoom from 11 a.m. to noon. Wendy Trontz will be the featured poet. An open reading will follow; all are welcome to read one of their own poems. For more information, please call 631-655-7798. Participants can access the program through the All Souls website https://www.allsouls-stonybrook.org/
Holiday Gift Bazaar
Gallery North, 90 North Country Road, Setaukets presents their annual Holiday Gift Bazaar in the gallery and the Studio from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Featuring some of the area’s finest jewelry, textiles, pottery, and more! ‘Tis the season to shop local. 631-751-2676
Ronkonkoma Holiday Market
Station Yards, 9 Hawkins Ave., Ronkonkoma hosts a Holiday Market today and Dec. 21 around the Village Green from noon to 4 p.m. Shop from a curated selection of local vendors and artisans, offering unique gifts, handmade goods, and seasonal treats—perfect for holiday gifting and supporting our community’s small businesses.
Interplay Jazz Orchestra Family Show
The Jazz Loft, 275 Christian Ave., Stony Brook presents an Interplay Jazz Orchestra Family Show at 1 p.m. The 17-piece big band co-directed by Joe Devassy, trombone & Gary Henderson, trumpet is a Jazz Loft tradition. This is a wonderful concert to introduce live Jazz to children and grandchildren. It’s a holiday family affair! $40 adults, $35 seniors, $30 students. And $25 for children. www.thejazzloft.org
Holiday Craft Fair
Looking for one of a kind, homemade holiday gifts? Backstage Studio of Dance, 200 Wilson St., Port Jefferson Station presents their 2nd annual Holiday Craft Fair from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Shop from over 40 vendors, take photos with Santa, and sign up for holiday workshops including cookie decorating and ornament making. 631-502-3643
Vanderbilt Candlelight Tour
Enjoy some holiday magic on an evening Candlelight Tour of the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s decorated Spanish Revival waterfront mansion, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Renowned designer and author Tricia Foley has decorated eight mansion rooms. The Asharoken, Centerport, Dix Hills, Nathan Hale, and Three Village garden clubs have decorated an additional eight rooms. $15 per person. www.vanderbiltmuseum.org
Lantern Light Tour
The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce invites you to celebrate the holiday season with the Port Jefferson Lantern Light Tour from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tour 3 holiday decorated homes in Port Jefferson Village, visit an outdoor hospitality home offering beverages & snacks and tour the holiday decorated Mather House Museum. $40 per person. Other packages also available. Rain date is Dec. 15. To order, call 631-473-1414 or visit www.portjeffchamber.com.
Tricycle Trio in Concert
First United Methodist Church, 603 Main St., Port Jefferson hosts the Tricycle Family Trio Holiday Concert at 7:30 p.m. Join Andrew, Cole and Andie Fortier for a night of music, love, family and friends. Tickets are $30, $20 for students. Advance sale only by visiting www.gpjac.org.
LISCA Winter Concert
The Long Island Symphonic Choral Association presents their annual winter concert, Into the Light, at St. James R.C. Church, 429 Route 25A, East Setauket at 8 p.m. Under the direction of Richard Foley, the program will include works by Bernstein, Brahms, Sweelinck, Hagerman and Rutter accompanied by a 16-piece orchestra. Reception with refreshments to follow. Tickets, available at the door (cash or check) or at www.lisca.org are $25 adults, $20 seniors, free for students, $10 for livestream.
LIGMC Holiday Concert
The Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus presents its “Make a Joyful Noise” holiday concerts, featuring songs about the joy of singing and the hopeful spirit of the season, at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 380 Nicolls Road, East Setauket at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 available online at ligmc.org/concerts and at the door.
Caroline Campbell in Concert
Stony Brook University’s Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook presents violinist Caroline Campbell (pop rock) in concert in the Recital Hall at 8 p.m. With special guest pianist Chloe Flower. Tickets range from $58 to $71. To order, call 631-632-2787 or visit www.stallercenter.com.
Northport Charity Concert
The Viki Sorrentino Foundation (VSF) presents its second annual Holiday Concert,“The Night Before Christmas,” in the Joshua Hartt Room located at the First Presbyterian Church, 330 Main St., Northport at 7 p.m. Join them for an evening filled with holiday cheer and musical celebration, all while raising vital funds for the VSF scholarship program. www.thevsf.org. Snacks and desserts will be served. $15 per person at the door.
Sunday Dec. 15
Santa on the Farm
See Dec. 7 listing.
Northport Winter Craft Fair
See Dec. 14 listing.
Snow Globe Selfies
See Dec. 14 listing.
Holiday Party for Wildlife
Join Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown for a Sunday Funday Holiday Party for Wildlife on Dec. 15 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Get into the holiday spirit with live music, animal presentations, photo ops with special wildlife guests and fun holiday crafts. Bring a small gift for wildlife (wish list is on website). $15 per child, $5 per adult. Register at www.sweetbriarnc.org.
Northport Walking Tour
Join the Northport Historical Society, 215 Main St., Northport for a Historic Main Street Walking Tour with guide Dan Sheehan at 1:30 p.m. Travel back in time as you hear the stories of the people and landmarks that helped shape Northport, including Jack Kerouac, the Northport Oyster Barons, Rum Runners and the Trolley.All ages welcome. $15 per person. To register, visit www.northporthistorical.org. 631-757-9859
Dickens in the Gallery
Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook presents Dickens in the Gallery from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by the Carriage Museum to meet roaming costumed street characters from the Dickensian era as they magically transform the galleries into London of a bygone century. Included with museum admission. In collaboration with the Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council. www.longislandmuseum.org.
Island Sound Brass Quintet Concert
Le Petit Salon de Musique at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 380 Nicolls Road, East Setauket continues its concert series with a holiday celebration by the Island Sound Brass Quintet at 2 p.m. Featuring Daniel Jones, Matthew Verso, Shaun Cagney, Noah Fotis-Larsen and Matthew Nienow, the program features Christmas carols and more. Tickets in advanace and at the door are $20 adults, $15 students, $10 ages 12 and under. lepetitsalon.org
Wishing Tree Lighting
Celebrate St. James hosts a Wishing Tree Lighting at the St. James Community Cultural Arts Center, 176 2nd Street, St. James at 4 p.m. Take part in a holiday sing-along with Lighthouse Theatre, enjoy hot chocolate and cider and browse the CSJ gift shop. To register, visit www.celebratestjames.org. 631-984-0201
Electric Holiday Parade
The Three Village Rotary presents the Annual Holiday Parade along Main Stree and Route 25A in Setauket at 5 p.m. This year’s parade will showcase a variety of illuminated floats, music and entertainment, creating a magical evening for families and residents of all ages. Parade kicks off at Setauket Elementary School and ends at Setauket Veteran’s Memorial Park. Pre-Parade Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. at Setauket Pond Park. Rain date is Dec. 22. www.3vholidayparade.com
Sunday Street Concert at the LIM
The Long Island Museum, WUSB 90.1 FM and The Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council present the last Sunday Street concert of 2024, “Byrds Fly South,” at the Long Island Museum’s Gillespie Room, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 5 p.m. The concert will celebrating the songs of The Byrds featuring ‘Full Circle’ (Pete Mancini, Rich Lanahan, Gerry McKeveny, Mark Mancini, and Bill Herman) and special guests. Advance tickets are $21 at www.sundaystreet.org with tickets at the door for $25 (cash only) or click here.
Sing Noel! Concert
St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Prospect St., Huntington presents Sing Noel!, a concert of songs, carols and stories, at 7 p.m. with soprano Lynn Norris; mezzo-soprano Leslie Valentine, tenor Douglas Purcell, bass Larry Long, and Christine Doré on piano. Meet the artists and enjoy some holiday cheer after the concert. Tickets are $20 adults, $10 seniors, students and veterans. To order, visit www.stjohnshuntington.org/concerts. 631-427-1752
Monday Dec. 16
No events listed for this day.
Tuesday Dec. 17
NSJC Social Club event
North Shore Jewish Center Social Club, 385 Old Town Road, Port Jefferson Station invites the community to a Holiday Sing Along at 11 a.m. Listening to good songs is nice but nothing raises your spirits than actually singing — it’s good for your soul and your health. Bagels, cream cheese and coffee will be served. $5 per person, $4 members. 631-928-3737
Wednesday Dec. 18
No events listed for this day.
Thursday Dec. 19
Nutcracker Holiday Show
See Dec. 12 listing.
Live Nativity
Caroline Episcopal Church, 1 Dyke Road Setauket will present a live Nativity from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Witness the miracle of Christmas in the church’s historic carriage shed, with real barn animals (courtesy of Steppin’ Out Ponies), Christmas music, roasted marshmallows and hot chocolate for all! Free. 631-941-4245
Native American Drumming
All Souls Church Rectory, 5 Mill Pond Road, Stony Brook hosts an evening of Native American Drumming Meditation from 7 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Led by elder drummer, Ric Statler, drumming meditation seeks to integrate the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual parts of the human self, creating a state of well-being. Call 631-655-7798 for more information.
Dance
Nutcracker Ballet
Seiskaya Ballet’s Nutcracker returns to Staller Center’s Main Stage, 100 Nicolls Road, Stony Brook on Friday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are $45 and $38 for children under 12 and seniors aged 62+. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit nutcrackerballet.com.
Theater
‘Winter Wishes’
Saints Philip and James R.C. Church, 1 Carow Place, St. James presents a holiday musical cabaret, Holiday Wishes, on Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 adtuls, $20 seniors, $10 teens, $5 children ages 12 and under. To order, call 516-272-6597
‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’
Step into a world of pure imagination this holiday season as the John W. Engeman Theater, 250 Main St., Northport presents Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from Nov. 14 to Dec. 29. Join young Charlie Bucket and four other lucky Golden Ticket winners as they embark on an unforgettable journey through Willy Wonka’s magical candy factory. With beloved songs from the 1971 film, this production promises to be a treat for the entire family. For tickets, call 631-261-2900 or visit www.engemantheater.com.
‘A Christmas Carol’
“I will honor Christmas in my heart…” Celebrate the season with the 40th annual production of A Christmas Carol at Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson from Nov. 9 to Dec. 28. Follow the miser Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey that teaches him the meaning of Christmas — past, present, and future. Tickets are $40 adults, $32 seniors and students, $25 children ages 5 to 12. To order, call 631-928-9100 or visit www.theatrethree.com.
‘It’s A Wonderful Life’
Smithtown Performing Arts Center, 2 East Main St., Smithtown presents It’s A Wonderful Life from Dec. 7 to 29. Based on the story “The Greatest Gift” by Philip Van Doren Stern, this beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve. Tickets are $35 adults, $32 seniors, and $25 students. To order, call 800-595-4849 or visit www.smithtownpac.org. See review on page B16.
‘A Christmas Carol’
The Minstrel Players present their annual production of A Christmas Carol at Houghton Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 Main St., Northport on Dec. 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 15 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 adults, $15 seniors and students. To order, call 516-361-7232.
CALENDAR DEADLINE is Wednesday at noon, one week before publication. Items may be mailed to: Times Beacon Record News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733. Email your information about community events to [email protected]. Calendar listings are for not-for-profit organizations (nonsectarian, nonpartisan events) only, on a space-available basis. Please include a phone number that can be printed.
