Holiday Activities on Long Island

The Best Holiday Activities & Christmas Events on Long Island (2025 Guide)

Looking for the best holiday activities and Christmas events on Long Island for kids? The holiday season has officially arrived, and the Island is glowing with family-friendly magic.

From dazzling lantern festivals to drive-thru light shows, festive walk-throughs, winter markets, and free community celebrations, there are endless ways to make memories with your little ones. Classic favorites like LuminoCity at Eisenhower Park, the Jones Beach Magic of Lights, and the beloved Animated Christmas Story at Hicks Nurseries return with new surprises, while towns across LI transform into sparkling holiday villages.

🎅 Best Christmas Events & Holiday Activities for Kids on Long Island (2025)

LuminoCity Fantasy Winter Fairyland – Eisenhower Park

📍 East Meadow✨ Running through January 1, 2026An immersive glowing walk-through filled with towering sculptures and fairytale scenes.

The Polar Express – Port Jefferson Station

📍 Port Jefferson Station✨ Running through December 21, 2025Board a magical rail car for cocoa, popcorn, cookies, and a screening of the holiday classic.

Riverhead Holiday Light Show – Drive-Thru

📍 Calverton✨ Running through December 31, 2025A mile-long drive-thru light show with huge displays and animated holiday scenes.

Christmas Animated Story – Hicks Nurseries (FREE)

📍 Westbury✨ Running through December 31, 2025A Long Island tradition featuring animated holiday scenes with Santa and his helpers.

Magic of Lights – Jones Beach

📍 Wantagh✨ Running through January 3, 2026Drive through glowing tunnels, themed LED scenes, and festive holiday vignettes.

Sayville Falls Holiday Light Show & Winter Garden

📍 Sayville✨ Running through January 12, 2026A glowing mini-golf course with thousands of lights, heated igloos, and great photo ops.

Girl Scouts Holiday Light Show & Enchanted Forest

📍 Shirley✨ Running through December 21, 2025Walk through an illuminated forest trail featuring giant displays and themed holiday zones.

Polar Express Trolley Ride – Calverton

📍 Riverhead✨ Running through December 23, 2025Ride to the “North Pole” for cookies, cocoa, Santa, and storytime on a festive trolley.

Huntington Holiday Spectacular (FREE)

📍 Huntington✨ Running through December 28, 2025Downtown Huntington transforms into a nightly holiday village with lights, Santa, and live entertainment.

Old-Fashioned Babylon Village Christmas (FREE)

📍 Babylon✨ One night only: December 5, 2025Festive fun including Santa photos, carousel rides, characters, and family activities.

Santa on the Farm: Holiday Pajama Party – Long Island Game Farm

📍 Manorville✨ One night only: December 5, 2025Wear your coziest pajamas for a night of stories, singing, and Santa.

Bayville Winter Wonderland

📍 Bayville✨ Running through January 2, 2026A full holiday amusement experience with rides, Santa’s Toy Factory, a holiday train, and more.

Freeport Holiday Boat Parade (FREE)

📍 Freeport✨ One night only: December 6, 2025Watch festively lit boats cruise along the Nautical Mile.

Santa at the Longwood Estate

📍 Ridge✨ One day only: December 6, 2025Sleigh rides, hot cocoa, train displays, and Santa pictures in a charming historic setting.

Port Jefferson Charles Dickens Festival (FREE)

📍 Port Jefferson✨ Running through December 7, 2025The entire village transforms into Victorian London with street performers and Dickens characters.

Stony Brook Village Holiday Festival (FREE)

📍 Stony Brook✨ One day only: December 7, 2025A festive day of live entertainment, kids’ activities, and seasonal cheer.

Winter Wonderland – Clark Botanic Garden (FREE)

📍 Westbury✨ Running through December 31, 2025Holiday lights, Santa visits, kids’ crafts, and cozy winter fun in the gardens.

Flying Santa Reenactment – Fire Island Lighthouse (FREE)

📍 Fire Island✨ One day only: December 13, 2025Watch Santa fly overhead in a reenactment of the 1953 “Flying Santa” tradition.

Long Beach Electric Light Parade (FREE)

📍 Long Beach✨ One day only: December 13, 2025Cars, floats, trucks, and bikes wrapped in lights parade down the West End.

Candlelight Evenings – Old Bethpage Village Restoration

📍 Old Bethpage✨ Running through December 29, 2025Lantern-lit strolls, Victorian carolers, historic homes, and holiday crafts.

🎁 Make This Holiday Season Magical

Long Island shines during the holidays — and whether you're strolling glowing festivals, sipping cocoa with Santa, or discovering new village traditions, these moments become memories your kids will never forget.

⭐ Insider Tips for Long Island Families

• Look for early-bird specials, coupon codes, and group deals

• Visit weekday mornings or early afternoons for calmer crowds

• Attend big light shows in early December to avoid the rush

• Visit markets and rinks midweek or early evening

• If an event is sold out, check extended dates into early January

🎄 Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the best Christmas events on Long Island for kids?

Generational favorites include the Animated Christmas Story at Hicks Nurseries, the Jones Beach Magic of Lights, and LuminoCity—which brings a brand-new glowing theme every season.