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Hanukkah Celebrations, Peppa Pig, and More Things To Do on Long Island This Weekend

Get ready to snap some festive selfies as you explore the Christmas House in Hicksville. Photo by the author
Get ready to snap some festive selfies as you explore the Christmas House in Hicksville. Photo by the author
12/8/23 - By Jaime Sumersille

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

Seek out some old-fashioned holiday fun at the Old-Fashoined Babylon Village Christmas or the Magic of Montauk Holiday Celebration this weekend. Festive Hanukkah celebrations light up Manhasset and Brightwaters as well. Peppa, George, Mummy Pig, and Daddy Pig are throwing a Peppa Pig Sing-Along Party and you are invited to the Tilles Center to join in the fun.

Look up in the sky - it's a bird, it's a ... Santa! The jolly ol' fella turns into Flying Santa at the Fire Island Lighthouse this weekend. Or experience fun photo ops, games, and other nostalgic fun at Christmas House Long Island, housed at the Broadway Commons this holiday season.

We've got plenty more ways to make merry in our Long Island Kids' Guide to Christmas and the Holidays, including our favorite holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows and the best places to take pictures with Santa on Long Island.

More Things To Do on Long Island this Week with Kids

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Frosty air is no match for downtown Riverhead's annual holiday parade and riverfront bonfire. Photo courtesy of Downtown Riverhead BID
Frosty air is no match for downtown Riverhead's annual holiday parade and riverfront bonfire. Photo courtesy of Downtown Riverhead BID

Best Things To Do on Long Island this Weekend with Kids

Old-Fashioned Babylon Village Christmas

Babylon–FREE
Friday, December 8
Join the Babylon Chamber along Deer Park Avenue for an evening of old-fashioned Christmas fun. Enjoy s'mores, hot chocolate, ice skating, a carousel, and more.  READ MORE

Holiday Model Train Exhibit at Town of Babylon History Museum

Babylon–FREE
Friday, December 8-Sunday, December 10
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

West Island Model Railroad Club Open House

Hicksville–FREE
Friday, December 8-Sunday, December 10
West Island Model Railroad hosts its annual open house on three weekends this winter. View its 5,600-square-foot model railroad, operating on 11 miles of double tracks. READ MORE

Holiday Spectacular at the Holtsville Ecology Site

Holtsville
Friday, December 8-Sunday, December 10
Marvel at festive lighted displays for the holidays and take your photo with Santa during this indoor walk-through show hosted by the Holtsville Ecology Site. READ MORE

The Nutcracker & The Tale of the Radiant Princess Puppet Shows at the Wang Center

Deer Park
Saturday, December 9
The Wang Centers presents two original shadow puppet shows with intricate illustrations and lighting palettes that move from black and white to riotous color. Featuring animated characters and stories from Asian folk tales and a holiday favorite, the two shows will transport viewers to worlds of magic and wonder. Immerse yourself in captivating tales of love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of destiny.  READ MORE

Super Family Saturday: The Art of Illustration with Tim Miller

Roslyn
Saturday, December 9
Join Nassau County Museum of Art for an arts-filled day with author and illustrator Tim Miller as he reads his newest book, Izzy Paints. The program includes an illustration demo and an immersive art-making activity designed to activate your imagination and creativity. READ MORE

Reenactment of the Flying Santa at the Fire Island Lighthouse

Fire Island–FREE
Saturday, December 9
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

Riverhead Holiday Parade and Bonfire

Riverhead-FREE
Saturday, December 9
Frosty temps are no match for downtown Riverhead’s annual holiday parade and riverfront bonfire. Join the fun along the scenic Peconic Riverfront with free hot cocoa. READ MORE

PaleyLand Holiday Weekend: Meet Santa, Snoopy, and More!

New York City
Saturday, December 9
Step into the happy hullabaloo of PaleyLand and enter a Peanuts paradise! Capture a picture-perfect moment with Snoopy and scoop up a FREE Snoopy keepsake (while supplies last). Then cozy up for an exclusive screening of the heartwarming new Snoopy holiday special, Happiness Is Holiday Traditions, and craft Snoopy-themed masterpieces at the arts and crafts station.  READ MORE

Long Beach Electric Light Parade

Long Beach-FREE
Saturday, December 9
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–FREE
Saturday, December 9
Join the Montauk Chamber and Visitors Center for its Magic of Montauk holiday event. Follow the decorated holiday path to seek out fun around every corner.  READ MORE

The Nutcracker at Ballet Long Island

Ronkonkoma
Saturday, December 9
Audiences at Ballet Long Island's Nutcracker will marvel at this ballet. Follow Clara as she embarks on a journey filled with brave soldiers, dancing snowflakes, and excitement. READ MORE

Peppa Pig Sing-Along Party at The Tilles Center

Greenvale
Saturday, December 9
Peppa, George, Mummy Pig, and Daddy Pig are throwing a Sing-Along Party and you are invited to join in the fun.  READ MORE

Elf Workshop at the Long Island Explorium

Port Jefferson
Saturday, December 9
Join Long Island Explorium for an enchanting Elf Workshop where young minds explore the magic of STEM.  READ MORE

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

Greenport–FREE
Saturday, December 9 & Sunday, December 10
The Railroad Museum of Long Island invites guests to its free Holiday Open House with a special visit—via the rails—from Santa himself. READ MORE

Photos with the Grinch at Three Dog Bakery

Bellmore–FREE
Saturday, December 9 & Sunday, December 10
Three Dog Bakery in Bellmore hosts two days of holiday photos with the Grinch. READ MORE

Hanukkah on Main Street

Brightwaters–FREE
Sunday, December 10
Join the Chabad of Islip in the festive celebration of light, featuring a giant ice blue and white menorah. Plus, be on the lookout for a chocolate gelt drop. READ MORE

AdvoKids at LICM: Human Rights Day

Garden City
Sunday, December 10
The December AdvoKids program focuses on Human Rights. Visitors will learn about what human rights are, and the importance of working together to make sure we all have equal rights. Visitors will then make a Helping Hand Wreath; symbolizing communities working together.  READ MORE

Manhasset Hanukkah Festival

Manhasset-FREE Sunday, December 10
Enjoy a menorah lighting, a live performance by the Manhasset High School Band, latkes & donuts, and a break dance performance by Emphasis Entertainment. READ MORE

Christmas House Long Island

Hicksville
Daily through Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Christmas House Long Island is an indoor, fully immersive walk-through of all things Christmas. Get ready to snap some festive selfies as you explore this holiday haven   READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Town of Babylon History Museum
West Beech Street