There's no better way to kick off the holiday season than to attend a Christmas tree lighting ceremony with your family. Here's where you can view them in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Tree Lightings in Nassau County
FREE Annual Tree Lighting
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 3, 7pm
WHERE: Farmingdale Main Street, Village Park and Gazebo
AGES: All
WHAT: Join local officials & the community for the annual holiday tree lighting featuring the Norway Spruce tree with LED lights at the gazebo on the village green.
WANT TO GO? 516-249-0093. http://farmingdalevillage.com/.
FREE Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Extravaganza
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 6, 6pm
WHERE: Veteran's Memorial, Bellmore Village, Southeast corner of Bedford Avenue and Broadway, Bellmore
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the Chamber of Commerce of the Bellmores for an old fashioned Christmas featuring Santa, the tree lighting, holiday music, horse and carriage rides, and more.
WANT TO GO? 516-679-1875. bellmorechamber.com.
FREE Gerngras Park Tree Lighting
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 6, 7pm
WHERE: Gerngras Park, 31 Staples St., Farmingdale
AGES: All
WHAT: See the lighting of the Gerngras Park tree.
WANT TO GO? 516-249-0093. http://farmingdalevillage.com/.
First Night and Tree Lighting
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 6pm and 7:30pm
WHERE: Old Westbury Gardens, 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury
AGES: All
WHAT: See the tree lighting, greet Santa, and hear the Bethel Concert Choir perform.
WANT TO GO? $15; $12 members; $10 ages 7-17; $7 ages 7-17 members; free for ages 6 and under. 516-333-0048. https://oldwestburygardens.org/2019calendar.
FREE Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 13, 5:30-8pm
WHERE: Planting Fields Arboretum, 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay
AGES: All
WHAT: Tree lighting takes place at 6pm sharp! Enjoy a snack at Magnolia cafe, visit with Santa, listen to carolers and stop in at the gift shop, all located in the Visitor Center. See the spectacular poinsettia display in the Main Greenhouse. Explore the grounds and buildings until 8pm. The Long Island Chamber Music Festival ensemble will play in Coe Hall.
WANT TO GO? 516-922-8600. plantingfields.org.
Tree Lightings in Suffolk County
FREE Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 6, 6:30pm
WHERE: Orient Beach State Park, 40000 Main Road, Orient
AGES: All
WHAT: The tree is lit by Santa and he is available for pictures afterwards. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.
WHY WE LOVE IT: It's a chance to give back! The Park will be collecting winter coats and non-perishable food items for families in need.
WANT TO GO? 631-323-2440. https://parks.ny.gov/events/event.aspx?e=106-25028.0.
FREE Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 6, 5:30pm
WHERE: Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Highway, Great River
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy a sing-a-long of traditional holiday carols while awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus to light the tree. Please bring canned goods or a new, unwrapped toy for those in need.
WANT TO GO? 631-581-1072. bayardcuttingarboretum.com/.
FREE Annual Brookhaven Town Tree Lighting
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 6, 6pm
WHERE: Holtsville Ecology Site, 249 Buckley Road, Holtsville
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy holiday entertainment from local singers and dance groups, costume character meet n' greets, as well as Santa's arrival via helicopter!
WANT TO GO? 631-758-9664. brookhavenny.gov.
FREE Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 4:15pm
WHERE: Belmont Lake State Park, 625 Belmont Road, North Babylon
AGES: All
WHAT: See Santa light the tree and then meet him inside the lobby. Families will also enjoy holiday music, fireworks, and entertainment including an ice sculptor and juggler.
WANT TO GO? 631-667-5055. https://parks.ny.gov/events/event.aspx?e=88-25026.0.
Tree Lighting Ceremony
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 5-7pm
WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
AGES: All
WHAT: Santa Claus will light the Hatchery's tree at 5:30pm. Enjoy cookies, tea, and hot chocolate.
WANT TO GO? Free admission after 5pm; $10 suggested donation. 516-692-6768. cshfishhatchery.org.
FREE Islip Arts Council Annual Orphans Tree Lighting in Brookwood Hall
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 7, 7-8:30pm
WHERE: Brookwood Hall, 50 Irish Lane, East Islip
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy caroling by local school groups, scouts, and other presentations.
WANT TO GO?
FREE Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 8, 5pm
WHERE: Heritage Park in Mount Sinai , 633 Mount Sinai Coram Road, Mount Sinai
AGES: All
WHAT: Hot chocolate and cookies, Christmas carols, and Santa Claus await at the official lighting of the Heritage Trust Christmas Tree.
WANT TO GO? 631-509-0882. https://msheritagetrust.org/.
FREE The 40th Annual Holiday Festival
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 8, 11am-6pm
WHERE: Ward Melville Heritage Organization's Educational & Cultural Center, 97P Main St., Stony Brook
AGES: All
WHAT: See 14-foot giant puppets on parade, hear live music, see a holiday train display, tell Santa what you want, and witness the tree lighting.
WANT TO GO? 631-689-5888. stonybrookvillage.com.
Main image: Christmas tree lightings are happening around Long Island.
Photo credit: Bigstock/OddsRatio.
