As the holidays approach, the North Fork offers no shortage of events to get you into the festive spirit. Here are some holiday happenings — from a light show in Riverhead to a shellfish celebration in Greenport — to keep you busy through December.
Be sure to check your local libraries, churches and museums for other events. Also, visit northforker.com for up-to-date information on holiday happenings throughout the North Fork and Shelter Island.
ALL SEASON
East End Arts Holiday Gift Boutique
East End Arts, 133 E. Main St., Riverhead
Handmade ornaments, one-of-a-kind jewelry and wearables, unique home goods, crafts and more. Boutique runs through Dec. 22.
eastendarts.org
Riverhead Holiday Light Show
Long Island Sports Park,
149 Edwards Ave., Calverton
Nov. 23-25, 29 and 30;
Dec. 1 and 2, 6-9, 13-16, 20-29
The new Riverhead Holiday Light Show has been billed as the largest drive-through light show in Suffolk County, featuring dozens of dazzling displays to delight the entire family. riverheadlightshow.com
Hallockville Country Parlor Holiday Folk Art & Gift Show
Hallockville Museum Farm
6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead
Nov. 23-25; Dec. 1 and 2
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Country Parlor sells handmade gifts, holiday décor and treasures for everyone on your list. Find hand-carved Santas and elves; gift baskets filled with local soaps; hand-hooked rugs and ornaments; hand-woven baskets; hand-knit shawls, scarves, mittens and gloves; jewelry and trinkets; ornaments and more. Come see the historic Naugles Barn at Hallockville be transformed into a winter wonderland filled to the brim with holiday delights. Free admission to the gift show, plus holiday shopping specials at Miss Ella’s Gift Shop in the Hudson House. hallockville.com
Beach Plum Shop
Old Point Schoolhouse
1555 Village Lane, Orient
Unique gifts, North Fork art, traditional crafts, ornaments and much more. Proceeds benefit the Oysterponds Historical Society Museum. The store runs Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 24 to Dec. 9. oysterpondshistoricalsociety.org
Carriage House Christmas Shop
The Village Green, Main Road, Cutchogue
The Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Society is hosting an old-fashioned Christmas shop from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Carriage House on the Village Green weekends from Saturday, Nov. 24, to Sunday, Dec. 16. cutchoguenewsuffolkhistory.org
FRIDAY, NOV. 23
Southold Historical Society Candlelight Tour
Southold Historical Society museum complex, Southold
3 to 6 p.m.
Festive Victorian decorators will decorate the complex’s buildings, Santa will visit and there will be craft demonstrations and more for this free event. The showhouses can also be viewed Nov. 24 and 25 and Dec. 1 and 2 with the purchase of a $10 ticket. southoldhistorical.org
SATURDAY, NOV. 24
Christmas in Mattituck
Mattituck-Laurel Historical Society grounds, Mattituck
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Holiday open house with caroling, a raffle and visits with Santa. 5 p.m. tree lighting. mlhistoricalsociety.org
SATURDAY, DEC. 1
Southold Historical Society Holiday Fair
Southold Town Recreational Center, Peconic
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Vendors and artisans will sell items fit for holiday gifts. There will also be a bake sale and the opportunity for photos with Santa.
Admission is free.
Shellabration
Greenport Village
Noon to 4 p.m.
Greenport Shellabration is a restaurant walk that features $5 small plates and $3 tasting pours. For two days, wristbands will grant guests access to enjoy the very best culinary creations of Greenport’s leading chefs. shellabration.li
Greenport Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting
5 p.m.
Greenport’s annual Mitchell Park tree lighting and holiday parade along Main Street and Front Street. Rain date: Dec. 2.
Tree Lighting, Caroling and Santa Visit
The Village Green, Main Road, Cutchogue
4:30 p.m.
Caroling and tree lighting in the Old Schoolhouse. Free to attend. The Christmas gift shop in the Carriage House will be open during this event. cutchoguenewsuffolkhistory.org
Annual Wooden Wonderland: Carvers’ Holiday Show & Sale
Suffolk County Historical Society
300 West Main St., Riverhead
10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Dozens of vendors, handmade carvings, artisan-crafted holiday gifts and unique wooden items expertly made by Long Island craftspeople, plus live woodcarving and woodworking demonstrations. See historic galleries come to life in a display of holiday arts and crafts, ornaments, home décor, rustic Santas and gnomes, woodcarvings and assorted gifts. Free admission. suffolkcountyhistoricalsociety.org
SUNDAY, DEC. 2
Shellabration
See Dec. 1
Shelter Island Historical Society Holiday Open House
Havens Barn, 16 South Ferry Road,
Shelter Island
2 to 4 p.m.
Take pictures with Santa in his workshop, make crafts and enjoy refreshments. shelterislandhistoricalsociety.org
Menorah Lighting Ceremony
Mitchell Park, Front Street, Greenport
5 p.m.
Menorah Lighting Ceremony/Hanukkah blessings and songs will be led by Rabbi Gadi Capela of Congregation Tifereth Israel in Mitchell Park. Following the ceremony, latkes (potato pancakes) and other holiday fare will be served at the temple to all participants in celebration of the festival of lights.
SATURDAY, DEC. 8
‘The Santaland Diaries’
Jamesport Meeting House,
1590 Main Road, Jamesport
8 p.m.
The North Fork Community Theatre performs “The Santaland Diaries” by David Sedaris. Tickets are $15. nfct.com
Cutchogue Holiday House Tour
11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Self-guided tour features five stops. Four festive bed-and-breakfasts and The Old House in Cutchogue will be decked out in holiday cheer and decorations, with tastings from local vineyards and local bites from noted chefs. In addition, Toys for Tots donations will be collected at select stops for North Fork families in need. A portion of the proceeds will provide families in need with a turkey dinner this holiday season. Tickets are $79 plus tax. cutchogueholidayhousetour.com
Oysterponds Holiday House Tour
Noon to 4 p.m.
Annual tour through Orient and East Marion private homes decorated for the holiday season, as well as Orient Congregational Church and Village House. oysterpondshistoricalsociety.org
Riverhead Santa Parade and Bonfire
Main Street, Riverhead
3 p.m.
Parade sponsored by the Riverhead Lions Club in downtown Riverhead, immediately followed by a bonfire, sponsored by the Riverhead Business Improvement District Management Association on the Peconic Riverfront with complimentary hot chocolate. Rain date: Dec. 9. riverheadbid.com
SUNDAY, DEC. 9
‘The Santaland Diaries’
Jamesport Meeting House
1590 Main Road, Jamesport
2:30 p.m.
See Saturday, Dec. 8
7th annual CFD Stuff the Sleigh 5K Run & Toy Drive
Cutchogue Fire District
260 New Suffolk Road, Cutchogue
10 a.m.
The annual 5K race and walk benefits the Cutchogue Fire Department Scholarship Fund, the Firefighter Cancer Support Network and the American Parkinson Disease Association. There will also be a children’s fun run. In addition to the entry fee, runners are asked to bring a new unwrapped toy that will be donated to Southold Town CAST. cutchoguefiredept.org
Sylvester Manor Tree Lighting
80 N. Ferry Road, Shelter Island
Noon to 3 p.m.
66th annual Holiday Tea & Tree kicks off the yuletide season at the Manor House with traditional tea service, delicious treats and lively holiday music. sylvestermanor.org
SATURDAY, DEC. 15
A Jazzy Holiday with the Transitions Saxophone Quartet
Custer Institute
1115 Main Bayview Road, Southold
6:30 p.m.
A jazz-infused concert of holiday favorites including Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride,” music from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” selections from “The Nutcracker” and jazz arrangements of popular holiday tunes. Stargazing (weather permitting) will follow. Suggested donation: $5, adults; $3, children under 12. custerobservatory.org
SUNDAY, DEC. 16
Santa Brunch
Long Island Aquarium
431 E. Main St., Riverhead
Three seatings: 10 to 11:30 a.m.,
noon to 1:30 p.m. and 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Buffet brunch and photos with Santa
$54.95, adults; $26.95, children ages 3 to 12. Admission to the aquarium is included in the brunch fee. longislandaquarium.com
MONDAY, DEC. 31
Fishes and Wishes New Year’s Eve party
Long Island Aquarium
431 E. Main St., Riverhead
6:30 to 11 p.m.
Buffet dinner, family fun, entertainment, DJ and more at this kid-friendly event. “Midnight” toast at 10:30 p.m. longislandaquarium.com
