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 tree lighting in Wading River to a festive house tour in Cutchogue — 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
Riverhead Holiday Light Show
Long Island Sports Park, 149 Edwards Ave., Calverton
Nov. 21 through Dec. 31. The hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday.
The Riverhead Holiday Light Show, billed as the largest drive-through light show in Suffolk County, returns for a second year 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. 29 and 30; Dec. 7 and 8
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (early bird hour, 9 a.m. on Nov. 29)
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 Hallockville’s historic Naugles Barn get 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
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. Fridays 1 to 6 p.m.; Saturdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sundays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
eastendarts.org
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 shop is open Saturdays and Sundays, Nov. 30 to Dec. 15.
oysterpondshistoricalsociety.org
Carriage House Christmas Shop
The Village Green, Main Road, Cutchogue
Open weekends after Thanksgiving through Sunday, Dec. 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. The shop specializes in locally crafted products and specialty goods. All proceeds benefit the preservation of historic buildings on the Village Green.
cutchoguenewsuffolkhistory.org
Friday, Nov. 29
Annual Candlelight Tour
Southold Historical Society, Southold
3 to 6 p.m.
Southold Historical Society’s festive Victorian decorators have transformed the iconic Victorian home of Ann Currie-Bell into a magical Christmas setting from the past. Visit Santa and tour historic houses, the print shop, blacksmith shop, and other buildings. Throughout the complex, there will be craft demonstrations, games, raffles, and refreshments.
southoldhistorical.org
Mattituck Tree Lighting
Raymond Nine Park, Mattituck
7 p.m.
Annual tree lighting at the park in front of CVS.
mattituckchamber.org
Saturday, Nov. 30
Christmas in Mattituck
Mattituck-Laurel Historical Society grounds, Mattituck
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Holiday open house with caroling, a raffle, and visits with Santa. 5 p.m. tree lighting.
mlhistoricalsociety.org
Sunday, Dec. 1
Tree Lighting at East Wind
The Shoppes at East Wind, Wading River
3 to 7 p.m.
Stop by to visit Santa, enjoy a DJ and caroling and more holiday fun.
eastwindlongisland.com
Friday, Dec. 6
Tree Lighting at Orient Beach State Park
40000 Main Road, Orient
6:30 p.m.
Orient Beach State Park will host its 33rd annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony. Santa will light the tree and be available for pictures afterward. Hot chocolate and cookies will be served. In the spirit of the season, winter coats and non-perishable food items will be collected for families in need.
parks.ny.gov
Saturday, Dec. 7
Greenport Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting
5 p.m.
Greenport’s annual Mitchell Park tree lighting and holiday parade along Main and Front streets. Rain or shine.
Cutchogue Holiday House Tour
11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
This self-guided tour features five festively decorated stops. Four 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. Seasonal gifts will be available. A portion of the ticket proceeds will go toward stocking CAST’s food pantry and supporting the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council. A collection box for Toys for Tots will also be available.
Tickets are $79 plus tax.
cutchogueholidayhousetour.com
Tree Lighting, Caroling and Santa Visit
The Village Green, Main Road, Cutchogue
4:30 p.m.
Caroling and tree lighting at the Old Schoolhouse. Free to attend. The Christmas gift shop in the Carriage House will be open during this event. cutchoguenewsuffolkhistory.org
Webb House Holiday Party
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the holidays at the historic Webb House, an 18th-century tavern full of period furnishings and artwork from Oysterponds Historical Society’s collections. Festive decorations and delicious holiday fare welcome you to this elegant year-end party in Orient.
oysterpondshistoricalsociety.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
Southold Historical Society Holiday Fair
Southold Town Recreation Center, 970 Peconic Lane, Peconic
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Local artisans with holiday gifts, raffle, bake sale as well as a crafts room and face painting for children. Santa will greet children from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Photos with Santa and admission to the event are free.
southoldhistoricalsociety.org
Sunday, Dec. 8
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
Shelter Island Historical Society Holiday Open House
Havens Barn, 16 South Ferry Road, Shelter Island
1 to 4 p.m.
Take pictures with Santa in his workshop, make crafts and enjoy refreshments.
shelterislandhistoricalsociety.org
8th annual CFD Stuff the Sleigh 5K Run & Toy Drive
10 a.m.
Cutchogue Fire District, 260 New Suffolk Road, Cutchogue
The annual 5K race and walk benefits the Cutchogue Fire Department Scholarship Fund, the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, American Parkinson Disease Association and Heidi’s Helping Angels. 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 and the Mattituck Lions Club.
stuffthesleigh5k.com
Saturday, Dec. 14
Santa Day
Walgreens, Mattituck Plaza
10 a.m.
Visit with Santa in this annual Mattituck tradition from the Mattituck Chamber of Commerce.
mattituckchamber.org
Riverhead Santa Parade and Bonfire
Main Street, Riverhead
3:30 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: Sunday, Dec. 15.
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 the Village House. Tickets are $30 for non-members, $25 for members.
oysterpondshistoricalsociety.org
Mashomack Preserve Holiday Open House
2 to 5 p.m.
Festivities take place at the Mashomack Manor House, The Conservancy’s restored 19th-century Victorian mansion nestled in the heart of a 2,039-acre nature preserve. The event is family-friendly and free to attend. Explore the house, which will be decked in holiday décor for the occasion. And kids can take part in a nature-themed craft.
nature.org
‘A Christmas Carol’
North Fork Community Theatre, 12700 Old Sound Ave., Mattituck
8 p.m.
North Fork Community Theatre performs “A Christmas Carol” by David Sedaris. Tickets are $15. Continues on 12/15.
nfct.com
Sunday, Dec. 15
Santa Brunch
Long Island Aquarium, 431 E. Main St., Riverhead
Enjoy a buffet brunch in the waterfront Sea Star Ballroom, make a special take-home holiday keepsake and meet Santa.
Three seatings: 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.
$54.95, adults; $26.95, children ages 3 to 12. Admission to the aquarium is included in the brunch fee.
longislandaquarium.com
Sunday, Dec. 22
Menorah Lighting Ceremony
Mitchell Park, Front Street, Greenport
5 p.m.
Menorah Lighting Ceremony/Hanukkah blessings and songs will be led by 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.
Tuesday, Dec. 31
Fishes and Wishes New Year’s Eve party
Long Island Aquarium, 431 E. Main St., Riverhead
6:30 to 11 p.m.
Ring in the new year with your family. Buffet dinner, DJ, dancing and cash bar. Mock “midnight toast” at 10:30 p.m.
$99, adults; $60, children
longislandaquarium.com
New Year’s Eve celebration
The Shoppes at East Wind, Wading River
7 to 9 p.m.
Bring the kids for this family-friendly New Year’s Eve party featuring a DJ, noisemakers and a mock “midnight countdown” to 9 p.m.
eastwindlongisland.com