What to eat, drink and experience on the North Fork this month
1. A Suffolk celebration
Ring in 2026 at The Suffolk (118 E. Main St., Riverhead, 631-727-4343) with beats from That 70’s Band, an open dance floor and plenty of fun. Buy tickets for the Dec. 31 event at thesuffolk.org/event/the-suffolk-54-new-years-eve/.
2. Trot through the trees
Burn holiday calories at the Jingle Bell Jog 5K and Rudolph’s Fun Run at Lewin’s Christmas Tree Farm (709-201 Fresh Pond Ave., Calverton, 631-929-4327) on Dec. 6. Sign up at runsignup.com/race/ny/calverton/jinglebelljog5kandrudolphsfunrun/.
3. Do-it-yourself décor
Make your own evergreen-based wreath with dried flowers and berries on Dec. 6 at the Hallock State Park meeting room (6062 Sound Ave., Riverhead). Presented by Peconic Land Trust, you can register at peconiclandtrust.org/get-involved/events/event/holiday-wreath-workshop.
4. Blend with the best
RGNY is bringing wine pros to The Shoals (61600 Main Road, Southold, 631-657-8351) on Dec. 6 to teach you how to make your own red blend. Book your spot at liwines.com/event/create-your-own-rgny-red-blend-at-the-shoals/.
5. Get gifting
The Southold Historical Museum will host its Annual Holiday Fair on Dec. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Buy unique presents from a variety of local artisans and fill up on baked goods at the Southold Town Recreation Center (970 Peconic Lane, Peconic, 631-765-5182). For more information visit southoldhistorical.org.
6. A flowing exhibit
Through Dec. 13, see the Fluid Patterns exhibit, which explores water through patterns in the context of climate change, at East End Arts (133 E. Main St., Riverhead, 631-727-0900). Learn more at eastendarts.org/fluid-patterns/.
7. Meet and be merry
A buffet, open bar, DJ and great prizes are all part of the Big Little Holiday Party at East Wind Long Island (5720 NY-25A, Wading River, 631-929-6585) on Dec. 18. Book your spot at eastwindlongisland.com/event/big-little-holiday-party/.
8. Deck the delicious halls
Celebrate the season with the annual Gingerbread Decorating Festival at Hallockville Museum Farm (6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead, 631-298-5292). With opportunities to decorate every weekend in December, you can register at hallockville.org/events/gingerbread-university-in-naugles-barn-11/.
9. Sparkling lights make a splash
Enjoy a dazzling display of electricity at the same place you swim every summer with the Riverhead Holiday Light Show at Splish Splash (2549 Splish Splash Drive, Calverton, 631-727-3600). With dates all month through Dec. 31, you can buy tickets at holidaylightshow.com/riverhead.
10. A party for all ages
Do New Year’s Eve at the Long Island Aquarium (431 E. Main St., Riverhead, 631-208-2900, ext. 426) with the whole fam on Dec. 31 with a cocktail hour, music, dinner and treats, plus an animal meet-and-greet. Purchase tickets at longislandaquarium.com/events/fishes-wishes-new-years-eve-family-style-party/.
