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11/23/25 - By Jaime Sumersille

Looking for FREE Christmas events on Long Island? Read on for tons of great options.

We love to visit decked out downtown areas during the holidays. At Miracle on Main Street in Sayville, we enjoy the ice sculptures, ice skating, and live reindeer sightings. At the old-fashioned Christmas in Bellmore, we love to ride in a horse and buggy and clip-clop down the town's main strip.

We're also looking forward to taking our eyes to the skies at the Fire Island and in East Hampton as Santa makes an aerial entrance in both areas. He is also in Riverhead ahead of a festive parade and bonfire. 

Any of these events will keep your family entertained, and you'll still be able to afford those last-minute gifts. Find all our top picks for holiday fun in our Long Island Christmas Guide. 

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Keep your eyes on the sky for Santa to arrive at the Fire Island Lighthouse! Photo courtesy of the Fire Island National Seashore
Keep your eyes on the sky for Santa to arrive at the Fire Island Lighthouse! Photo courtesy of the Fire Island National Seashore

Free Holiday and Christmas Events on Long Island in 2025

Sayville's Miracle on Main Street

Sayville
Saturday, November 29
Get in the holiday spirit during this annual Miracle on Main Street celebration throughout Sayville, complete with old fashioned fun, ice skating, trolley rides and much more.  READ MORE

Huntington Holiday Spectacular

Huntington
Saturday, November 29 - Sunday December 28, 2025
Stroll through the streets of downtown Huntington, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland. The nightly festivities include twinkling lights, ice carving, Santa, and other surprises. READ MORE

Winter on Wellwood

Lindenhurst
Sunday, November 30, 2025
Kick off the holidays with a visit to the Lindenhurst Village Square for Winter on Wellwood. This free, family-friendly day includes a visit from Santa, carousel rides, a holiday market, parade and more.  READ MORE

Bellmore Old-Fashioned Christmas Celebration

Bellmore
Friday, December 5, 2025
The annual holiday tree lighting and holiday extravaganza takes place in the Bellmore village area. Bedford Avenue is closed to vehicular traffic, making this a safe space for families to roam. READ MORE

Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers Open House

Levittown
Weekends, Friday, December 5-Sunday, December 14, 2025
Take a peek at Long Island's largest operating O-gauge train layout when the Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers holds an open house. READ MORE

SantaFest: Santa's Flying to Town in East Hampton

East Hampton
Saturday, December 6, 2025
During SantaFest in East Hampton, jolly ol' St. Nick arrives via helicopter ahead of the town's parade. READ MORE

Port Jefferson Village Annual Charles Dickens Festival

Port Jefferson
Saturday, December 6-Sunday, December 7, 2025
The Village of Port Jefferson magically transforms into the Dickens era with streets filled with roaming characters such as Father Christmas, Dickens Mayor, Scrooge, the town crier, and the beloved chimney sweeps. READ MORE

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

Riverhead & Greenport
Weekends, Saturday, December 6-Sunday, December 14, 2025
The Railroad Museum of Long Island invites guests to its free Holiday Open Houses with a special visit—via the rails—from Santa himself. READ MORE

Riverhead Holiday Extravaganza Parade and Bonfire

Riverhead
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Frosty temps are no match for downtown Riverhead’s annual holiday parade and riverfront bonfire. A free puppet show, crafts, and a seasonal walk-through light experience have all been added to the day's festivities. READ MORE

Holiday Lights and Market at Babylon Town Hall

Babylon
Saturday, December 6, 2025
Check out the festive decorations and holiday market at Babylon Town Hall. Kids can get their faces painted, take pictures with Santa, and everyone can stroll through the holiday market, complete with food trucks! READ MORE

Holiday Festival in Stony Brook Village

Stony Brook
Sunday, December 7, 2025
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s Annual Holiday Festival features celebrations, live entertainment, children's activities, a train and more.  READ MORE

Reenactment of the Flying Santa at the Fire Island Lighthouse

Fire Island
Saturday, December 13, 2025
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

CEED's Winter Solstice Festival

Brookhaven
Saturday, December 13, 2025
Enjoy live music from The North Folk, a Burn Bowl ceremony, cozy crafts, a storytime with the Brookhaven Free Library, warm drinks from The Mighty Bean, and plenty of seasonal fun for the whole family. READ MORE

Long Beach Electric Light Parade

Long Beach
Saturday, December 13, 2025
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
Saturday, December 13-Sunday, December 14, 2025
Join the Montauk Chamber and Visitors Center for its Magic of Montauk holiday event.  Stroll the lit holiday path around the town green, featuring holiday gift vendors, hot cocoa contest, children’s activities, festive treats, food trucks, beer and wine, live music, Santa meet and greet, and live reindeer. READ MORE

Three Village Electric Holiday Parade

East Setauket
Sunday, December 14, 2025
See a spectacular array of well-lit floats streaming down Setauket's Main Street during the annual Electric Holiday Parade. Santa makes an appearance and there is hot chocolate and cookies for all at the end. READ MORE

Chanukah Parade & Experience in Merrick

Merrick
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Celebrate Hanukkah with the Chabad Center for Jewish Life. Meet at the Merrick LIRR station for the lighting of the 12-foot menorah and other holiday festivities.  READ MORE

Central Operating Lines Model Train Open House

Bohemia
Saturday, December 20-Sunday, December 21, 2025
The Central Operating Lines Holiday Train show and open house boasts a huge layout spanning 23 scale miles. As an added holiday bonus, Santa will be on hand! READ MORE

Greenport Holiday Festival

Greenport
Through Saturday, December 20, 2025
Greenport's Holiday Festival lights up the village throughout December. Enjoy tree and menorah lightings, window decorations, crafts, and Santa visits.  READ MORE

Town of Islip Drive-Thru Holiday Lights

East Islip
Select dates through Monday, December 29, 2025
Bring the whole family to view the lights at Brookwood Hall Park as you drive through this festive holiday display. READ MORE

Christmas Animated Story at Hicks Nurseries

Westbury
Through Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Visiting the Christmas Children’s Story at Hicks Nurseries has been a family tradition on Long Island for generations. The walk-through Christmas story features Santa, his elves, and friends preparing for the holiday. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

CEED - Center for Environmental Education and Discovery
West Beech Street

About the Author

Jaime Sumersille
Jaime Sumersille, a mom of two boys in Bellmore, has been writing for Mommy Poppins for over a decade. She’s always exploring Long Island’s beaches, parks, and new attractions, and loves sharing those experiences on the site. Jaime enjoys adding her family’s perspective to Mommy Poppins’ mission.
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