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Thanksgiving Weekend Best Things To Do on Long Island: Holiday Lights, STEM Fun, and More

Bayville Winter Wonderland offers magical holiday fun. Photo courtesy of Bayville Winter Wonderland
Bayville Winter Wonderland offers magical holiday fun. Photo courtesy of Bayville Winter Wonderland
11/24/20 - By Kimberly Rae Miller

As Long Islanders gather together this week to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, it's time to start making seasonal plans. There are plenty of safe and socially distanced destinations popping up all over the island, whether your crew is into sparkling drive-thru holiday light shows, wants to enjoy Winter Wonderland on the Farm, or something completely different. Our Holiday Guide is overflowing with fun annual traditions and new favorites.

If you're waiting until after the turkey is carved to start celebrating the holidays, why not cue up some of these Thanksgiving crafts and games, enjoy a family beach walk or a late fall family hike?

No matter your interest, you can find plenty more things to do in our Long Island Event Calendar.

Editor's note: While we are trying to promote safer activities that occur outdoors or with social distancing guidelines in place, please keep your family and others safe by always wearing a mask and maintaining appropriate social distancing. If you arrive at an event that appears too crowded, try using the “nearby” search feature on our Event Calendar to find something else to do.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

See the Christmas classic The Polar Express at the Gateway Drive-in Theater. Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers
See the Christmas classic The Polar Express at the Gateway Drive-in Theater. Photo courtesy of Warner Brothers

Best Things To Do on Long Island This Week With Kids

Explorium Express

Port Jefferson
Wednesday, November 25, 2020, through Sunday, January 3, 2021
Full STEAM ahead. Each week, the Explorium Express takes visitors on a unique and immersive experience of science, technology, engineering, art, and math using all your senses. Each visitor receives an interactive and personalized experience with the staff. READ MORE

Gateway Drive-in Theater: The Wizard of Oz

Bellport
Friday, November 27
The largest outdoor screen on Long Island welcomes movie fans for a family-friendly showing of The Wizard of Oz. Load up the family then drive-in and cozy up while watching Dorothy and her band of friendly misfits. Proceeds benefit The Gateway Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County. READ MORE

Bayville Winter Wonderland

Bayville
Friday, November 27, 202o, through Friday, January 1, 2021
Bayville Winter Wonderland is back for another magical season on Long Island! Families can explore a variety of festive attractions, from Santa’s Toy Factory Funhouse and a cheerful holiday train ride to ice skating, rock climbing, and character meet-and-greets. READ MORE

Gateway Drive-in Theater: The Polar Express

Bellport
Saturday, November 28
All-aboard for this seasonal holiday favorite. Load up the family, pack some snacks, then drive-in, and cozy up while watching The Polar Express from the comfort and safety of your car. Proceeds benefit The Gateway Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County. READ MORE

Farm Winter Wonderland

Yaphank
Saturday, November 28
Join the Suffolk County Farm for its Winter Wonderland series, including lights, crafts, and cocoa. Don't forget your camera; these scenic holiday experiences provide a stunning backdrop for family holiday photos.  READ MORE

Crafts + Moms Free for Mothers Day at the Whaling Museum

Cold Spring Harbor
Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29
Treat mom to a day of culture and rich Long Island history at the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum, where mothers enjoy FREE admission this Mother’s Day with the purchase of a regularly priced children's ticket. READ MORE

Bright Nights at the Vanderbilt Museum

Centerport
Weekends through Sunday, December 20
Immerse yourself in a magical wintertime walk on the grounds of the Vanderbilt Museum, where the estate is decked out in holiday lights and themed decor. Festive eats are available, and Santa and friends await visitors and their wishlists. READ MORE

Riverhead Holiday Light Show

Calverton
Daily through Sunday, December 20
Visitors enjoy an incredible drive-thru experience featuring a mile of holiday light displays at the Riverhead Holiday Light Show.  READ MORE

Jones Beach Magic of Lights Drive-Thru Show

Wantagh
Daily through Saturday, January 2, 2021
The Magic of Lights drive-thru spectacular returns to Jones Beach and Nassau County's South Shore this holiday season. The display is stacked with themed LED lighting displays and digital animations, plus plenty of returning favorites. READ MORE

Christmas House Long Island

Riverhead
Daily through Sunday, January 10, 2021
Christmas House Long Island is an indoor, fully immersive 45-minute walk-through experience celebrating Christmas. Get ready to snap some festive selfies in rooms like the Christmas Carnival, Polar Bar, North Pole Movie Theater, Christmas House Video, Harry Potter Christmas, and more.  READ MORE

Ice Skating on the Port Jefferson Harbor

Port Jefferson
Daily through Saturday, March 6, 2021
The Rinx outdoor ice skating rink is a seasonal experience along the majestic Port Jefferson harbor. Drop in for public skating or schedule a private/group lesson. READ MORE
Enjoy the magic of Macy's Santaland at Home. Photo by Jody Mercier
Enjoy the magic of Macy's Santaland at Home. Photo by Jody Mercier

Top Virtual Events This Week

Native Cinema Showcase

FREE
Daily through Friday, November 27
The National Museum of the American Indian’s Native Cinema Showcase is an annual celebration of the best in Native film, and for this year's 20th-anniversary showcase, the museum presents the full program online — streaming new films, fan favorite classics, and conversations with filmmakers. READ MORE

Macy's Santaland at Home

FREE
Friday, November 27 through Thursday, December 24
Macy's beloved holiday tradition goes online for safe, socially distant Santa visits in 2020. Following Santa's appearance in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, he'll take up residence in his virtual Santaland, welcoming visitors and accepting wish lists nationwide. READ MORE

Story Pirates Sleep Squad Show

Daily through Monday, December 7
The Story Pirates launch kids into... sleep. The  sketch comedy troupe launches Sleep Squad, a family-friendly, interactive virtual theater experience that turns the viewer’s home into a rocket ship launching kids into dreamland. This world premiere on-demand production offers a new kind of bedtime ritual for kids ages 4 to 12. READ MORE

Personalized Live Zoom Calls with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Daily through December 26
Bring Santa and Mrs. Claus into your home for a video call from the North Pole. Santa and Mrs. Claus are professional actors playing these roles for their 10th Christmastime season. Fabulous costumes and background provide an authentic experience. READ MORE
The Riverhead Holiday Light Show is the largest drive-thru light show in Suffolk County. Photo courtesy of the festival
The Riverhead Holiday Light Show is the largest drive-thru light show in Suffolk County. Photo courtesy of the festival

More Things To Do on Long Island This November

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows from NYC in 2025

Cue the holiday music, pack a thermos of hot cocoa, and hit the road for a holiday lights show. READ MORE

Holiday and Thanksgiving Volunteering Opportunities for Kids and Families on Long Island

Give back at these local organizations this holiday season. READ MORE

Snap Your Holiday Card Photos at These Beautiful Long Island Landscapes

These gorgeous backdrops on LI are worthy of your holiday cards. READ MORE

20 Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities on Long Island in 2025

Theses are our picks for the best in holiday fun on Long Island. READ MORE

Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains near NYC in 2025

Relive the classic story with one of these magical train rides. READ MORE

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About the Author

Kimberly Rae Miller
Kimberly Rae Miller is the best-selling author of the memoirs Coming Clean and Beautiful Bodies. Before making little humans, she made her mark as an award-winning health and fitness writer, with credits in AARP, SELF, Women’s Health, Dr. Oz the Good Life, and Eat This! Not That!, among others. With her two tots in tow, she’s ventured into more mom related musings, with a regular column in Cal Grocer Magazine as the Mommy Blogger, Scary Mommy, and of course Mommy Poppins. She can be reached at kim@mommypoppins.com.
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