As always, if an event piques your interest, click through to our listing for all the details, including addresses, times, and recommended ages. And keep in mind: Really cool things to do with kids often book up quickly, so register or buy your tickets ASAP.

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Insider Tips for Families Enjoying Holiday Fun on Long Island

• Look for early bird specials, coupon codes, or group deals–the more the merrier!
• Plan your holiday outings on weekday mornings or early afternoons to enjoy a calmer atmosphere before evening crowds arrive.
• Visit popular light shows and winter festivals right after they open for the season–early December tends to be less busy than the week of Christmas.
• For outdoor holiday markets and ice-skating rinks, aim for midweek visits or early evening hours to enjoy festive lights without long lines.
• If you are shut out of an event/activity before the holiday, check the run dates, as they often go until the first weekend of January. 

Christmas Events on Long Island

Q: What are the best Christmas events on Long Island for kids?
A: For as long as we can remember, a stroll through the free animated Christmas story at Hicks Nurseries is a holiday favorite that spans generations. Other longstanding traditions include driving through the Jones Beach Magic of Lights, which adds new illuminated elements each year. At the same time, LuminoCity switches up its luminescent theme for a brand new visitor experience. Be sure to look for the Long Island kid-created installations, which are done in partnership via a contest with the Long Island Children's Museum. 

Q: Where can kids see Christmas lights on Long Island?
A: Walk through the Fantasy Winter Fairyland-themed light show at LuminoCity at Eisenhower Park, or drive through the Jones Beach Magic of Lights show along Ocean Parkway. Stroll through the Enchanted Forest at the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County's Holiday Light Show or wander through an 18-hole mini golf course that's been transformed into a light show at Sayville Falls.

Q: What holiday activities are free on Long Island?
A: Free holiday fun includes daily festivities at the Huntington Holiday Spectacular, a walk-through, animated Christmas story at Hicks Nurseries. Families can also step back in time at the Port Jefferson Village Annual Charles Dickens Festival. 

Q: Where can we meet Santa on Long Island?
A: Families can visit with Santa at Hicks Nurseries on select dates for photos, greet him at the Long Island Game Farm with furry little friends, head to the historic Longwood Estate for cocoa and a sleigh ride with the jolly ol' fella, or even watch him fly overhead at the Fire Island Lighthouse.