It’s fast approaching. That magical time of year when South Fork homes, neighborhoods and main streets begin to light up with holiday décor, adding an extra special sparkle to our every day lives. Starting this weekend (because, for the love of turkey, let’s give Thanksgiving all the attention she deserves before the big bad Christmas is truly upon us) there’s a slew of tree lightings, menorah lightings and plenty of local businesses hosting winter wonderland activities sure to keep folks of all ages merry and bright.
Remember, South Forkers, no matter what and how you celebrate, keep it classy and keep it kind. ‘Tis, after all, the season.
Ram’s Head Inn, 108 S. Ram Island Drive, Shelter Island. 631-749-0811.
Ram’s Head Inn hosts their annual “Winterfest Tree Lighting” this Saturday, November 25, from 2 to 6 p.m.. Attendees young and old are welcome to the Shelter Island locale for an afternoon of festive fun full of jolly vibes. The party they’re hosting has marshmallows for toasting plus hot chocolate and spiced (or for those over 21 spiked) apple cider. The kiddies can enjoy book readings with Angelina Ballerina author Katharine Holabird and Shelter Island’s own Jenifer Maxson (writer of The Whyyyyner Kids), at 2:30 and 3 p.m., respectively. The tree lighting is on for 4:45 p.m. and songstress Vanessa Trouble performs her “Christmas and Cold Weather Songs” set from 4 to 7 p.m..
East Hampton Village, Multiple. 631-324-0362.
On Saturday, December 2, the East Hampton Chamber of Commerce hosts a day-long holiday celebration throughout the village. Kris Kringle himself is expected to touch down in Herrick Park on Newtown Lane via helicopter at 10 a.m., with free donuts and hot cocoa for eager onlookers available thanks to the Dressen’s food truck. Santa arrives just in time for an 11 a.m. parade featuring he and his better half, Mrs. Claus, along with floats from community members and local businesses plus marching bands and civic groups. A holiday movie screens for free at Regal theater on Main Street at 1 p.m. and Mrs. Claus will be on hand to greet visitors just up the road at the Ladies Village Improvement Society from 2 to 4 p.m..
Additionally, from noon to 6 p.m., the lawn of Main Street’s Huntting Inn will be transformed into an ice-skating rink, offering free skating and skate rental. East Hampton Middle School choral group, The Bonnettes perform some holiday favorites at 3:45 on the village hall lawn. The day will draw to a close with a tree lighting situated near Old Hook Mill, across from the post office located on the corner of Pantigo and Gay Roads, at 5 p.m..
Eastport, Multiple.
The Eastport Chamber of Commerce hosts a Christmas tree lighting this Saturday, November 25, at 5 p.m.. Along with a complete holiday market and street sale (where they close off Main Street between Union and Tuttle Avenues from 3:30 to 7 p.m.!) featuring hours of shopping from local vendors, there’ll be a visit from Santa, with help from the Eastport Fire Department and the Eastport Bible Church. There’ll be plenty of activities for the kids, like a bounce house and holiday crafts, while adults can enjoy locally crafted food and drinks while they shop all afternoon.
Montauk Point Lighthouse, 2000 Montauk Highway, Montauk. 631-668-2544.
This Saturday, November 25, is the annual “Lighting the Lighthouse” at The End. Starting at around dusk, there’ll be free hot chocolate from Hampton Coffee Company along with holiday music from Sarah Conway and the Playful Souls. This year’s honoree is “Admiral” Ed Michels, former senior harbormaster for East Hampton town. On Sunday, November 26, all are welcome to come to the lighthouse to meet and snag a picture with Santa Claus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m..
Southampton Village, Multiple.
Southampton’s Christmas Decorations Committee (yeah, it’s a real thing) invites all to the tree lighting ceremony at Agawam Park this Saturday, November 25, at 5:30 p.m.. A village wide effort, the tree lighting will follow a parade of lights organized by the Southampton Chamber of Commerce beginning on Windmill Lane at 4:30 p.m.. Christmas music will be provided by Southampton High School’s Voices of Southampton and there’ll be a fireworks display immediately following the tree lighting.
East Quogue, Multiple.
East Quogue will host its “Holiday on Main” event on Saturday, December 2 from 2 to 6 p.m.. Presented by a slew of civic organizations, like the East Quogue Fire Department and Ladies Auxiliary, the East Quogue Chamber of Commerce and the East Quogue Beautification Committee, the afternoon is slated to feature over 65 local and artisanal vendors, live music, food and drinks, a pets costume contest called “Santa Paws” (how cute!), caroling, tree sales, pictures with Santa, and a whole lot of festive fun culminating in the annual lighting of the tree at the village green.
Canoe Place Inn, 239 E. Montauk Highway, Hampton Bays. 631-763-6300.
The second annual Christmas Tree Lighting is on Friday, December 1, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on the lawn of Canoe Place Inn in Hampton Bays. With a lighting of the tree slated for 5:15 p.m., adults and kids alike can enjoy Dickens carolers, fireside hot chocolate and marshmallow roasting. There’ll even be a visit from Old Saint Nick himself. Admission to the ceremony is free, with holiday beverages and snacks costing $15 for adults, $10 for kids.
Westhampton Beach, Village Green.
This year’s “Winter Festival” is Saturday, December 2, on the village green in downtown Westhampton Beach from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.. Presented by the Westhampton Beach Chamber of Commerce, festivities will include a Christmas tree lighting, along with erecting the menorah for the upcoming Hanukkah holiday, beginning around 5 p.m..
Hampton Bays Fire House, 69 W. Montauk Highway, 631-728-9191.
The annual Hampton Bays “Christmas Tree Lighting” is on Saturday, December 2, at the fire house on Main Street. While the tree lighting itself is slated from 5:45 to 6 p.m., there’s a whole bunch of festivities beginning at the Hampton Bays Fire House on Main Street from 5 to 7:30 p.m… There’ll be hot cocoa, smores, a taco truck and refreshments plus a gingerbread house contest, Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunt, opportunities for pictures with Santa and The Grinch, carolers, raffles and free gift bags for the kids.
Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce, 8 Wharf St., Sag Harbor. 631-725-0011.
Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce hosts “Light Up the Harbor” on Saturday, December 2, at 4:15 p.m.. Celebrating the spirit of the season, festivities will be on Long Wharf at the Bay Street Theater courtyard with the tree lighting set for around 5 p.m.. There’ll be music from Sarah Conway and the Playful Souls plus Dicken carolers. It’s a short but sweet ceremony and starts wrapping up around 5:30 p.m..
Every year East End Hospice’s annual “Tree of Lights” outdoor memorial services honor those special friends and family members who have passed on. Ornaments are hung on a tree in memory of a loved one. This year, there’ll be five celebrations at several East End locales, paying special tribute to those deceased loved ones with spoken remembrances and music. On Saturday, December 2, there’ll be a ceremony at the tree in front of Shelter Island Public Library at 2:30 p.m.. On Sunday, December 3, there’ll be ceremonies at the village green in Westhampton Beach, Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton, Old Hook Windmill in East Hampton, and at the village green in Cutchogue. All ceremonies are slated for 2:30 p.m.. If you’d like to include the name of a deceased loved one to be read aloud during a ceremony, call Chrissy Michne at 631-288-7080 or email [email protected].
