Brighten Up Your Holiday with Hamptons & North Fork Lightings
Do you hear sleigh bells jingling? Chestnuts roasting on an open fire? Jack Frost nipping at your nose? Then the holiday season has finally arrived! With the transition from colorful fall to white winter comes a wave of community holiday lightings—from trees and menorahs to an iconic lighthouse and a very large waterfowl—that illuminates the East End and brings joy to all who gaze upon their beauty.
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On Saturday, November 24, Southampton Village kicks off the annual month-long holiday celebration It’s a Wonderful Village, featuring horse and buggy rides from Southampton Village Hall (23 Main Street) in the afternoon and the Parade of Lights from Windmill Lane to Agawam Park at 5 p.m. A spectacular fireworks display, the annual Christmas tree lighting and a holiday reception with Santa at the Southampton Cultural Center (25 Pond Lane) follow the parade. 631-283-0602, southamptonchamber.com
Also on November 24, Sarah Conway and the Playful Souls rock the annual Lighting of the Montauk Point Lighthouse with an eclectic mix of blues, rock, jazz and gospel. Return the next day from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. to meet Santa, enjoy caroling, taste yummy refreshments, pet farm animals and ride ponies. Montauk Point Lighthouse, 2000 Montauk Highway, Montauk. 631-668-2544, montauklighthouse.com
Then on Wednesday, November 28, join the Friends of The Big Duck and the East End community at 7 p.m. for the 30th Annual Lighting of The Big Duck. The iconic Flanders attraction, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, will be decked out in a luxurious scarf made of brightly colored Christmas lights and bushy green garland. The Big Duck, 1012 Flanders Road, Flanders. bigduck.org
On Saturday, December 1, Santa arrives at the iconic windmill at 3 p.m. for the Sag Harbor Holiday Village, where he’ll listen to the Christmas wishes of all the local children. Then at 5 p.m., the Long Wharf tree will be lit for the season. sagharborchamber.com
Also on December 1, wave to Santa and Mrs. Claus as they drive through the streets of the village aboard a decorated fire truck in the Greenport Parade of Lights, beginning at 5 p.m. Afterward, join local students in singing carols at the tree lighting in Mitchell Park and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. greenportvillage.com
East Hampton Village features a Saturday packed with holiday activities, beginning with the East Hampton Santa Parade at 10 a.m., featuring Town Crier Hugh King and Santa’s reindeer sleighing down Main Street toward Newtown Lane. Shop the Ladies Village Improvement Society (LVIS) holiday open house from 2–4 p.m. As soon as the store closes, head to The Maidstone Hotel (207 Main Street) for the official lighting ceremony, where you’ll enjoy live music, hot cocoa and children’s activities. easthamptonchamber.com
The Westhampton Beach Festival of Lights invites the community to join in a Christmas tree lighting, menorah lighting, visit from Santa and refreshments on the Village Green on December 1 at 5:30 p.m. westhamptonchamber.org
Saturday’s fun concludes with Wölffer Estate’s wildly popular Lighting of the Vines 2018 at 6 p.m. See 15,000 lights illuminate the vineyard, benefit cancer counseling organization Fighting Chance with a silent auction, dance to holiday jazz, eat scrumptious hors d’oeuvres and drink Wölffer’s famous wine. Tickets are $75. 139 Sagg Road, Sagaponack. 631-537-5106, wolffer.com
On Sunday, December 2, spread the light of season with the Chanukah MenorahCade, leaving from Chabad of the Hamptons in at 3:30 p.m. The parade goes through East Hampton to the Grand Menorah Lighting at Herrick Park, where the community will enjoy music, donuts, hot drinks and more. Chabad of the Hamptons, 13 Woods Lane, East Hampton. 631-329-5800, jewishhamptons.com
The Riverhead Community Menorah Lighting takes place on December 2 at 5:30 p.m., where tasty latkes will be served. RSVPs are requested. Peconic Riverfront Park, 40 Peconic Avenue, Riverhead. 631-727-3191, templeisraelriverhead.org
Stop by the Holiday Tree Lighting at the Shoppes at East Wind on Sunday to drop a letter in Santa’s mailbox, meet the big man himself, dance to the tunes of a live DJ and enjoy more holiday fun. 5768 NY-25A, Wading River. 631-929-3500, eastwindlongisland.com
Shine your Chanukah light with friends and family at the Amagansett Menorah Lighting on Tuesday, December 4, where you’ll enjoy music, donuts and hot drinks. The flagpole at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and Main Street, Amagansett. 631-329-5800, jewishhamptons.com
The Montauk Menorah Lighting takes place on Thursday, December 6 and features music and refreshments. Kirk Park Beach, 95 South Emerson Avenue, Montauk. 631-329-5800, jewishhamptons.com
Stony Brook University Southampton holds its annual Southampton Windmill Lighting on Friday, December 7 at 5:30 p.m. A special lecture follows at 7:30 p.m. 39 Tuckahoe Road, Southampton. stonybrook.edu/southampton.
Starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 8, the Dickens Carolers will serenade Hampton Bays from the Lyzon Hat Shop to Good Ground Park (9A Squiretown Road). At 4:20 p.m. join the community for the Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting, take a photo with the Grinch and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. You’re encouraged to bring a non-perishable donation for the Heart of the Hamptons food pantry. 631-728-8585, southamptontownny.gov
Finally, the Chabad of the Hamptons welcomes the community to the Chanukah Bowl on Sunday, December 9 at 3:30 p.m., where you’ll enjoy snacks, crafts, music and bowling, and you’ll help light the bowling pin menorah. Reservations appreciated. East Hampton Indoor Tennis, 175 Daniels Hole Road, East Hampton. 631-329-5800, jewishhamptons.com