It's Starting To Look A Lot Like The Holidays: Hamptons Santa Visits, Tree Lightings, And Parade Of Lights

Once the last turkey drumstick and piece of pumpkin pie has been devoured, it’s time to turn our attention to Yuletide festivities, and Thanksgiving weekend in the Hamptons is filled with seasonal spirit.

Holiday happenings will take place throughout Montauk on Saturday, November 28th. The Annual Family Holiday Fun Day, sponsored by The Montauk Chamber of Commerce and Camp Soulgrow, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Montauk Yacht Club (32 Star Island Road). The complimentary celebration will include holiday crafts and tree ornaments, Christmas Karaoke, cider, cookies, and more. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., stock up on gifts during the Montauk Community Church Christmas Fair (850 Montauk Highway), which features a silent auction, Christmas decorations, new and used toys, handmade rugs and other gifts, and a visit from Santa Claus at 11 a.m. The Montauk Library (871 Montauk Highway) is hosting its Holiday Book Sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will showcase gift books, art books, cookbooks, children’s books, decorations, jewelry and much more. The 8th Annual Lighting of The Montauk Lighthouse (2000 NY-27) will take place from 4:30 to 7 p.m. (The rain date is Saturday, December 5th.) The evening will feature another appearance from Santa, holiday music and caroling, hot cider and snacks, pony rides for young children, and a special guest, who will turn on the lights and illuminate the Lighthouse, which will remain on through January 1st, 2016. For more information, visit www.montaukchamber.com.

The Montauk Lighthouse will remain aglow until the start of January. (Photo: /www.facebook.com)

Southampton Country Holiday is presenting its annual “It’s a Wonderful Village,” which begins over Thanksgiving weekend. On Saturday, November 28th, visit Southampton Village for Horse and Buggy Rides from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Rides depart from Southampton Arts Center (25 Jobs Lane). At 4:30 p.m., the Village will glow when decorated Fire Trucks from across the East End cruise through the Parade of Lights. The annual Christmas Tree Lighting at Agawam Park, with caroling by VOSH and MOSH will follow at 5:15 p.m. The merriments continue during a Holiday Reception with a visit from Father Christmas and refreshments at Southampton Cultural Center (25 Pond Lane). “It’s a Wonderful Village” continues on Saturday, December 5th with a holiday stroll featuring carolers, music, hot chocolate, cookies and more at the Southampton Chamber of Commerce (76 Main Street). Horse and Buggy Rides will depart from the Chamber from 1 to 4 p.m. and Kris Kringle will stop by from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. On Saturday, December 12th, holiday happenings will include Horse and Buggy Rides from Southampton Arts Center from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., and a Saint Nick visit and light refreshments at the Rogers Memorial Library (91 Coopers Farm Road) from 2 to 4 p.m. Festivities will wrap up on Saturday, December 19th, with Horse and Buggy Rides from Southampton Arts Center from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.southamptonchamber.com.

Sag Harbor is transforming into a winter wonderland. (Photo: www.facebook.com)

Stony Brook Southampton (239 Montauk Highway, Southampton, www.stonybrook.edu) will host the traditional holiday lighting of the Windmill and reception in Chancellors Hall on Friday, December 4th from 5 to 7 p.m. The event will include seasonal refreshments catered by the Amagansett Food Institute (AFI), music from the Southampton High School Brass Quartet, balloons by Mr. Twisty and crafts for children.

The Festival of Lights kicks off Westhampton Beach celebrations. (Photo: www.facebook.com)

Sag Harbor is transforming into a winter wonderland on Saturday, December 5th, during its Holiday Village (sagharborchamber.com). Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by firetruck at the Windmill at 3 p.m., which will be followed by caroling from the Pierson Chorus, a photo op with Father Christmas, and sweet treats donated by The Golden Pear at the Windmill. The big event, the Tree Lighting, will begin at 5 p.m., and feature caroling from the Girl Scouts.

The Greater Westhampton Chamber of Commerce (www.westhamptonchamber.com) is hosting its Festival of Lights at the Village Green on Saturday, December 5th at 6 p.m. The evening will include holiday classics performed by Westhampton students and a visit from Kris Kringle, who will arrive via firetruck at 6:30 p.m.

East Hampton Chamber’s Santa Parade (easthamptonchamber.com) will take place on Saturday, December 5th at 10 a.m. Father Christmas and his little helpers will ride along Main Street, turning on Newtown Lane and ending just before the railroad tracks around 11 a.m. After his trip around East Hampton, the big guy will say hi to his fans at the Palm at the Huntting Inn (94 Main Street) between 11:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.

Carolers spread holiday cheer in Hampton Bays. (Photo: www.facebook.com)

The Hampton Bays Chamber of Commerce (www.hamptonbayschamber.com) will present their annual Holiday Tree Lighting & visit with Santa on Sunday, December 6th at 4 p.m. Head to the Green for hot cocoa and cookies, courtesy of the Chamber and Hampton Bays Fire Department, a meet and greet with Saint Nick, and to watch the tree glow with holiday cheer.

The Annual Tree Lightning at c/o The Maidstone ( 207 Main Street, easthamptonchamber.com) will take place on Sunday, December 6th. The festivities will begin with holiday cookie decorating for kids at 4 p.m., followed by the lighting of the tree at 5:30 p.m.