East End Holiday Season Spectaculars: Festive Parties, Celebrations, Workshops And More

Feeling like a Scrooge this holiday season? Here are several East End events that will leave you feeling jolly.

Bring the kids to repurpose an old book and make it into a bookworm holiday tree at the Riverhead Free Library (330 Court Street, Riverhead, 631-727-3228, www.riverheadlibrary.org) on Friday, December 9th from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

SoFo’s Holiday Tree For The Birds. (Photo: www.facebook.com)

South Fork Natural History Museum (377 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike,
Bridgehampton, 631-537-9735, sofo.org) will host its annual Decorate A Holiday Tree For The Birds Family Workshop on Saturday, December 10 at 10:30 a.m. Attendees will create bird-friendly decorations for a holiday tree, using seeds, suet, and dried fruits. Once you’re done with your masterpieces, you’ll even be able to take some of them home to make your own “holiday tree” for the birds.

Little ones can satisfy their sweet tooth and show off their creative side during a Gingerbread Cookie Decorating at The Hampton Library (2478 Main Street, Bridgehampton,631-537-0015, hamptonlibrary.org) on Saturday, December 10th from 12 to 2 p.m.

Southampton Country Holiday’s “It’s a Wonderful Village” continues on Saturday, December 10th with Horse and Buggy Rides from Southampton Arts Center (25 Jobs Lane) from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m., and a visit from Santa at the Rogers Memorial Library (91 Coopers Farm Road) from 2 to 4 p.m. “It’s a Wonderful Village” wraps up on Saturday, December 17th with Horse and Buggy Rides from Southampton Arts Center from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.southamptonchamber.com.

A Charlie Brown Christmas is screening at Quogue Library.

Join Quogue Library (90 Quogue Street, Quogue, 631-653-4224, www.quoguelibrary.org) for a screening of A Charlie Brown Christmas on Saturday, December 10th from 1 to 2 p.m. Attendees of the Christmas tradition will leave with a seasonal present from the Library – a “Charlie Brown” seedling that they can take home.

The Hampton Library is hosting a Gingerbread Cookie Decorating class. (Photo: Nicole Barylski)

Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (76 Main Street, Westhampton Beach, 631-288-1500, www.whbpac.org) will present The Nutcracker, with dancers from WHBPAC’s Arts Academy program alongside professionals, on Saturday, December 10 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 11th at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Set to Tchaikovsky’s outstanding score, watch as Clara takes an unforgettable journey to the Land of the Sweets during the iconic ballet.

Get ready for the holidays at the Montauk Library (871 Montauk Highway, Montauk, 631-668-3377, www.montauklibrary.org) who will hold a Holiday Gift Making workshop on Saturday, December 10th from 2 to 3 p.m. Attendees can create handmade gifts for friends and family members, such as a hand painted nutcracker, gift in a jar, or beach-themed holiday ornament.

The 30th Annual Holiday Reception at the Manor House (79 South Ferry Road, Shelter Island, 631-749-1001, www.shelterislandchamber.org) will take place on Saturday, December 10th from 2 to 5 p.m. The festive afternoon will include caroling and light refreshments.

The Chequit’s 2015 holiday tree. (Courtesy Photo)

A Harbor Bells Christmas Concert will take place at Bridgehampton Presbyterian Church (2429 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton) on Saturday, December 10th at 4 p.m. The annual performance will feature “Stairway to Heaven.” Attendees are asked to bring a non-perishable food item that will be donated to the Food Pantry. For more information, contact Valarie Bell at 631-725-2948.

The Chequit (23 Grand Avenue, Shelter Island Heights, 631-749-0018, www.thechequit.com) will host its Second Annual Tree Lighting Party and Benefit on Saturday, December 10th from 4 to 6 p.m. The evening will include cookie and ornament decorating, a Santa Photo Booth, carolers donning Victorian finery, mulled wine, hot apple cider and hot chocolate, a bake sale that supports the Shelter Island Historical Society and a raffle.

Quogue Historical Society (114 Jessup Ave, Quogue, 631-996-2404, quoguehistory.org) will host its Holiday Open House at the Pond House on Saturday, December 10th from 5 to 6 p.m. An illustrated talk, So You Think You Know Long Island, by local historian Gene Horton, will follow at the Fire House from 6 to 7 p.m. The entertaining presentation will be packed with fascinating tidbits about the area, including its geography, history, people, and landmarks.

Southampton Historical Museum (17 Meeting House Lane, Southampton, 631-283-2494, www.southamptonhistoricalmuseum.org) will host Hearthside Cheer – a celebration of the pleasures of the holiday season at the Captain Albert Rogers Mansion – on Saturday, December 10th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Rogers Mansion will be decked out in stunning seasonal embellishments and guests will enjoy a holiday sing-along, plentiful hors d’oeuvres, indulgent sweets, and a bar.

Southampton Historical Museum is hosting Hearthside Cheer. (Courtesy Photo)

Long Island Aquarium (431 East Main Street, Riverhead, 631-208-9200, www.longislandaquarium.com) will present its annual Santa Brunch on Sunday, December 11th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hampton Bays residents will enchant the East End community during Hampton Bays Rotary Holiday Harmonies, a holiday concert, at the Hampton Bays High School (88 Argonne Road East, Hampton Bays, 631-332-7390, www.hamptonbaysrotary.org) on Sunday, December 11th from 3:30 to 5 p.m.