Visits With Santa, Winterfest, And More Merry Hamptons Holiday Happenings

Looking for some seasonal excitement?

Kick off the weekend with a Holiday Celebration at Brecknock Hall (1 Brecknock Road, Greenport, peconiclanding.com) on Friday, December 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The family-friendly soiree will include a visit from Santa, reading of The Night Before Christmas, hot apple cider, holiday cookies and caroling. Attendees may come donning festive sleepwear. Admission is free, but registration is required.

Whether you’re looking for a furry new addition for the family or not, all are welcome at Southold Animal Shelter’s (165 Peconic Lane, Southold, nfawl.org) Holiday Open House Party on Saturday, December 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The festive affair is family-friendly and pets are also welcome. Attendees can partake in pet portraits with Santa, gourmet goodies, and more. Admission is free.

While weather may have delayed Westhampton Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Winterfest by a week, your chance to take a trip around the world and revel in seasonal celebrations without actually leaving the Hamptons will be on Saturday, December 16. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. experience the magic of Italy, Polynesia, Santorini, Mexico, Germany, France, Israel, Japan, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, the UK, Canada, and the US with exotic bites, holiday classics, a visit from Santa, horse and carriage rides, marshmallow roasting, face painting, ornament crafts, and other exciting holiday activities. Festivities will take place on the Village Green, as well as at Westhampton Free Library, SugarDaddy Toy Store, and more. You can also take a free trolley to Buoy One and Mill Road House to sample craft been and great food. For more information, visit www.facebook.com.

Southampton Country Holiday’s It’s A Wonderful Village will wrap up on Saturday, December 16 with free horse and buggy rides at the Southampton Arts Center (25 Jobs Lane, Southampton, southamptonchamber.com), starting at 12:30 p.m.

Kris Kringle will be taking a break from readying for the biggest night of the year to make a special appearance during Santa @ The Square (Amagansett Square, 4 Amagansett Square Drive, amagansettsquare.com) on Saturday from 12 to 2 p.m. The joyous happening will also feature holiday carols by the Amagansett School Choral Ensemble.

Riverhead Free Library (330 Court Street, Riverhead, www.riverheadlibrary.org) is screening Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas on Saturday, December 16 at 2 p.m. Watch as Jack Skellington, King of Halloween Town, comes across Christmas Town, but his efforts to bring Christmas to his home are met with reluctance. Admission is free and registration is not required.

Quogue Library (90 Quogue Street, Quogue, www.quoguelibrary.org) is presenting a Holiday Story Traditional Staged Reading with Andrew Botsford and members of the Hampton Theatre Company on Sunday, December 17 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. The afternoon will feature a special old-fashioned radio-style reading of a holiday classic, hot chocolate and cider. Admission is free.