The festive evening kicks off at 3 p.m. with the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce’s “Goat on a Boat Puppet Theater” — followed by a craft for kids afterwards. 

A bonfire fueled by Carrick Tree Services’ donated firewood will roar the entire evening. And, throughout the night, the Peconic Bay Power Squadron and their volunteers will serve up free hot chocolate donated by the Riverhead Moose Lodge. 

With cocoa in hand, enjoy by the fireside the Riverhead BIDMA’s running of East End Merry Market, complete with holiday food, drink and artisan vendors for those looking to shop local for distinctive gifts. 

All the while, the Riverhead Free Library Mobile SLED Library offers another fun and interactive experience for the kiddos. From the annex building next to the town hall, East End Arts will have more yet more crafts and live music.

A crowd favorite — the Parade of Lights headed by the Riverhead Lions Club — is expected to take place a bit later than years past, this time at 4:30 p.m. The parade will begin on Ostrander Avenue, head west on Main Street, North of Griffing Avenue, before finishing at Riverhead Town Hall. Then, the town’s tree will be lit at 5:30 p.m.

Santa Claus will take time from his busy schedule to feature in the parade and then sit for a meet and greet photo op at the Santa House on site. 

The evening is sure to be a jolly good time for all who come on down.

For more information, visit the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce site at riverheadchamber.com.

The post What to expect at Riverhead’s 2025 Holiday Extravaganza appeared first on Riverhead News Review.

The Southold Historical Museum will hold its annual Candlelight Tour and Tree Lighting event on Friday, Nov. 28, from 3 to 6 p.m. at its Maple Lane Campus, located at 54325 Main Road, Southold. 

Enjoy wandering through twinkling lights and historic homes while listening to live music. Throughout the afternoon and evening, the museum will put on historic demonstrations that help bring the past back to life. Children have the chance to meet Santa Claus, join in Santa’s helper games on the lawn and watch the classic model railroad display. Seasonal treats and beverages will be available for purchase. The tree lighting itself will cap off the festive night at 5 p.m.

Admission is free, though donations are accepted and appreciated. For more information, visit southoldhistorical.org. 

On Monday, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m. at the George Young Community Center, located at 446 S. Jamesport Ave., Riverhead, the annual Jamesport Fire Department Christmas tree lighting will take place. Those interested in joining the celebration can expect hot chocolate, caroling and a visit from Santa Claus, who will be arriving via firetruck.

On Wednesday, Dec. 3, from 7 to 9 p.m., the annual Holiday Lighting at the Big Duck at 1012 NY-24, Flanders, will take place. Quackerjack, the Long Island Ducks baseball team mascot will make an appearance, and student from the Riverhead Middle School Show Choir will serenade the evening with duck carols. Eventgoers can also expect refreshments and a visit from Santa, who will arrive by firetruck. 

For more information, visit the event posting on Facebook.

The annual Holiday Tree Lighting at Orient Beach State Park will be held Friday, Dec. 5, at 4 p.m. All are welcome to enjoy music, snacks and hot cocoa prior to the tree-lighting led by Santa Claus at 5 p.m. While the event will have festivities aplenty, those who come are also encouraged to give back to their community by bringing lightly used coats and canned food items. Any donations are welcome and appreciated. 

For more information, visit the park’s event site here. 

On Saturday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m., the North Fork Animal Hospital will hold their yearly Tree Lighting and Remembrance at their headquarters on 58605 Rte. 25 in Southold. There will be a brief blessing, a few readings and the lighting of the hospital’s pet memorial tree. All are welcome to attend, and community members are encouraged to bring a photograph of a pet they wish to honor and remember. The photos will be displayed from Dec. 6 through to Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, and may be laminated on site.

For more information, please contact Jodie at 917-324-5931 or fostersandferals@gmail.com.

As part of the Greenport BID’s Greenport Holiday Events and Shopping Guide for 2025, the village’s Tree Lighting will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 4:30 p.m, at Mitchell Park. 

For more information, visit the BID’s website and event itinerary or the village’s website. 

Also on Saturday, Dec. 6, is the Riverhead Holiday Extravaganza. The festivities take place from 3 to 8 p.m. at Riverhead Town Hall, 4 W. Second St., Riverhead. At 3 p.m., there will be a puppet show and crafting session, with free hot chocolate. At 4:30 p.m., the Parade of Lights will begin. After this, eventgoers can take photos with Santa and enjoy the tree lighting. 

For more information, visit Riverhead Chamber of Commerce’s website at riverheadchamber.com.

As part of the Greenport BID’s Greenport Holiday Events and Shopping Guide for 2025, a Menorah Lighting event will be held Sunday, Dec. 14, at 5 p.m. at Mitchell Park. Following the lighting, eventgoers can enjoy refreshments and latkes at Congregation Tifereth Israel, located at 519 Fourth Street. Everyone is welcome to this event. 

For more information, visit the BID’s website and event itinerary here.

Also on Dec. 14, Temple Israel of Riverhead will be hosting a community menorah lighting at 5 p.m. at the Peconic Riverhead park. All are invited to participate. For more information, visit templeisraelriverhead.org.

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The event was originally scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 3.

The festivities will get underway on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. with a puppet show by “Goat on a Boat.” The ceremony will also feature performances from the Riverhead Middle School and High School choirs and East End Disabilities Associates and hot cider from the Riverhead Ciderhouse. The tree lighting is expected to take place at 5 p.m.

Rudolph’s River Run, a four-mile, holiday-themed walk/run scheduled for 9 a.m. on Dec. 3 will be held rain or shine. The run will start at Tanger Outlets and the route will take runners along the Peconic River before ending at the new Town Square.

According to the National Weather Service, rain and high winds are in the forecast for Saturday, with between a quarter and half of an inch of rain possible. Wind gusts up to 38 mph are possible, the weather service said.

Sunny skies are set to return Sunday, with highs in the mid 40s expected.

The holiday spirit will continue next weekend with the return of the popular holiday bonfire and parade. The Riverhead Lions Club will host the 70th annual holiday parade, starting at Osborn Avenue and West Main Street. The parade will go east and loop south to the Peconic Riverfront, where the 22nd annual bonfire will take place. The event will feature free hot chocolate and a visit from Santa.

The parade is scheduled for 3 p.m. and the bonfire and Santa House will be open from 4 to 6 p.m.

A rain date is set for Dec. 17. More information can be found here.

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