Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Bay Shore: Parades, Tree Lightings, More

BAY SHORE, NY — There is no shortage of things to do in Bay Shore to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.
Tree and menorah lightings in Bay Shore:

November 26

• 16th Annual Miracle on Main Street
• Main Street, Sayville
• 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Gear up for a winter-filled day of magic as the Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce officially welcomes the holiday season. The event kicks at 10 a.m. with the Holiday Parade. Guest can then enjoy Winter Wonderland from 11a.m. to 3p.m., with activities such as open trolley rides, ice skating, and crafts. In the evening, the event will feature the annual gingerbread competition, ice sculptures, live reindeer, and a 6:30 p.m. tree lighting.

December 2

• Holiday Tree Lighting-Bayard Cutting Arboretum
• Bayard Cutting Arboretum, 440 Montauk Hwy, Great River, NY, 11739
• 5:30 p.m.
• Town of Islip Holiday Drive-In Movie and Light Show
  • Brookwood Hall, 50 Irish Lane, East Islip
  • 5 p.m.
  • Get into the holiday spirit while staying in the comforts of your warm car. Guests will experience dazzling drive-thru Holiday Light Show, followed by a viewing of The Santa Clause at Brookwood Hall at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but all are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for donation.

December 3

• Town of Islip Holiday Festival & Market
  • Brookwood Hall, 50 Irish Lane, East Islip
  • 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Step right into the holiday spirit with the Town of Islip's annual Holiday Festival & Market, featuring a gingerbread house competition, ice skating, an ice carving demonstration, a fire pit with s'mores, food and craft vendors, and of course, Santa Claus. A holiday parade will take place at 4 p.m., followed by a 5 p.m. tree lighting. Shuttle buses will be provided.

December 6

• East Islip Community Chamber of Commerce's Tree Lighting
  • Craig B Gariepy Memorial Park, Lowell and Connetquot Ave., East Islip
  • 5:30 p.m.
  • Join the East Islip Community Chamber of Commerce for an evening of tree lighting and musical holiday celebrations. Enjoy the performances of local band The Reactions, RCK Band and Chorus, dancers, baton twirlers, East Islip Theater Company, and everyone's favoite — Santa Claus.

December 18

• Menorah Lighting
• Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce, 175 N Main St, Sayville
• 6 p.m.
• Join the Greater Sayville Chamber of Commerce as they celebrate Hanukkah with a special menorah lighting, candle lit prayers, music, Hanukkah gelt, and mouth-watering potato latkes.

If you know of more tree or menorah lightings, or any holiday events, be sure to share in the comments.