Where To Find Holiday Lights This Season In Merrick

MERRICK, NY — There is no shortage of things to do in Merrick 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.

The Chabad of Bellmore-Merrick-Wantagh hosts a Chanukah menorah lighting on Sun., Dec. 18. Music will include in the celebration with the 12-foot menorah display.

On Wednesday, Dec 21, the Bellmore Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Chanukah menorah lighting. It takes place on Bedford Avenue and Broadway at 6 p.m.

The Bellmore Village Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Extravaganza are scheduled for Dec. 2 from 6-10 p.m. It will take place at the corner of Bedford Ave & Broadway/Petit Ave.

Christmas parades — often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands — are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally.

Several big parades are taking place this year, including the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade in Baltimore City, Maryland; and the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, California. Parades near Bellmore may not be able to match those in size, but the heart behind them is just as big. Parades to catch here at home include:

The 9th Annual Electric Light Parade in Long Beach. Antique cars, fire trucks, floats and bicycles will be wrapped in Christmas lights for this festive holiday parade. It begins on Ohio Avenue, and heads east on Beech Street to Grand Boulevard.

Prior to the menorah lighting in Merrick, the 16th Great Menorah Car Parade takes place. It starts at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life and ends at the LIRR Merrick station at the menorah.

Holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. Some to catch near Merrick are:

• Long Beach Farmers‘ Market holds the first “Light Up Long Beach Holiday Market,” on Fridays through Sundays as well as Wednesdays during the month of December.
• Rockville Centre Holiday Lights Contest, sign-up goes until Dec. 5
• In Malverne, the Holiday Light Tour and Scavenger Hunt take place on Sun., Dec. 4.