Holiday house tours on Long Island
Quick Summary
The spirit of Christmas will once again come alive across Long Island with an array of holiday house tours, tree-lighting ceremonies and caroling on village greens.
Photo credit: Linda Chong Haber | There are holiday house tours happening across Long Island throughout December.
The spirit of Christmas will once again come alive across Long Island with an array of holiday house tours, tree-lighting ceremonies and caroling on village greens.
Featuring homes, museums and churches rich in history and adorned with handmade items or period treasures, these annual tours not only raise money for nonprofit organizations but help bring communities together during this festive season.
Here are some of the tours that will spread good cheer throughout our towns and villages over the next few weeks.
DECEMBER 3
North Shore Holiday House: 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., 631-427-7630, info@nshh.org. Cost: $75.
This year's fourth annual holiday house tour, "Deck the Halls," will showcase homes in the picturesque North Shore communities of Lloyd Harbor, Cold Spring Harbor and Oyster Bay, all professionally decorated by local merchants. The tour includes lunch at the trendy Honu Kitchen and Cocktails in Huntington.
DECEMBER 4-5
Three Village Historical Society: 631-751-3730, tvhs.org. Cost: $35-$80.
"Moonlight on the Mill Pond" is the theme of the society's 31st annual candlelight house tour this year, featuring homes around the quaint village of Stony Brook. Visitors have a few tour options: Friday evening wine and hors d'oeuvres, a Saturday morning breakfast at the Three Village Inn or a house-only tour on Saturday.
DECEMBER 5
Mutual Concerns Committee of Sea Cliff: Noon-4 p.m., 516-671-1717, sherlockprop@yahoo.com. Cost: $30 at Sherlock Homes Realty (Sea Cliff Ave.).
The village of Sea Cliff will open some of its uniquely styled homes - from Victorian to contemporary, cottages to mansions - all decked-out in their holiday best. Includes a lunch at St. Luke's parish hall.
Amityville Woman's Club Junior League: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., 631-691-8435, amityvillejuniorleague.com. Cost: $15.
A special treat for visitors this year, "A Christmas Garden" will feature five homes in Amityville festively decorated both inside and out focusing on the colors of gardens at the holiday season - white birch, poinsettia, mistletoe, holly berry and, of course, evergreen. One of the homes will be designated the tea house where a formal tea and home-baked Christmas goodies will be served.
North Fork Bed and Breakfast Association: 1-5 p.m., 877-883-9333, nfbba.org. Cost: $25-$75.
Experience the beauty of the North Fork's "Wine Country" during the holiday season. The innkeepers of nine of the association's bed-and-breakfasts will open their establishments for viewing, all dressed in their holiday best. Visitors have two tour options: $25 includes four B&Bs, holiday music and light refreshments; $75 includes five B&Bs, holiday music, vineyard foods and wine tasting.
DECEMBER 5-6
Long Beach Island Landmarks Association: 631-431-2140, ross710@verizon.net
The association's candlelight house tour at 2 p.m. Dec. 5 will include five of Long Beach's historic homes and the rectory of St. Mary of the Isle church. Buses will provide transportation, leaving from the Senior Community Center on Magnolia Boulevard, where a dessert buffet will be served. On Dec. 6, the annual horse-and-carriage ride along Red Brick Streets Historic District will welcome children and adults starting at 5 p.m.
DECEMBER 6
Historical Society of Islip: Noon-4 p.m., 631-245-0675, isliphamlethistory.org. Cost: $25 ($20 advance).
Tour guides in period dress will welcome visitors to five uniquely decorated homes in Islip. A reception at St. Mark's Episcopal Church will include live holiday music, homemade baked items and a silent auction of donated gifts.
Huntington Historical Society: Noon-4 p.m., 631-427-7045, ext. 401, huntingtonhistoricalsociety.org. Cost: $30.
This historic village tour will feature five original homes from founding families highlighting stories of life for Huntington's early settlers. On display will be several dollhouses modeled after historic homes. Guided tours of the Kissam House Museum will be available and refreshments served in Kissam Barn.
DECEMBER 13
Northport Historical Society: Noon-4 p.m., 631-757-9859, northporthistorical.org. Cost: $30 ($25 members).
The waterfront village of Northport will welcome visitors to homes that vary in style and age, but each rich in personality, reflecting their owners' tastes and lifestyles. Also, take a stroll down Main Street where the historical society's museum will be open, along with many shops and restaurants.
Bellport Garden Club: 1-5 p.m., 631-286-2722, bellport.com. Cost: $15 (two for $25)
This year the club will showcase a 19th century home in Brookhaven with beautiful views of a nearby marsh and creek. Club members will decorate the home and a boutique will be selling handmade items, including decorations and arrangements from the home. Refreshments will be served.
DECEMBER 19
East Hampton Historical Society: 3-5 p.m., 631-324-6850, easthamptonhistory.org. Cost: Free, by reservation.
Stroll through two of East Hampton's most cherished historic homes decorated in high style. Experience a typical Victorian Christmas at Home Sweet Home and an 18th century English celebration at the Mulford Farm. Traditional holiday goodies will be served.
Oysterponds Historical Society: 1-4:30 p.m., 631-323-2480, oysterpondshistoricalsociety.org. Cost: $20.
This year's tour will showcase homes on Long Island's North Fork in Orient and East Marion festively decorated. Poguatuck Hall will be open serving mulled cider and holiday treats to visitors. Also, check out the Society's Beach Plum Christmas Shop for some last minute shopping and browsing.
MORE HOLIDAY EVENTS:
Two of Long Island's most treasured historic sites will be open to visitors throughout the holiday season.
A visit with Santa: Planting Fields Arboretum Historic State Park, Oyster Bay, 516-922-8678, plantingfields.org.
Planting Fields offers visitors a variety of events this year including the annual tree-lighting ceremony Dec. 11, visits with Santa and a special new exhibit, "An Elizabethan Banquet," opening Nov. 27 at Coe Hall.
Concerts, tours and teas: Old Westbury Gardens, Old Westbury, 516-333-0048, oldwestburygardens.org.
The sounds of holiday music will welcome visitors to the house and gardens, which will be exquisitely decorated. This year's events include concerts, tours, teas and, of course, the annual tree-lighting ceremony Dec. 5.
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