Holidays in Oyster Bay Activities Announced

Oyster Bay plans to be a festive destination and full of activity this holiday season. In the weeks ahead decorations will go up on the bandstand and along the streets.

A full schedule of events is planned as well, starting on Thursday, December 4th. As part of the First Thursdays promotion, participating stores will stay open until 8pm. Special entertainment and retail promotions will entice people to visit downtown.

Events Occurring Downtown
Free horse and carriage rides will be available the first two Saturdays of December from noon-4pm. These will leave the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum Preview Center at 102 Audrey Ave and are on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Saturday, December 6, at 4:15pm. This traditional holiday event will include singing, a reading of The Night Before Christmas, and lighting of a large holiday tree in the park by the Derby-Hall Bandstand. John Canning will reprise his role as Master of Ceremonies, and performers from area schools will lead the audience in singing of carols. Refreshments will be served.

YogaRocks! will offer a free class, "Yoga for a Street Free Holiday Season" on December 8, at 7:30pm. Five essential techniques for relieving stress and achieving inner peace will be taught. YogaRocks! is located in downtown Oyster Bay at 127 South Street.

The annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting will be held Wednesday, December 17 at 5:30pm by the Derby-Hall Bandstand across from Town Hall. Rabbi Demant of the Oyster Bay Jewish Center will lead lighting of the candles. He will be joined by singers from the Jewish Center. Refreshments will be served.

Area historical attractions will be featured Saturday, December 13. Raynham Hall Museum (20 West Main Street) plans a “Meet Mrs. Claus” event from 11am-1pm with storytelling, goodies, and a small take-home present. Cost is $8 for members and $10 for non-members.

Special Holiday Performances Planned
The 7th Annual HPS Benefit Christmas Concert will be held in the Oyster Bay Performing Arts Center at Oyster Bay High School on Friday, December 5th at 7:30pm. The Long Island musical group "J" will feature the music of JoAnn Criblez and John DiGennaro. The concert is free though any donations collected will help benefit people with Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS). For more information visit www.hpsnetwork.org.

A second concert will be provided by the choir of the Hood AME Zion Church (corner of South and Summit Streets) on December 13 starting at 4pm. A reception will follow, hosted by the Oyster Bay Historical Society at the nearby Earle-Wightman House (20 Summit Street).

Carriage rides will again be available from noon-4pm on Saturday, December 13. Later that evening from 6pm to 8pm carolers will stroll throughout the downtown and nearby neighborhoods, spreading holiday cheer.

Another concert will be held on Sunday, December 14 at 3pm in Christ Church (61 East Main Street). The Long Island Baroque Ensemble will present their annual holiday concert with music from different cultures and heritage. This will be performed by singers accompanied by an array of Renaissance instruments. Cost is $20 for general admission, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students, and free for children under six.

Holidays in Oyster Bay is made possible through the generous contribution of sponsors including the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Oyster Bay Civic Association, the Oyster Bay Main Street Association, and the Rotary Club of Oyster Bay.

For more information on the activities and other special events, please visit www.holidaysinoysterbay.com.