Holiday Food and Culture Weekends: Markets, Small Shops, and Local Bites
/The holidays are officially on their way, but there are still plenty of weekends between now and the end of December. You might have parties and social gatherings to go to on some of them, and you might need to keep some free for errands and prep work before the big day. What will you do with the rest, though? Our real estate agents suggest checking out some of the many fun food and culture events going on around Long Island this holiday season. Here are a few highlights to get you started.
Food and Culture Weekends for the Holidays
Six Holiday Food and Cultural Events Around Long Island
Greater Patchogue Annual Fall Festival – Patchogue: Enjoy arts and crafts, live music, family activities, and a chili and chowder competition.
Holiday Night Market Wonderland – Stony Brook: Shop local vendors, meet Santa, and enjoy holiday treats, caroling, and festive lights.
Huntington Holiday Spectacular Markets – Huntington: Browse artisan gifts and handmade goods surrounded by holiday lights and entertainment.
30th Annual Charles Dickens Festival – Port Jefferson: Experience Victorian-era characters, live performances, festive shopping, and holiday parades.
Long Island Craft Guild Holiday Craft Fair – Roslyn Harbor: Discover handcrafted pottery, jewelry, glasswork, fiber art, and other original creations.
18th Century Tavern Night – Floral Park: Enjoy a candlelit, four-course historical dinner with colonial-era atmosphere and storytelling.
Greater Patchogue Annual Fall Festival – Patchogue, NY
Address: Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11772
Date: November 7, 2026
The Greater Patchogue Annual Fall Festival is coming up fast on Saturday, November 7th. From noon to 5 p.m., Main Street will come alive with:
An open-air market of local arts and crafts vendors (perfect for getting some early holiday shopping done)
Nearby small businesses offering product samples and demonstrations
Fall-themed games and activities for kids
A petting zoo with pony rides
Chili and chowder competitions with prizes
The event is free to attend but has some ticketed activities. Bring some cash with you if you want to purchase tickets or food; some vendors may not accept debit or credit.
Holiday Night Market Wonderland – Stony Brook, NY
Address: Reboli Center for Art and History, 64 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY 11790
Dates: November 28–29, 2026
A few weeks after Patchogue's Fall Festival comes one of the first winter holiday shopping events near our Stony Brook homes for sale: the Holiday Night Market Wonderland. The neighborhood pulls out all the stops for this two-day celebration, offering:
An outdoor market full of local vendors
A heated tent with more than 40 VIP vendors inside
Dazzling light displays
Meet-and-greets with costumed characters, including Santa himself
Live caroling
Holiday treats, hot cocoa, and hot apple cider available for purchase
The market is scheduled for Saturday from 2 to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., so you'll have plenty of time to stop by even if you're busy in the afternoon or evening. It's completely free to attend, with no ticketed activities.
Huntington Holiday Spectacular Markets – Huntington, NY
Address: Wall Street, Huntington, NY 11743
Dates: Select Fridays and Sundays, November 29, 2026–January 3, 2027
The Huntington Holiday Spectacular Markets series starts right after the Holiday Night Market Wonderland wraps up. Running from November 29th to January 3rd, this recurring shopping event near our Huntington homes for sale boasts:
A giant illuminated Christmas tree
Dozens of vendor booths selling everything from original artwork to handmade jewelry and soap
Live music and performances to keep you entertained while you shop
Festive light displays, including a stunning light tunnel to wander through and synchronized musical light shows every hour
A menorah lighting (date to be determined)
During the market's active period, vendor booths will be up every Friday (except Christmas Day) from 5 to 9 p.m. and every Sunday noon to 5 p.m. There will be a special New Year's Day market with extended hours (noon to 7 p.m.) on January 1st.
30th Annual Charles Dickens Festival – Port Jefferson, NY
Address: Downtown Port Jefferson, NY 11777
Dates: December 5–6, 2026
Literature and history buffs alike will love visiting the 30th Annual Charles Dickens Festival on the weekend of December 5th and 6th. This unique holiday event transforms downtown into a Victorian village straight out of A Christmas Carol, complete with:
Costumed Dickens characters roaming the village streets
Live theatrical performances inspired by Victorian-era stories
Christmas carolers spreading holiday cheer throughout downtown
Holiday shopping and Dickens-inspired fare at local businesses
Festive parades, including the Pickwick Puppet Parade
Each day's festivities begin around 11 a.m. Saturday's activities usually run into the evening while Sunday's Pickwick Puppet Parade begins at 5 p.m. The event is free outside of a handful of ticketed indoor theatrical performances.
Long Island Craft Guild – 14th Juried Fine Craft Fair – Roslyn Harbor, NY
Address: Manes Art Education Center, Nassau County Museum of Art, 1 Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor, NY 11576
Dates: December 12–13, 2026
The 14th Juried Fine Craft Fair is hosted by the Long Island Craft Guild at the Nassau County Museum of Art near our Roslyn Harbor homes for sale. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 12th and 13th, attendees will have the chance to browse and shop for original artwork from participating local artists, including:
Clay sculptures
Metalworks and jewelry
Blown glass
Fiber arts creations
Woodworks
All work on display is pre-vetted by guild members and is guaranteed to be authentic and high-quality. Items purchased here make great holiday gifts, especially for recipients who are usually hard to shop for. After all, every piece is one of a kind!
18th Century Tavern Night – Floral Park, NY
Address: Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park, NY 11004
Date: December 4, 11, 12, and 18, 2026
If the food is your favorite part of your holiday celebrations, the Queens County Farm Museum's 18th Century Tavern Night is right up your alley. This special dinner soiree near our Floral Park homes for sale takes you back more than two centuries to the early days of our nation's history. The experience includes:
A four-course meal based on historical recipes once served in local taverns, including Sweet and Sour Raisin Soup, Roast Beef, and Brandied Peaches
Beer, wine, and cocktails to accompany your meal (requires an additional fee)
Staff dressed in elegant 18th-century garb
A presentation on local colonial history and the role taverns played in the social fabric of small communities
Each dinner runs from 8 to 11 p.m. and is eaten by candlelight. Tickets are $95 per person and must be purchased online in advance. All guests must be at least 14 years old, and anyone under 21 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Holiday Fun Never Ends on Long Island
Filled up all your weekends yet? Believe it or not, these events are just a handful of the holiday happenings going on around Long Island this year. There's never a dull moment here, and you and your family will fit right in. Contact us today to start hunting for a local home where you can celebrate the season in style.
Categories: Laffey Knows
