Brightwaters Farms on Manatuck Boulevard in Bay Shore turns over to Christmas on Friday, November 27. The farm, which traces its land back to the late 1600s, opens its Christmas Extravaganza that day with cut trees, sleigh hay rides, a holiday country store and bakery, and a Brunch with Santa that runs every weekend of the season.

Trees, hay rides and the country store

The farm sells cut Christmas trees from its nursery, and visitors choose their own from the selection on the lot. The country store stocks wreaths, blankets, mistletoe, kissing bells and other decorations, alongside a bakery counter with pies, muffins, donuts and the farm's hot cider donuts, plus snacks and lunch.

The sleigh hay ride is a blanket-covered ride through the farm's fields, open to families, couples and groups of any size.

Brunch with Santa

Brunch with Santa runs every weekend starting Friday, November 27, with four seatings: 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m. The hot buffet includes an omelet station, waffles, bacon, hash browns, mac and cheese, chicken fingers, coffee, tea and a hot cocoa bar. Every family that books gets a free photo with Santa, and the farm says the Elves and Rudolph are on hand as well.

Tickets are $45.99 for adults and $25.99 for children ages 2 to 12. Children under 2 are free. Taxes and fees are added at checkout, and the adult ticket includes bottomless mimosas. Tickets are sold in advance through the farm's website.

Holiday hours

From November 27, the Bay Shore farm is open:

  • Monday through Thursday, noon to 6 p.m.
  • Friday, noon to 8 p.m.
  • Black Friday, November 27, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A farm with roots in the 1600s

According to the farm's own history, the land was bought from the King of England by the Phelps family, its original founders, and in those days covered thousands of acres of woods, fields and pasture for cows and sheep. Today Brightwaters Farms runs three operations: the Bay Shore farm and office in Suffolk County, a farm in Masonville in Delaware County and a farm with greenhouses in Utica in Oneida County. It grows vegetables, hay, flowers, pumpkins, perennials and trees, sells nursery stock and topsoil, and hosts weddings and private parties on the Bay Shore grounds. It is a member of the New York and Long Island Farm Bureau and of the local chamber of commerce.

How to go

Brightwaters Farms is at 1624 Manatuck Boulevard, Bay Shore, NY 11706. Call 631-665-5411 with questions. Brunch with Santa tickets and the full holiday schedule are on the farm's website.

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