The Long Island Aquarium on East Main Street in Riverhead starts its holiday calendar on Friday, November 13, with an after-hours tasting of North Fork wine and local craft beverages, and ends it on New Year's Eve with a family party that wraps up before 11 p.m. In between come a princess tea in November and a brunch with Santa in December.

All four events take place at the aquarium, and three of them need a reservation. Here is what each one includes and what it costs.

November 13: Fish & Sips, for adults only

Fish & Sips runs from 7 to 10:30 p.m. and is limited to guests 21 and over. The aquarium describes it as its yearly tasting and buying night, with more than 20 local wineries, craft breweries and other producers pouring inside the building after it closes to the public. Among the names on the aquarium's list are the Raphael, Pindar, Palmer and Paumanok vineyards, Twin Fork Beer Co., Westhampton Beach Brewing Company and Montauk Iced Tea.

Tickets are $95 per person plus tax and include the tastings, light food, live music and the run of the exhibits after hours. Bottles can be bought from the producers on the night. For guests who would rather not drive home, the aquarium offers a package with a stay at the Hyatt Place Long Island East End, listed at $419 per couple plus tax with two tickets.

November 15: Holiday Princess Tea Party

On Sunday, November 15, the aquarium's waterfront Sea Star Ballroom hosts a Holiday Princess Tea Party with seatings at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The morning includes a white glove tea service with finger sandwiches and sweets, plus singing and dancing with costumed princesses.

  • Adults 13 and over: $55 plus tax
  • Children 3 to 12: $49 plus tax
  • Children 2 and under: $10.35

Aquarium admission is not part of the tea ticket, though discounted admission can be bought at the event. Cancellations made within 72 hours are not refunded and are turned into aquarium credit.

December 13: Santa Brunch

The Santa Brunch on Sunday, December 13, also in the Sea Star Ballroom, has three seatings: 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. The buffet covers both breakfast and lunch, with an omelet station, a carving station, smoked salmon, shrimp cocktail, salads, fruit, a yogurt parfait bar, bakery items and desserts.

The ticket includes aquarium admission for the day, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., so families can walk the exhibits before or after their seating. Children go home with a holiday keepsake, and there is a chance for a family photo with Santa, so bring a camera.

  • Adults: $78
  • Children 3 to 12: $42
  • Children 2 and under: $10.35

December 31: Fishes & Wishes

The aquarium's New Year's Eve family party runs from 6:30 to 11 p.m. and is built for households with children who will not make it to midnight. The evening includes a cocktail hour, a DJ and dancing, a buffet dinner with beer and wine (a cash bar is also open), a dessert and ice cream bar, an animal meet and greet, crafts and a mock midnight toast.

  • Adults: $155
  • Children 3 to 12: $94
  • Children 2 and under: $10.35

Families who book by December 1 with the code NYE26 at checkout take 10 percent off.

Before you book

  • Where: Long Island Aquarium, 431 East Main Street, Riverhead
  • Reservations: required for the tea, the brunch and New Year's Eve, online or at 631-208-9200, ext. 426
  • Discounts: members save 10 percent on the family events, and the aquarium takes 3.5 percent off purchases made in cash. Offers cannot be combined.

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