Stony Brook Village will light its holiday tree for the 47th time this year. The Ward Melville Heritage Organization holds its 47th Annual Holiday Festival on Sunday, December 6, from noon to 6 p.m., at the Stony Brook Village Center, 111 Main Street. Admission is free.

The afternoon, hour by hour

The music starts at 1 p.m. with the School of Rock Rock n' Roll Choir, followed at 1:30 p.m. by the St. James Junior Choir at the Stony Brook Post Office. That performance leads into the arrival of Santa Claus at 2 p.m. He stays to greet children and pose for photos until 4:45 p.m.

At 2:15 p.m. the Legends and Spies Puppet Procession steps off through the village. From 2 to 4 p.m., WALK 97.5 plays music in the Inner Court, and from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. the Steppin' Out Ponies petting zoo is set up for younger visitors. Wiggs Opticians puts its holiday train display on view for the day.

The Celestial Singers Holiday Carolers walk the village from 3 to 4 p.m., then move to the Holiday Tree for a second set from 4 to 5 p.m. At 5 p.m. the Bethel AME Choir performs, and the day closes with the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Village Green, where Santa returns on a float and helps local children light the tree.

Letters to Santa start earlier

Children do not have to wait for the festival to reach Santa. Starting November 27, the red Mail for Santa mailbox at the Stony Brook Post Office takes letters, so a child can send a list the day after Thanksgiving and then meet the recipient in person on December 6.

Who is behind it

The Ward Melville Heritage Organization runs the festival at the Stony Brook Village Center every year, and this December marks the 47th edition. This year's sponsors listed by the organization include ACM Wealth, Damianos Realty Group, GSE Dynamics, Valyryan Private Wealth, Renewal by Andersen, Budco Enterprises, Leaf Filter Gutter Protection, ServPro and Armor Pest Control.

Planning the visit

The Stony Brook Village Center is at 111 Main Street in Stony Brook, off Route 25A beside the harbor. The schedule spreads the afternoon out, so families with young children can come early for the ponies and Santa, and anyone who wants the tree lighting can arrive for the choirs after 4 p.m. Dress for an outdoor December evening on the water.

The 47th Annual Holiday Festival is Sunday, December 6, 2026, from noon to 6 p.m., free and open to everyone. For details, call the Ward Melville Heritage Organization at 631-751-2244 or see the festival page and stonybrookvillage.com.

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