General Events

Pics with Fido, Bideawee, Inc., 118 Old Country Road, Westhampton, (631)325-0200. Don’t forget to share the seasonal love with your furry and feathered family members this month! Families and pets may enjoy treats and crafts and stop by Bideawee’s Adoption Center, where adoptable pets reside. Bideawee, Inc., a leading pet adoption and animal welfare organization, host its annual Photos with Santa Day on 12/5, 11am-3pm.

Winter Wonderland, L.I. Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Uniondale, (516)378-2000. Nonprofit United Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County, Inc. hosts fun family events this month. Breakfast with Santa on 12/6 provides a continental breakfast, music, holiday singing, dancing, face painting, live entertainment, gifts for each child and a visit from Santa. Then, on 12/13, 4-7pm, dads and grandfathers may check out the Sugar Plum Ball with their special little ladies ages 6-12. Guests are treated to dinner and dancing, as well as a visit from the Sugar Plum Fairy. Event proceeds benefit the UCPN, which assists individuals with disabilities. Call to make required advance reservations.

Make-A-Wish Toy Drive, (631)585-WISH. Add some magic to a child’s holiday season by donating a toy to the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. Toys are given as gifts to Make-A-Wish children at the annual Make-A-Wish holiday party or given to a child during an initial visit, which is when the child is first asked about a wish. Toy drop-off locations are: Atlantic Auto Mall of Bay Shore and West Islip, The Headlight Medic of Bohemia, all Suffolk County SmithBarney locations and Hampton Jitney of Southampton. The drive runs 12/1-12/14. Call to learn about acceptable toy guidelines.

Chanukah Wonderland, Chabad of Merrick, Merrick, (516)833-3057, www.chabadjewishlife.org. At Chanukah Wonderland, enjoy a range of festive sights and activities, including latke making, donut decorating, crafts and more. Help build the world’s largest Clics Menorah using this unique toy. Afterwards, attend the Menorah Car Parade, which ends at the Merrick Long Island Rail Road gazebo, The World’s Largest Clics Menorah will be lit! Event starts 12/13, 1:30-3pm.

Adopt-A-Kid for the Holidays, www.wbli.com, www.jumpparties.com. Purchase a gift for a homeless Long Island child and make his world a bit brighter this month. Details may be found on the WBLI Web site. Participants may also attend a wrapping party at Jump in Ronkonkoma to get the donated gifts ready to be received. For additional details about the campaign and holiday events, visit the Web sites listed.

Parks and Nature

15th Annual Winter Run Series, Jones Beach State Park, www.flrrt.com, www.active.com. Hosted by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the series stops at Heckscher State Park on 1/10, Robert Moses State Park on 1/17 and Caumsett State Historic Park on 1/24. Be sure to register for races by 12/31 as the maximum capacity is 1,000 full-series registrants.

Plays, Concerts and More...

Chuckling Children, Kids ‘N Comedy, Manhattan, (212)877-6115. This month, Tri-State area children ages 13-18 come together to make others laugh in a humorous show at Kids ‘N Comedy in Manhattan. These young stand-up comedians comprise up-and-coming talent and are eager to garner laughter from children ages 9 and older and their families. Reservations are required for the event on 12/20, 1pm.