Old-Fashioned Holiday Light Celebrations for Everyone on Staten Island

You don't have to go into New York City to celebrate the holidays with all the diversity and excitement that Staten Island has to offer, the entire island is a virtual winter wonderland of holiday activities both modern and old-fashioned, historical and cultural.

Visit Historic Richmond Town

November 24^thBreakfast with Santa/or Dinner with Santa for you and your family sponsored by the Women's Auxiliary of Staten Island.
Location: Third County Courthouse

Breakfast is 9:30-11:30 with a hot breakfast buffet and magician. Children can participate in a make your own Christmas ornament to decorate the tree on display in the courthouse. Breakfast prices are $15/adult, $10/child, and children under 3 are free. Prepaid reservations are required.

Dinner with Santa is held that evening from 4:00-6:00 p.m. and prepaid reservations are also required. Dinner reservations are $20/adults, $15/children, and children under 3 are free.

November 24, 2007 Old Richmond Town Community Tree Lighting Ceremony follows the dinner at 6:00 p.m. at the Third County Courthouse with an old fashioned tree lighting with the community, caroling and Santa. Admission is free; children will have the opportunity to view the decorations that were created earlier that day at the Breakfast with Santa.

December 2, 2007 Christmas in Richmond Town

A celebration of the season with lights, shopping and other holiday events. For more information please call, 718-351-1611

December 8, 2007 Historic Richmond with take you back in time to celebrate the holidays with 300 years of holiday traditions such as caroling, music, and food. RichmondTown will be decorated that evening by candles, oil lamps and fires. This event is sponsored by the Staten Island Historical Society.

For more information on these and other HistoricRichmondTown events please call 718-351-1611 or visit their website.

Staten Island Children's Museum

Come and celebrate different holiday traditions each Saturday in December with the making of Dreidels, December 1 and 2. This weekend children can learn the history behind this traditional toy and create one for themselves. Activities are available at 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00.

December 15^th, 2007 a holiday performance of "Santa Claus is Missing" will be held at the museum at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

December 15^th and 16^th Children can create the traditional treat of "Gingerbread Houses" made with graham crackers, icing and colorful candy decorations. Hopefully most of the decorations will be on the house, not in the children. This event is held at 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m.

December 22^nd and 23^rd Children can create Winter Castles out of recycled materials. Times for this activity are 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m.

December 29^th and 30^th Children can make their own African Mancala Game, learn the history of the game and then play it at the museum and take it home for more fun. Activities are held at 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m.

December 30^th, the Museum will host a Kwanzaa celebration with an appearance by storyteller Ben Jacobs at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m.

Regular admission to the museum is $5.00 for all over the age of one. This holiday season the museum also offers free days on the Friday after Thanksgiving - November 23 and during Winter Recess - December 28.

Staten Island Zoo

Presents: "DICKENS OF A CHRISTMAS"

On December 15^th, from 5:00-8:00pm (Storm date: Sunday, Dec. 16) the Staten Island Zoo will host the fourth annual Dickens of a Christmas". This celebration is based on the ghost of Christmas past, with meeting with Santa, sing along with carolers, lighting of the Christmas tree and a visit with reindeer. Children's activities feature free crafts and a marshmallow roast for all participants (sneak some chocolate in with you for smores). Visitors are also given a cup of hot cocoa and brownie per ticket purchased. Tickets are available in advance starting November 26^th at the Zoo gate. Advance ticket prices are

$12 non members/$10 members and all tickets are $15 the night of the event. Price includes one free photo with Santa per family. Note, although parking is normally free at the Zoo, it is not free during special events.

December 24^thThe Feast of Fishes on Christmas Eve at Lorenzo's Restaurant, Bar & Cabaret
A traditional Italian Christmas Eve may include Mass, but it also includes a veritable seafood feast. On Staten Island the place for this event is Lorenzo's Restaurant, Bar and Cabaret. Dinner this evening at Lorenzo's will feature fresh fish, clams, mussels, and Calamari made with traditional Italian recipes. No Italian dinner would be complete without a variety of pastas and meats as well as live music and holiday music and sing along. This Christmas Eve party is $49.95 per person plus tax and service charge.
To make reservations call (718) 477-2400, ext 5.

No matter if you celebrate Hanukah, Christmas, or Kwanzaa; Staten Island offers holiday entertainment for whatever your celebration. Family friendly events allow you to celebrate the season with the gifts you hold most dear, your family.

Happy Holidays.