It's holiday time on Staten Island. It's time for some tree lighting ceremonies, some menorah lighting, and some really serious holiday caroling.
Were you wondering where you could buy handmade holiday crafts? How about where all the hot holiday parties were going on this season on Staten Island?
Let us tell you, New York City: we've got the scoop on what's going on this season on Staten Island.
There's a live nativity scene. There's a feast at the Staten Island Zoo (at which Santa will be present). There's ice skating, pop-up holiday markets, and more and more tree lighting ceremonies.
Read on to find out what's up with getting down this holiday season on Staten Island.
1. The Live Nativity at Salem Church (634 Clove Road)
Via SILive
Remember when we talked about realistic nativity scenes? Well, Salem Church must have really taken that concept to heart, because on the weekend of December 11th, they'll have a live nativity scene.
This includes live animals, costumed actors, caroling, and of course cookies and hot chocolate for those in attendance.
It's going on for three nights only: December 11th, 12th, and 13th, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thousands from all over Staten Island come out to visit the live Nativity each year.
Come to see a Nativity scene that doesn't just sit there, come for the live carols, come for the caroling, but most of all come for the Christmas cheer.
2. Beastly Feast with Santa at the Staten Island Zoo (614 Broadway)
statenislandzoo "...in MY day, we didn't HAVE enrichment! ...you know what we had? ...we had a tub of water with a BRICK in the middle of it... You kids these days, with your fancy enrichment schedules, and your..." Box turtles can live a fairly long time; up to 100 years in some cases. 😏
Could you believe it? That Santa himself will be at the Staten Island zoo?
We can hardly believe it either, but we're not that surprised. We heard that zoo is pretty great.
There will be two feasts with Santa at the Staten Island Zoo, and they'll both be on Saturday, December 12th. The first feast is breakfast, from 9:30 a.m to 11 a.m., and the second is lunch, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
If you join for this special visit, you'll get either a hot breakfast or lunch buffet, intimate animal encounters, holiday themed activities and crafts, and live holiday music. Are you as stoked as we are? Then call 718-442-3101 (ext33) for tickets.
3. Holiday Popup Artist Market (Saint George Ferry Terminal)
Via Staten Island Arts
It's only running until December 11th, so make sure you get out to be a part of it.
If you miss out on this one, you don't have to freak out. There will be one in February and another in April, but we mean, this is kind of the one to get to. Since you'll have to buy holiday gifts anyway, you might as well get gorgeous, artistic ones.
It's going on at the Culture Lounge at Saint George Ferry Terminal. They'll have handcrafted goods and gifts for sale, so you can buy that really special gift for someone you love; something that was handmade by someone who cared, rather than factory-made by someone who didn't.
It's holiday markets like these that make NYC so special, so make sure you get out. It's open on weekends, but you only have until 7 p.m. on December 11th.
4. Staten Island Skating Pavilion (3080 Arthur Kill Road)
You know it's basically a requisite to ice skate over the holidays, right?
Great, now that we've gotten that covered, you should go ice skating at the Staten Island Ice Skating Pavilion.
It's a wonderful ice rink with reasonable prices, and public sessions hours between 2:30 p.m. and 4:20 p.m. on Saturday afternoons, 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Saturday evenings, and 2 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. on Sundays. Plus, the prices are entirely reasonable, at $11 for admittance and $5 for skate rentals.
Also, the snack bar here is surprisingly good. The mozzarella sticks are way delicious, but we should warn you that they only take cash.
,5. Snug Harbor Tree Lighting (1000 Richmond Terrace)
Via SI Parent
If you're all about that bright, tree-lit holiday experience, make sure you get out to the Holidays at Snug Harbor Tree Lighting on December 5th.
There will be artistic vendors selling jewelry, art, soaps, and other locally made items. There will also be a wide variety of activities besides shopping, like arts and crafts, caroling, live musical performances, and all-around holiday cheer.
It starts at 5:15 p.m. in front of the Newhouse Center for Contemporary Art. If you're not a grinch, you should probably be there, alright?
6. Pleasant Plains, Princes Bay, and Richmond Valley Civic Association’s Annual Christmas Tree and Menorah Lighting Ceremony (Bloomingdale and Amboy Road)
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Whoever said you couldn't celebrate both Christmas and Hanukkah all at once?
Well, no one ever said that, which is why it's so great that this year on Staten Island, you can be a part of a celebration where both cultures combine, where the amount of holiday cheer in the air might be too much to take.
If you love celebration, this is probably the event for you. Santa Claus will be there. There will be live music, entertainment, refreshments, and more-- more as in, there will be a ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree and a menorah.
The place will be so lit up afterward, it'll be hard to tell that it's nighttime. It's happening at the intersection between Bloomingdale and Amboy Road on Saturday, December 5th at 4:30 p.m. If you're the kind of person who loves holiday cheer, you should probably be there.
7. Richmond Road Merchants Association Tree Lighting (1630 Richmond Road)
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More tree lighting! More holiday cheer! We really hope you can't get enough of all this holiday cheer, because let's face it, is there ever too much holiday cheer?
We thought not. This tree lighting will take place in the Santander bank parking lot on the corner of Liberty Avenue and Richmond Road on Sunday, December 13th from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Besides all the holiday party people, there will be some other excellent guests. Guests like Santa Claus, a live D.J., rides for children and refreshments from local establishments. We all get thirsty every once in a while, right?
The party will end with a holiday party at the local firehouse on the corner of Four Corners Road and Richmond Road. You in? If so, we'll see you there. We know we're trying to get wild for the holidays.
Check out 7 Christmas Concerts You Have to Check Out This Month in NYC.
[Feature Image Courtesy New Dorp Voice]