Celebrate the holidays on the second weekend in December, beginning with an outside tree lighting, Friday, Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. with Santa at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park. Coe Hall will be open all weekend on Saturday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., both days. Activities include face painting for children, a visit with Santa by the fireplace, live music and decorating a gingerbread cookie.
Friday, Dec. 9
12th Annual Tree Lighting and Visit from Santa
Delight in all kinds of holiday excitement at Planting Fields including caroling by the Barber Shop Quartet, and House of the Red Hart Singers, and hot cocoa and refreshments at the Hay Barn/Visitor Center by COFFEED INC. Coe Hall will be decorated for the season and will be open for self-guided visits with Jack Kohl performing in the Great Hall. Visit with Santa until 7:30 p.m. in the Hay Barn. Admission, parking and activities are free. Open from 5 to 8 p.m. Tree lighting at 6 p.m.
Holiday Poinsettia and Cyclamen Display
Visit the Planting Fields main greenhouse daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. On display through Jan. 8.
Saturday, Dec. 10 and Sunday, Dec. 11
Holiday Festival At Coe Hall
Experience Coe Hall decorated in holiday style. See Santa, enjoy children’s face painting, decorate a gingerbread cookie to take home, and listen to the wonderful live music throughout the day by Jack Kohl, Edward Daniel Pisano and the House of the Red Hart Singers, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. Admission is $10; free for members and children under age 12
Friday, Dec. 16
Music At The Mansion
Lapis Luna brings you the captivating music of the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s. The band’s style embraces music from the first half of the 20th century including hot jazz, early blues, big band, bebop and retro cha-cha, bossa nova, mambo and rumba. Their specialty is playing timeless melodies the way they were meant to be heard: vibrant, fun, romantic and cool. Led by jazz chanteuse Shawn Aileen Clark, Lapis Luna transports you to a long-gone era of genuine romance and spirited swing.
The band visits Planting Fields to play holiday songs from their album Snowbound, along with obscure vintage winter music. Songs include “Warm December” and “Christmas Island” from the 1940s and “By the Fireside,” which was a hit in 1930, along with some holiday favorites with a twist. Join them for an evening of swinging winter music at 7 p.m. Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine. Visit www.eventbrite.com and search “Coe Hall” for tickets; $20 for members, $30 for nonmembers.
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, located at 1395 Planting Fields Rd. in Oyster Bay, is open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed on Christmas Day. Coe Hall is open on Dec. 9 from 5 to 8 p.m.; Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, contact Jennifer Lavella at 516-922-8678.
