SantaFest East Hampton Village: Annual Holiday Celebration & Santa Parade for Families

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Santa Claus Arrives By Helicopter At 11 AM • December 7, 2024

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About SantaFest

SantaFest was born from the vision of Mayor Jerry Larsen, who wanted to create more community events that bring East Hampton families together and ensure young boys and girls can grow up with the cherished, small-town magic many remember.

Our SantaFest Team plans this event year-round, led by a passionate group of elves: Mayor Jerry Larsen and Lisa Larsen, Trustee Carrie Doyle, Trustee Sarah Amaden, Trustee Sandra Melendez Esq., Village Administrator Marcos Baladron, the incredible Mary Waserstein, and Bradford Billet from the East Hampton Village Foundation, who raises much of the funding needed to make SantaFest a reality.

Everyone involved is a dedicated volunteer, giving their time and effort to make SantaFest a memorable event for all—no one receives any compensation. We can’t wait to celebrate with you and create joyful memories together! We would also like to thank our sponsors for making this event happen.

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SANTA ARRIVAL

HERRICK PARK - 67 NEWTOWN LANE
TIME: 11AM

Get ready for a magical holiday moment like no other! We've confirmed with the North Pole that Santa Claus is making his grand entrance at Herrick Park—by helicopter! 🎄✨

Join us on December 7th at 11:00 AM as Santa touches down in style to spread Christmas cheer. Bring your family and friends to watch this exciting arrival and kick off the holiday season with fun and festivities! This is a FREE event, and all are welcome!

🎁 Holiday Treats for Kids

🎶 Festive Music and Entertainment - The EHHS Bonac Dance Club and EHMS will be performing at Santa’s arrival starting at 10:30am on Santa’s stage by the tennis courts.

HOLIDAY MARKET

VILLAGE HALL - 86 MAIN STREET
TIME: 11AM to 4PM

Get into the holiday spirit at the Holiday Market, where you’ll find a carefully curated selection of local vendors offering plenty of stocking stuffers and unique holiday gifts perfect for your family and friends. 🎄✨

From handcrafted items to seasonal favorites, there’s something for everyone! To make your holiday shopping even easier, the Ladies Village Improvement Society will provide a free gift-wrapping station.

Highlights of the Market:

🎁 Curated Local Vendors

🎁 Free Gift Wrapping by the Ladies Village Improvement Society

🏠 Gingerbread House Competition

☕ Hot Cider and Delicious Treats

🎅 Santa’s Grand Arrival and Parade

Join us from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on December 7th at Village Hall’s Front Yard and make your holiday shopping a breeze while enjoying festive fun for the whole family!

HOLIDAY MARKET VENDORS

Interested In Becoming A Vendor at SantaFest?

If you'd like to be a vendor at our Holiday Market, we’re accepting applications! Download the Holiday Market Application PDF to get all the details and join the celebration.

Holiday Market Application (PDF)

SANTA PARADE

MAIN STREET AND NEWTOWN LANE
TIME: NOON

Following his exciting arrival by helicopter, Santa will lead East Hampton’s biggest parade of the year! 🎄✨

Escorted by the East Hampton Village Police Department, Santa will ride to the front of the parade in grand style, kicking off the festivities at noon. Bring your family and friends to line the streets, enjoy the festive floats, and cheer on Santa as he spreads holiday joy throughout the village!

Event Details:

🚓 Santa’s Grand Entrance

🎉 Dozens of Creative Floats

🎶 Holiday Music and Entertainment

SANTA PARADE

Want To Be Part Of The Fun?

If you'd like to enter a float in the Santa Parade, we’re accepting applications! Download the Float Application PDF to get all the details and join the celebration.

Santa Parade Float Application (PDF)

SANTA'S WORKSHOP

MILLSTONE PARK- 61 MAIN STREET
TIME: 1PM to 4PM

After the excitement of the Santa Parade, the fun continues! Bring your little ones to Millstone Park in the heart of downtown for a special chance to meet Santa Claus from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. 🎄✨

Santa can’t wait to hear what’s on everyone’s wish list! Families can also capture the magic with professional photos with Santa for FREE!

Event Details:

🎅 Santa Meet & Greet

📸 Family Photos with Santa – FREE

⏰ Lines Begin Forming at Noon at Millstone Park

Don’t miss out on this wonderful opportunity for holiday memories with Santa Claus himself! Come early, enjoy the parade, and get in line for a magical afternoon in downtown East Hampton Village.

ORDER PHOTOS

Scan the QR code below or click the button to view and order your professional photos with Santa!

View & Order From Gallery

CANDYLAND!

THE HUNTTING INN- 91 MAIN STREET
TIME: 1PM to 4PM

Calling all good boys and girls! Join us at CANDYLAND! at the charming The Huntting Inn, where children are invited to decorate delicious holiday donuts by Grindstone Donuts from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. 🎄🍩

It's a fun and festive afternoon filled with creativity and sweet treats! Plus, to keep the holiday spirit going, milk & donuts will be available for all the little decorators to enjoy while they create their donut masterpieces.

Event Highlights:

🍩 Holiday Donut Decorating

🥛 Milk & Donuts Available

🎅 Festive Fun for Kids and Families

Stop by The Huntting Inn at 91 Main Street and let your children’s imaginations run wild at Santa’s Workshop while enjoying some tasty holiday cheer! This is a FREE event, and all are welcome!

MRS. CLAUS' PONY RIDES

LVIS - 95 MAIN STREET
TIME: 1PM to 4PM

🎄 Mrs. Claus’ Pony Rides at the LVIS! 🎄

Join us on December 7th for a magical holiday event at the Ladies Village Improvement Society! Kids are invited to meet Mrs. Claus herself, share their Christmas wishes, and even receive a special treat straight from the North Pole.

But that’s not all! Outside, in the beautiful LVIS front yard, pony rides await all good boys and girls. It’s a perfect holiday adventure for the family – mark your calendars and don’t miss out on this festive fun! This is a FREE event, and all are welcome! 🎅🦌

FREE HOLIDAY MOVIE

MIDDLE SCHOOL - 76 NEWTOWN LANE
TIME: 1PM and 3PM

Celebrate the season with a special free movie screening of the animated holiday classic, The Grinch! 🎄✨

Bring your family and friends to enjoy this heartwarming movie that captures the true spirit of the holidays.

There will be two showings at the East Hampton Middle School Auditorium, 76 Newtown Lane.

First showing at 1:00 PM and second showing at 3:00 PM.

Tickets are free on a first come, first served basis and can be picked at the box office in front of the East Hampton Middle School.

🍿 Popcorn for everyone! 🍿

Don’t miss out on this festive, family-friendly event! Cozy up with some popcorn and enjoy The Grinch as it lights up the big screen in the East Hampton Middle School's Auditorium.

HOLIDAY COOKIE DECORATING WITH CITARELLA

GUILD HALL - 158 MAIN STREET
TIME: 1PM to 4PM

Drop into Guild Hall’s Boots Lamb Education Center for a festive session of free gingerbread cookie decorating with the holiday cookie artists from Citarella. All materials, including freshly baked cookies and decorating supplies, will be provided. This is a FREE event, and all are welcome!

Registration is not required, but encouraged. Click here to register.

Galleries are also open from 12-5 PM, and guests are encouraged to take a self-guided tour of the 85th Artist Members Exhibition and Linda Reville Eisenberg: STILL. Museum admission is always free.

DECK THE WINDOWS

Holiday Window Decorating Contest

ALL MAIN STREET, NEWTOWN LANE & PARK PLACE SHOPS ARE WELCOME!
Nov. 29th (Black Friday) Thru Dec. 7th

Get ready to stroll through a winter wonderland! The Holiday Window Decorating Contest is back, and this year it's bigger and better, thanks to Ralph Lauren. Watch as local businesses on Main Street, Newtown Lane, and Park Place transform their storefronts into magical holiday displays that will light up the village with festive cheer!

Judging will be done by members of the Anchor Society and begins on Black Friday (November 29th) and runs through December 7th, when Mayor Jerry Larsen and a Special Guest will announce the winners at the Holiday Tree Lighting at 5pm in Herrick Park.

DECK THE WINDOWS

Interested Decorating Your Storefront Windows this Holiday Season?

We are excited to invite all local businesses on Main Street, Newtown Lane, and Park Place to participate in our Holiday Window Decorating Contest. Download the Window Decorating Contest Application PDF to get all the details and join the celebration.

Window Decorating Contest Application (PDF)

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

HERRICK PARK - 67 NEWTOWN LANE

Join us for the grand finale of a magical day in East Hampton—

The Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony! 🎅✨

On December 7th, Mayor Jerry Larsen will be joined by a Special Guest to light up the village’s spectacular 30-foot Holiday Tree, located on Newtown Lane across from the Middle School. Last year we were joined by Neil Patrick Harris.

This beloved tradition will fill Herrick Park with holiday cheer as we celebrate the season with festive carolers and a heartfelt thank you to the many helpers and elves who made the day possible.

Tree Lighting Highlights:

🎄 The Lighting of the 30-foot Holiday Tree

🎶 Performances by Local Carolers & The Bonnettes

🏆 Announcement of the Holiday Window Decorating Contest Winners

🎅 Meet the Mayor and Special Guests

Bring your family and friends to experience the season's magic at this unforgettable event, and let’s light up East Hampton together!