The splendor of Long Island’s Gold Coast mansions comes alive over the holidays, where glittering decorations and a variety of special events add to the delights of the season. From a celebration of the Gilded Age to a lavish New Year’s Eve ball, here’s a guide to what’s happening.
Old Westbury Gardens
71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury
The Gilded Age comes alive at Christmas at Westbury House, open Dec. 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The historic Phipps estate will be open each weekend, so visitors can tour the mansion and wander the grounds.
Tour Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens. Credit: Linda Rosier
Admission will include caroling by students from the Long Island High School for the Arts (11 a.m.) and the Long Island Flute Club holiday choir (2:30 p.m.) on Dec. 7, and the Girl Scouts Chorus of Nassau County at 1 p.m. on Dec. 20, Admission is $18, $15 seniors 62 and over and full-time students, $8 children ages 7-17,
Another highlight will be a program on holiday treats, featuring Becky Libourel Diamond at 7 p.m. on Dec. 18. She’ll recreate recipes from “The Gilded Age Christmas Cookbook,” her compilation of confections from the era like sugarplums, mincemeat pie and lemon gingerbread recreated for modern families. “They’re not difficult,” she says, and “they’ll bring a little history into your kitchen.” She’ll also sign copies at the event, which is $30.
Other special events include Seasonal Sips: Snowy Sips, a two-hour painting class paired with seasonal drinks on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. ($30); a winter embroidery class at 4 p.m. on Dec. 12 ($30); and a children’s party featuring a scavenger hunt and holiday crafts, 6 p.m. on Dec. 13, ($25, $22 ages 3-12).
INFO 516-333-0048, oldwestburygardens.org
Planting Fields
1395 Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay
Planting Fields in Oyster Bay is open for holiday tours from Dec. 8-28. Credit: David Almeida
The 65-room Tudor Revival mansion will be resplendent with holiday decor, much of it sourced from the grounds of the estate. The theme this year is Nature’s Heirloom, and decorations will be constructed from natural materials taken from the surrounding gardens — invasive plants will be transformed into elegant garlands, and seed heads and grasses give a nod to a new garden featuring 24,000 plants created by landscape designer Piet Oudolf, set to open in fall 2026.
Holiday events kick off Dec. 6, with Deck the Halls, a benefit cocktail party from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. ($325 a person). A free tree lighting celebration, sponsored by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, takes place at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 12. Guests can then head to the main greenhouse for a display of more than 20 varieties of poinsettias. Home for the Holidays is a family weekend Dec. 12-14, where Santa will be available for photos and kids will make seasonal crafts while sipping cocoa ($20, $15 age 4-17, free 3 and younger). Planting Fields also offers both guided tours ($25) and self-guided tours ($20) of the decorated mansion Dec. 8-28 (see website for times).
INFO 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily except Christmas; 516-922-9210, plantingfields.org
Sands Point Preserve
127 Middle Neck Rd., Sands Point
Sands Point Preserve will hold its annual Holiday Tales event on Dec. 7. Credit: Sands Point Preserve Conservancy
The preserve focuses on special events for children during two holiday celebrations at Hempstead House, one of three Gold Coast mansions on the former Guggenheim estate. Holiday Tales (1-4 p.m. Dec. 7) features Rachel Fox, director of children’s services at the Port Washington Library, reading seasonal stories, along with crafts, a dreidel corner, a “nutty” scavenger hunt and photos with Santa ($15 ages 15 and younger, $5 adults).
At Beauty’s Enchanted Holiday Adventure on Dec. 21, children will sing and dance to the beloved story in the mansion’s library. Each child will get time for a personal visit with Beauty, followed by a photo session ($60 per child, adults free). Admission for both events includes parking and all fees.
INFO 516-571-7901, sandspointpreserveconservancy.org
Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium
180 Little Neck Rd., Centerport
The library at the Vanderbilt Museum in Centerport is all dressed up for the holidays. Credit: Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum
Immediately after Thanksgiving, local decorators, garden club members and other volunteers decorate the Spanish Revival mansion for the holidays. Visitors can see the results during three Saturday evening candlelight tours, one of the few times the private quarters of Eagle’s Nest, once the summer home of William K. Vanderbilt, are open at night. Candlelight tours are Dec. 6, 13, and 20 from 5:45 to 8 p.m. ($14, $10 ages 62 and over and students with ID, $8 ages 12. Tickets only available online.
INFO 631-854-5579, vanderbiltmuseum.org
Oheka Castle
135 West Gate Dr., Huntington
Ring in the new year at Oheka Castle’s black tie ball on Dec. 31. Credit: Brett Matthews
Oheka, once the home of legendary financier Otto Kahn, continues its celebration of the 100th anniversary of “The Great Gatsby” with a black-tie New Year’s Eve ball. A lavish cocktail hour (yes, there will be caviar) and a multicourse dinner are planned, along with dancing and live entertainment ($500 a person). Guests can also spend the night in one of the castle’s rooms (starting at $595).
Holiday events at the castle’s OHK Bar and Restaurant include a prix fixe Christmas Eve dinner from 4 to 10 p.m. ($150, $40 ages 10 and under) and Brunch with Santa, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 21 ($100, $40 ages 10 and younger).
INFO 631-659-1400, oheka.com