Sag Harbor Chamber Hopes Holiday Promotions Will Light Up The Village

Just because COVID-19 is still among us does not mean the holidays will not be coming this year. To reinforce that notion, the Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce is hosting the “Sag Harbor Friday Night Lights Holiday Festival” every Friday night from November 27, the day after Thanksgiving, until December 18, one week before Christmas.

“We wanted to bring the village alive with the spirit and joy of the holidays, but also keep a steady, safe and socially-distant flow for the health of our community,” said Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce President Lisa Field. “Main Street’s historic small town charm will be on full display as our shops and restaurants invite you to shop small, support local and discover the gifts of the season.”

The festival kicks off this week, with the Main Street Holiday Window Unveiling and Harbor Stroll from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, November 27, when participating businesses will extend their hours with many offering special gifts with purchases.

The annual Christmas tree lighting and visit from Santa Claus, two events that are typically held together, will be held separately this year to help control crowds, said Chamber member Carrie Waible. “This year we didn’t want to create one event, where lots of people would descend on the village,” she said.

The tree lighting will take place at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, December 4, at Long Wharf. Santa Claus will take a break from his busy work schedule to visit children in Sag Harbor from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, December 11. As always, he will be escorted to the village by his friends at the Sag Harbor Fire Department. However, even Santa Claus is not immune to COVID-19, so precautions will have to be taken for photographs, with Santa sitting on the fire truck, and children on the ground.

Ms. Waible said with state health guidelines changing almost daily, parents should check back for updates about Santa’s visit because he may not be able to stop and pose for photos this year.

The promotion will end on Friday, December 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. when participating village merchants and restaurants donating a portion of their proceeds to local charities.

WLNG will broadcast holiday music from its mobile broadcasting studio on Main Street on December 4, 11, and 18.

“We are not going to cancel the holidays,” said Ms. Waible. “But we are going to do everything we can to protect people and help our local businesses.”