Holidays in Oyster Bay are once again being presented by a group of local sponsoring organizations which will make the hamlet aglow with activities. The Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Oyster Bay Civic Association and the Main Street Association are working together to bring you their annual Holidays in Oyster Bay. Adding their special events to the mix are Raynham Hall Museum and the Oyster Bay Rail Road Museum as well as the the Oyster Bay Historical Society with its current exhibit Upstairs, Downstairs in Oyster Bay, open throughout the season. The events should give everyone great reasons to come to the hamlet, to shop, eat and socialize.

Planned events start Dec. 1 with an open house at Raynham Hall Museum and continue through the holidays with their candelight tours offered on Thursdays. This year the Main Street Association's horse and carriage rides, and the new "Polar Express" miniature train exhibit at the Oyster Bay Railroad Station are both held on Sundays. The anticipated arrival of Santa Claus at the Derby-Hall bandstand will take place Sunday, Dec. 11 starting with the annual parade at 4 p.m. which marches to the tree lighting event.

New holiday decorations of lighted wreaths will grace the lampposts on Audrey Avenue and South Street decorations will remind residents of past holidays. The lighting program is assisted by a generous contribution from the Oyster Bay Charitable Fund, a part of the Oyster Bay Rotary. The organization donated $2,500 in Oyster Festival profits for the lighting.

There will be two decorating contests. The first is a downtown window-decorating contest sponsored by the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce with the winner announced Dec. 11. There will be a residential decorating contest sponsored by the Oyster Bay Civic Association with winners to be announced Dec. 18.

The Oyster Bay Jewish Center will hold the Chanukah Menorah Lighting at the bandstand Dec. 19.

The month ends with a new offering by the Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich, a Winter Camp for the week between Christmas and New Year's. It should make this year a great month for the community.

For more information on horse and carriage rides or to participate in the holiday parade, call Bob Liebold @ Gooseberry Grove, 628-0385.

Raynham Hall hosts candlelight tours on four Thursday evenings, Dec. 1, 8, 15 and 22 at 4 p.m. A guide will lead you through the evolving holiday traditions from the simplicity of the 1770s to the opulence of the 1870s. Hot spiced cider and other seasonal treats will be served. Tour size is very limited, so to ensure your spot please call the museum at 922-6808 to make a reservation. Tickets are $5 for members; $6 per person (non-members) and preregistration is required. Additional dates for groups of 10 or more may be available upon request.

Raynham Hall Museum, 20 West Main Street in the village of Oyster Bay, is hosting its annual Holiday Open House, Saturday, Dec. 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and hot spiced cider and cookies for all. This historic home to three generations of Townsends, revealing life from the American Revolution in the 1770s through Oyster Bay's affluent Victorian period in the 1870s, will be decorated to show holiday traditions across two centuries. Step into the world of long ago and celebrate the holiday season of a bygone era. For further information, please call the museum at 922-6808.

The Oyster Bay Main Street Association is presenting free horse and carriage rides of historic Oyster Bay on Sundays, Dec. 4, 11 and 18 from noon to 5 p.m. HSBC Bank, USA sponsors this year's horse and carriage rides that showcase the architecture and history of the downtown at this festive time of year. Families wishing to reserve a spot may signup in person at Gooseberry Grove, 12 E. Main St. immediately.

A new event this year, "The Polar Express" miniature train exhibition celebrates the distinction of the Oyster Bay Railroad Station, historic depot placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The program is being run by the Oyster Bay Rail Road Museum. The train station, located at the north end of Audrey Ave., near the walk-in entrance of Theodore Roosevelt Park, will be decorated and opened to the public on Sundays, Dec. 4, 11 and 18 from noon to 5 p.m. A suggested donation of $5 to the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum will enter families in a raffle for a "Polar Express" train set and other merchandise.

The Holidays in Oyster Bay tradition continues with the annual downtown Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting on Dec. 11. The parade starts at 4 p.m., beginning at East Main and Church Street and ending at the Derby-Hall Memorial bandstand. The Atlantic Steamer Fire Department and the Oyster Bay Fire Department Co. #1 will join in the fun bringing Santa Claus to the bandstand.

On Monday, Dec. 19 at 5:30 p.m., Rabbi Marvin Demant of the Oyster Bay Jewish Center will light the Chanukah Menorah at the Derby-Hall Memorial bandstand. All are welcome.

The Boys & Girls Club of Oyster Bay-East Norwich are hosting the first Winter Day Camp that runs Monday, Dec. 26 through Friday, Dec. 30. Club members from K to eighth grade can enjoy a full day of such events as ice skating, movies, arcades, roller skating, bowling and more. Run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. it costs $225. Call 922-9285 for information.