Oyster Bay plans to be a festive destination and full of activity this holiday season. In the weeks ahead decorations will go up on the bandstand and along the streets.

A full schedule of events is planned as well, starting on Thursday, Dec. 4. As part of the First Thursdays promotion, participating stores will stay open until 8 p.m. Special entertainment and retail promotions will entice people to visit downtown.

Free horse and carriage rides will be available the first two Saturdays of December from noon to 4 p.m. These will leave the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum Preview Center at 102 Audrey Ave and are on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 4:15 p.m. This traditional holiday event will include singing, a reading of T'was the Night Before Christmas, and lighting of a large holiday tree in Townsend Park by the Derby-Hall Bandstand. John Canning will reprise his role as master of ceremonies, and performers from area schools will lead the audience in singing of carols. Refreshments will be served.

The annual Chanukah Menorah Lighting will be held Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m. by the Derby-Hall Bandstand across from Town Hall. Rabbi Marvin Demant of the Oyster Bay Jewish Center will lead the lighting of the candles. He will be joined by singers from the Oyster Bay Jewish Center. Refreshments will be served.

Area historical attractions will be featured Saturday, Dec. 13. Raynham Hall Museum (20 West Main Street) plans a "Meet Mrs. Claus" event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with storytelling, goodies, and a small take-home present. Cost is $8 for members and $10 for non-members.

The 7th Annual HPS Benefit Christmas Concert will be held in the Oyster Bay Performing Arts Center at Oyster Bay High School on Friday, Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. The Long Island musical group "J" will feature the music of JoAnn Criblez and John DiGennaro. The concert is free though any donations collected will help benefit people with Hermansky-Pudlak Syndrome (HPS). For more information visit www.hpsnetwork.org.

A second concert will be provided by the choir of the Hood AME Zion Church (corner of South and Summit Streets) on Dec. 13 starting at 4 p.m. A reception will follow, hosted by the Oyster Bay Historical Society at the nearby Earle-Wightman House (20 Summit Street).

Carriage rides will again be available from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13. Later that evening from 6 to 8 p.m. carolers will stroll throughout the downtown and nearby neighborhoods, spreading holiday cheer.

Another concert will be held on Sunday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. in Christ Church (61 East Main Street). The Long Island Baroque Ensemble will present their annual holiday concert with music from different cultures and heritages. This will be performed by singers accompanied by an array of Renaissance instruments. Cost is $20 for general admission, $15 for senior citizens, $10 for students, and free for children under 6.

Holidays in Oyster Bay is made possible through the generous contribution of sponsors including the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce, the Oyster Bay Civic Association, the Oyster Bay Main Street Association, and the Rotary Club of Oyster Bay.

For more information on the activities and other special events, please visit www.holidaysinoysterbay.com.