To all our wonderful Tomatoes who celebrate Hanukkah, we wish you a happy holiday! Our Three Tomatoes holiday event was truly a magical evening. Check out the highlights. We’ve been focused on the holiday sights and events in NYC (see our archives) but today we’re sharing some terrific Long Island holiday events including Jones Beach and the Gilded Age mansions of Long Island. But back to NYC, there’s a wonderful concert for a good cause. We’re giving away theater tickets. And our roving photographer captured beautiful images at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the sixth largest church in the world.

A Magical Evening: Our Sip, Shop, and Mingle Event

The 3Ts Anne Akers, Cheryl Benton, Roni Jenkins

Anne Akers and I were delighted to welcome Tomatoes and friends to our inaugural winter event, held earlier this week at the enchanting Scandinavia House. The turnout was fantastic, setting the perfect tone for a joyous start to the holiday season. Here’s our recap.

Dec. 18. Harmonious!

Our friend Deborah Roth’s wonderful women’s chorus is back LIVE and LIVE-STREAMING for their holiday concert on Mon., December 18th at 8pm. It will put you in the spirit of the season with a heart-warming repertoire, ranging from classical to contemporary to holiday favorites. Get your in person or streaming tickets now.

Win Tickets to Titanique + Great Discount Code 

“SENSATIONAL, HILARIOUS & DERANGED!.. the funniest musical in town!”

 –NY Post

When the music of Céline Dion makes sweet Canadian love with the eleven-time Oscar®-winning film Titanic, you get TITANIQUE, a musical celebration that turns one of the greatest love stories of all time into a hysterical and joyful slay-fest. GET THE DETAILS.

Roving at The Cathedral of St. John the Divine

Our roving photographer, Nicole Freezer Rubens, writes:

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine broke ground for construction in 1892 and is still not finished! The combined Romanesque Revival and Gothic Revival style cathedral, located on Amsterdam Avenue at 110th Street in Morningside Heights is a sight to behold. Open since 1909 this stone, granite and limestone structure is the 6th largest church world-over by area, at 121,000 square feet. St. John’s was rightfully designated a landmark in 2017.

Stepping inside for the first time, the sheer scale and the carved details of the stone, wood and miles of mosaic, transported me to another time and place when both religion and architecture were quite grand. For this experience alone, I suggest you go and stand small under the 177 foot nave ceiling height.

Though it is an Episcopal church it is a house of prayer for all people offering unity and intellectual leadership. Self guided tours are available Monday through Saturday from 9:30 to 5:00. Visiting St. John’s is certainly a great way to gain some perspective during this holiday season.

~Nicole Freezer Rubens is the author of poetry/photo book, “The Long Pause and the Short Breath.” Follow her on https://www.instagram.com/nfrconsult/

The Magic of Lights at Jones Beach

Magic of Lights is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort and safety of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of Long Island’s favorite holiday tradition. One carload, one price.  GET THE DETAILS.

Three Long Island Mansions to Visit During the Holidays

Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum

Eagle’s Nest was the summer home of William K. Vanderbilt II, the great-grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Eagle’s Nest was built initially in 1910 as a small English cottage. Over the next 30 years, the house grew into the sprawling 24 room Spanish-Revival mansion that is seen today. The Vanderbilt Museum’s holiday centerpiece is decorated each year by local designers and garden clubs.

Their creative touch brings additional charm and magic to the spectacular, 24-room, Spanish-Revival house, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Eagle’s Nest was designed by famed architects Warren and Wetmore, who took inspiration from the architecture of Spain and Northern Africa, and adorned with ironwork made by master craftsman Samuel Yellin. Unique among many mansions, Eagle’s Nest was not only built with living space for Mr. Vanderbilt and his family, but also museum space where Vanderbilt could showcase the thousands of natural history and cultural specimens he had collected from his travels. Visitors can see the Mansion’s December finery and take guided tours. GET THE DETAILS.

Dec. 16 & 17. Home for the Holidays at Coe Hall at the Planting Fields

Head to the Planting Fields in Oyster Bay for the annual two-day, family-friendly Home for the Holidays celebration, a rare opportunity to see a stunning and festively decorated Coe Hall in full holiday splendor and spirit, with natural materials sourced from Planting Fields. Experience the magic of the season with live holiday music, crafts, activities and more, plus…snap a holiday photo with the Grinch!  Live holiday music from Dave Brown and the Versatiles, and an interactive children’s set from Strummin’ and Drummin’! GET THE DETAILS.

The Planting Fields is a dynamic and vibrant site that features numerous historic structures, Olmsted Brothers-designed landscapes, and world class art and horticultural collections. As a former Gold Coast estate, it is preserved today as a celebration of art, architecture, landscape, and the people that resided on its land. GET THE DETAILS.

Christmas at Old Westbury Gardens

Get in the spirit of the holidays with a self-guided walk-through Westbury House at Old Westbury Gardens. With decorated period rooms, Santa, cookies and cider, our holiday celebration is a must for the entire family! The gardens are also open.

Old Westbury Gardens, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the former home of John S. Phipps, his wife, Margarita Grace Phipps and their four children. Completed in 1906 by the English designer, George A. Crawley, the magnificent Charles II-style mansion is nestled amid 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes. Westbury House is furnished with fine English antiques and decorative arts from the more than fifty years of the family’s residence. GET THE DETAILS.