Patch Guide: 2012 Lighting of Malverne

The wreaths have been hung and the lights have been strung throughout downtown Malverne, setting the stage for the village's annual holiday lighting.

Volunteers were working hard this past Friday and Saturday to decorate the village for this year's Lighting of Malverne, a beloved local tradition, which will take place on Dec. 1. 

The festivities will begin early Saturday with three back-to-back Breakfast with Santa seatings in the morning. Then, Mr. Claus will be stopping at the Malverne Cinema and San Dee Lanes, where kids will be enjoying a free film and bowling with the big guy before he rides down Hempstead Avenue later that night in his sleigh for the annual elf parade, featuring the award-winning Malverne High School marching band. 

And that's just the start of things. Following the parade, Malverne officials and local clergy will participate in the annual Blessing of the Creche and then, one lucky resident will do the honors of flipping the switch to turn on the village's Christmas tree. 

Throughout the night, families can enjoy various musical performances, horse-and-buggy rides, a living Nativity and petting zoo, and fire barrels for warming up and catching up with neighbors, along with some newer attractions.

The Malverne Civic Association will be bringing back its Disco Danceland featuring Frosty the Snowman for kids, while also collecting toys and children's books for Hurricane Sandy's youngest victims. Reindeer Games will be set-up outside the train station, where families can get free photos with Santa. The Tap to Pointe dancers will perform a selection of show-stopping routines and an ice sculpture will be carving up holiday-themed creations inside Purcell Park.

To make sure you don't miss any of your favorite attractions, print out the attached schedule of events.