A Huntington Matters Exclusive Sneak Peek
HUNTINGTON, NY – Wall Street is transforming once again for the magical Huntington Holiday Spectacular that kicks off on Small Business Saturday, November 29th at approximately 6:30pm immediately following the Nautical Holiday Parade.
This year’s Tree Lighting Ceremony will be hosted by actor and Dix Hills native Ralph Macchio with special musical guest Tyler Hilton – musician, actor, and author.
If you think the Huntington Holiday Spectacular magically appears overnight, think again. Behind every sparkling light, whimsical character, and soaring musical cue is a small but mighty team guided by one woman who proudly calls herself the “Chaos Coordinator.”
We spent the day with Nicolina Scisca, Huntington Village Business Improvement District’s Holiday Spectacular Coordinator, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of one of Long Island’s most elaborate holiday experiences.
A Small Team With Superpowers
For an event that drew 30,000 people last year, you might expect an army running the show. Instead, Nicolina explains that the core team is closer to ten.
“It’s like Captain Planet,” she laughs. “Everyone brings their own superpower and together we are the Huntington Holiday Spectacular.”
From light programmer Bill Schlatter, muralist Lindsay Lange, and social media lead Nicole Gargano, to the general contractors Mike and Rick, the Plug In crew, and indispensable support people like Lanny – every member fills a crucial role.
Planning starts in January, with bookings and ordering happening by summer. “There has to be someone always thinking about this event,” Nicolina says. “And I’m happy to be that person.”
Northwell Health Huntington Hospital is the Spectacular’s main sponsor, together with many other sponsors recognized on the wreaths throughout the display.
The Centerpiece: A Christmas Tree You Can See for Blocks
At the heart of the Holiday Spectacular stands a breathtaking 55-foot Christmas tree – a towering icon that glows so brightly it can be seen from several blocks in every direction. It’s the visual anchor of the entire celebration, and seeing it rise is a spectacle in itself.
This year, thanks to Metro Iron and owner Dan Valente (Huntington resident), the massive tree was assembled in a record-breaking three hours and 20 minutes. The process is nothing short of engineering choreography – giant rings lifted into place by crane, workers guiding and securing branches, and countless ornaments already pre-attached so the tree blooms open like a giant storybook unfolding.
Once complete, the tree becomes the centerpiece of the nightly synchronized light show, dancing in perfect harmony with holiday music. Each strand, panel, and bulb is programmatically tied to the soundtrack, neighboring buildings and the festive features throughout Wall Street. It’s not just a tree lighting – it’s a block-wide symphony of light.
From afar, the tree glimmers like a North Pole beacon. Up close, it’s an immersive experience of light, color, music, and motion – a true technological marvel wrapped in holiday wonder.
🎄Daily Holiday Spectacular Light Show plays every hour at the top of the hour for 30 minutes.
Monday through Thursday: 5:00PM – 9:00PM. Fridays: 5:00PM – 10:00PM. Saturdays: 12:00PM – 10:00PM. Sundays: 12:00PM – 9:00PM.
Occasional weather events cancel the light show and appearances. Follow the Spectacular on Instagram or check the Huntington Matters Community Calendar for up to date information.
Bryant Park Meets Rockefeller Center
One of the most striking features of the Spectacular is the row of elegant holiday gazebos – built and donated by Ambassador Home Improvement.
“When we installed the gazebos, we wanted to bring the best of Bryant Park and Rockefeller Center together,” Nicolina explains. Look out for the Twelve Days of Christmas “Easter eggs” on the gazebo banners. The result is a festive, walkable winter village filled with arts markets, farmer’s markets, and Small Business Thursdays – where vendors participate free of charge.
“We want small businesses to make as much money as they can during the holiday season,” she says.
High-Tech Holiday Magic
The four signature pixel trees return to the roofs of Wall Street buildings thanks to Bill Schlatter – a holiday-light legend Nicolina discovered through an old Newsday article featuring his home’s Christmas display. Scisca messaged “Would you be interested in doing anything bigger?” Bill joined the team a few years ago and programs every moment of the Holiday Spectacular’s synchronized display.
And yes – it will snow from the rooftops again. “That was very important to me,” Nicolina says, smiling.
Art Everywhere: Murals, Gingerbread & Twelve Days of Christmas
Local artist Lindsay Lange has brought the Spectacular’s characters to life with an expressive street mural featuring playful holiday scenes. This year, she worked through wind and weather for 8 straight days – even using an Oculus Virtual Reality headset to help with projection mapping for the first time. “It still starts as our art,” Lindsay says. “It just streamlines the process.”
New this year
- A polar bear tugging a string of ornaments down Wall Street
- Twelve character “friends” holding the other end
- Freshened décor on the gingerbread house which sells hot cocoa, snacks, light up toys and doubles as an information booth and lost and found
- Updated touches like new red reindeer antlers
- 2 new songs added to the light show
- A pine-scent diffuser inside the 55-foot tree
- NEW Surround-sound speakers mounted near Main Street so more people can hear the show during the Tree Lighting event.
- Another BIG SURPRISE that Nicolina said we’d have to wait for.
Santa, Therapy Dogs & Holiday Joy Until January 4th
Santa Claus returns to his giant red chair at the base of the tree for free photo ops Wednesdays through Sundays through December 23rd. See his full schedule.
6 weeks of Holiday and Winter fun for all ages:
- Santa Paws photo opportunities with Northwell’s Golden Retriever therapy dogs
- Princess Story Time
- Dance performances each Sunday
- Live Music on Weekends
- Professional entertainment including the St. John’s University Kickline and Fred Astaire dancers
- The captivating ice carver who sculpts custom creations live on request. “It’s so cool to watch,” Nicolina says. “He even sprays snow onto the kids.”
- Town of Huntington’s Menorah Lighting
Search the Huntington Matters Community Calendar by keyword or “Huntington Holiday Spectacular” category to find all of the month’s events!
A Labor of Love for a Town That Loves It Back
Nicolina, an East Northport native and lifelong Huntingtonian, stays close to home on Thanksgiving just in case the team needs her before the big weekend.
“This is a labor of love for all of us,” she says. “We work on this all year to make something magical for the community.”
And magical it is. When the rooftops snow, the pixel trees dance, the murals glow, and the giant tree bursts into light, it’s clear: Huntington’s holiday spirit is brighter than ever. Standing anywhere on Wall Street feels like stepping onto the set of a holiday movie – except this movie was built by local artists, engineers, volunteers, and a community that loves this event fiercely.
To watch the LIVE STREAM of the Holiday Nautical Parade and the Huntington Holiday Spectacular Tree Lighting, tune in to Huntington Matters Facebook Page or Huntington Matters YouTube Channel.
Photography by Dana E. Richter and Diane Schaber.
