Each year, after Thanksgiving, everyone gets into the holiday spirit. This year, the Town of Islip has some festive events going on next month to help you get into a holiday groove.

To start off the season, the Town of Islip will host a holiday market on Dec. 7. From noon until 6 p.m., the Islip Town Hall will have holiday shopping and food trucks for residents to enjoy and get a head start on their gift shopping. There will also be entertainment and activities.

At 4 p.m., there will be a “Santa Comes to Town” parade, followed by a Town Hall Christmas tree lighting at 5 p.m. To top off the night, the Holiday Lights Drive-Thru will start at Brookwood Hall in East Islip and run from 5 to 8 p.m. The drive-through will take place all throughout December on Mondays and Thursdays from 5 to 8 p.m.

A rain date is set for the following day, Dec. 8. The event is free admission and all are welcome to stop by. The Drive-Thru will be weather permitting for the remainder of December.

On Dec. 13, the Town of Islip will hold a Drive-Thru Movie Night at 7 p.m. The event is sponsored by Good Samaritan Hospital and although it is free admission, nonperishable items are accepted. This year’s movie is “Home Alone” and entry is limited to the first 200 cars and gates will open at 6 p.m.

Additionally, the Town of Islip will have a menorah lighting ceremony on Dec. 26 at 4 p.m. to celebrate the start of Hanukkah. The event will take place at the Islip Town Hall.

The Islip Arts Council is having a Holiday Market on Dec. 8 from 12 to 7 p.m. It will take place at their location in the South Shore Mall next to Dick’s Sporting Goods.

East Islip High School orchestra will put on a free holiday concert on Dec. 12. The performance will start at 6 p.m. Just two days later, on Dec. 14, the Islip Arts Council will host the West Islip Symphony Orchestra for a free holiday concert starting at 3 p.m. Both events will take place at the Islip Arts Council in the South Shore Mall.

Lastly, for your furry friends who want to show their holiday spirit, Lillybug’s Pet Spa, located on Main Street in Bay Shore, will be offering free photos with “Santa Paws” for pets. It will be held two Saturdays in a row on Dec. 7 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The spa will host the event, free of charge, but donations are welcomed to help support the Babylon animal shelter and its residents. Cookies and pup cups will be served for furry friends.