Dec. 18: Santa Claus Parades, Storytelling and Holiday Lights

This Saturday marks the one week before Christmas. Keep your eyes peeled because Santa Claus is making an early visit as he arrives on the red trucks of Hauppauge Fire Department's parades. Santa might just be making a last minute visit just to double check whether you've been naughty or nice.

1. Engine Company No. 4 and Truck Company No. 1 will join together for the starting from the main firehouse on Wheeler Road. Get ready as Old Saint Nick comes to central Hauppauge on a red fire truck.

2. How's he get around so fast? Santa Claus will join up with Hauppauge Fire Department's Engine Co. 3 on Ledgewood Drive for their . Starting at 3 p.m., children and their parents can visit Santa at the firehouse and receive candy canes.  Check our event listings for a full schedule of stops in western Hauppauge.

3. Before the parades, gather around at at Sweet Briar Nature Center  at noon. Children can hear local storytellers tell stories about the season, before spinning a tale of their own.

4. Starting to regret all the eating and drinking at this week's holiday parties? Patch's 2010 Holiday Guides will have a list of '10 Places To Work Off Holiday Sweets" later this afternoon.

5. Are your holiday lights a work of art? Snap a picture and send it to the editor at sara-megan.walsh@patch to enter our Long Island wide Hauppauge Patch will crown a local winner on Dec. 19, to then be judged against neighboring towns. Don't miss out.