A chilly evening didn't stop residents from gathering at the Peconic riverfront  Saturday night for the 12th Annual holiday bonfire and tree lighting ceremony.

A few hundred people adults and kids gathered by the fire to await the arrival of the guest-of-honor: Santa Claus. DJs played holiday music and there was hot chocolate for all. Cupcakes and pastries were also provided by Suffolk Community College's Culinary Arts school, The Baker's Workshop.

Shortly after 5 p.m. Santa arrived in a festively decorated boat on the river. Families lined the dock to catch a glimpse of the famous man in red.

Santa was escorted by Councilman Jim Wooten from the boat to a large decorated pine tree to officially start the holiday season by lighting the tree. Applause and cheers came from the crowd as he did so.

Santa was then available to meet with children in his new gingerbread house, which was created by Matt Targon at his shop on Route 25 in Calverton. Containing an actual working fireplace, the house, sculpted from foam and weighing about 1,200 pounds, was a big hit among attendees, many using it as a backdrop for holiday photos. The Riverhead BID sponsored the purchase of the house.