Things to DoLong Island Events

Long Island fall fairs and festivals 2024

By Newsday Staff

Fairs and festivals are all over Long Island this fall and winter. Many are outdoor affairs, with food and drink vendors, family-friendly activities and live music. Admission is free unless otherwise noted.

OCTOBER

THE GREAT JACK-O-LANTERN BLAZE

The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze returns to Old Bethpage Village Restoration...

The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze returns to Old Bethpage Village Restoration in October.  Credit: Barry Sloan

  • Walk the pumpkin trail with thousands of hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns. Advance tickets are required for a time slot entry, or get FLEX tickets and visit anytime. Old Bethpage Village Restoration, 1303 Round Swamp Rd.; 914-366-6900, pumpkinblaze.org.
  • Date ; Oct. 23-27; Oct. 30-31; and Nov. 1-3.
  • Fee $39, ages 3-17 start at $10, free younger than 3. No tickets sold at the door.
Hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns line a 4,200-foot-long trail at Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns...

Hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns line a 4,200-foot-long trail at Rise of the Jack O'Lanterns at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts in Wheatley Heights. Credit: Rise of the Jack O’Lanterns

RISE OF THE JACK O’LANTERNS

  • Over 7,000 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns along a walkable 4,200-foot-long trail. There are different themes featuring pop culture and Halloween icons. It's a "not-so-spooky" trail appropriate for all age groups. Advance tickets required, no admission will be sold at door; times vary. Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts, 185 Colonial Springs Rd., Wheatley Heights; jackolanterns.com.
  • Date Oct. 23-28. 
  • Fee Starting at $17.
Stroll the haunted woods at the Center for Science Teaching...

Stroll the haunted woods at the Center for Science Teaching and Learning in Rockville Centre during Spooky Fest.  Credit: David Conn

SPOOKY FEST

  • The event includes the Spooky Walk in the Dino Woods with Zombie Robotic Dinosaurs and other Zombie scenes, bringing the scare back into the woods, and characters will be jump out; also the Enchanted Not-So-Spooky Walk featuring friendly displays and characters, such as dinosaurs, aliens, Cinderella and good witches. You’ll find family activities, arts and crafts for children, face painting, fortune-telling, music, dancing, a glow tent and more. Center for Science Teaching and Learning at Tanglewood Preserve, 1450 Tanglewood Rd., Rockville Centre; 516-764-0045, cstl.org/spooky-fest.
  • Date 6-9:30 p.m. Oct. 25-27. Rain or shine, outdoors.
  • Fee $27 all-inclusive, $22 non-scary. Children younger than 2 get in free.
The Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead will host its annual...

The Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead will host its annual “Bats, Barnacles & Broomsticks” Halloween Celebration on Oct. 26. Credit: Long Island Aquarium

BATS, BARNACLES & BROOMSTICKS HALLOWEEN PARTY

  • Trick-or-treating, vendor tables, games and prizes. Half-price for ages 3-12 in costume with a paying adult. Long Island Aquarium, 431 E. Main St., Riverhead; 631-208-9200 ext. 426, longislandaquarium.com.
  • Date 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 26. 
  • Party Fee Free with aquarium admission: $48.99, $34.99 ages 3-12, $35.99 ages 62 and older.

THE GREAT JACK-O'-LANTERN SAIL

  • A floating pumpkin festival with inflatables, magic show, balloon twisting, a children's spooky den, character performances and meet and greets, trick-or-treating, games, and funny photos. The first 50 carved pumpkins received will be placed on flotation devices and lit with candles and then sailed, from the back of kayaks, around Belmont Lake at dusk (6:15 p.m.). Belmont Lake State Park, North Babylon; 631-321-3510, parks.ny.gov/events.
  • Date 3-6 p.m. Oct. 26. 
  • Fee Free.
Signage and textiles at Kennedy Plaza in Long Beach.

Signage and textiles at Kennedy Plaza in Long Beach. Credit: Linda Rosier

HALLOWEEN IN THE PLAZA 

  • Trick-or-treating around Kennedy Plaza in front of City Hall on West Park Avenue, live music, children's art station and handcrafted art; 11 a.m. costume parade and dance party. West Park Avenue, Long Beach; 516-476-2473, artsintheplaza.com.
  • Date 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 26. 
  • Fee Free.

VILLAGE OF EAST ROCKAWAY FALL FESTIVAL 

  • Food, music, activities for children, vendors with arts and crafts and more, and the indoor Haunted Grist Mill opens.
  • Date 7-9 p.m. Oct. 25; 4-10 p.m. Oct. 26 Haunted Grist Mill; 4-10 p.m. Oct. 26 festival. Festival is weather-dependent. Memorial Park, 376 Atlantic Ave.; 516-887-6300, villageofeastrockaway.org. 
  • Fee Free admission. 

MERRICK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FALL FESTIVAL

  • Rides, games, food and over 50 vendors with arts, crafts and gifts, live music. Merrick LIRR station, Hewlett and Merrick avenues; 516-771-1171, merrickchamber.org.
  • Date Street fair: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 26-27. Carnival: 6-10 p.m. Oct. 25 (rides only); 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Oct. 26; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Oct. 27. 
  • Fee Free admission.

APPLE FESTIVAL

  • Featuring live music, food court, amusement rides, pony rides, petting zoo, family fun zone, vendor market and more. Free shuttle bus from Sayville train station.
  • Date 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Oct. 26; rain date Oct. 27. Islip Grange, 10 Broadway Ave., Sayville; 631-224-5430, islipny.gov.
  • Fee Free.

NASSAU LIONEL OPERATING ENGINEERS OPEN HOUSE

  • Open house of Long Island’s largest operating O-gauge layout. Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers Model Railroad Club, 2953 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown; 516-735-6370, nloe.org.
  • Date 1-4 p.m. Oct. 26-27. 
  • Fee Free admission.
Find mineral-based fossils, jewelry created with gemstones and rare finds at...

Find mineral-based fossils, jewelry created with gemstones and rare finds at the Freeport Gem & Mineral Show. Credit: Kaleidoscope Gem Shows/Kaleidoscope Gem Shows

FREEPORT GEM AND MINERAL SHOW

  • More than 25 vendors displaying minerals, fossils, silver and gold jewelry, gemstones, and beads. Freeport Recreation Center, 130 E. Merrick Rd., Freeport; 631-271-8411, kaleidoscopegemshows.com.
  • Date 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Oct. 27. 
  • Fee $6, free ages 11 and under with an adult.

NORTH EASTERN ARMS COLLECTORS ANTIQUE AND MODERN ARMS SHOW

  • Show and sale with items from pre-Civil War to modern times, including muskets, swords, bayonets, medals and insignia.
  • Date 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 27. American Legion Post 94-Babylon, 22 Grove Place, Babylon; 631-241-3299, nearms.wixsite.com/nearmshome.
  • Fee $8.
Walter Lynch, of Stony Brook, dressed as a police officer,...

Walter Lynch, of Stony Brook, dressed as a police officer, trick or treats at the annual Stony Brook Village Halloween Festival, at the Stony Brook Village Center. Credit: Linda Rosier

HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

  • Trick or treat in shops, children’s games, Monster Mash dancing with a parade beginning at 4 p.m.
  • Date 2-5 p.m. Oct. 31. Stony Brook Village Center, Main Street; 631-751-2244, stonybrookvillage.com.
  • Fee Free.


 

NOVEMBER


Patio dining area at Mirabelle Restaurant and Tavern at the...

Patio dining area at Mirabelle Restaurant and Tavern at the Three Village Inn in Stony Brook. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski

LONG ISLAND RESTAURANT WEEK

FAMILY SPOOKY SCIENCE NIGHT 

  • Tricks, treats, hands-on activities and Disney’s animated 2017 movie "Coco" will be shown in the planetarium, costumes are encouraged. Movie includes a small popcorn, drink and snack. Flagstar Cradle of Aviation Museum, Uniondale; 516-572-4066, cradleofaviation.org.
  • Date 5-9 p.m. Nov. 1. 
  • Fee $22, $20 ages 2-12.

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR

  • The Mother's Guild holds its annual craft fair with more than 100 vendors and food. St. Anthony's High School, 275 Wolf Hill Rd., South Huntington; 631-271-2020, stanthonyshs.org.
  • Date 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 2. 
  • Fee Free.

CRAFT AND VENDOR SALE

  • The ladies auxiliary hosts a craft and vendor sale. AMVETS Post 18, 141 Carleton Ave., East Islip; 631-277-9842.
  • Date 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 2. 
  • Fee Free.

HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR

  • Featuring 50 quality craft dealers, handmade and needle crafts, folk art, wood items and baked goods. St. James Lutheran Church Parish Hall, 230 Second Ave., St. James; 631-584-5212, stjlc.com.
  • Date 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 9. 
  • Fee Free.

CRAFT AND GIFT FAIR

  • Over 100 exhibitors with arts, crafts and gift items. Handmade textiles, jewelry, painted wood signs, painted flowerpots, soft sculpture, totes and pillows. Hauppauge High School, 500 Lincoln Blvd., Hauppauge; 631-846-1459, depasmarket.com.
  • Date 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 9-10. 
  • Fee Free.

CENTRAL OPERATING LINES ALL GAUGE SWAP MEET

  • More than 60 vendors, buy, sell or swap trains and parts. AMVETS Post 18, 141 Carleton Ave., East Islip; 631-563-0173, coltrains.com.
  • Date 8 a.m.-noon Nov. 10. 
  • Fee $5, free for ages 12 and younger with an adult.

SCANDINAVIAN BAZAAR

  • Imported Scandinavian decorative items and food including cheeses, chocolate, rodkal and authentic Scandinavian baked goods; includes a Scandinavian lunch. St. James Lutheran Church Parish Hall, 230 Second Ave., St. James; 631-584-7510.
  • Date 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 16. 
  • Fee Free.

ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR

  • Vendors selling handmade items, includes hand-painted wood, metal and glass, hand-knit items, personalized ornaments, candles, primitives, baby items, fall and holiday decorations. American Legion Post 948, 2730 Royle St., Bellmore; 631-875-8848.
  • Date 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 22, 10-4 p.m. Nov. 23-24.
  • Fee Free.

CHRISTMAS FAIR

  • Christmas fair featuring vendors and crafts. Trinity Lutheran Church of Islip, 111 Nassau Ave., Islip; 631-277-1555, trinityislip.org.
  • Date 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 23. 
  • Fee Free.

FALL ANTIQUES, FINE ART AND CRAFT FAIR

  • Fine art, photography, jewelry, pottery, quilting, knitted and crocheted items, wood crafts, collectibles, antiques, vintage items and other treasures. Peconic Recreation Center, 970 Peconic Lane, Peconic; 631-734-6382, oldtownartsguild.org.
  • Date 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 23. 
  • Fee $5.
Check out the masterpieces up for grabs at the Arts...

Check out the masterpieces up for grabs at the Arts in the Park Fine Arts & Crafts Fair at Heckscher Park in Huntington. Credit: Art League of Long Island

FINE ARTS AND CRAFTS FAIR 

  • Featuring over 100 professional artists and craftsmen selling paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, wooden items, florals, handbags, clothing, toys, dolls and other handmade gifts for the holidays. There will also be a food court. Walt Whitman High School, 301 W. Hills Rd., Huntington Station; 631-549-8582, shufsd.org.
  • Date 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Nov. 23. 
  • Fee Free.

CRAFT AND GIFT FAIR 

  • Features exhibitors with handmade and self-designed crafts. East Islip High School, 1 Redmen St., Islip Terrace; 631-846-1459, depasmarket.com.
  • Date 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 23-24. 
  • Fee Free.
Hundreds of Long Island model train enthusiasts at Model Train...

Hundreds of Long Island model train enthusiasts at Model Train Show in Hicksville.  Credit: Michael Cusanelli

MODEL TRAIN SHOW 

  • Multiple operating layouts from area clubs coordinated by Trainville Hobby Depot, benefits the Oyster Bay Railway Museum. William P. Bennett Hicksville Community Center, 28 W. Carl St., Hicksville; 516-433-4444, trainville.com.
  • Date 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 23-24. 
  • Fee $7, $4 ages 4-11.

WEST ISLAND MODEL RAILROAD CLUB OPEN HOUSE 

  • Open house of a HO scale model railroad. West Island Model Railroad Club, 485 S. Broadway, Unit 22A, Hicksville; 516-433-6600, westislandmodelrailroadclub.com.
  • Date 1-5 p.m. Nov. 29, 1-4 p.m. Nov. 30. 
  • Fee $5, $15 family suggested donation.

THE COUNTRY PARLOR 

  • Holiday show features folk art, crafts and gifts including baskets, tree trimmings and holiday décor, wreaths, rugs, wood carvings and decoys and more. Hudson House at Hallockville Museum Farm, 6038 Sound Ave., Riverhead; 631-298-5292, hallockville.com.
  • Date 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 29; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec. 1; 3-8 p.m. Dec. 6; 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 7; 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Dec. 8. 
  • Fee Free.
Mary Kenny peels apples for a pie and Joanne Graves...

Mary Kenny peels apples for a pie and Joanne Graves tends to a turkey cooking by the hearth as visitors to Williams House watch during an 1863 Thanksgiving Celebration at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Credit: Steven Sunshine

1863 THANKSGIVING 

  • Thanksgiving celebration includes traditional cooking demonstrations, traditional fiddle music, historic legends and more, presented by Nassau County. Old Bethpage Village Restoration, Round Swamp Road; 516-572-8409, oldbethpagevillagerestoration.org.
  • Date 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 30-Dec 1. 
  • Fee $15, $13 ages 5-12 and older than 60. 

DECEMBER (DV)

DECEMBER

WEST ISLAND MODEL RAILROAD CLUB OPEN HOUSE 

  • Open house of a HO scale model railroad.
  • Date 1-4 p.m. Dec. 1, Dec. 7-8 and Dec. 14-15; 7-9 p.m. Dec. 6 and Dec. 13. West Island Model Railroad Club, 485 S. Broadway, Unit 22A, Hicksville; 516-433-6600, westislandmodelrailroadclub.com.
  • Fee $5, $15 family suggested donation. 

PSYCHIC, HEALER AND WELLNESS EXPO 

  • Psychics, readings, holistic wellness, essential oils.
  • Date Noon-5 p.m. Dec. 1. Holiday Inn Plainview-Long Island, 215 Sunnyside Blvd., Plainview; 516-639-6903.
  • Fee Free admission, $40 for 15-minute readings.

CITY OF GLEN COVE TREE LIGHTING & MERRY TREE FESTIVAL 

  • Activities in the Village Square downtown and "Tree of Light" tree lighting ceremony.
  • Date 1:30-4:30 p.m. Dec. 7 (tree lighting begins at 4:45 p.m.). Glen Cove Village Square; 516-676-2004, glencoveny.gov.
  • Fee Free. 

HOLIDAY FAIR 

  • Local artisans and unique holiday gifts, crafts and face painting for children and an opportunity to take photos with Santa.
  • Date 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 7. Southold Town Recreation Center, 970 Peconic Lane, Peconic; 631-765-5500, southoldhistorical.org.
  • Fee Free. 

CHARLES DICKENS FESTIVAL 

From L-R, Michele Santoro (The Ghost of Christmas Future), Elaine...

From L-R, Michele Santoro (The Ghost of Christmas Future), Elaine Cappelletti (Lady Cecilia), Dan Overin (Scrooge), Mary Jane Deneen (Millicent Free Leigh), Marylin Baracks (Lady Jane) and Katie Dolgin (Belle) at the annual Dickens Festival in Port Jefferson.  Credit: Daniel Brennan

  • Family-oriented celebration features parades, trolley and carriage rides, vendors, costumed characters from "A Christmas Carol," Victorian entertainment and more. Events occur throughout the day, check website for schedule and locations.
  • Date Dec. 7-8. Port Jefferson Village; 631-473-4724, portjeff.com/dickens.
  • Fee Free.

HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE 

  • Over 50 artisans selling original art, jewelry, clothing, candles, woodworking, soft sculpture, holiday décor and more.
  • Date 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 7-8. St. John's Greek Orthodox Church, 77 Montauk Hwy., Blue Point; 631-563-8551, preferredpromotions.com.
  • Fee Free. 

NASSAU LIONEL OPERATING ENGINEERS OPEN HOUSE 

  • Open house of Long Island's largest operating O-gauge layout.
  • Date 8-10 p.m. Dec. 6 and Dec. 13; 1-4 p.m. Dec. 7-8 and Dec. 14-15. Nassau Lionel Operating Engineers Model Railroad Club, 2953 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown; 516-735-6370, nloe.org.
  • Fee Free. 

SMITHTOWN CRAFT FAIR 

  • Over 100 exhibitors with arts, crafts and gift items. Handmade textiles, jewelry, painted wood signs, painted flower pots, soft sculpture, totes, pillows and more.
  • Date 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 7-8. Smithtown East High School, 10 School St., Smithtown; 631-846-1459, depasmarket.com.
  • Fee Free. 

HOLIDAY FESTIVAL 

  • Featuring a puppet processional parade with 14-foot puppets, a promenade of decorated holiday trees, live music, holiday trains display, a visit from Santa, holiday tree lighting.
  • Date Noon-6 p.m. Dec. 8. Stony Brook Village Center, Main Street, Stony Brook; 631-751-2244, stonybrookvillage.com. 
  • Fee Free.

NORTHPORT WINTER CRAFT FAIR 

  • Over 150 exhibitors with arts, crafts and gift items. Handmade textiles, jewelry, painted wood signs, painted flowerpots, soft sculpture, totes, pillows and more.
  • Date 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 14-15. Northport High School, 154 Laurel Hill Rd., Northport; 631-846-1459, depasmarket.com.
  • Fee Free.

CENTRAL OPERATING LINES MODEL RAILROAD CLUB OPEN HOUSE 

  • See the O-gauge model railroad featuring four main lines, an elevated line, a logging line, and a subway. Additionally there are two cities, a re-creation of the Brooklyn Navy Yard, rural and industrial areas as well as a sound and light show of an actual thunderstorm. Empire State Building with King Kong.
  • Date 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 26-27, Nov. 16-17, Dec. 14-15. Central Operating Lines, 50A Carlough Rd., Bohemia; 631-563-0173, coltrains.com.
  • Fee Donation.

MODEL TRAIN SHOW 

  • Local model train clubs and church members will display operating layouts in several scales, featuring refreshments and door prizes, additional donations will be accepted to benefit Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
  • Date 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 14. Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 2421 Hewlett Ave., Merrick; 516-433-4444, trainville.com.
  • Fee $7, $4 ages 4-11. 

SELDEN CRAFT AND GIFT FAIR 

  • Over 150 exhibitors with arts, crafts and gift items. Handmade textiles, jewelry, painted wood signs, painted flower pots, soft sculpture, totes and pillows.
  • Date 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 21-22. Newfield High School, 145 Marshall Dr., Selden; 631-846-1459, depasmarket.com.
  • Fee Free. 

 
 

By Newsday Staff

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