Spring 2024 festivals on Long Island
Kids can go fishing, see animals, play games and more at Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium's Spring Festival on April 27. Credit: Walter Engels
Kids can have their day when annual spring festivals begin on Long Island — many filled with animal encounters, games, scavenger hunts and more outdoor fun.
Head over to the Spring Farm Festival at Smithtown Historical Society on May 25 where you'll see barn animals, farm tours and learn a little bit of history.
Stephanie Schizas, 35, of Smithtown, will attend this year's event with her husband, Jeff, 36. Schizas moved to Long Island from Las Vegas three years ago and has since attended the event annually. “It is a great way to learn about the historical grounds, engage with the community and a reminder of the amazing history Smithtown holds and preserves,” she says. “The animals are always a plus.”
Later this spring, families can enjoy food, craft vendors and live entertainment at Great South Bay Brewery in Bay Shore during the annual Long Island Feast Fest. Patrick Madden, president and event director, created the festival in 2022 to bring the community together following the pandemic. “Our goal has always been to host an event where everyone on the Island can feel welcome, have a good bite to eat and make some memories with their friends and loved ones,” says Madden.
For fun in the sun paired with food, shopping, animals and games, head to one of these spring festivals:
Enjoy the music at Long Island Guitar Festival
5 Caroline Ave., Setauket
The festival features performers and ensembles, workshops for guitarists and performers and showcases, April 24-28 at the Setauket Presbyterian.
Families can enjoy live music, go for a pony ride or see animals at the petting zoo during the Spring Farm Festival at Smithtown Historical Society on April 20. Credit: Smithtown Historical Society
Cost Ticket start at $10
More info ligfest.net, 203-536-8845
Go fishing at the Spring Festival at Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium
1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
The aquarium's spring festival offers trout fishing for kids, music, carnival-style games, food, live animal encounters and environmental exhibits, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 27 (Rain date: May 4). Kids can get a glimpse of freshwater fish, reptiles and amphibians.
See a variety of animals at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium. Credit: Danielle Silverman
Cost: $7, $5 ages 3-12
More info: 516-692-6768; cshfishhatchery.org
Celebrate nature at the Arbor Day Festival
1395 Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay
Celebrate nature and the environment with a kid's tree climb, live music and family-friendly activities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 27-28 at Planting Fields Arboretum.
Cost: $25 per car
Join an egg hunt during Sweetbriar Nature Center Spring Festival on March16. Credit: Sweetbriar Nature Center
More info: 516-922-9210, plantingfields.org
Rock out at the Southern Rockfest
118 E. Main St., Riverhead
The rock legacy of the Allman Brothers Band lives on with a concert featuring the music of A Brother’s Revival led by former Allman Brothers bassist David “Rook” Goldflies joined by former member of The Outlaws, Chris Anderson and Mike Kach, former member of Dickey Betts and the Great Southern at 8 p.m. May 3 at The Suffolk.
Cost Tickets start at $59
More info 631-727-4343, thesuffolk.org
The Long Island Feast Fest at Great South Bay Brewery will feature 20 food trucks, 60 different vendors selling a variety of art and live music. Credit: John F. Sheehan Photography & El Churro Entertainment Inc.
Have a whimsical weekend at the Fair Festival
127 Middle Neck Rd., Sands Point
Calling all nature-loving humans: Fairies, gnomes, trolls and all magical woodland creatures are gathering to welcome spring. On May 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., families can join them for the second annual Long Island Fairy Festival at Sands Point Preserve. Returning favorite activities will be joined by new whimsical events.That magical mood will prepare you to meet and chat with fairies, trolls and gnomes strolling around the 216-acre park. They might pop out from behind a tree or greet you while sitting under a bridge.
Cost $95 per car; carpooling recommended. Tickets sold online in advance only.
More info 516-571-7901, sandspointpreserveconservancy.org
Find family-fun at the Oyster Bay Day Street Fair
Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay
The fair features family-friendly attractions, games, inflatables, face-painting, food vendors and food trucks, live music by Captain Jack, a Billy Joel Tribute Band, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 4.
Cost Free
More info visitoysterbay.com, 516-259-1842
Attend the May the 4K Be With You
Cedar Creek Park Field 4: 3340 Merrick Rd., Seaford
Take a 4k walk or run at galactic speed or at your own pace around Cedar Creek Park or sign up for the Obi-One K Fun Run, start time 9 a.m. May 4.
Cost $35; $20 for fun run
More info elitefeats.com
Grab a bite at the Long Island Feast Fest
Great South Bay Brewery: 25 Drexel Dr., Bay Shore
The annual family-friendly event will feature 20 food trucks, more than 60 vendors selling handmade items and art, live music, craft beer and more, noon to 8 p.m., May 11. Hungry guests can chow down on food and desserts from Tasty Frosty Ice Cream of Depew and Lancaster N.Y., Cousins Maine Lobster of Manhattan and Greek on the Go of Wantagh. Craft vendors to browse apparel, art, jewelry and more include companies like Little Cove Creations, of Brooklyn, Kohai Kollective, of West Babylon, and more.
Cost: $20
More info: eventbrite.com
Meet animals at the Spring Farm Festival at Smithtown Historical Society
239 E. Main St., Smithtown
The festival will include pony rides, a petting zoo, kids’ crafts, live music, traditional craft demonstrations, historic farmhouse tours, sheep shearing, food and craft vendors, face painting and more, noon to 4 p.m., May 25 (Rain date: May 26).. Vendors and crafts for kids will include Islip Terrace-based Curiously Creative Candles, where kids can make candles, plus story times and a planting activity. You'll also find a petting zoo with pony rides, alpacas, goats, ducks and chickens.
Cost: $7
More info: 631-265-6768, smithtownhistorical.org
With Lynn Petry