Annual Events & Festivals - Annual Events
No matter where on Long Island you live or visit, there are all sorts of special events that take place throughout the year. Some are related to a particular season or holiday, while others celebrate a historical event or commemorate some other type of special happening.
This section highlights just some of the more popular annual events that are worth experiencing. In fact, some people plan their vacations or visits to the region around these specific events or happenings. You’ll discover that every town, tourist attraction, museum, vineyard, and historical landmark on the island hosts a wide range of special events and activities throughout the year, particularly in the summer and fall, when most of the tourists are in town. You’ll also find a wide range of harvest-related events in Oct (particularly in the North Fork region), as well as holiday events throughout Nov and Dec across the island.
1. Winter Seal Walks At Jones Beach
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (516) 679-7254
Description: Seal Walks on Jones Beach are held between early Jan and mid-Mar. The Nature Center, which is part of Jones Beach, is located on a barrier island, and is a popular spot for viewing a wide range of marine life, including seals. These guided tours take about 90 minutes and are hosted by marine wildlife experts. The price is just $4 per person.
2. Seal Walks In Westhmapton And Montauk
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (516) 244-3352
Description: Seal Walk in Cupsogue Beach County Park and at Montauk Point State Park are held early Jan through mid-May (weather permitting). Join a marine wildlife expert on a walking tour during which you’ll see seals up close. The fee is $5 per adult and $3 per child. During a typical excursion, participants will see upwards of 40 or more harbor seals in the wild.
3. Long Island Winterfest
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (631) 951-3900
Description: This event runs mid-Feb through late Mar and includes six consecutive weekends of free jazz concerts held at various venues throughout the island, including at several Long Island wineries and vineyards. During the performances, wine tastings are held. This annual event is sponsored by the Long Island Wine Council, East End Arts Council, Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Workforce Housing, and Long Island Convention & Visitors Bureau. Check out the festival’s Web site for a schedule of featured events and free concerts.
4. Valentine’S Day Dinner Dance
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (631) 929-6585
Description: Get in the Valentine’s Day spirit and enjoy a romantic evening at the famous East Wind Inn & Spa in Wading River. For adults only, the Valentine’s Day Dinner Dance is held on Feb 13 and is a formal and elegant dinner and dancing opportunity that offers an extremely fun and romantic way to enjoy the evening with someone you love. Reservations are a must, especially if you plan to also book a room for the evening. The dinner dance, however, is open to non-guests as well. Special events are also held here on Easter Sunday and Mother’s Day.
5. Long Island Spring Home Show
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (888) 560-3976
Description: With spring on the horizon, the Long Island Spring Home show comes to town in mid-Feb. This three-day-long event is ideal for local home owners or people looking to relocate to the Long Island area. The show features workshops, exhibits, lectures, and demonstrations related to remodeling, landscaping, and home decorating. Admission for adults is $9. The Long Island Spring Home Show also comes to the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale in mid-Apr each year.
6. Winter Birding At The Lighthouse
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (631) 321-7028
Description: If you enjoy bird-watching and nature, you won’t want to miss the Winter Birding at the Lighthouse event held in late Feb. Hosted by the Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society, you’ll be joined by a guide as you identify and observe some of Fire Island’s various bird species. This event lasts about two hours (starting at 9 a.m.), during which you’ll probably see waterfowl, shorebirds, hawks, and songbirds. Call or visit the Web site for details about this and other events held at the landmark lighthouse throughout the year.
7. Wine Camp
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (631) 495-9744
Description: Held in early Mar, as well as several other times throughout the year, including dates in Apr and June, Wine Camp is an adults-only, three-day-long experience that includes wine tastings, classes, tours, and the opportunity to learn from and interact with the region’s top wine experts. Fine-dining and upscale accommodations are included as part of the experience. The price starts at $899 per person, based on double occupancy, for this unique event.
8. Long Island Golf Expo
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (631) 851-6900
Description: This three-day event is a must for golfers of all ages. In addition to exhibits and hands-on equipment demonstrations, attendees can experience two driving ranges set up for the event, or try out several different golf simulators. Get your swing analyzed, or participate in a putting challenge. Somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 golfers attend this event annually.
9. Irish Festival
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (516) 463-6671
Description: You don’t need to be Irish to enjoy the fun and activities offered at this annual, daylong event that takes place at Hofstra University in mid-Mar. Ethnic food is served, and live music and dance performances are showcased. If you’re feeling more Italian than Irish, you’ll have to wait until Sept for the annual Italian Festival, which is also held at Hofstra (www.hofstra.edu/Community/Fest/Fest_italian.html).
10. St. Patrick’S Day Parade
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (631) 475-0121, (631) 688-1578
Description: Held along Main St. in Montauk on St. Patrick’s Day, this annual event focuses around a town-wide parade, but culminates with a handful of other activities hosted by local restaurants, hotels, and venues.
11. Arbor Day Festival
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (631) 321-3510
Description: This is a family-oriented and kid-friendly event featuring activities, performances, exhibits, and a petting zoo. Learn about nature while enjoying the outdoors, and expect an appearance by Smokey Bear.
12. Long Island Guitar Festival
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (516) 299-2475
Description: The Long Island Guitar Festival has been a much-anticipated annual event for 20 years running, especially among musicians. The event is also for music lovers in general, and features workshops, master classes, and performances. In 2010, for example, over a dozen guitarists, composers, and arrangers are slated to appear, teach, and perform. The all-events pass is priced at $125; however, admission to individual performances and workshops is priced starting at $10 each.
13. Air Show
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (516) 785-1600
Description: Experience some high-flying fun at the popular Air Show at Jones Beach. This family-friendly event is held every Memorial Day weekend, and is the largest air show in the region. On the final day of the 2009 show, 186,000 people attended the event. Performances by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Army Golden Knights, New York Air National Guide, Canadian Forces Snowbirds, and over a dozen legendary pilots are on the annual roster. Plus, dozens of authentic and historic aircrafts are displayed.
14. Long Island Marathon
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (516) 986-5537
Description: For almost 40 years the Long Island Marathon has been the premier competitive running event on Long Island. The main event is a grueling 26.2-mile run. In the 1980s, however, a second Half Marathon race was added, along with a 10K, 5K, 1-mile, and Kidz Fun Run, which collectively have become known as the RXR Long Island Marathon Festival of Races. Spectators are encouraged to watch the marathon and sister races from the start or finish line areas, as well as from various view points along the route. There is no charge for spectators.
15. Big Carriage Show
City: Long Island, NY
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (631) 751-0066
Description: The Big Carriage Show offers a chance to see a vast collection of historic horse-drawn carriages in Stony Brook. The event is sponsored by the Long Island Museum of American Art, History and Carriages. Each year the museum showcases some of its collection of 200 horse-drawn carriages, allowing visitors to actually see them in operation. Encompassing nine acres, it is one of the most comprehensive displays in the world.