Free events on Long Island
100 hand-picked free events across the island. Festivals, family days, museum open houses, trail runs, free concerts.
Editor's Pick Northport Fall Festival
Northport Village's signature street festival shuts Main Street down for a full Saturday of food trucks, live music on the harborfront stage, kids' rides, and 100+ local vendors. Park on Bay Avenue by 10:30 AM — the main lot fills by 11. The food vendor lineup at the village green is the highlight; line up by noon for the first wave before the lunch rush.
- When
- Where
- Northport Village, Northport
Editor's Pick Open Mic Night w/ General George @ Nautilus Roasting
General George hosts this bi-weekly open mic at Nautilus Roasting in Huntington Station—free entry, coffee shop setting, happens every other Thursday at 7 PM. The cafe's on New York Avenue with its own lot, easy in and out.
- When
- Where
- Nautilus Roasting Co - Coffee Shop and Cafe, Huntington Station
Editor's Pick FRIDAY KOMPA VYBEZ
Prime on the Mile in Freeport throws a weekly Kompa night every Friday starting at 5pm. Woodcleft Avenue, free entry, Haitian dance music on the water.
- When
- Where
- Prime on the Mile, Freeport
Editor's Pick Nautilus 1 Year Anniversary Party
Nautilus Roasting hits its first year in Huntington Station with live music, drinks, and whatever else they're planning for this all-afternoon celebration. Free entry, and you're already familiar with the coffee if you've been to their shop on New York Avenue.
- When
- Where
- Nautilus Roasting Co - Coffee Shop and Cafe, Huntington Station
Editor's Pick Open Mic At Roots Kava Bar
Port Jeff's kava bar hosts a weekly open mic every Sunday at 7PM—acoustic covers, original songs, poetry, all welcome. No cover charge, and you can sip kava or coffee while you listen. It's a low-pressure room if you're thinking about performing.
- When
- Where
- Roots Kava Bar, Port Jefferson
Editor's Pick Oyster Bay Oyster Festival — 200K Visitors, One Weekend
Long Island's biggest single annual event — 200,000+ visitors descend on Theodore Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay over a mid-October weekend for $1 oysters, 100+ food vendors, 250+ craft stalls, multi-stage live music, a tall ship in the harbor, and the working-fishing-village atmosphere that the Hamptons don't have. Free admission. Forty-plus years of history. The LI fall event of the year.
- When
- Where
- Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park, Oyster Bay
Editor's Pick SecretSeshLI
SecretSeshLI sets up at SquareHead Brewing in Holbrook every Saturday evening with local vendors and a marketplace vibe. Free to walk through, and you can grab a beer while you browse.
- When
- Where
- SquareHead Brewing Company, Holbrook
Editor's Pick Sayville Summer Family Fair
Sayville Village's annual summer family fair on Main Street. Carnival rides for kids 3-12, food trucks, live family music, free face-painting + crafts, fire-truck climb-on, beer garden in a separate adults-only zone. Free admission, ride wristbands $20. The South Shore family Saturday at its peak.
- When
- Where
- Downtown Sayville Main Street, Sayville
Editor's Pick Flower Power - All Abilities Family program, FREE PROGRAM
Designed for families with kids of all physical and developmental abilities, this program explores flowers and pollinators through hands-on activities that work for different learning styles and mobility levels. Sunken Meadow's nature center sits right off Lot 1, so access is straightforward. The session runs about an hour and staff adapt activities as needed.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 1, Nature Center, Kings Park
Editor's Pick Stewardship Saturday: Nissequogue Greenhouse Director's Path
Clear invasive plants from the Director's Path at Nissequogue River State Park's greenhouse in Kings Park. This early Saturday session starts at 9am, so you'll be done before the day heats up. Bring gloves and water—NYS Parks supplies the rest.
- When
- Where
- Nissequogue River State Park, Kings Park
Editor's Pick Open Mic Night w/ General George @ Nautilus Roasting
General George hosts a bi-weekly open mic at Nautilus Roasting every other Thursday night. Bring your guitar, your poetry, or just show up to hear what your neighbors have been working on.
- When
- Where
- Nautilus Roasting Co - Coffee Shop and Cafe, Huntington Station
Editor's Pick 'Greenport Concert Series', featuring : TAL NACCARATO, LIVE!
Guitarist Tal Naccarato plays solo acoustic at Floyd Memorial Library—americana, folk, and blues originals plus traditional covers. Free show, 3 PM on a Saturday afternoon in Greenport, so you can easily pair it with a walk to the harbor or dinner on Front Street after.
- When
- Where
- Floyd Memorial Library, Greenport
Greenport Maritime Festival — North Fork Harbor Weekend
Greenport's annual Maritime Festival turns the working harbor village into a regional weekend destination — tall ships in the harbor, oyster shucking competitions, traditional whaleboat races, food + craft vendors along Front Street, live music throughout. Free admission. The locals' East End fall favorite.
- When
- Where
- Greenport Village Harbor, Greenport
Editor's Pick Urban Ecology: Adult Program, $4 per person upon arrival
This program digs into how raccoons, hawks, and other local wildlife have adapted to suburban life—and what changes to our yards and neighborhoods could help both sides coexist better. Runs 90 minutes at the park's main office building in Kings Park. $4 per person at the door.
- When
- Where
- Nissequogue River State Park Main Office (Charles & Helen Reichert Administration Building), Kings Park
Editor's Pick Summer Lantern Walk: Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
Walk the trails at Heckscher after sunset with lanterns lighting the way. It's $4 per person when you arrive (despite the free listing), and the park's main entrance is right off the parkway. Starts at 7:45 PM, so plan to arrive before dark.
- When
- Where
- Heckscher State Park, East Islip
Editor's Pick Mid-Tide Splash - Family program (6+), $4 cash per child upon arrival
Wade into the Long Island Sound shallows at mid-tide to see what's living in the water—bring clothes and shoes that can get soaked. Ages 6 and up, $4 cash per kid at check-in. Meet at Lot 3, the beach parking area at Sunken Meadow.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 3, Kings Park
Editor's Pick Self Care Saturday: Adult Program, $4 upon arrival
This Saturday afternoon wellness session at Connetquot is light on details but free to attend ($4 day-use fee when you get there). The preserve's off Sunrise Highway in Oakdale with plenty of parking near the main office building.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Editor's Pick Welcome Back Osprey - Family program, $4 cash per person upon arrival
Hike Sunken Meadow's trails to spot ospreys returning to their nesting platforms for the season. The walk is family-friendly and costs $4 cash per person. Start at Lot 3—wear comfortable shoes since you'll be covering some ground.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 3, Kings Park
Editor's Pick Stewardship Sunday: Walt Whitman Birthplace
Spend Sunday morning pulling invasive plants from the grounds around Walt Whitman's birthplace in Huntington Station. NYS Parks provides guidance and tools—you bring work gloves and a willingness to get your hands dirty. It's hands-on preservation work at one of Long Island's most significant literary sites.
- When
- Where
- Walt Whitman Birthplace Association, Huntington Station
Editor's Pick Davis Park Storytime! w/Patchogue-Medford Library
The Patchogue-Medford Library brings storytime to the Fire Island boardwalk at Davis Park—a solid mid-morning break from sand and waves. Look for them at Trustees Walk; it's a recurring thing through summer.
- When
- Where
- Trustees Walk, Fire Island
Editor's Pick Messy Church
A crafts-and-snacks session that leans into the chaos—expect glue, glitter, and Bible stories in equal measure. Free Wednesday night programming at the Methodist church on James Street.
- When
- Where
- United Methodist Church of Babylon, Babylon
Long Beach Boardwalk Concert Series — Thursday Free Show
Free outdoor concert series on the Long Beach boardwalk, Thursdays in August. Bring a beach chair or blanket — the stage is mid-boardwalk near Riverside Blvd. LIRR direct from Penn, 50 min door to boardwalk.
- When
- Where
- Long Beach Boardwalk, Long Beach
Lecture: William Floyd Declaration of Independence Special Lecture
A 250th anniversary lecture on William Floyd, Long Island's signer of the Declaration of Independence, takes place at Connetquot River State Park Preserve in Oakdale. Free admission, starts at 12:30pm. Parking requires an Empire Pass or day-use fee at the park entrance on Sunrise Highway.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Fantasy Football 101
If you've been nodding along when your friends talk about their fantasy leagues without actually knowing how any of it works, this free library workshop breaks down the basics. Patchogue-Medford Library, downtown on East Main.
- When
- Where
- Patchogue-Medford Library, Patchogue
Caumsett State Park — Fall Hike + Private Beach Day
Caumsett is the Lloyd Harbor peninsula state park reached by a 1.5-mile walk through mature forest to a private (no parking, no crowds) beach on Long Island Sound. Free, family-friendly, dog-leash-allowed. Fall foliage peak is mid-October. The 'private beach' aspect is real — most visitors don't make the walk.
- When
- Where
- Caumsett State Park, Lloyd Harbor
Kayak Nature Tour: Adult Program, $4 per adult upon arrival
Paddle a section of the Nissequogue River with a park naturalist on this guided kayak tour. Bring your own kayak or check if rentals are available when you call ahead—the listing doesn't specify. Park entrance is on Saint Johnland Road in Kings Park, $4 day-use fee applies.
- When
- Where
- Nissequogue River State Park, Kings Park
NYSF New Moon Market
New York Solar Faire brings tarot readers, energy healers, and vendors selling crystals, oddities, and metaphysical goods to The Fit Factory's parking lot in Bohemia. Food trucks will be onsite, and admission is free. The new moon timing adds extra appeal for anyone into lunar cycles and intention-setting.
- When
- Where
- The Fit Factory, Bohemia
NYSF Full Moon Market
The monthly metaphysical market returns to The Fit Factory in Bohemia with tarot readings, energy workers, and vendors selling crystals, oddities, and spiritual supplies. Food trucks will be parked outside, and the full moon timing brings out practitioners working with lunar energy. Free to browse and wander.
- When
- Where
- The Fit Factory, Bohemia
Women's Moon Circle
Revolution Yoga in Rockville Centre holds monthly moon circles—gatherings for women to mark the new or full moon. Free, starts at 6:30 PM on North Village Ave.
- When
- Where
- Revolution Yoga, Rockville Centre
Beyond the No: Celebrating Creative Persistence — A REJECTED Discussion
This free table talk brings together creatives who've been rejected—by galleries, publishers, grants, whatever—and kept going anyway. It's tied to the REJECTED exhibition at Kasher Gallery, so you can see the work that eventually made it through. Northport location on Scudder Ave, and yeah, actually free.
- When
- Where
- Kasher Gallery & Studios, Northport
Meet the Animals - All Abilities Family program, FREE PROGRAM
NYS Parks brings live animals to Sunken Meadow's Nature Center in a program designed for kids and adults with any physical or developmental ability level. The structured 10:30 AM Friday session helps families connect with wildlife in an accessible, no-pressure setting. Park in Lot 1 and head to the Nature Center—it's free, no registration mentioned.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 1, Nature Center, Kings Park
Silent Book Club – Hosted by The Book Whisperer
Silent Book Club meets at Robert Moses Field 5 for an hour of quiet reading with other book people—no assigned book, no discussion required. Bring whatever you're currently reading, a beach chair, and maybe a sweatshirt since it's an evening session. Free, and The Book Whisperer hosts.
- When
- Where
- Robert Moses State Park Field 5, Bay Shore
Silent Book Club – Hosted by The Book Whisperer
Bring whatever you're reading and settle in for an hour of companionable silence with other readers—no book club homework required. The Book Whisperer hosts this free monthly meetup at Nest on Main, right on Northport's walkable Main Street strip. Show up, read your own thing, maybe chat before or after.
- When
- Where
- Nest on Main, Northport
Silent Book Club In The Park – Hosted by The Book Whisperer
The Book Whisperer's Silent Book Club meets at Northport Village Park for an hour of quiet reading outdoors. Bring whatever you're currently reading—no assigned books, no discussion required, just low-key company and your own pages. Free, and the park's right by the harbor if you want to walk around after.
- When
- Where
- Nest on Main, Northport
Build-a-Bug: Tiny Tots (Ages 3-5), $4 per child upon arrival
Preschoolers craft their own bugs using natural materials and learn basic insect anatomy in this hands-on program at Nissequogue River State Park. The program is designed for ages 3-5 and costs $4 per child at the door. Park is off Saint Johnland Road in Kings Park.
- When
- Where
- Nissequogue River State Park, Kings Park
Artist Spotlight: Pablo Picasso Workshop -Family Program 13+, $4 per person
A Sunday morning workshop exploring Picasso's life and techniques, designed for teens and adults (ages 13+). Meet at the Charles & Helen Reichert Administration Building at Nissequogue River State Park. $4 per person.
- When
- Where
- Nissequogue River State Park Main Office (Charles & Helen Reichert Administration Building), Kings Park
Bat Map Walk: Citizen Science: Adult Program, Free
Bring your curiosity and help researchers track bat populations at Connetquot River after dusk. You'll use actual monitoring equipment to collect data on local bat species—no experience needed, just show up at 7:30 PM. Park entrance is right off Sunrise Highway in Oakdale.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Meet the Animals - All Abilities Family program, FREE PROGRAM
NYS Parks brings live animals to Sunken Meadow's Nature Center in a program designed for kids and adults with any physical or developmental ability level. The structured 10:30 AM Friday session helps families connect with wildlife in an accessible, no-pressure setting. Park in Lot 1 and head to the Nature Center—it's free, no registration mentioned.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 1, Nature Center, Kings Park
Moths Under The Moonlight -Adult program, $4 cash per adult upon arrival
Learn to ID nighttime sounds and set up a moth sheet to attract nocturnal insects under moonlight at Sunken Meadow. This one's for adults only—starts at 7:30 PM, so you'll catch the actual transition from dusk to dark. Bring $4 cash and meet at Lot 1.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 1, Kings Park
Fruits & Veggies: Tiny Tots (Ages 3-5), $4 per child upon arrival
This interactive program introduces 3-5 year olds to garden produce through stories, activities, and sensory exploration. Kids learn where fruits and vegetables come from and why they're important. $4 per child at the Nissequogue River State Park main office building.
- When
- Where
- Nissequogue River State Park Main Office (Charles & Helen Reichert Administration Building), Kings Park
Zachs Bay Raft-Up Dayaways! | MarineMax Huntington
MarineMax is organizing a raft-up at Zachs Bay where boats tie together for a floating hangout on the water. Bring your boat or catch a ride with the crew—it's a casual day of sun, swimming, and meeting other boaters. Starts at 10 AM from their Huntington location on West Shore Road.
- When
- Where
- MarineMax Huntington, Huntington
Boston Whaler Customer Appreciation Brunch | MarineMax Huntington
Boston Whaler owners get a thank-you brunch at Smuggler Jack's in Massapequa, hosted by MarineMax. Free food, boat talk, and a chance to connect with other Whaler people. RSVP through MarineMax since space is likely limited.
- When
- Where
- Smuggler Jack's, Massapequa
Korea Festa 2026, Labor Day Edition
This three-day Korean culture festival runs Labor Day weekend in Huntington with food, performances, and vendors. It's free, and organizers are calling it their last event of 2026. Mahanaim is on Nassau Road near the Huntington town line—parking lot on-site.
- When
- Where
- Mahanaim, Huntington
Clubhouse Tours: Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
Tour the 1860s Main House at Connetquot, once the clubhouse for the South Side Sportsmen's Club where Teddy Roosevelt and other wealthy New Yorkers fished and hunted. Guides walk you through the preserved rooms and tell stories about the property's sporting club days. Despite the title, admission is free.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Clubhouse Tours: Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
Tour the 1860s Main House at Connetquot, once the clubhouse for the South Side Sportsmen's Club where Teddy Roosevelt and other wealthy New Yorkers fished and hunted. Guides walk you through the preserved rooms and tell stories about the property's sporting club days. Despite the title, admission is free.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Passport through Parks: Belmont, Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
This monthly hiking series hits a different Long Island state park each time, and August's stop is Belmont Lake in West Babylon. It's a solid way to explore parks you might not visit otherwise, and the flat loop around the lake works for most fitness levels. $4 per person day-use fee at the gate.
- When
- Where
- Belmont Lake State Park, West Babylon
Bay Walk: Children’s Program (ages 8+), $4 per child upon arrival
Kids 8 and up can explore the bay ecosystem at Robert Moses Field 2 with a ranger-led walk along the shoreline. You'll check out what's living in the water and along the sand—$4 per child at arrival. Starts at 10 AM, so beat the beach crowds.
- When
- Where
- Robert Moses State Park Field 2, Babylon
Whales of the Deep Blue Sea: Tiny Tots (ages 3-5), $4 per child
This 30-minute program introduces 3-to-5-year-olds to whales through stories, activities, and hands-on learning at Connetquot River. It's $4 per kid and designed specifically for the short attention span crowd. Starts at 10:30 AM on a Wednesday morning.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Build-a-Bug-Tiny Tots (3-5 years), $4 cash per child
Preschoolers ages 3-5 build their own bug crafts while learning about actual insects at this Thursday morning program at Sunken Meadow's Nature Center. It's $4 cash per kid—bring exact change if you can. Short attention spans welcome; the format keeps little ones moving.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 1, Nature Center, Kings Park
Nighttime Sensory Walk: Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
Connetquot after sunset hits different—this guided walk lets you experience the park's trails and river sounds once the day crowds clear out. Bring a flashlight and wear closed-toe shoes for the 7:45 PM start. Park entry is $4 per person at the gate on Sunrise Highway in Oakdale.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Kayak Nature Tour: Adult Program, $4 per adult upon arrival
Paddle through the salt marsh at Heckscher's quieter eastern edge with a ranger who knows what's living in the Great South Bay's shallows. You'll need your own kayak and life jacket for this 10 AM launch from Field 5. Park entry is $4 per adult; the lot fills fast on August weekends so get there early.
- When
- Where
- Heckscher State Park Field 5, East Islip
200 Plant Challenge, Family Program, $4 pp cash upon arrival
Help plant 200 native wildflowers at Sunken Meadow's Nature Center—actual restoration work, not just a demo. Bring $4 cash per person when you arrive. Park in Lot 1 and look for the Nature Center building.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 1, Nature Center, Kings Park
Beginning Birding: Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
Rangers will teach you how to actually identify the birds you see at Planting Fields instead of just guessing. They'll cover field marks, binocular basics, and which species hang out in the arboretum's mix of woodland and open lawn. Park entry is $4 per person at the Oyster Bay gates.
- When
- Where
- Planting Fields Arboretum, Oyster Bay
Bat Safari, Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
NYS Parks rangers lead a bat-spotting walk through Wildwood after sunset. Officially free, but there's a $4-per-person program fee when you arrive. Bring a flashlight and bug spray—you'll be walking trails at dusk when the bats come out to feed.
- When
- Where
- Wildwood State Park, Calverton
Hike Through History: Caleb Smith, Family Program, $4 per person
This guided walk through Caleb Smith's woods and wetlands ties local history to the Revolutionary War era as the country marks 250 years since independence. The preserve sits right off Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown, and despite what the title says, it's free to join.
- When
- Where
- Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Smithtown
Bat Safari, Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
Search for bats at Caleb Smith after dark—you'll walk the trails with an educator who knows where they hunt. Bring $4 cash per person and a flashlight. The preserve is right on Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown, easy to find.
- When
- Where
- Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Smithtown
What's the Buzz? Tiny Tots Program (Ages 3-5). $4 per child upon arrival
This nature program for 3-5 year olds focuses on bees and pollinators at Connetquot River State Park Preserve. Kids learn through hands-on activities in the park's protected habitats. Listed as free but there's a $4 fee per child at arrival.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Fruits & Veggies-Tiny Tots (3-5 years), $4 cash per child
Preschoolers learn about fruits and vegetables through hands-on activities at Sunken Meadow's Nature Center. The program runs about an hour and costs $4 cash per kid. Head to Lot 1—it's right by the Nature Center building off 25A in Kings Park.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 1, Nature Center, Kings Park
Kayak Nature Tour: Nissequogue Adult Program, $4 per adult upon arrival
Paddle a quiet stretch of the Nissequogue River with a ranger who'll point out herons, osprey, and whatever else is out that afternoon. You'll need to bring your own kayak and gear. Park entrance is off Saint Johnland Road in Kings Park, and yes, it's free despite the $4 mention in the title.
- When
- Where
- Nissequogue River State Park, Kings Park
Summer Wildlife Safari - Family program, $4 cash per person upon arrival
Walk Sunken Meadow with an educator to spot whatever wildlife's active in late August—birds, insects, maybe some mammals if you're lucky. Bring $4 cash per person and meet at Lot 3, which is closer to the trails than Lot 1.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 3, Kings Park