Upcoming events on Long Island
Continuing the list — 256 curated events total. Handpicked by The Editors.
Butterfly and Moth: Children's Program, $4 per child upon arrival
Kids explore the differences between butterflies and moths at this hands-on program at Planting Fields. The session runs about an hour and costs $4 per child at the door. Park entrance is free, and there's plenty of lot parking off Planting Fields Road.
- When
- Where
- Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, Oyster Bay
Insect Safari, Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
Hunt for beetles, butterflies, and whatever else is crawling through Caleb Smith's trails during this guided insect search. Kids will learn to identify different species by shape, size, and color. Note the title says $4 but it's listed as free—call ahead to confirm.
- When
- Where
- Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Smithtown
Bird and Breakfast: Adult Program, $4 per adult upon arrival
Start your Saturday morning with coffee, pastries, and a ranger-led talk about the birds you'll spot around Connetquot this time of year. The presentation covers migration patterns and what's nesting locally in September. $4 per adult at the gate, breakfast included.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Trout-Tastic! Tiny Tots (Ages 3-5years), $4 per child upon arrival
Preschoolers learn about trout and stream life through hands-on activities designed for short attention spans. The 3-5 age group gets nature exploration scaled to their level at Connetquot's hatchery area. $4 per kid at arrival.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Geology Rocks!-Tiny Tots (3-5 years), $4 cash per child
Little ones (3-5) dig into geology basics—rocks, minerals, how Long Island was formed—at this hands-on class at Sunken Meadow's Nature Center. It's $4 cash per kid. Park in Lot 1 for easy access.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 1, Nature Center, Kings Park
Dusk Walk, Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
Caumsett at dusk hits different—cooler temps, golden light, and animals you won't see midday. This guided walk takes you through the preserve as the day shifts to night. $4 per person at the gate.
- When
- Where
- Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, Lloyd Harbor
Passport Through Parks: Robert Moses, Family Program, $4 per person
This monthly series rotates through every state park on Long Island—September's stop is Robert Moses for a guided hike. Good way to actually explore parks you normally just drive past. $4 per person, meet at Field 5.
- When
- Where
- Robert Moses State Park Field 5, Bay Shore
Survival and Scavenging Skills: Family Program (ages 8+), $4 per person
Rangers teach basic foraging and outdoor survival techniques on a hike through Connetquot—what's edible, what to avoid, how to think about resources in the wild. Best for kids 8 and up who can handle the terrain and concepts. $4 per person.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Arboretum Nature Hike: Adult Program, $4 per adult upon arrival
A guided walk through Planting Fields Arboretum focused on early fall transitions—leaf color shifts, migration patterns, and late-season blooms. The grounds are beautiful year-round, but late September brings cooler temps and fewer crowds than peak spring weekends. Note the pricing discrepancy: title says $4, listing says free—call ahead to confirm.
- When
- Where
- Planting Fields Arboretum, Oyster Bay
Harvest Moon Hike-Adult program, $4 cash per adult upon arrival
Hike Sunken Meadow under the full Harvest Moon, the bright September moon that traditionally signaled the end of harvest season. This adults-only evening walk starts at dusk from Lot 1—bring $4 cash and wear shoes that can handle trails in low light.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 1, Kings Park
Passport Through Parks: Robert Moses, Family Program, $4 per person
This monthly hiking series rotates through every state park on Long Island, with September's stop at Robert Moses Field 2. If you've only hit the beach sections, this gets you into different terrain across the barrier island. Parking is $10 in season unless you have an Empire Pass.
- When
- Where
- Robert Moses State Park Field 2, Babylon
Nature Bike Tour: Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
Bring your own bike for this guided ride along Great South Bay shoreline trails at Heckscher. The park's flat, paved paths work well for families with younger riders, and the bayfront views beat circling your neighborhood. Check the listing details—there's conflicting info on whether there's actually a fee.
- When
- Where
- Heckscher State Park, East Islip