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 runs weekly Kompa nights every Friday starting at 5pm on the Freeport waterfront. Free entry, Haitian dance music, and you're right on Woodcleft with water views. Street parking fills up fast after 6, so get there early or use the municipal lot.
- When
- Where
- Prime on the Mile, Freeport
Editor's Pick Nautilus 1 Year Anniversary Party
Nautilus Roasting hits its one-year mark with a free anniversary bash at their Huntington Station spot. The coffee shop's throwing a party starting at 2pm—expect the usual great coffee plus whatever they're calling 'a doozy.' Parking's easiest in the municipal lot off New York Ave.
- When
- Where
- Nautilus Roasting Co - Coffee Shop and Cafe, Huntington Station
Editor's Pick Open Mic At Roots Kava Bar
Port Jeff's weekly open mic at Roots Kava Bar welcomes singers, acoustic players, and poets every Sunday at 7PM. No cover, and the vibe stays mellow—kava, not alcohol. Easy walk from the ferry if you're coming from Connecticut.
- 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
This weekly Saturday market at SquareHead Brewing brings local vendors to the Holbrook brewery starting at 5pm. They're calling it 'elevated,' which likely means curated crafts and small-batch goods alongside the beer. Free to walk around; Industrial Park parking is plentiful.
- 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
This program's specifically designed to be accessible for families with kids of varying physical and developmental abilities—adaptive materials, flexible pacing, sensory-friendly activities around flowers and pollinators. It's at Sunken Meadow's Nature Center in Lot 1, which has accessible parking and pathways. Truly free, no surprise fees at the door.
- 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. It's an early start at 9am, but you'll be working in one of the park's more tucked-away spots. Free volunteer morning with NYS Parks—wear clothes that can handle dirt and brambles.
- When
- Where
- Nissequogue River State Park, Kings Park
Editor's Pick Open Mic Night w/ General George @ Nautilus Roasting
General George hosts this bi-weekly open mic at Nautilus Roasting every other Thursday at 7pm. Grab a coffee, sign up when you get there, and see who shows up to play. It's free and tends to draw a solid mix of singer-songwriters and comedy types from around Huntington.
- 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—think americana, folk, and blues both original and traditional. It's free, it's outdoors (weather permitting), and it's right on Greenport's main strip. Grab coffee at Aldo's beforehand or stick around the village after for dinner.
- 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 workshop digs into how raccoons raid your garbage at 2am and what you can actually do about it—plus ways to tweak your yard so local wildlife doesn't treat it like an obstacle course. Covers practical coexistence strategies between suburban sprawl and the critters who were here first. $4 suggested donation 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
This after-dark lantern walk at Heckscher lets you explore the park's trails once the sun goes down. Bring the family and $4 per person for the park fee. Starts at 7:45 PM, so plan to arrive before sunset to check in.
- When
- Where
- Heckscher State Park, East Islip
Editor's Pick Mid-Tide Splash - Family program (6+), $4 cash per child upon arrival
This tidal exploration happens right when the tide's halfway out, so kids ages 6 and up can wade into the Sound and see what lives in the shallows. Meet at Lot 3 with towels and water shoes—you're walking into the water. $4 cash per child when you show up.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 3, Kings Park
Editor's Pick Self Care Saturday: Adult Program, $4 upon arrival
Connetquot River State Park is hosting a wellness-focused afternoon for adults. It's $4 per person at arrival, though the program itself is free. Connetquot is off Sunrise Highway in Oakdale with ample parking off the main entrance.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Editor's Pick Welcome Back Osprey - Family program, $4 cash per person upon arrival
Walk the trails at Sunken Meadow looking for ospreys returning to their nesting platforms along the bluffs. The ranger-led hike starts at Lot 3 and covers about a mile of mostly flat terrain. Bring binoculars if you have them, and $4 cash per person at arrival.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 3, Kings Park
Editor's Pick Stewardship Sunday: Walt Whitman Birthplace
Spend a Sunday morning pulling invasive weeds from the grounds of Walt Whitman's birthplace in Huntington Station. NYS Parks provides the guidance and tools—you bring the willingness to get your hands dirty at this 1819 farmhouse site. Free, and you'll actually make a difference in preserving the property.
- When
- Where
- Walt Whitman Birthplace Association, Huntington Station
Editor's Pick Davis Park Storytime! w/Patchogue-Medford Library
The Patchogue-Medford librarians are bringing storytime to the Davis Park boardwalk on Fire Island—a beach break for families with little ones. Meet at Trustees Walk at 11am. It's a recurring summer series, so you can catch it multiple Tuesdays if you're out there regularly.
- When
- Where
- Trustees Walk, Fire Island
Editor's Pick Messy Church
This free Wednesday night gathering at Babylon UMC combines crafts, storytelling, and snacks—basically church for kids who'd rather be making a mess than sitting still. Starts at 6pm, so it works as an after-work activity for parents looking to fill an evening.
- 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 free lecture about William Floyd, Long Island's lone signer of the Declaration of Independence, happening at Connetquot River State Park Preserve as part of the 250th anniversary programming. Starts at 12:30pm in Oakdale—check the park's entrance requirements since Connetquot typically needs reservations.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Fantasy Football 101
Patchogue-Medford Library is hosting a free crash course in fantasy football—draft strategies, scoring systems, the whole playbook. Solid timing in mid-August before most leagues kick off. Open to beginners who want to actually understand what they're doing this season.
- 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 ranger leading the route. This is an adults-only kayak tour, and you'll pay $4 park entry when you arrive. Bring your own kayak or confirm rental availability with the park ahead of time.
- When
- Where
- Nissequogue River State Park, Kings Park
NYSF New Moon Market
Tarot readers, energy healers, and vendors selling crystals, oddities, and metaphysical gear take over The Fit Factory's parking lot for this free evening market. Food trucks post up for dinner, and the vibe leans mystical-meets-curiosity-shop. It's on Johnson Avenue near the CVS, easy parking.
- When
- Where
- The Fit Factory, Bohemia
NYSF Full Moon Market
Same crew as the New Moon Market returns to The Fit Factory with tarot readers, healers, and vendors hawking crystals, oddities, and metaphysical finds. Free to browse, food trucks handle dinner, and parking's straightforward off Johnson Avenue. Timing syncs with the full moon if you're into that.
- 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
Local creatives talk about how rejection shaped their work—the kind of conversation that's actually useful instead of just inspirational. It's free and happens at Kasher Gallery during their REJECTED exhibition, so you can see the art that came from all those nos. Small space, so it'll feel like an actual discussion.
- When
- Where
- Kasher Gallery & Studios, Northport
Meet the Animals - All Abilities Family program, FREE PROGRAM
State Parks educators bring out live animals for hands-on learning designed for kids and adults across all physical and developmental abilities. The Nature Center at Sunken Meadow (Lot 1) runs these sessions monthly through the summer—no registration needed, just show up.
- 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 Beach—Field 5 specifically—for an hour of reading whatever you're currently into, surrounded by other readers. It's free, low-key, and honestly a nice excuse to hit the beach on a Monday evening. Bring your book, a chair, and maybe a sweatshirt since it can get breezy.
- 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 make their own bug creations using craft supplies while learning about real insects that live in the park. Designed for ages 3-5 with a parent. $4 per child at the door, park at the main lot off Saint Johnland Road.
- When
- Where
- Nissequogue River State Park, Kings Park
Artist Spotlight: Pablo Picasso Workshop -Family Program 13+, $4 per person
A hands-on art workshop focused on Picasso's techniques and major periods, designed for teens and adults. You'll learn about his work and try your hand at creating in his style. Ages 13+, $4 suggested donation.
- When
- Where
- Nissequogue River State Park Main Office (Charles & Helen Reichert Administration Building), Kings Park
Bat Map Walk: Citizen Science: Adult Program, Free
Help map bat populations at Connetquot River by walking the preserve at dusk with acoustic monitors. You'll be contributing actual data to ongoing wildlife research while learning which species are flying overhead. Starts at 7:30 PM, so bring bug spray and a flashlight.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Meet the Animals - All Abilities Family program, FREE PROGRAM
State Parks educators bring out live animals for hands-on learning designed for kids and adults across all physical and developmental abilities. The Nature Center at Sunken Meadow (Lot 1) runs these sessions monthly through the summer—no registration needed, just show up.
- 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 set up a moth sheet and identify the creatures that show up after dark at Sunken Meadow. An educator walks you through nighttime sounds and moth-attracting techniques—basically a crash course in what's flying around while you're asleep. $4 cash per adult at arrival, Lot 1.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 1, Kings Park
Fruits & Veggies: Tiny Tots (Ages 3-5), $4 per child upon arrival
A hands-on program where 3-5 year olds learn which foods come from plants, touching and tasting different fruits and vegetables. Rangers keep it moving with games and activities built for short attention spans. $4 per child at arrival.
- 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
Korea Festa returns for its last 2026 run over Labor Day weekend—three days of Korean food, performances, and vendors at Mahanaim in Huntington. Free admission. The weekend kicks off Saturday, September 5th at 12:30PM.
- When
- Where
- Mahanaim, Huntington
Clubhouse Tours: Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
Tour the preserved Main House of the old South Side Sportsman's Club, a slice of Connetquot's fishing and hunting past that most visitors never see inside. These guided walk-throughs run about an hour and cost $4 per person at the door. The park entrance is right off Sunrise Highway in Oakdale.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Clubhouse Tours: Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
Tour the preserved Main House of the old South Side Sportsman's Club, a slice of Connetquot's fishing and hunting past that most visitors never see inside. These guided walk-throughs run about an hour and cost $4 per person at the door. The park entrance is right off Sunrise Highway in Oakdale.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Passport through Parks: Belmont, Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
This monthly hiking series takes you through every Long Island state park, one Sunday at a time. August's stop is Belmont Lake in West Babylon, starting at 10 AM. It's $4 per person at the gate, and the hike works for all ages and fitness levels.
- When
- Where
- Belmont Lake State Park, West Babylon
Bay Walk: Children’s Program (ages 8+), $4 per child upon arrival
Kids 8 and up wade into the bay at Robert Moses Field 2 to net and ID marine life—crabs, minnows, hermit crabs, whatever's in the shallows. Bring water shoes and towels; it's $4 per kid. Field 2 has easier bay access than the ocean side and plenty of parking mid-week.
- 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 child and designed to keep toddler attention spans happy. Morning slot makes it easy to pair with a picnic after.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Build-a-Bug-Tiny Tots (3-5 years), $4 cash per child
Preschoolers (3-5) get their hands on craft supplies to build their own bugs while learning what makes insects tick. It's $4 cash per kid at the Sunken Meadow Nature Center—one of those low-key Thursday morning activities that keeps little ones busy without draining your wallet.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 1, Nature Center, Kings Park
Nighttime Sensory Walk: Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
See what happens at Connetquot River after sunset on this guided walk through the preserve. The park's trails take on a different character once the day visitors leave—listen for nocturnal wildlife and watch the woods shift as your eyes adjust. Park entry is $4 per person when you arrive.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Kayak Nature Tour: Adult Program, $4 per adult upon arrival
Paddle through the salt marsh along the Great South Bay with a naturalist guide who knows which channels to take. You'll launch from Field 5 at Heckscher and explore the marsh ecosystem up close. Bring your own kayak or check if rentals are available—park entry is $4 per adult.
- 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 hands-in-the-dirt habitat restoration work that kids can do. 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
Learn the basics of bird identification at Planting Fields, where the mix of woodland and open grounds draws a solid variety of species. The naturalist will cover field marks, calls, and how to use binoculars effectively. Entry is $4 per person at the arboretum gate.
- When
- Where
- Planting Fields Arboretum, Oyster Bay
Bat Safari, Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
NYS Parks leads a guided walk through Wildwood State Park at dusk to spot bats mid-hunt. It's $4 per person when you arrive (despite the free tag), and the program starts at 7:30 PM. Bring a flashlight and bug spray—you're deep in the woods off Sound Avenue in Calverton.
- When
- Where
- Wildwood State Park, Calverton
Hike Through History: Caleb Smith, Family Program, $4 per person
This woodland hike traces the history of the Caleb Smith property as part of the U.S. semiquincentennial celebration—think colonial land use, early settlements, and how the preserve came to be. It's a decent walk, so wear real shoes. The $4 program fee is paid on arrival at the Smithtown preserve.
- When
- Where
- Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Smithtown
Bat Safari, Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
Search for bats at Caleb Smith after sunset with an educator who knows where to look. Bring a flashlight and $4 cash per person—the preserve is off Jericho Turnpike in Smithtown.
- When
- Where
- Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Smithtown
What's the Buzz? Tiny Tots Program (Ages 3-5). $4 per child upon arrival
Preschoolers learn about bees and pollinators through hands-on activities at this 45-minute outdoor program at Connetquot River State Park. The program costs $4 per child at arrival, and parents accompany their kids through the preserve's trails. Park entry requires a vehicle fee during peak season.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Fruits & Veggies-Tiny Tots (3-5 years), $4 cash per child
This hands-on nature class for preschoolers digs into fruits and vegetables through exploration at Sunken Meadow's Nature Center. It's $4 cash per kid at the door, and you'll meet at Lot 1 off the main park entrance. The program runs about an hour and gets little ones outside learning what grows around them.
- 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 park naturalist who'll point out osprey nests, tidal marsh plants, and whatever else is stirring that afternoon. You need to bring your own kayak and PFD; the $4 fee covers the guided tour. Launch is from the Kings Park marina area off Saint Johnland Road.
- When
- Where
- Nissequogue River State Park, Kings Park
Summer Wildlife Safari - Family program, $4 cash per person upon arrival
A guided walk around Sunken Meadow to spot whatever wildlife is active in August—could be shorebirds, butterflies, or whatever else turns up. Bring $4 cash per person and meet at Lot 3.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 3, Kings Park