Blog

Apr 06, 2024

Long Island Fall Festival Guide For 2023

With the summer coming to an end, winter is slowly but inevitably creeping closer. But don’t you fret, because fall will swoop in to cool the heat and keep the frigid cold away for just a bit longer.

With the summer coming to an end, winter is slowly but inevitably creeping closer. But don’t you fret, because fall will swoop in to cool the heat and keep the frigid cold away for just a bit longer.

Fall comes with the changing of the leaves, walks in the neighborhood, football games, the craving for apple cider, Halloween and so much more. What tops all these season-changing activities? Fall festivals!

Across Long Island spans a variety of fall festivals for all families to enjoy, whether you’re looking for hayrides, pumpkin carving, oyster eating, spooky frights, or face painting for the children. These festivals all along the Island begin right at the start of September and go all the way through October.

Check out and experience the beauty of the fall colors, tasty foods, and festive activities from any of the locations listed below.

LONG ISLAND FAIR

Celebrating 181 years of Long Island Agriculture, take a trip to Old Bethpage’s Long Island Fair and enjoy a variety of traditional music, dancing, artisan demonstrations, contests, races, food, and more. 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage. $10. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 8-10.

EAST NORTHPORT FESTIVAL

Come on down and enjoy rides, games, craft vendors, the international food truck festival, sand city brewery craft beer garden, live music, and more. Great family fun. 185 Larkfield Rd, East Northport. Free. Friday 6 p.m.-11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 8-10.

WESTBURY STREET FAIR

Enjoy 100+ vendors, food trucks, live music, and a local-artists exhibit presented by Nassau County Art Craft Gift & Street Fairs, weather permitting. 200 Post Avenue, Westbury. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 9

DOCKSIDE FAMILY FESTIVAL

Have a free boat ride on the Bay at Captree State Park, along with live music, a magic show, food and merchandise vendors, pony rides, slot car racing, and more interactive displays. 3500 Ocean Pkwy, Bay Shore. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 9

LI PICKLE FESTIVAL

Gardiner’s Farm and the Greenlawn/Centerport Historical Society hold the Annual Pickle Festival. Experience pickles of every flavor and size, 30 craft vendors, delicious foods, a corn maze, a train ride, and family fun. 900 Park Ave, Huntington. $5. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 16.

DRAGON BOAT RACE FESTIVAL

The 9th Annual Dragon Boat Race Fest will feature competing teams along with a variety of Asian performances, food trucks, retail and cultural vendors. Hosted by The Greater Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce. 101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson. Free. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 16.

LONG ISLAND GARLIC FESTIVAL

The 21st Annual Garlic Long Island Garlic Festival celebrates 20 years with free admission for those born in 2003, giveaways every 20-minute mark, and more. Enjoy vendors with a wide variety of garlic-inspired foods, crafts, music, and just plain garlic to eat and plant. 4558 Sound Avenue, Riverhead. $5-11. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 16-17.

26TH ANNUAL BAYVILLE WATERSIDE FESTIVAL

Enjoy vendors selling unique and handcrafted items, general merchandise for great prices, live music, a kids’ fun zone, a petting zoo, great food choices, and more. Fun for the whole family. Ransom Beach, Bayville. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 17.

BELLMORE FAMILY STREET FESTIVAL

Experience an exciting street festival and carnival with crafters, vendors, live music, food, entertainment, and rides throughout the village. 2700 Pettit Avenue, Bellmore. Free. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 21-24.

MARITIME FESTIVAL

Hosted by East End Seaport Museum & Marine Foundation, the festival benefits the preservation of the Long Beach Bar (Bug) Light, educational programs, and museum offerings. Enjoy classic boat displays, kayak races, music, children’s activities, maritime demonstrations, sea shanties, and approximately 100 great vendors. 3rd Street, Greenport. Sept. 23-24.

COW HARBOR DAY

The weekend begins with the Cow Harbor 10K race, followed by festivities. Enjoy the annual Cow Harbor weekend concert, lighted boat displays with crews in costumes and accessories, a parade, sidewalk sales, arts and crafts vendors, and music venues. 158 Laurel Ave, Northport. Sept. 23-24.

WEST ISLIP COUNTRY FAIR

Travel over to the West Islip Country Fair, featuring over 100+ craft vendors, live music, a children’s area with bounce houses, slides, magicians, face painting, and more. Enjoy a wide variety of foods including Italian, Polish, Greek, hot dogs, funnel cakes, and more. West Islip Public Library, West Islip. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 24. Rain date Oct. 1.

SEAFORD HARVEST FAIR

At the Seaford Historical Museum, enjoy its 15th annual fair hosting a variety of live entertainment, vendors, raffles, food, and fun. 3890 Waverly Ave, Seaford. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 24.

HERITAGE COUNTRY FAIR

Hosting a longtime family fun event, the Smithtown Historical Society offers the community a chance to enjoy the Island Long Riders Cowboy Mounted Shooting displays, petting zoo, pony rides, vendors, and more. 239 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. $5. 12 p.m.- 4 p.m. Sept. 24, rain or shine.

SAN GENNARO FEAST OF THE HAMPTONS

Enjoy their 11th anniversary with fireworks, live entertainment, food-eating contests, artisans, midway rides, and Italian delicacies. Good Ground Road, Hampton Bays. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sept. 23-24.

OKTOBERFEST

Enjoy live entertainment, contests, German-style food, beer from local craft breweries, costume, and stein-holding contests, and more. 40 Peconic Ave, Riverhead. Free. 3 p.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 30.

LONG ISLAND FALL FESTIVAL

Come on down to Heckscher Park and enjoy a world-class carnival, live entertainment, a beer and wine pavilion, and 300 vendors. 11 Prime Ave, Huntington. Free. Friday 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., and Monday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 6-9.

“TASTE THE WORLD” LONG ISLAND

“Taste the World” returns to Tanger Outlets for an experience of food inspirations from countries represented all around the world, including over 60 food vendors. They will offer live music, a beer and wine garden, virtual reality, rock climbing, and more. 152 The Arches Circle, Deer Park. $8 to attend each day (online) and $12 (at the door). Friday 1 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday-Monday 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 6-9.

FRANKLIN SQUARE STREET FAIR

Enjoy 75+ vendors including food trucks, live entertainment, free parking, and free admission, presented by Nassau County Art Craft Gift & Street Fairs in association with Kiwanis International. Franklin Avenue at Hempstead Turnpike, Franklin Square. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 7.

Michael Malaszczyk is the Digital Editor of the Long Island Press.