With Warm weather and both cloudy and sunny skies with a little bit of rain, there are plenty of things to do all summer Long here on Long Island, no matter what you enjoy and no matter what the weather may be!
We’ve put everything together for you all in one place LongIsland.com’s 2013 Ultimate Summer Guide. There are so many things to do from indoor to outdoor fun, you will never be bored throughout the summer from July to the end of August with all the major happenings and events going on near you.
The Hottest Summer Events
From festivals and fairs to concerts and free shows, take advantage of the fun and exciting things happening near you!
Play some games and go on some rides that will make give your stomach butterflies.
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Hicksville’s 11th Annual Summer Fair at Kennedy Park
Route 107 & Jerusalem Ave., Hicksville, NY 11801
Sunday, July 21st - 11 am to 6 pm
Enjoy a fun filled day of music performances, rides, delicious food, entertainment, face painting and much more! FREE admission!
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Bethpage Summer Fair at Briarcliffe College
1055 Stewart Ave, Bethpage, NY 11714
Thursday, August 8th - Saturday, August 10th - 6 pm to 12 am
Hang out with your friends in the evening enjoying live music, crafts, food, pay-one-price rides, and games presented by the Bethpage Chamber of Commerce. There will be a fireworks show on Friday, 8/9! FREE admission!
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Huntington Manor Fireman’s Fair at Stimson School
400 Oakwood Road, Huntington, NY 11743
Tuesday July 16th - Saturday July 20th - 7pm to 11pm
There will be amusement rides, games, gambling and fun for all! Fireworks show is July 17th-20th. FREE admission!
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Long Beach Street Fair
Shore Rd, Long Beach Rd, & National Blvd, Long Beach, NY 11561
Saturday, July 20th - Sunday, July 21st - 10 am to 6 pm
Come join us for a FREE family shopping event. A unique destination where consumers can interact with and buy directly from the source. Emerging and established artisans and high quality craft and gift vendors offer their handmade and handpicked items at recognizable savings.
Festivals
From arts to crafts to vendors and even games, there's nothing that can be missed.
From arts to crafts to vendors and even games, there's nothing that can be missed.
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Rock the Dock! Bay Street Theatre’s Summer Benefit Bash
1 Bay St., Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Saturday, July 20th - 6:30 pm
The Summer Benefit Bash is Bay Street’s largest fundraiser of the year hosted by Susan Lucci on the waterfront setting on the Long Wharf. Enjoy cocktails, dining, dancing and tempting auction items with celebrity auctioneer Richard Kind. Tickets start at $550 per person. See event listing for ticket information.
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St. Rose of Lima School Annual Family Festival
2 Bayview Avenue, Massapequa, NY 11758
Thursday, July 18th - Saturday July 27th
Come to one of the largest festivals on the South Shore! Pay-one-price rides and food court! Ride tickets can be purchased in advance online by 6am 7/18/13. Hours are 7pm-11pm on weekdays and 6pm-11pm on Saturday and Sunday. See event listing for tickets. FREE admission!
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Our Lady of Mercy Family Festival
500 South Oyster Bay Road, Hicksville, NY 11801
Wednesday, July 31st - Sunday, August 4th - 6 pm to 11 pm
Free Admission
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Rock Village Festival at Madison Theatre at Molloy College
1000 Hempstead Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Saturday, July 27th - 2 pm to 11 pm
$20
Madison Theatre is hosting The Rock Village Festival on the Public Square Lawn. The day’s extravaganza will feature five of Long Island’s favorite rock tribute bands, plus Live Painting by more than 75 artists. There will also be Art & Sculpture Exhibits, food tastings, handmade crafts and jewelry, chair massage, free giveaways, and more. See event listing for more details.
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Great South Bay Music Festival at Shorefront Park
Rider Ave .and Smith St., Patchogue, NY 11772
$39 on Friday/ $34 Saturday and Sunday (plus fees)
Featuring more than 40 artists on four stages performing contemporary and classic rock, jazz, jam-band, country, folk, zydeco, funk and more; including children's entertainment, a musical petting zoo (hands-on musical instruments), and an artisan market (arts and crafts). The event is free for children under 8 years of age.
-Friday, July 19th - 4:30 pm to 11 pm
-Saturday, July 20th - noon to 11 pm
-Sunday, July 21th - noon to 9 pm
Film Festivals
Producers share their different perspectives through a variety of films and premieres.
Producers share their different perspectives through a variety of films and premieres.
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Long Island International Film Expo at Bellmore Movies
July 18th- July 25th
Celebrating its 16th year at the Bellmore Movies, this festival is one of Long Island's largest regional film festivals.
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Stony Brook Film Festival at Stony Brook Staller Center
July 18th -July 27th
From short plays to long films, people show off their talent as producers.
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International Jewish Film Festival at the Suffolk Y Jewish Comm. Center
July 21st-July 28th
This festival presents a diverse program of short plays, documentaries, films and narrative features.
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Long Beach International Film Festival at Allegria Hotel
August 22nd
Bring beach chairs and blankets. Popcorn will be supplied.
Concerts
Check out live performances - some of which are free!
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Long Beach FREE Concert Series
Riverside Boulevard Beach, Long Beach, NY 11561
8 pm
Concerts on Monday will be held on National Blvd. Concerts on Wednesday will be held on New York Ave. Concerts on Thursdays will be held on Neptune Blvd. Concerts. Bring a beach chair, a blanket, dinner from your favorite Long Beach Restaurant, pizza place, or deli, and you are set for a great night of entertainment under the stars.
-Monday, July 22 - Big Band Swing
-Wednesday, July 24 - All Together Now
-Thursday, July 25 - F.O.G
-Monday, July 29 - 6-Gun
-Wednesday, July 31 - Andy Cooney
-Thursday, August 1 - Vintage Bliss
-Monday, August 5 - Beginnings Chicago Tribute Band
-Wednesday, August 7 - Italian Night with Con Astone
-Thursday, August 8 - Linda Ipanema & Dixie Cats
-Sunday, August 11 - Simply Tzfat (Long Beach Blvd)
-Monday, August 12 - Sountrac
-Wednesday, August 14 - Real Hot Lanta
-Thursday, August 15 - Cold Spring Harbor
-Monday, August 19 - High Tide
-Wednesday, August 21 - New Yorkers
-Thursday, August 22 - Drive Talk of Town
-Monday, August 26 - Joe Kane Big Band
-Wednesday, August 28 - Stolen Alibi
-Thursday, August 29 - Steel Horse
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Harborside FREE Concert Series at Harborfront Park
101 E Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
8 pm
-Thursday, July 25 - Amber Ferrari
-Thursday, August 15 - The Fast Lane
-Thursday, August 22 - The Beatles’ Magical Orchestra
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FREE Concerts on the Green
129 Main St., Stony Brook, NY 11790
7 pm - 9 pm
This is the 33rd Annual Sunday Concerts on the Green from now through August presented by the Ward Melville Heritage Organization.
-July 21 - Edward DeCorsia and New York’s Most Dangerous Big Band
-July 28 - Eastbound Freight Bluegrass
-August 4 - Jack’s Waterfall
-August 11 - Time Was...
-August 18 - Shenole Latimer and Friends
-August 25 - Banjo Rascals
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Downtown Rocky Point FREE Concert Series
St. Anthony of Padua R.C. Church
614 Route 25A, Rocky Point, NY
Tuesdays - 7 pm
Make sure to bring a chair or blanket!
-July 23 - Strawberry Fields
-August 6 - Swingtime Big Band
-August 13 - Streetfighter
-August 20 - Big Shot
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Babylon FREE Concert Series
Tanner Park
7:30 pm
-Wednesday, July 17 - Billy Ocean
-Friday, July 19 - Starship featuring
-Wednesday, July 24 - The Bronx Wanderers
-Friday, July 26 - Jay Siegel’s Tokens
-Friday, August 2 - Dr. K’s Motown Revue
-Wednesday, August 7 - Jo Dee Messina
-Friday, August 9 - The Cowsills
There will also be a benefit concert on Wednesday, July 31 at Overlook Beach at 7 pm. Desert Highway with Milagro Eagles Tribute Band with Santana Tribute Band. Suggested donation is $5 per car.
Please bring a nonperishable food item to help stock the Town of Babylon Food Pantry. Collection bins will be located at each concert.
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East Quogue Village Green FREE Concert Series
Corner of Montauk Highway and Lewis Road, East Quogue, NY 11942
The 8th season of free concerts every Tuesday night in July presented by East Quogue. Shows on July 16 and 23 start at 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The July 30th concert features two bands starting at 6:15 p.m. and running to 8:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, friends and family. If there is rain, then the concert will be made up on the first available Tuesday in August. Plenty of parking on Lewis Road and Montauk Highway, along with the East Quogue Elementary School located one block away on Central Avenue.
-July 16 - Songs in the Attic
-July 23 - The Filthy Crickets
-July 30 - Side FX and The Fast Lane
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Tanger Outlets at the Arches FREE Concert Series
Tanger Outlets at the Arches
152 The Arches Circle, Deer Park, NY 11729
Shop at the stores while enjoying the sound of musical notes presented by a variety of artists every Saturday beginning at 6 pm.
-July 20 - Head over Heels
-July 27 - Youth Be Told
-August 3 - TBD
-August 10 - Primary Colours
-August 17 - Planet Groove
-August 24 - Toxi
-August 31 - Owl City
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West Hempstead FREE Concert Series
Halls Pond Park
Nassau Boulevard and Hempstead Avenue, West Hempstead, NY 11552
6:30 pm
Enjoy an evening of live entertainment. Centrally located in West Hempstead, this 11-acre park includes a 5.5-acre pond with a walkway and a wooded area on its north side. In the event of rain, the concert will be held in the West Hempstead High School Auditorium, 400 Nassau Blvd. Remember to bring a chair.
-Sunday, July 28 - North Shore Pops Concert Band
-Sunday, August 4 - Band of Long Island
-Sunday, August 11 - New York Connection
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Alive After Five
Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11772
5 pm - 9 pm
Patchogue’s 12th Annual Summer Night Street Fair with Thursday nights of free fun for the entire family! Over 80 craft, food and retail Vendors, sidewalk sales, outside and in-restaurant dining, beer gardens, crafts and activities for kids and six stages of live music and entertainment! The dates are July 25, August 8 and August 22. FREE!
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FREE Noontime Concerts
Eisenhower Park - Field 6
12pm - 2pm
Enjoy a mini concert on Wednesday afternoons.
-July 17- Stan & Edie
-July 24- Randy and the Rainbows
-July 31- Golden Tone Orchestra
-August 7- My Way: Tribute to Sinatra
-August 14- Six Gun
More Family Fun Everyone Can Enjoy
Cultural Nights
Experience the diversity of Long Island by immersing yourself in the unique cultures and heritages of people. Various nights throughout the summer will be designated to different cultural groups. Each night is held at the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre in Eisenhower Park beginning at 7 pm. Free admission.
August 4 - Chinese American Night
August 5 - Irish American Night
August 11 - PACOLI Night
August 12 - Scandinavian American Night
August 16- Korean American Night
August 18 - Bangladeshi American Night
August 25- Pakistani American Night
Main Street, Northport, NY 11768
5 pm - 9 pm
Main Street will be close from Gunther's to Skippers Tuesday evenings in August. There will be fun games for the kids, live music and dance contests, outdoor dining, vendor sidewalk sales and antique cars. All of this for FREE!
The Babylon Chamber of Commerce presents fun-filled Saturdays in Babylon Village beginning July 13 and going through August 31. These days will include entertainment, sidewalk sales, and surprises.
Love to fish? Take part in this year’s saltwater fishing tournament.
895 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY 11747
Every Monday from 7pm to 12am
300 Long Island is offering unlimited bowling at 7pm to midnight for just $12 (including shoe rentals) starting Monday, July 15 and continuing every Monday until September 2. There will also be a movie beginning at 8:30 pm.
See what else is happening on our events page! But the fun doesn’t have to stop here. Check out some other cool and interesting things to do on Long Island.
Indoor Fun
Just because it is summer, that doesn’t mean you have to do everything outside. Take a break from the heat.
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Reading
Cozy up in bed or lounge on the couch with a cup of coffee, tea, or your favorite summer drink with a book in a hand. Check out our summer reading recommendations for kids, teens, and adults!
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Museums
With a variety of museums around us, learn about the history of Long Island, look at art, or learn more about the science of our world. Many museums are having educational exhibits and special summer programs for kids!
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Aquariums
Look at some wild and exotic fish from sharks to sea lions. You can even interact with some of these crazy creatures! From indoor to outdoor exhibits, enjoy nature’s beauty without battling nature itself.
Outdoor Fun
Soak up the sun while keeping yourself entertained with some of these activites.
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Amusement Parks
Hit the adventure park for an adrenaline rush or go to the water park!
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Parks
Enjoy the beauty of nature at the nature preserves, a State Park, or one of Long Island’s many parks. Have a picnic with the family or just take a walk! Make sure to get your Empire Pass which will allow you to enter all of the NY State Parks for the entire season for just one cost!
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Summer Camp
For those who love going to camps or parents who are looking for some alone time, check out some camps for all age groups which are both entertaining and educational. It is also perfect for working parents who need to keep their kids occupied during summer vacation.
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Camping
Pack up that tent! Why not also have some family fun by going camping? Check out some camping areas near you! You can even go camping right in your own backyard!
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Beaches
Embrace Long Island’s coast lines by spending the day at the beach, sinking your feet into the sand, soaking up some rays or getting pushed by the waves. Go to a prominent beach or check out a local beach near you. Everyone is allowed into NYS Park Beaches but make sure to check in with towns before heading over to town-owned properties. Entrance and parking fees may apply.
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Public Pools
What’s better than diving into a refreshing pool to cool off on those hot summer days? Public pools are now open for the season. Find a local one by you!
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Host a Backyard BBQ to Remember!
May marked the unofficial start of the summer and National BBQ Month! But don’t let that stop you from firing up the grill for the entire summer! From cocktails to mocktails, refresh yourself with some drinks while catching up with family and friends. Popsicles are also enjoyable on those hot summer days.
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Fruit Picking
With many farms around us, summer is the perfect time to go berry and strawberry picking to help you make those delicious drinks. You won’t even have to travel far!
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Boating
Take a ride into the Long Island Sound or go on a charter boat and view the sunset. Be sure to remember to be safe while boating.
Whatever you decide to do this summer, remember to protect yourself from the sun and be safe! Although the sun is dangerous anytime of the year, you may find yourself spending more time outside in the sun. Skin cancer has become a serious threat to sun lovers and anyone who is outdoors, so make sure to wear sunscreen and protective clothing. Whether it is sunny, cloudy or hazy, the sun will always get you. Make sure to keep your eyes and ears out for any heat advisories - check out the LongIsland.com Weather Center for the latest updates!
Let us know what you have planned this summer on our Summer Fun Discussion Forum!
Have a hot summer event you wanted added to this Guide? Email us at news@longisland.com about being included!
