Live music on Main Street, more weeknight town events returning this summer
Patchogue's Alive After Five street festival is brimming with food, drinks, live music and art for sale. Credit: Daniel Brennan
Downtowns across Long Island are featuring full-fledged alfresco events where live music can be heard and tons of fun can be had for all ages throughout the summer and early fall. Visitors attending the festivals can expect to find family activities like face painting and games, live performances, shopping opportunities, street vendors, food trucks and more. From a block party to Alive After Five, here are weeknight events to attend across Long Island this season:
OYSTER BAY CRUISE NIGHT CAR SHOW SERIES
John Rago from Levittown explains what is under the hood of his 1939 Cadillac limo to Joe Boccio from Bethpage at the town of Oyster Bay car cruise night on Audrey Lane in Oyster Bay. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
The long-running weekly car cruise turns the scenic downtown into a walkable showcase of vintage makes and models. You'll find them parked along Audrey Avenue (show cars pay $5 to participate, free for spectators), within walking distance of many restaurants, retail shops and dessert spots. Starting at 5:30 p.m., there’s live music and occasional appearances by food trucks, as well as a “Kid Zone” that hosts games and other family fun like sidewalk chalk drawing, face painting and giveaways.
INFO Tuesdays through Sept. 6, visitoysterbay.com
GREAT NECK PLAZA’S THURSDAY PROMENADE NIGHTS
Dine in the street European style and join the festivities in Great Neck Plaza. Locations alternate from Bond Street (perpendicular to the LIRR station) to North Middle Neck Road (between Grace Avenue and Maple Drive). Entertainment includes live music.
INFO 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. Thursdays June 23 to July 28. 516-482-4500, shopgreatneck.com
PATCHOGUE’S ALIVE AFTER FIVE
Alive After Five street festival features live music, food and drink vendors and arts and crafts on Main Street in Patchogue. Credit: Daniel Brennan
Returning after a two-year pause, Patchogue Village’s Main Street festival will take place on four Thursdays, with live music playing on four different stages. Each fest will feature more than 100 food and craft vendors, there will be expanded outdoor dining areas, a new midway along Railroad Avenue and family activities.
INFO 5 to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays on July 14, July 28, Aug. 11 and Aug. 25 (rain date is Sept. 1 if necessary). 631-207-1000, aa5.patchogue.com
PORT WASHINGTON'S THURSDAY PORT OUTDOORS
Running on the 3rd Thursday of each month, (plus an extra night on Sept. 22) “Port Outdoors Dine & Shop” is a series where Main Street in Port Washington becomes an outdoor dining, shopping and entertainment spot to explore. Live, local entertainment slated for the main stage is organized by Landmark on Main Street. (landmarkonmainstreet.org).
INFO 5 to 10 p.m. Thursdays until Sept. 22 alternating between upper Main Street and Port Commons (from Port Washington Blvd. to Mackey Ave.) and Middle and Lower Main Street (from Central Dr. to Shore Rd.) 516-883-8890, portwashingtonbid.org
FARMINGDALE’S MUSIC ON MAIN
Held along two blocks of the village’s Main Street, this free-to-attend event featuring live music takes place on four summer Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m. Guests can also eat outdoors and shop the area, weather-permitting. Bands scheduled to play are Fast Five (July 21), Nicolls Road (Aug. 4) and 12x (Aug. 18).
INFO Between Prospect and S. Front sts.; 516-249-0093, farmingdalemusiconmain.com
GARDEN CITY'S FRIDAY NIGHT PROMENADE
The weekend starts with a bang in Garden City as the village's Chamber of Commerce coordinates a weekly street fair that closes Seventh Street to vehicles. Live music fills the street as restaurants provide al fresco dining and shops extend their business hours. Every week brings a new theme, from "Christmas in July" (July 22) to the "Big Pineapple Circus" (Sept. 16).
INFO 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays June 10-Sept. 16, Seventh Street (between Franklin and Hilton avenues) in Garden City. 516-746-7724, gardencitychamber.org
BABYLON'S BABYLON BLOCK PARTY
The village's traditional summer block party series is returning this year, and will feature live music, as well as outdoor dining, vendors and fun for children such as face painting, a video game truck, games and bouncy houses. Deer Park Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic between Main Street and Park Avenue, with stages at each end where bands will play.
INFO 5 to 9 p.m. July 14, July 28, Aug. 11, Aug. 25 and Sept 15. 631-669-8612, babylonchamber.com
RIVERHEAD’S ALIVE ON 25
Head to Main Street in Riverhead and enjoy a lineup of outdoor music and entertainment as part of Alive on 25 through August. Credit: Diane Tucci
Shifting to Fridays this summer, Alive on 25 in Riverhead runs through Aug. 12. A street festival featuring live entertainment will also include jugglers and stilt walkers, face painting, food trucks, car shows, vendors and local artisans. Area restaurants will offer dining in the street and locally sourced craft beverages will be available for purchase.
INFO 5 to 9:30 p.m. July 15, July 29 and Aug. 12, Main Street (from Griffing Avenue to McDermott Ave.) in Riverhead; 631-209-4244, downtownriverhead.org
LONG BEACH’S ARTS IN THE PLAZA
Katie Better, a chalk artist from Glen Cove chalks in Long Beach during Arts in the Plaza Arts Festival. Credit: Randee Daddona
A weekly arts festival that runs into the fall on Saturdays, this event features vendor booths manned by local artists and live music. Attendees can shop a market including jewelry, artwork, photography, home décor, accessories and clothing, among other items. The calendar also will include a “Centennial Nights in the Plaza” series, with live music from 5 to 9 p.m. on June 24, Aug. 12 and Sept. 23.
INFO Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Oct. 29 at Kennedy Plaza (1 W. Chester St.). 516-476-2473, artsintheplaza.com
