Alive After Five in Patchogue sets 2026 dates for 'biggest season yet'
Jason Munnerlyn and Tiffany Wilson of the band "Current Affair" at last year's Alive After Five in Patchogue. Credit: Newsday/Alexandra Moreo
Alive After Five, the after-hours summer series in the village of Patchogue, is turning 25 this year and there are many new elements being added to enhance the experience. Mark your calendars for four nights: July 2, 16 and 30, plus Aug. 13 (rain date: Aug. 20) from 5 to 9 p.m.
"The event is family-friendly and open to people of all ages, drawing 10,000-15,000 each night," Silvana Aloisio, the Patchogue Chamber of Commerce's executive director, says. "There’s a lot of excitement walking down Main Street because you feel like you are part of a community."
Music forward
Music is the main focus of the event with a minimum of five stages spread down Main Street from West Avenue to Maple Avenue.
"It’s turned into a music festival that people look forward to every year," Aloisio says. "We are trying to make sure that everybody has a music genre they can listen to and enjoy."
Although a band schedule has not yet been released, country music is on the agenda for opening night, July 2.
"We are working on getting a nice country act for line dancing," Aloisio says. "Additionally, we are hoping to bring in a special surprise, that we can’t announce at the moment, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the country."
New VIP element
The chamber is taking on two presenting sponsors: LEGAME Permanent Jewelry and Coastal Cowgirl, which has allowed them to incorporate a free VIP experience to Alive After Five for the first time.
Brianna Novitz and Gabby Goodstein pet Georgia Robbins, a standard poodle, at the Alive After Five music festival in Wantagh, New York on June 5, 2025. Credit: Newsday/Alexandra Moreo
"There are going to be VIP lounge areas directly on Main Street for people who directly go and have an experience with LEGAME or Coastal Cowgirl," Aloisio says. "You can watch the shows and enjoy food from these designated areas."
Riverfront included
In addition to Main Street, Alive After Five is set to extend to the Patchogue River, a mile-long village waterway.
"We will be incorporating the riverfront this year including restaurants like Dublin Deck Tiki Bar & Grill, Drift 82 and the Oar Steak & Seafood Grille," Aloisio says.
Fans of the arts can head over to Arts Alley, which is an alleyway between Toast and the Patchogue Public Library off Main Street.
"We will have artists doing live paintings as well as a stage for live music," Aloisio says.
Alive After Five influence
Since Alive After Five began, many villages have taken on the template the Patchogue Chamber created like Farmingdale’s Music on Main and Riverhead’s Alive on 25.
The Patchogue Chamber views Alive After Five as a "give back to the community" that supports its local businesses in the downtown area all year long.
"We want to offer a celebration where we can all put aside work and stress to just enjoy the summer," Aloisio says. "With all the new changes, we expect this year to be the biggest Alive After Five season yet."
For more information, call 631-207-1000 or visit patchogue.com.
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
