Your guide to July Fourth weekend fun on Long Island
People watch the Independence Day parade in Port Jefferson. Credit: Randee Daddona
July Fourth weekend is here and if you don’t yet have plans, we've got you covered. From live music to fireworks and parades, here’s a guide of what to do throughout Nassau and Suffolk to help celebrate Independence Day:
FIND FIREWORKS
The Long Island Ducks take on the York Revolution at 6:35 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. A fireworks show follows each game; 3 Court House Dr., $15-$17, liducks.com, 631-940-3825.
See fireworks at Firemen's Memorial Field in Valley Stream. Gates open at 6 p.m. Friday (rain date: Saturday) and admission is $15; $10 in advance, purchase your tickets at Henry Waldinger Memorial Library, Valley Stream Community Center, Valley Stream Pool Complex lobby, Valley Stream Village Hall; vsvny.org, 516-821-3786.
A concert at Eisenhower Park features the Captain Jack Band (a tribute to the music of Billy Joel) also the School of Rock; fireworks from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, rain date: Saturday. Admission is free; Lakeside Theatre, parking Field 6, entrance on Merrick and Stewart avenues, East Meadow, bring chair or blanket, nassaucountyny.gov.
Watch fireworks over Shinnecock Bay, part of Southampton Fresh Air Home’s annual fundraiser, with additional viewing from Cooper's Beach at 9:15 p.m. Saturday (rain date Sunday); Southampton, free, sfah.org, 631-283-5847.
Independence Day fireworks explode over the water at Jones Beach State Park. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
There will be a fireworks show, Demo Derby, kids "Big Wheel" race and more on Saturday at the Riverhead Raceway, grandstands open at 4 p.m.; opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. The fireworks begin at dusk at the Riverhead Raceway. Admission is $30; $10 children 6-12; 5 and under free; 1797 Old Country Rd., riverheadraceway.com, 631-842-7223.
See fireworks over Orient Harbor starting at 9:15 p.m. Sunday (rain date July 16). The show can be viewed from the causeway (Route 25) between East Marion and Orient. Donations are accepted, orientfireworks.com.
The Jovia Financial Credit Union Fireworks Spectacular at Jones Beach takes place at the Central Mall with a musical simulcast of patriotic songs on WALK 97.5 FM and KJOY-98.3 FM starting at 9:30 p.m. Monday. The fireworks are included in the $10 park admission fee; 2400 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh, 516-785-1600.
See fireworks, enjoy live music, food and more from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday at the Long Island Community Hospital Amphitheater at Bald Hill; admission is free, 1 Ski Run Lane, Farmingville, licommunityhospitalamp.com, 631-676-7500.
SEE A SHOW
Get some laughs at comedian Sean Donnelly’s stand-up show at Governor’s Comedy Club in Levittown on Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m. Admission is $22 plus a two-item minimum per person. Must be 16 and over; 90 Division Ave., Levittown, 516-731-3358, govs.com.
Don’t miss the Broadway production of “Kinky Boots." Its final performances are at the John W. Engeman Theater in Northport on Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $75; 250 Main St., Northport, 631-261-2900, engemantheater.com.
Witness The Chicks perform songs off their latest album, “Gaslighter,” as well as some popular hits at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29.50; 895 Bay Pkwy., Wantagh, 516-221-1000, livenation.com.
Michael DelGuidice and his band, Big Shot, the Billy Joel tribute band, will perform at The Paramount in Huntington. Credit: Bruce Gilbert
Come see Michael DelGuidice and Big Shot mix Billy Joel hits with classic rock covers ranging from Paul McCartney to Journey to Led Zeppelin, plus original tunes, at The Paramount in Huntington on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $20; 370 New York Ave., Huntington, 631-673-7300, paramountny.com.
Feelin’ a little bit country? Head over to The Fest at the Long Island Community Hospital Amphitheater at Bald Hill in Farmingville featuring Chris Lane, Parmalee, Lanco, Matt Stell and Erin Kinsey on Sunday at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $30; 1 Ski Run Lane, Farmingville, 631-676-7500, licommunityhospitalamp.com.
Hear the songs of The Piano Man from Billy Joel’s original band The Lords of 52nd Street at Morgan Memorial Park in Glen Cove Monday at 7:30 p.m., followed by a fireworks show. Admission is free; Germaine Street, Glen Cove, 516-671-0017.
GO TO AN EVENT
The giant Ferris wheel at the Empire State Fair, at the NYCB LIVE! at the Nassau Coliseum. Credit: Empire State Fair
Take a ride on the Ferris wheel or play some carnival games at the Empire State Fair in the parking lot of Nassau Coliseum on Friday from 5 to 11 p.m. and Saturday, Sunday and Monday from noon to 11 p.m. There will be a fireworks show on Monday. Tickets are $10; 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale, 866-666-3247, empirestatefair.com.
Put on your sneakers and join the Southampton Firecracker 8K Run on Sunday at Agawam Park at 8 a.m. in memory of Roy Wines Jr., Past Rotary District Governor and in support of the people of Ukraine. Admission is $35; 25 Pond Lane, Southampton, 631-404-8072, events.elitefeats.com.
Eternal Con comes to Hofstra University on July 2 and 3. Credit: Frank Patz /Jason Laboy
Long Island’s pop culture expo Eternal Con returns to Hofstra University’s David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission for Saturday: adults $30, kids $15, Sunday: adults $25, kids $10; 245 Hofstra University, Hempstead, 516-900-4748, eternalcon.com.
Shop til you drop at the Hampton Flea + Vintage market in the Rogers Mansion of the Southampton History Museum on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; admission is free, 17 Meeting House Lane, Southampton, 631-283-2494, southamptonhistory.org.
Wave your American flag and celebrate the red, white and blue at the Port Jefferson Fire Department’s annual Independence Day Parade Monday at 10 a.m. (rain date: July 8). Admission is free; Route 25A, Port Jefferson, 631-473-4724, portjeff.com.
Join the Fabulous 4th of July 4K Race (8:30 a.m.) and 1K Fun Run (8 a.m.) in memory of late police officer Sean Ryan on Monday from the Long Beach boardwalk. Admission is $30 for 4K Run, $10 for 1K Fun Run; Laurelton Boulevard and the boardwalk, Long Beach, 516-431-3890, events.elitefeats.com.
With Newsday Staff
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
