On Memorial Day weekend, festivals and parades bring people together to commemorate and honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. The holiday also marks the unofficial start of summer, featuring parades, fireworks displays, festivals and more. Here's what's happening.

HONORING THE MILITARY

FourLeaf Air Show

Jones Beach State Park, Ocean Parkway, Wantagh

Members of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform at the...

Members of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds perform at the Jones Beach Air Show in 2023. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara

Soar into Memorial Day weekend with the United States Air Force Thunderbirds. This summer marks the team’s 10th headlining performance at Jones Beach. This year’s military performers include the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, the United States Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, the United States Navy Rhino Demo Team and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). Other performers include the American Airpower Museum Warbirds, the Farmingdale State College Flying Rams and aerobatic pilot David Windmiller.

American Airpower Museum

Republic Airport, Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale 

Witness the American Airpower Museum's World War II Legends of...

Witness the American Airpower Museum's World War II Legends of Airpower Warbirds in the FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach. Credit: American Airpower Museum/Ricardo von Puttkammer

See the museum’s World War II Legends of Airpower Warbirds flying in the air show, which include a Douglas C-47 Skytrain, North American P-51D Mustang, Curtiss P-40M Warhawk “Flying Tiger” and a B-29 Superfortress. On the ground, the AAM's Republic Aviation static display includes an F-84, F-105D, A-10A Warthog, and other planes.

  • When May 24-25 and also practice day on May 23; museum hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 23-25 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 26
  • Cost $20, $18 for seniors and veterans, $12 ages 5-12
  • More info americanairpowermuseum.org, 631-293-6398

Military night at Riverhead Raceway

Route 58, Riverhead 

Cheer on the drivers at the Riverhead Raceway in Riverhead.

Cheer on the drivers at the Riverhead Raceway in Riverhead. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost

America's Military Services Night features NASCAR racing with modifieds, INEX legends, late models, crate modifieds and truck enduro racing.

  • When Grandstand opens at 4 p.m. May 24; opening ceremony at 6 p.m.
  • Cost $15 for active or retired military with ID; $30, $15 for ages 6-12
  • More info riverheadraceway.com, 631-842-7223

Military helicopter landings

Parking field 2, 1899 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow

Senior Juan Diaz looks at the cockpit as Pilot Andrew...

Senior Juan Diaz looks at the cockpit as Pilot Andrew Baity, of Virginia, talks about the helicopter. Credit: Rick Kopstein

U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines and U.S. Coast Guard helicopters land and attendees are invited to meet the crews in conjunction with New York Fleet Week at Eisenhower Park. Military displays from each branch of service will be on display, and the U.S. Navy Band performs.

  • When 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 24
  • Cost Free admission
  • More info nassaucountyny.gov, 516-572-0200 

Placing flags for veterans

Volunteers are needed to place American flags on veterans' graves. Flags will be provided.

Cub Scout Andrew Wegener, of North Bellmore Troop 192, places...

Cub Scout Andrew Wegener, of North Bellmore Troop 192, places American flags on the graves at the Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale in May 2024. Credit: Joseph Sperber

Long Island National Cemetery

2040 Wellwood Ave., Farmingdale 

  • When To place flags at 7:30 a.m. May 24; return to the cemetery at 8 a.m. May 31 to remove flags
  • Cost Free
  • More info cem.va.gov, 631-454-4949

Calverton National Cemetery

210 Princeton Blvd., Calverton

  • When To place flags at 9:30 a.m. May 24; return to the cemetery at 9:30 a.m. May 31 to remove flags
  • Cost Free
  • More info Register to volunteer, calvertonsupport.com, 631-727-5410

V-E Day anniversary tribute

Eisenhower Park, Merrick and Stewart avenues, East Meadow

The Museum of American Armor will host a World War...

The Museum of American Armor will host a World War II armor roll through Eisenhower Park to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the war on May 24. Credit: Museum of American Armor

An authentic World War II Sherman tank will lead a parade of vintage military armored vehicles in the Old Bethpage-based Museum of American Armor’s first full-scale celebration of Victory in Europe (V-E) Day.

  • When 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., parade at 1:30 p.m. May 24
  • Cost Free
  • More info 516-572-0200, nassaucountyny.gov

Fireworks at North Hempstead Beach Park

175 W. Shore Rd., Port Washington

North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington.

North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca

The Memorial Day Commemoration and fireworks event focuses on members of the Armed Forces, featuring speeches and music by Shot Down. This year's theme is "Country Party USA." Food will be available for purchase.

  • When 6:30 p.m. May 24; gates open at 3 p.m. 
  • Cost $10 parking fee; free parking passes for veterans and active duty military by calling: 516-869-6311
  • More info northhempsteadny.gov, 516-869-6311

FourLeaf Air Show by boat

Nautical Mile, 211 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport

A sunset cruise with Freeport Water Taxi & Tours in...

A sunset cruise with Freeport Water Taxi & Tours in Freeport. Credit: Marisol Diaz

See the FourLeaf Air Show while cruising on a water taxi or charter boat with Freeport Water Taxi and Tours.

  • When Boarding starts at 11:30 a.m. May 24-25
  • Cost $70; $55 ages 5-10
  • More info Reservations required, freeportwatertaxi.com, 516-521-7744

FESTIVALS

Foodie Fest

Tanger Outlets Deer Park, 152 The Arches Circle. Deer Park

Foodie Fest at Tanger Outlets Deer Park. Credit: Amaka Muir

Check out a lineup of food trucks offering diverse menus and specialties in the parking lot next to Under Armour. There will be a DJ and a bounce house.

  • When Noon to 7 p.m. May 24-26
  • Cost Free admission
  • More info 516-644-5615, facebook.com 

Big Bounce America

Broadway Commons, 358 N. Broadway, Hicksville

Big Bounce America at Broadway Commons in Hicksville will feature...

Big Bounce America at Broadway Commons in Hicksville will feature obstacle courses, mazes and slides. Credit: Big Bounce America

The inflatable wonderland features obstacle courses, mazes, and slides. Play areas include: "The Giant," the "Sport Slam," a sports arena; a space-themed section called "airSPACE," and the newly added deep-sea foam party inflatable, "OctoBlast."

  • When May 24-25
  • Cost Starting at $22; Guests buy passes for a three-hour session each which has a designated age range; toddler session, junior session, bigger kid session and adults-only session
  • More info thebigbounceamerica.com

Levittown Carnival 

Behind P.C. Richard and Son, 2999 Hempstead Tpke., Levittown

Families can enjoy rides, games, and carnival food. New rides to try this year include Zeus and Flash Dance.

  • When 5 to 10 p.m. May 22; 5 to 11 p.m. May 23; noon to 11 p.m. May 24-25; 1 to 10 p.m. May 26
  • Cost Free admission; presale wristbands start at $30 through May 22; $42 wristbands at the door; $40 cash discount
  • More info dreamlandamusements.com, 866-666-3247

Huntington YMCA Annual Carnival

Athletic Field, 60 Main St., Huntington

Head to the carnival for thrills, amusements and more.

Head to the carnival for thrills, amusements and more. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto/Clayton Piatt

The carnival features rides, a midway with games, food including cotton candy and popcorn, international cuisine and magic shows (May 24-25).

  • When 6 to 10:30 p.m. May 23; 1 to 10:30 p.m. May 24-25; 1 to 6 p.m. May 26
  • Cost Free admission; $33 presale for pay-one-price bracelet
  • More info newtonshows.com, 631-499-6824.

Union Hook and Ladder Company of Patchogue Carnival

St. Joseph University, parking lot at Wavery Avenue and Sunrise Highway, Patchogue

The carnival features rides, games and food vendors.

  • When 5 to 10 p.m. May 22; 5 to 11 p.m. May 23; 4 to 11 p.m. May 24; 4 p.m.-10 p.m. May 25-26
  • Cost Free admission, fee for rides and food
  • More info 631- 690-6910

Westhampton Beach Fine Art Festival

On the great lawn across from St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 35 Main St., Westhampton

The event features artisans displaying their original artwork, sculptures, jewelry, paintings and more.

  • When 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 24; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 25
  • Cost Free admission
  • More info paragonfestivals.com, 941-487-8061

Arts in the Plaza

Kennedy Plaza, 1 W. Chester St., Long Beach

Artisans sell one-of-a-kind items at Arts in the Plaza in Long...

Artisans sell one-of-a-kind items at Arts in the Plaza in Long Beach. Credit: Arts in the Plaza

Artisans present one-of-a-kind items, jewelry, clothing and crafts. Farmers markets and food are available for sale, along with live music.

  • When 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 24 and every Saturday through the end of October
  • Cost Free admission
  • More info artsintheplaza.com, 516-476-2473

Baby animal festival

715 Sound Ave., Mattituck

Farmer Fred races pigs at the Barnyard Adventure at Harbes...

Farmer Fred races pigs at the Barnyard Adventure at Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck. Credit: Jeffrey Basinger

Baby goats, lambs, bunnies, and chicks will join the free fun in the farm's picnic area at Harbes Family Farm. For more animal adventures, enter the Harbes Barnyard Adventure, featuring a musical hayride, pig races and "jumbo jumpers" bounce pillows. Explore the sports zone with baseball, football, and basketball tossing games, a trike track, obstacle course, a hedge maze and an animatronic chicken show.

  • When 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 24-26; live music 1 to 5 p.m. 
  • Cost Free to enter the farm; $27.95 for ages 3 and older for the Barnyard Adventure
  • More info harbesfamilyfarm.com, 631-482-7641

Ronkonkoma street fair

Along Hawkins Avenue, Ronkonkoma

Soak up the final days of summer at the Ronkonkoma...

Soak up the final days of summer at the Ronkonkoma Street Fair. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin

The fair features live music, children’s rides and entertainment, arts and crafts and food vendors.

  • When 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 25
  • Cost Free admission, pay for rides and food at concession stands
  • More info ronkonkomachamber.com, 631-963-2796

LIVE MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

Low Tide Bar at Sound View Greenport

58775 County Road 48, Greenport

Enjoy private beach access at this waterfront hotel and bar, where the venue holds its Low Tide Bar (open to all; starting Memorial Day weekend; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday-Sunday), where guests and non-guests can buy cocktails from an outdoor tiki bar or lounge in beach chairs.

Flynn's dance party 

1 Cayuga St., Ocean Bay Park, Fire Island

Nick Bell, of Centereach, dances at Flynn’s in Ocean Bay Park.

Nick Bell, of Centereach, dances at Flynn’s in Ocean Bay Park. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski

The outdoor dance party at Flynn's is the Brazilian Carnival edition with sounds by Mike Savage, Frankie Sims and MC Neil Walsh. The party continues Sunday with Fotsbeats, DJ Bad and City.

Memorial Day Party at Dockers Waterside

94 Dune Rd., East Quogue

Hang with DJ Chef this Memorial Day weekend. Credit: djchefny

Join the kick-off to summer party featuring live music and gourmet bites by DJ Chef.

Stephen Talkhouse

161 Main St., Amagansett 

Live bands will take the stage all weekend long, covering '80s classics to indie rock.

  • When 8 p.m. May 24 Illiterate Light; 10:30 p.m. May 24 Hello Brooklyn; 8 p.m. May 25 The Rikkies; 10:30 p.m. May 25 Rubix Kube; 7 p.m. May 26 3 Decades Rewind.
  • Cost Tickets start at $22.53
  • More info stephentalkhouse.com, 631-267-3117 

Mulcahy's

3232 Railroad Ave., Wantagh

People dance to the live band at Mulcahy's in Wantagh. 

People dance to the live band at Mulcahy's in Wantagh.  Credit: Howard Simmons

New Age Bingo Loco arrives at Mulcahy's with dance-offs, rave rounds, lip-sync battles, throwback anthems, confetti showers, conga lines, and more.

Jon Lovitz

The Paramount, 370 New York Ave., Huntington

The stand-up comedian and '80s mainstay on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" continues his tour with a stop at The Paramount.

Pugliese Vineyards

34515 Main Rd., Cutchogue

Husband and wife Reinaldo Miranda and Wanda Rosario, of Queens...

Husband and wife Reinaldo Miranda and Wanda Rosario, of Queens Village, drink a glass of pinot noir by the koi fish pond at Pugliese Vineyards in Cutchogue. Credit: Randee Daddona

Sip on vino and enjoy live music by April Rain and Steve Archdeacon.

Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.

42155 Main Rd., Peconic

Maegan and Chris Ramnarine, of Mattituck, at the Greenport Harbor...

Maegan and Chris Ramnarine, of Mattituck, at the Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. in Peconic. Credit: Randee Daddona

Grab a brew and groove to the music of the Grateful Dead with Roses Grove Band on May 24, and enjoy five decades of rock music with One Track Mind on May 25.

Bridge Lane Wine

35 Cox Neck Rd., Mattituck

Head to winery for live music with Taylor Thomas on the outdoor patio.

  • When 2 to 5 p.m. May 24
  • Cost Free admission, fee for drinks and a la carte food menu
  • More info bridgelanewine.com, 631-298-1942).

Bedell Cellars

36225 Main Rd., Cutchogue

Friends taste wine at Bedell Cellars in Cutchogue.

Friends taste wine at Bedell Cellars in Cutchogue. Credit: Randee Daddona

Check out live music from Frank Palmeri at this East End winery. 

  • When 1 to 4 p.m. May 24
  • Cost Free admission
  • More info bedellcellars.com, 631-734-7537 

FUN AT SEASONAL VENUES

Long Island Ducks

3 Court House Dr., Central Islip

Cheer on the Ducks as they face off against the...

Cheer on the Ducks as they face off against the Staten Island FerryHawks at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. Credit: George A. Faella

Cheer on the Ducks as they face off against the Staten Island FerryHawks at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. Fireworks follow the game on May 24.

  • When 6:35 p.m. May 23-24 and 1:35 p.m. May 25
  • Cost Tickets start at $17
  • More info liducks.com, 631-940-3825

Horton Point Lighthouse

3575 Lighthouse Rd., Southold

Cherry trees in bloom on the grounds of the Horton Point...

Cherry trees in bloom on the grounds of the Horton Point Lighthouse in Southold. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.

During the opening weekend, explore exhibits on whaling and the history of the lighthouse built in 1857.

  • When 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 24-25
  • Cost $5 per person, $5 parking fee; $10 per family
  • More info southoldhistorical.org 631-765-5500

Splish Splash opening weekend

2549 Splish Splash Dr., Calverton

Splish Splash in Calverton opens for the season Memorial Day...

Splish Splash in Calverton opens for the season Memorial Day weekend. Credit: Splish Splash

There’s fun for kids of all ages, and accommodations for children with special needs, at the splashy playland's opening weekend. New this summer is a kids water playground with three water slides, six interactive spray options, a dump bucket and more. The 96-acre water park features 20 attractions, including slides like Bombs Away, Alien Invasion and Bootlegger's Run. Try the Hyperlight, which whooshes riders for 45 seconds through a 300-foot tube slide to a disco or techno beat.

  • When 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 24-26
  • Cost Tickets start at $39.99; $30 parking fee
  • More info splishsplash.com, 631-727-3600

Long Island Live Steamers

Southaven County Park, 189 Gerard Rd., BrookhavenK

A public running day on a steamer train features travel around more than 8 acres of the park, along with elevated and scale model trains.

  • When 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 25
  • Cost Tickets are required; donations accepted
  • More info lilivesteamers.org, 631-345-0499

RUNS AND WALKS

Spring 5K

Planting Fields Arboretum, 1395 Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay

Take a walk or run through the woodland trails as...

Take a walk or run through the woodland trails as you make your way around the historic landscapes at Planting Fields during the spring 5K. Credit: Katie Walsh

Runners and walkers meet at the Hay Barn to start the race around the arboretum on grass, hilly terrain and pathways.

  • When 8 a.m. May 24, rain or shine
  • Cost $40
  • More info elitefeats.com, 516-922-9210

Run the Vineyards 5K

Pindar Vineyards, 37645 Main St., Peconic

Run or walk a 5K through a North Fork wine trail, followed by an after-party with live music, a barbecue food truck, and Pawsitive Possibilities on-site with puppy adoptions. A 1-mile walk is also available.

  • When 9 a.m. May 25
  • Cost Registration fee starts at $34.92, price increases on May 24
  • More info runsignup.com, 856-430-8250

City manager's 10-mile Race To Remember

Start and finish at the boardwalk and Laurelton Boulevard, Long Beach

The Long Beach boardwalk.

The Long Beach boardwalk. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.

The 10-mile run takes participants along the boardwalk and through the streets of Long Beach. An awards ceremony follows, and runners receive free entry to the beach for the day.

  • When 8 a.m. May 25; registration and T-shirt pickup at 6:30 a.m.
  • Cost $40; $35 in advance
  • More info longbeachny.gov, 516-431-3890

Memorial Day Freedom 5kK

Connolly Station, 280 Hempstead Ave., Malverne

The 5K run or walk is a tribute to veterans, past and present, followed by a parade around the village. A children's fun run begins at 8 a.m. 

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