Memorial Day weekend events on Long Island
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
Honor veterans
Volunteers are needed to place American flags on veterans' graves. Flags will be provided.
May 23: Long Island National Cemetery
2040 Wellwood Ave., Farmingdale
Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
- When: To place flags at 7:30 a.m. ; return to the cemetery at 8 a.m. May 30 to remove flags
- Cost: Free
- More info: 631-454-4949, cem.va.gov
May 23: Calverton National Cemetery
210 Princeton Blvd., Calverton
Flags on veterans' graves at Calverton National Cemetery on Memorial Day last year. Credit: Morgan Campbell
- When: To place flags at 9:30 a.m.; return to the cemetery at 9:30 a.m. May 30 to remove flags
- Cost: Free; register to volunteer
- More info: 631-727-5410, calvertonsupport.com
May 23-24: Warbird Flights at American Airpower Museum
Hangar 3, 1230 New Hwy., Farmingdale
A North American AT-6D Texan trainer parked at the American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale. Credit: Jeff Bachner
Watch the fleet of restored WWII fighting aircrafts take off and land. The historic planes will be on display in the hangar including a Douglas C-47B Skytrain Transport, Grumman TBM Avenger torpedo bomber, North American P-51D Mustang, Curtiss P-40M Warhawk and “Flying Tiger." Watch as they start their engines and taxi to the runway to fly over Long Island.
- When: 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Cost: $20, $18 for seniors and veterans, $12 ages 3-12
- More info: 631-293-6398, americanairpowermuseum.org
FESTIVALS
May 21-25: Levittown Chamber of Commerce Memorial Day Carnival
Behind P.C. Richard & Son, Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown
Bring the family and have fun on rides, play games and buy carnival snacks.
- When: 5 to 10 p.m. May 21, 5 to 11 p.m. May 22, noon to 11 p.m. May 23-24, noon to 9 p.m. May 25.
- Cost: Free admission and parking
- More info: 516-520-8000, levittownchamber.com
May 22-23: Plein Air Art Show at Fire Island Lighthouse
Park at Robert Moses State Park, field 5 and walk east to the lighthouse
Paint a beach scene of the Fire Island Lighthouse. Credit: Patti Stanton
Artists are invited to paint the lighthouse or a beach scene. Bring your own materials. Completed artwork will be on view in the Lens Building through June 21.
- When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Cost: $10 parking fee
- More info: 631-583-59013, fireislandlighthouse.org
May 22-25: Huntington YMCA Memorial Weekend Carnival
Athletic Field, 60 Main St., Huntington
Kids ride the Cliff Hanger ride at the Huntington YMCA Carnival. Credit: Chuck Fadely
Head to the carnival and see a magic show, play games and check out the rides.
- When: 6 to 10 p.m. May 22; 1 to 10 p.m. May 23-24; 1 to 6 p.m. May 25
- Cost: Free admission; ride bracelets for a fee
- More info: 631-499-6824, newtonshows.com
May 22-25: Memorial Day Foodie Fest at Tanger Outlets Deer Park
152 The Arches Circle, Deer Park
Food trucks at the festival will be serving bites like pickles and chocolate treats. Credit: Amaka Muir
Ring in the holiday weekend with food trucks that offer a variety of cuisines. Guests can enjoy options like ice cream, pickles, Greek specialties, pizza, seafood, empanadas and more.
- When: Noon to 7 p.m.
- Cost: Free admission; pay for food
- More info: 516-644-5615, tanger.com
May 23: Fireworks at North Hempstead Beach Park
175 W. Shore Rd., Port Washington
Decadia will perform at the Memorial Day weekend event. Credit: Chris Nova
The Memorial Day Commemoration and Fireworks Extravaganza focuses on members of the Armed Forces, featuring speeches and music by Decadia. Food will be available for purchase.
- When: 6:30 p.m. ; 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: 516-869-6311, northhempsteadny.gov
May 23: Fly your favorite kite at Kite Day at Shorefront Park
49 Smith St., Patchogue
Fly a kite at this family-friendly festival coming to Patchogue. Credit: Unsplash/©Agnieszka Ziomek
Fly a kite or watch as others take flight and fill the skies over the park. Bring a picnic or snacks and listen to DJ music.
- When Noon to 4 p.m.
- Cost Free
- More info 631-475-4302, patchoguevillage.gov
May 23-24: Memorial Day weekend at Jones Beach
Central Mall, Ocean Parkway, Wantagh
Jennifer DeMeo and Ray Swartz dance at Jones Beach State Park last summer. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
Join in the celebration with a drone show featuring patriotic displays over the Atlantic Ocean at 9 p.m. May 24. Step back in time with reenactors embodying the signers of the Declaration of Independence and Revolutionary War encampments in the re-enactment village. Enjoy period music played by a fife and drum band, colonial-era cooking demonstrations and an inflatable play area, noon to 6 p.m. May 23-24. End the festivities with a musical performance, 6 to 9 p.m. May 24.
- When: Times vary
- Cost: $10 parking fee
- More info: 516-785-1600, parks.ny.gov
May 23-25: Baby Animal Festival at Harbes Family Farm
715 Sound Ave., Mattituck
Liam Balkan pets the baby animals at Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck. Credit: Alexandra Moreo
Baby goats, lambs, bunnies and chicks will be featured in a Baby Animal Parade in Harbes Barnyard Adventure. Families can take a musical hayride, see pig races and hop on "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: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Cost: Free to enter the farm; $31.77 for ages 3 and older for the Barnyard Adventure; credit card only
- More info: 631-482-7641, harbesfamilyfarm.com
May 23: Arts in the Plaza at Kennedy Plaza
1 W. Chester St., Long Beach
Louise Dennis looks at photos by Ed Kennedy at Arts in the Plaza at Kennedy Plaza in Long Beach. Credit: Linda Rosier
Artisans present handmade goods, including jewelry, apparel and art. Attendees can hear live music performances.
- When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through Oct. 24
- Cost: Free admission
- More info: 516-476-2473, artsintheplaza.com
May 23-24: Maggie Burbank Arts and Crafts Show
The Great Lawn, Potunk Lane and Main Street, Westhampton Beach
The show highlights fine arts and crafts, jewelry, printmaking prints, painting, photography, sculptures, furniture and woodwork.
- When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Cost: Free
- More info: 631-288-3337, westhamptonchamber.org
FUN AT SEASONAL VENUES
May 22: Scott's Pointe outdoor area opens
5835 Middle Country Rd., Calverton
Aqua Park at Scott's Pointe in Calverton. Credit: Morgan Campbell
On tap to open full-time by Memorial Day weekend, the outdoor section features a paved go-cart track with 40 carts, some for children, some for adults, and some doubles to be shared. The lake has 15 bumper boats equipped with water cannons, paddleboards and kayaks. In addition, the lake will offer a 2-acre floating Aqua Park with inflatable boardwalk and take on slides, trampolines, climbing elements and other challenges on the water.
- When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Cost: Admission prices will be a la carte for the outdoor activities
- More info: 631-953-2133, scottspointe.com
May 23-25: Splish Splash opening weekend
2549 Splish Splash Dr., Calverton
Families enjoying the Lazy River at Splish Splash. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
The waterpark opens for the season with interactive spray areas, water slides and water buckets.
- When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Cost: Tickets start at $42.99; $30 for parking: $25 in advance
- More info: 631-727-3600, splishsplash.com
Opens May 23: Horton Point Lighthouse
3575 Lighthouse Rd., Southold
Explore grounds around the Horton Point Lighthouse in Southold. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Explore exhibits about shipwrecks, whaling and the history of the lighthouse and its keepers.
- When: 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays (May 23-Sept. 13)
- Cost: $5 per person; $10 per family; $5 parking fee
- More info: 631-765-5500, southoldhistorical.org
May 23-25: Flynn's Memorial Day weekend party
1 Cayuga St., Ocean Bay Park, Fire Island
DJ City, left, and Fotsbeats spin music at Flynn’s Fire Island in Ocean Bay Park. Credit: Linda Rosier
The spot remains the center of Ocean Bay Park nightlife and offers a fun daytime scene. The entertainment offerings begin Memorial Day weekend with live music happy hours with discounted appetizers and drinks plus games and giveaways. Memorial Mash Up dance party is a kick off to summer with music by Sims, Savage and Walsh on May 23. The Sunday Spectacular dance party features DJ Fotsbeats, DJ Bad and DJ City spinning beats on May 24. Come May 25 for the Memorial Day Monday "Holiday Day-Dream" party with live music by Rick Wonder and Friends.
When: Starting at noon May 23-35
Cost: Tickets vary by event: tickets starting at $33.85 on May 23; starting at $44.52 on May 24; starting at $12.51 on May 25 start at $28.52
More info: 631-583-5000, flynnsfireislandny.com
RUNS AND WALKS
May 23: Spring 5K at Planting Fields Arboretum
1395 Planting Fields Rd., Oyster Bay
People walk inside the rose garden at Planting Fields. Credit: Yana Paskova
Meet at the Hay Barn and run through the scenic course during this spring 5K.
- When: 8:30 a.m.; registration starts at 7:30 a.m.; 9:30 a.m. for kids fun run
- Cost: Fee starts at $40; $20 for kids fun run
- More info: 516-922-9210, elitefeats.com
May 24: City manager's 10-mile Race To Remember
Start and finish at the boardwalk and Laurelton Boulevard, Long Beach
Walter Chmurzynski and Catherine Modzelewski run the Long Beach boardwalk. Credit: Howard Schnapp
The 10-mile run takes participants along the boardwalk and through the streets of Long Beach.
- When: 8 a.m. ; registration and T-shirt pickup at 6:30 a.m.
- Cost: $45; $35 in advance
- More info: 516-431-3890, longbeachny.gov
