LongIsland.com's 2016 December Family Fun Guide: Holiday Lightings & Light Shows, Winter Festivals, & New Year's Entertainment

 

A holiday vignette at the GSSC's Holiday Light Show.

 Now that Thanksgiving has come & gone, it's beginning to feel like Christmas here on Long Island, with locals beginning to deck the halls, and holiday cheer is plentiful from Manhattan to Montauk. 

Throughout the month of December, there are lots of great holiday events for the whole family - from Christmas Tree & Menorah Lighting Ceremonies kicking off the season, to Holiday Craft Fairs hosted across the Island throughout the month, to the iconic Holiday Light Show, hosted by the GSSC, there is plenty of fun happening all month long - from start to finish! 

Even as we say goodbye to 2016, the fun doesn't stop - there's countless NYE Bashes happening on the 31st to welcome in 2017, ranging from festive family fun to extravagant nights on the town.

For LongIsland.com's December 2016 Fun Guide, click here!

Photo courtesy of the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County.

2016 Turkey Trots Across LI - Get Your Exercise on Before Sitting Down to Dinner This Holiday!

Over the years, Turkey Trots have become a beloved tradition here on Long Island, with towns ranging from the most western parts of Nassau, all the way out to the East End hosting Turkey Trots on Thanksgiving Morning. These fun runs are typically 5k & 10k Runs and Walks, with many including a 1k Fun Run for the little ones to enjoy. 

Why not get a jump on your holiday fun this year, and sign up for one of this year's annual trots? They're a great way to get some exercise and fresh air before the traditional holiday meal to follow in the evening. 

For LongIsland.com's 2016 Guide to Local Turkey Trots, click here!
Photo by KindHelper, via Free Images.

LongIsland.com's 2016 November Family Fun Guide: Turkey Trots, Fall Festivals, Concerts, Thanksgiving Dinners & More!

 

November is well under way, and with Thanksgiving & the Holiday Season right around the corner, there's plenty of festive fun happening across the Island! From Holiday Boutiques & Crafts Fairs to help you get a jump start on your Christmas & Hanukah Shopping Lists, to exhilarating Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trots, and other family fun happening throughout the month, November is packed with festivities! 

For LongIsland.com's 2016 November Fun Guide, click here! 

Photo by Yousif Waleed, via Free Images.

LongIsland.com's 2016 October Family Fun Guide: Fall Festivals, Concerts, Charity Events & More!

With Autumn in full swing, October is one of the most fun-filled months of the year here on Long Island. From weekends spent out in the pumpkin patch hunting for the perfect gourd to carve, to Fall Festivals that have been a family tradition for generations, and thrill-filled haunted houses, where you can get your fill of scares for the season, October is packed with all sorts of fun for everyone, whether you love to indulge in family-friendly Fall Fun, or Halloween is your favorite holiday. 

For LongIsland.com's October 2016 Fun Guide, click here!

LongIsland.com's 2016 Halloween Guide: Ghoulishly-Good Haunted Houses, Safe Trick-or-Treating & More!

Halloween may only last for 24 hours, but Long Island's celebrations take over the entire month of October! During the day, families and little goblins have plenty of pumpkin patches and corn mazes to choose from. Plus, in the days leading up to Halloween, kids will be able to feast on sugary treats at safe trick-or-treating events in local towns.

For the older thrill-seekers looking for the scare of a lifetime, there are a number of haunted houses that are eagerly awaiting their newest visitors! With all of this fun to be had, there's no time to waste! Grab your mask and your trick-or-treating bucket and get ready for the most packed Halloween Long Island has ever seen!

For LongIsland.com's 2016 Halloween Fun Guide, click here!

Photo by Greg Jordan, via Free Images.

Where to Go to Get Lost in a Corn Maze This Fall on Long Island

Put your navigation and team work skills to the test by heading into a Long Island corn maze with friends or family this fall! Corn mazes not only provide a fun way to spend an afternoon, but they provide the perfect excuse for getting outside and enjoying the crisp, fall weather, and getting a look at the beautiful, changing foliage.

Whether you're an adult or child, corn mazes are the perfect activity for everyone. Many places even offer mazes made specifically with kids in mind! 

For the Scoop on all of Autumn 2016's Best Corn Mazes, Click Here!

Photo by Jonathan Kendrick, via Free Images.

Fun Festivals & Fairs Taking Place This Fall on Long Island

 

Celebrate the festive, fall spirit, and all that this beautiful season has to offer, at a Long Island fair or festival taking place this autumn!

Browse the booths of local vendors and artisans, watch as the kids participate in fun thematic activities like pumpkin decorating and bobbing for apples, listen to live music, enjoy outdoor entertainment and much more!
For all of LI's Best Fall Fests, Click Here!

Photo by pychap, via Flickr.

Celebrate Fall with a Family Favorite: Go Apple Picking This Autumn with the Whole Family!

When it comes to traditional fall fun, there's no better way to kick off the season than with apple picking! From Red Delicious to Granny Smith to Honeycrisp, many local orchards are currently offering U-Pick apples with various varieties to pick from giving you the unique opportunity to select the true apple, or apples, of your eye. 

Whether you're planning on taking a bite out of your pickings, baking them into an aromatic pie, or making them into a ready to sip on cider, one of the best things of all about apple picking is it provides enjoyment during and after the beloved fall activity.

For LongIsland.com's Fall 2016 Apple Picking Guide, Click Here!

Photo by Brian Berke, via Flickr.

LongIsland.com's 2016 September Family Fun Guide: Fall Festivals, Apple Picking, 5k Runs, Outdoor Fun & More!

September has begun, and that means there are only a couple more weeks of summer left to enjoy. As temperatures slowly wane from hot summer weather to cooler autumnal conditions, Long Islanders will be enjoying both the end of summer and the start of fall. There will be plenty of festivals, charity runs, outdoor activities, and other ways to enjoy September across LI, from outdoor carnivals to indoor art galleries.

Locals looking to bring some fresh food into their homes will also enjoy all the fall farmers markets and the start of apple-picking season!

For  September's best Fall Fun, check out LongIsland.com's September Fun Guide here!

LongIsland.com’s 2016 Labor Day Weekend Guide

We're less than two weeks away from Labor Day, and Long Islanders are sure to have a lot of fun as they enjoy their holiday weekend. Many residents will certainly be having a backyard barbecue to send off the summer, and others will be heading out to some of the special events happening around the Island. Street fairs, historic walking tours, baseball outings, live concerts,  and stage shows will be but a few of the activities happening across LI over Labor Day Weekend!

For LongIsland.com's Labor Day Weekend Fun Guide, click here!

Check Out The Perseid Meteor Shower's Peak August 11th & 12th Right Here on Long Island!

 What could very well turn out to be the best night for stargazers all year long is almost upon us. Astronomers are predicting a big outburst from the Perseid meteors as they peak between the evening of August 11th and morning of August 12th, potentially lighting the sky with as many as 200 meteors per hour. 

The actual number of visible meteors will vary depending on when they peak–if the outburst occurs earlier Thursday night there won't be quite as much to see, but if it occurs later Friday morning in the pre-dawn hours it could be quite the stunning display.

For Your Guide to Watching The Perseid Meteor Shower on Long Island, click here!

Photo by Kim MyoungSung, via WikiCommons. (CC BY 2.0)

LongIsland.com's 2016 August Family Fun Guide: Family Festivals, Outdoor Concerts, Nature Events & More!

August is finally here, and with the Summer in full swing, the fun isn't stopping anytime soon here on Long Island - this month is packed with tons of great outdoor concerts, festivals, fairs, family fun, and more things to do than you'll know what to do with! No matter what you enjoy, there's something for everyone this August here on Long Island - with some free time, and some imagination, you can send Summer out with a splash! 

For LongIsland.com's August 2016 Fun Guide, click here!

Photo by Nadine Wegner, via Free Images.

LongIsland.com's 2016 July Family Fun Guide: Fireworks, Festivals, Car Shows & More!

July is packed with tons of fun from start to finish, and while the 4th of July has come and gone, there's still plenty of ways to make the most out of the month! There are tons of Main Street Festival Days, 5ks, Outdoor Excursions happening across the Island this July, as well as countless ways to beat the heat! 

For the scoop on all the upcoming July Fun, click here!

LongIsland.com's 2016 4th of July Weekend Fun Guide: Spectacular Fireworks, Family Festivals & More!

 Independence Day is less than two weeks away - how will you be celebrating 4th of July this year? There's plenty of great ways to enjoy the holiday weekend right here on Long Island - from firework displays, to festivals, fairs, BBQs, fun in the sun, and more, there's something for everyone this Independence Day Weekend! 

If you're ready to get your fun on this 4th of July, you've come to the right place - you won't need to look far this Independence Day for a weekend's worth of entertainment!

Click Here to read LongIsland.com's 4th of July Fun Guide!
Photo by Craig Toron, via Free Images.

Berries Galore: Where To Pick Long Island's Juiciest Fruits

Spring has arrived on Long Island, and that means berry-picking season won't be far behind. While it is certainly convenient to stop by the grocery store for a package of fruit, there's nothing quite like plucking your own fresh berries straight off the vine. 

You don't even need to grow the berries yourself, as LI is full of farms where you can go to pick as many strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and other fruit as you like. 

Of course, you'll want to check that each respective fruit is in season before you head out to the farm.

For the scoop on Long Island Berry Picking, click here!

Photo by William Stadler, via Free Images.

LongIsland.com's 2016 May Family Fun Guide: Spring Celebrations, Fabulous 5ks, Warm Weather Fun & More!

Spring is finally hitting its stride here on Long Island as April’s Showers have lifted and revealed the bright blue skies of May!  Thanks to the traditionally warm temperatures and lush greenery that Long Island experiences during the spring months, Fairs and Festivals are perhaps the centerpiece of May's entertainment slate!

Whether you're shopping around for crafts or on the hunt for homemade treats that will make your mouth water, these events are perfect for the entire family to enjoy!

To check out the May 2016 Family Fun Guide on LongIsland.com, click here!

Photo by Eric Danley, via Flickr.

New York City Visitors Guide: Plan Your NYC Day Trip!

One of the best parts of living on Long Island is being able to enjoy all the benefits of suburban life while being just a short trip away from the biggest city in the country. From Times Square to Broadway, and the Statue of Liberty to the Bronx Zoo, there are countless ways to enjoy a day in New York City, but you'll want to plan ahead of time if you're visiting some of the major attractions.

Many shows both on and off Broadway tend to sell out quickly, so it's always a good idea to buy your tickets in advance. Take a look at the city's most popular attractions and plan your next trip to NYC!

To check out LongIsland.com's NYC Day Trip Guide, click here!

Photo by MM, via WikiCommons.(CC BY-SA 2.0)

LongIsland.com's 2016 April Family Fun Guide: Spring Into Fun with Festivals, Fairs, & Outdoor Adventures!

April is already revving up to be a ton of fun with a variety of Car and Motorcycle Shows, tons Family Festivals & Fairs to choose from, amazing concerts, exhilarating 5k runs, outdoor excitement and so much more - there's something fun for everyone this April!  

But the fun doesn’t stop there, because despite Earth Day being a holiday dedicated to a single day, the celebrations are spread across the entire month! 

For all the best April Fun Here on Long Island, click here!

Family Fun Fishing Tournament, courtesy of Friends of Caleb Smith Preserve.

LongIsland.com's 2016 March Family Fun Guide: Celebrating St. Pat's Across the Island, Welcoming Spring with Tons of Fun & Exciting Entertainment

 We’ve made it most of the way through Winter, but as the saying goes, March comes in like a lion, and out like a lamb, which means there’s plenty of Winter and Spring Fun happening all throughout the month of March here on Long Island. 

From the highly-anticipated Saint Patrick's Day Parades which will be making their way down Main Streets across Long Island, to the Spring Festivals & Fairs that will be welcoming the season, and egg-citing Easter Egg Hunts and other holiday celebrations, Long Island has really struck gold with the month's upcoming events and things to do!

Click Here to Check Out LongIsland.com's March 2016 Monthly Fun Guide!

Photo of the 2015 Farmingdale St. Pat's Parade by LongIsland.com Reader Kevin Porzelt.

2016 Saint Patrick’s Day Entertainment Guide: Parades, Fun Events & Things to Do to Celebrate on LI!

Get out there this March, dressed from head to toe in your best green garb and celebrate St. Patrick's Day at one of the many upcoming holiday events happening on Long Island throughout the month! From Saint Patty's Day Parades marching down Main Streets across the Island, to festive concerts where you can enjoy traditional & modern Irish music, to celebrations and fun happening at pubs, community centers, and parks across LI, there's tons of fun happening all month long across LI in honor of Saint Pat. 

Whether you're Irish, or Irish at Heart, you won't want to miss out on this year's festivities.  

To check out LongIsland.com's 2016 St. Patrick's Day Fun Guide, click here!

Pictured: The 25th Annual Bayport-Blue Point St. Patrick's Day Parade, photo courtesy of the Bayport-Bluepoint Chamber.

Celebrate Saint Pat's in Style at a St. Patrick's Day Parade This March!

It just wouldn't be Saint Patrick's Day without a parade, now would it? Across Long Island, Main Streets are making way for Saint Paddy's Day Parades that are sure to be a ton of fun for the local Irish Community, and those of us who are "Irish at Heart". These community events are always a blast, and they'll be taking place on weekends all throughout the month of March this year, kicking off the first weekend of the month in Kings Park, and wrapping up Saint Patrick's Day Weekend with tons of parades the weekend after the holiday. So grab your best green garb, and get out there - it's time to celebrate the Emerald Isle - with a Long Island twist of course!

Click Here for LongIsland.com's Guide to LI's 2016 Saint Patrick's Day Parades!
Photo by LongIsland.com Reader Tim Butler.

LongIsland.com’s 2016 February Family Fun Guide: Super Bowl Parties, Romantic Valentine’s Dinners, Black History Month, and More!

January went by in a flash, and with February well under way, it's clear that 2016 is going to be a year filled with fun! This month's highlights include Festivals, Fairs, romantic Valentine's Day Events, exhilarating outdoor fun, Super Bowl Celebrations for the record books, thrill-filled Mardi Gras Festivities, and so much more! 

Long Island's own resident groundhog meteorologists Holtsville Hal & Malverne Mel have predicted that Spring will come early this year, so why not get out and make the most out of the month this year!

To check out LongIsland.com's February Fun Guide, click here!

Photo by Nas Kamui, via Free Images.

Shadow Sightings: Groundhog Day Events Taking Place on Long Island

It's that much anticipated time of the year, when Long Island’s favorite groundhogs Malverne Mel and Holtsville Hal predict what the rest of Winter 2016 will have in store for us, is almost upon us, and after last weekend's snow storm, it looks Like LI has had enough! Hopefully, with the help of a few sleepy groundhogs, on Tuesday, February 2nd the Island will have the official word on whether we get six more weeks of winter, or an early spring!

Be sure to head to one of these Groundhog Day events and find out for yourself if the rest of this winter will be a short bright one, or, a prolonged white one - or simply learn something new about Groundhog Day!

Click Here for The Scoop on LI's Groundhog Day Events!

Photo of Malverne Mel courtesy of Malverne Village.

Seal Walks, Hikes and Cruises Happening Winter 2016 On Long Island

Experience Long Island wildlife like never before by participating in a seal hike, walk, or cruise, on the Island!  

These programs are not only educational and informative, but they allow you to enjoy some quality time outdoors too. So go get bundle up nice and warm, and go see some of Long Island's very own "seadogs" up close & personal this Winter!

For the Scoop on this Winter's Local Seal Hikes, Walks, & Cruises, click here!

Photo by LongIsland.com Reader Bridgette Kistinger.

Say Yes to the Dress, the Venue, and More at LI's 2016 Winter Wedding Expos

Wedding Season is here, Long Island - with countless local couples getting engaged during the holiday season, it's no surprise that LI's hottest wedding venues host Bridal Showcases & Wedding Expos each Winter! If you're recently engaged and planning your wedding, then you won't want to miss out on all of this season's upcoming expos and shows, which feature vendor meet & greets, tastings, bridal fashion shows, giveaways, contests, and so much more! 

Start 2016 off on the right foot, and dive right into planning your big day!

For the scoop on LI's Best Winter 2016 Bridal Shows, click here!

Picture courtesy of East Wind Long Island.