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Columbus Day Weekend on Long Island: Best Things To Do with Kids

The Center for Science Teaching and Learning's SpookyFest features something for all ages, including new attractions for 2023. Photo courtesy of CSTL
The Center for Science Teaching and Learning's SpookyFest features something for all ages, including new attractions for 2023. Photo courtesy of CSTL
10/4/23 - By Jaime Sumersille

Looking for the best things to do on Long Island this Columbus Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for the long weekend.

Celebrate the holiday weekend by getting festive at fall fairs in Montauk, Riverhead, Smithtown, or Farmingdale. Annual Halloween happenings kicking off this weekend include the Spooky Fest at the Center for Science Teaching and Learning and the Halloween Village at the Milleridge Inn.

Be on the lookout for circus tents in Huntington or Lake Grove for high-flying fun. 

For more seasonal fun, cross off a few to-do's from our fall bucket list, and check out our picks for the best things to do on Long Island this October.

More Things To Do on Long Island this Week with Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

A brand-new, high-energy production by Circus Vasquez boasts big talent under the big top tent. Photo by the author
A brand-new, high-energy production by Circus Vasquez boasts big talent under the big top tent. Photo by the author

Best Things To Do this Columbus Day Weekend on Long Island with Kids

Cirque Italia - Gold Unit at the Smith Haven Mall

Lake Grove
Opens Thursday, October 5
Cirque Italia, a two-hour aquatic circus, heads to the Smith Haven Mall this October, featuring world-class performers, aerialists, acrobats, and more under a bright blue circus tent. READ MORE

Kids Creatures of the Night at the Sweetbriar Nature Center

Smithtown
Friday, October 6
Creepy crawly critters unite as Sweetbriar Nature Center hosts a “not-so-dark,” kid-friendly version of Creatures of the Night. READ MORE

Spooky Fest at The Center for Science Teaching and Learning

Rockville Centre
Opens Friday, October 6
Spooky Fest celebrates the Halloween season with scary and non-scary attractions for all ages. There are wooded paths, exhibits, and spooky characters that greet visitors, as well as a zombie dinosaur attraction. READ MORE

Milleridge Halloween Village

Jericho
Opens Friday, October 6
This annual Halloween Village at the Milleridge Inn features a variety of ghoulishly good activities, including a haunted house, pumpkin patch, spooky train, fun house maze, escape room, hay maze, and more. READ MORE

Farmingdale Fair and Parade

Farmingdale
Friday, October 6-Monday, October 9
Hosted by the Farmingdale Fire Department, this annual fall festival continues all weekend long. Celebrate fall with a carnival, rides, games, food, entertainment, and a parade. READ MORE

Taste the World Famous Food Festival

Deer Park
Friday, October 6-Monday, October 9
The concept Taste the World features a range of top dishes from cultures all around the world. Enjoy more than 85 food vendors, craft beer, and a wine garden, plus chef demonstrations, and free samples all weekend long. READ MORE

Blue Bunny's Glam Your Fam Photoshoot at Roosevelt Field Mall

Garden City–FREE
Saturday, October 7
Blue Bunny is hosting a complimentary Glam Your Fam photoshoot at Roosevelt Field Mall where friends and family can participate in this nostalgic nineties-themed event. READ MORE

Mill Neck Manor's Apple Festival

Mill Neck
Saturday, October 7-Sunday, October 8
The best fall pickings, live music, children's entertainment, pie-eating contests, and more can be found at the Mill Neck Manor Apple Festival. READ MORE

Montauk Chamber of Commerce Fall Family Festival

Montauk
Saturday, October 7-Sunday, October 8
Visit "The End" of Long Island for the Montauk Chamber of Commerce Fall Family Festival, featuring music, local brews, Oktoberfest foods, a free, 30-horse carousel, a farmers market, and more. READ MORE

Amityville's Haunted Harvest

Amityville–FREE
Sunday, October 8
Amityville's Haunted Harvest, a unique, family-friendly, interactive experience for all, makes its debut this fall. Compete in a spellbinding scavenger hunt for your chance to win an enchanting prize READ MORE

ELIJA Farm Fall Festival

Huntington
Sunday, October 8
This community-friendly event features a whole list of activities including live music, delicious food and drinks, hayrides, story-telling, bounce houses, face painting, and more. READ MORE

Riverhead Country Fair

Riverhead
Sunday, October 8
The annual Country Fair returns to downtown Riverhead bringing with it craft vendors, food, carnival rides, games, and more. Agricultural, homemaking, and needlecraft exhibits and competitions are also being held, with scores of categories to enter. READ MORE

Harvest Welcome Day at Parrish Art Museum

Water Mill–FREE
Sunday, October 8
Join the Parrish Art Museum as it celebrates art, artists, and community at Harvest Welcome Day where adults, children, and families can experience everything the museum offers.  READ MORE

Heritage Country Fair

Smithtown
Sunday, October 8
The Heritage Fair offers old-time fun and fanfare on the grounds of the Smithtown Historical Society. There are trucks on display, plus spinning and weaving demonstrations, music, a historic flyover, Long Island Riders re-enactments, hayrides, arts and crafts, and a theatrical performance by the Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts. READ MORE

Circus Vazquez

Huntington
Ongoing through October 9
This brand-new, high-energy production by Circus Vasquez boasts big talent under the big top tent; with exquisite dancers, daring trapeze artists, silly clowns and more. READ MORE

MLK Day STEM Adventure at the Long Island Explorium

Port Jefferson
Monday, October 9
A school holiday adventure in science. Get ready to dive into the world of chemistry. On this special school holiday, the Explorium invites young scientists to explore the fascinating world of chemical reactions. READ MORE

School Break Workshops at Science Museum of Long Island

Plandome
Monday, October 9
During these holiday workshops offered by the Science Museum of Long Island, learn something new and engaging while spending time on the museum's lush grounds in Plandome. READ MORE

Kids Day Out at the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center

Oyster Bay
Monday, October 9
Kids Day Out is a nature and conservation-themed day program offered during public school vacations at Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center. READ MORE

Fall Breakout: Kids’ Tree Tour at Old Westbury Gardens

Old Westbury
Monday, October 9
Before the leaves fall, enjoy the outdoors through a guided tree walk at Old Westbury Gardens with activities and a take-home craft. Tour will begin at the Beech Tree next to Westbury House. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Center For Science Teaching And Learning CSTL
Science Museum of Long Island
Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center