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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 2022. Photo courtesy of CSTL
The Center for Science Teaching and Learning's SpookyFest features something for all ages including new attractions for 2022. Photo courtesy of CSTL
10/5/22 - 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, Huntington, or Farmingdale. Annual Halloween happenings include the Spooky Fest at the Center for Science and Learning and Halloween Village at the Milleridge Inn.

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

And don't miss your chance to win! Mommy Poppins is sponsoring a pretty amazing giveaway: The grand-prize winner will get a 2 night all-inclusive trip for 2 adults and 2 children (including airfare from the continental US, food, & beverages) to Velas Vallarta family resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Enter to win our Family Fun Resort Getaway. 

More Things to Do on Long Island This Week With Kids:

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

It's time for witches, ghosts, and hijinks as Kooky Spooky Halloween opens on the Theatre Three stage. Photo courtesy of the theater
It's time for witches, ghosts, and hijinks as Kooky Spooky Halloween opens on the Theatre Three stage. Photo courtesy of the theater

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

Farmingdale Fair

Farmingdale
Friday, October 7-Monday, October 10
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

Spooky Fest at The Center for Science Teaching and Learning

Rockville Centre
Opens Friday, October 7
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 7
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

Long Island Fall Festival

Huntington
Friday, October 7-Monday, October 10
Hundreds of vendors, three stages of entertainment, a carnival, international food courts, and a slew of activities designed especially for young children are on tap for the Long Island Fall Festival. READ MORE

The Lightning Thief at Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts

Smithtown
Friday, October 7-Monday, October 10
The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical headlines the Smithtown Performing Arts Center this fall with performances adapted from the best-selling book. READ MORE

Long Beach Costume Parade

Long Beach–FREE
Saturday, October 8
The City of Long Beach Department of Parks and Recreation will hold its Annual Kids Halloween Costume Parade on Saturday, October 8. READ MORE

Montauk Chamber of Commerce Fall Family Festival

Montauk–FREE
Saturday, October 8-Sunday, October 9
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

Mill Neck Family's Apple Festival

Mill Neck
Saturday, October 8-Sunday, October 9
With the return of tasty apples, handmade country crafts, Manor House tours, children’s activities and more, there’s plenty of fun for the entire family at the Mill Neck Apple Festival. READ MORE

Make a Scarecrow at Ace Hardware

Copiague
Saturday, October 8-Monday, October 10
Get crafty and creative at Costello's Ace Hardware in Copiague by making a scarecrow. READ MORE

A Kooky Spooky Halloween at Theatre Three

Port Jefferson
Select dates from Saturday, October 8-Sunday, October 22
Hilarious hijinks and a message of cooperation highlight A Kooky Spooky Halloween, a delightful musical for the entire family on the Theatre Three stage. READ MORE

Riverhead Country Fair

Riverhead–FREE
Sunday, October 9
The annual Country Fair returns to downtown Riverhead on October 8, featuring craft vendors, food, carnival rides, games and more.  READ MORE

Family Pioneering Day at the Science Museum of Long Island

Plandome
Sunday, October 9
Work together to survive in the great outdoors! Head to the preserve and explore the essentials to roughing it in the wild: shelter building and making a fire. READ MORE

Kids Creatures of the Night at the Sweetbriar Nature Center

Smithtown
Sunday, October 9
Creepy crawly critters unite as Sweetbriar Nature Center hosts a “not so dark” kid friendly version of Creatures of the Night. READ MORE

Captain Nemo’s Academy at the Long Island Children's Museum

Garden City
Sunday, October 9-Monday, October 10
Dive into this madcap homage to Jules Verne’s' famous maritime hero. Captain Nemo himself will entertain, inspire, and challenge your little guppies’ brains while quenching their thirst for knowledge of the Wonders of the Deep. READ MORE

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