10/23/2026
Long Island Regional Festivals & Fairs
Weekend mini day trips: October 24–25
Weather: Both days should be dry and sunny. Expect about 60°F Saturday and 64°F Sunday, with light winds. Chilly mornings could dip into the 30s away from New York City, so bring a jacket for early outdoor stops.
Fall farm visit and Portuguese lunch — Eastern Queens and Mineola
Best: Saturday or Sunday, 10 AM–3 PM · Cost: Budget-friendly
• Explore the 47-acre Queens County Farm Museum, including its historic farm buildings and livestock.
• Visit the pumpkin patch, open weekends from 10 AM–5 PM. Admission is free this weekend; pumpkins are priced by size.
• Drive to Churrasqueira Bairrada in Mineola for Portuguese charcoal-grilled chicken, ribs, pork loin, mixed skewers or roasted kid. Weekend hours are 11:30 AM–10:30 PM.
Why it’s appealing: This combines a genuine historic farm, autumn scenery and hearty Portuguese cooking without the high admission prices of many commercial fall attractions.
Vanderbilt estate, planetarium and French dining — Centerport and Huntington
Best: Sunday, 11 AM–7 PM · Cost: Moderate to higher
• Tour the Vanderbilt Museum’s Spanish Revival mansion, marine museum, natural-history galleries, gardens and waterfront estate.
• Add the noon Earth, Moon & Sun planetarium program, which includes general admission. Adult combination tickets are currently $24.
• Afterwards, browse Huntington Village before dinner at Bistro Cassis.
• Choose French favorites such as escargots, coq au vin, duck Cassis, moules Provençales or steak frites. Sunday service runs 11 AM–8:30 PM.
Why it’s appealing: A Gold Coast estate, astronomy, waterfront gardens, village shopping and a Parisian-style dinner make this a particularly complete North Shore day trip.
Reservations: Purchase the planetarium ticket in advance. Mansion tours cost an additional $9, accommodate only 12 people and are sold onsite, so arrive early. Reserve Bistro Cassis.
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Sag Harbor’s maritime history and Tuscan waterfront lunchBest: Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM · Cost: Moderate to higher
• Visit the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum, housed in an 1845 Greek Revival mansion. This is its final regular weekend of the 2026 season; it is open 10 AM–4 PM through Sunday, October 25.
• Have lunch at Dopo La Spiaggia, directly across from the waterfront, for Tuscan pasta, seafood or steak. Saturday hours are noon–9:30 PM.
• Browse Main Street’s galleries and shops, then walk through John Steinbeck Waterfront Park and along Long Wharf.
Why it’s appealing: Historic architecture, maritime collections, an attractive harbor village and Italian dining give this outing a genuine getaway atmosphere.
Parking: Arrive near 10 AM for the easiest parking and carefully check posted time limits in village lots. Restaurant reservations are strongly recommended. Sag Harbor, NY
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• 13th Annual Great Jack-o’-Lantern Sail
o Date & Time: Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 3:00 PM (sail at dusk)
o Venue: Belmont Lake State Park, 625 Belmont Ave, Babylon, NY
o Details: Family autumn festival featuring carved pumpkins floating on the lake at dusk, a kids' spooky house, magic show, petting zoo, character meet-and-greets, games, and local business activities at Sweet Street.
o Cost: Free festival activities (food and refreshments available for purchase). [1]
• White Post Farms Fall Farm Festival
o Date & Time: Saturday, October 24 & Sunday, October 25, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
o Venue: White Post Farms, 250 Old Country Rd, Melville, NY
o Details: Long Island's classic annual fall farm celebration featuring pumpkin picking, animal interactions, seasonal treats, and family entertainment. [1]
• Freeport Gem and Mineral Show
o Date & Time: Saturday, October 24, 2026, starting at 10:00 AM
o Venue: Freeport Recreation Center, Freeport, NY
o Details: Vendors selling fossils, gemstones, minerals, beads, and custom gold/silver jewelry with opportunities to talk directly with rock and fossil collectors