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LuminoCity returns to Long Island for its fifth year at Eisenhower Park. Photo by Jaime Sumersille
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Take in Hicks Nurseries' Animated Christmas Story for free this holiday season. Photo courtesy of Hicks Nurseries
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Bounce! in Syosset is a trampoline adventure destination that includes a toddler playground for younger kids. Photo by Jennifer Voit
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The Vanderbilt has a planetarium, an expansive mansion, and a museum, making it a great place to explore on a rainy day. Photo by Kristen Markel
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Top Free Events in September for Long Island Family Fun

Enjoy fall family fun at Hicks Nurseries with Otto the friendly ghost. Photo courtesy of Hicks Nurseries
Enjoy fall family fun at Hicks Nurseries with Otto the friendly ghost. Photo courtesy of Hicks Nurseries
8/28/18 - By Jaime Sumersille

After a summer of splurge, most Long Island families are falling back into routines and re-padding their pockets.

But events and activities for full-on family fun do not have to break the bank. We've rounded up a bunch for back-to-school month that pack a freebie punch.

For other free fun, check out our list of playgrounds, boardwalks and fishing spots. Of course, admission fees at most Long Island beaches aren't collected after Labor Day. On any given day, peep our calendar for a list of updated events.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

September 1

Free Kids Crafting Kits at Home Depot

Various Locations
Pick up a free crafting kit and learn do-it-yourself skills and tool safety while creating a project. All of the instructions and materials are included, and at some locations a Home Depot staff member will guide you through the steps.  READ MORE

September 2

September 3

Mondays on Main Street in Westhampton Beach

Westhampton Beach
Enjoy food, drinks, and entertainment in Glovers Park, sidewalk sales on Main Street, and movies and more entertainment on the Great Lawn. READ MORE

September 6

Themed nights at Garden City village include a Hawaiian luau. Photo courtesy of Garden City village
Themed nights at Garden City village include a Hawaiian luau. Photo courtesy of Garden City village

September 7

First Fridays on Love Lane

Mattituck
Mattituck's Love Lane closes to traffic for three hours on first Friday evenings from spring through early autumn, allowing pedestrians to explore and sample the area. READ MORE

Friday Night Promenade in Garden City

Garden City (Sept. 14 also)
NOTE: 2024 Dates Yet to be Announced Enjoy themed nights every other Friday this summer through mid-September in the heart of Garden City Village. Live music, a family-friendly atmosphere, fun giveaways, and plenty of activities for the kids await, including balloon art and face painting. READ MORE

Night Sky Observation at Vanderbilt Planetarium

Centerport (every Friday night)
Enjoy year-round viewing of the night sky (weather permitting) on Fridays, 9 to 10 p.m. Observation is FREE.    READ MORE

September 8

Free Family Yoga at Shorefront Park

Patchogue (ongoing Saturdays in the fall)
Enjoy a morning of family yoga at Patchogue's Shorefront Park. FREE. READ MORE

Summer Concert Series at Coe Hall

Sands Point
Enjoy a new twist to the Planting Fields Summer Concert Series. Begin with a tour inside Coe Hall and enjoy live music. An ensemble performance in the historic cloister garden will follow.  READ MORE

Rosh Hashana Story Time at The Dolphin Bookshop

Port Washington
Celebrate the Jewish New Year with story time and a craft. READ MORE

September 9

Colonial Day at Raynham Hall Museum

Oyster Bay
Join in for a family-friendly afternoon as Raynham Hall is filled with costumed Colonial adult and child re-enactors who bring the 18th century to life with period music, Colonial cooking demonstrations, and musket firings. READ MORE
Return to the Colonial era at Raynham Hall. Photo courtesy of Raynham Hall
Return to the Colonial era at Raynham Hall. Photo courtesy of Raynham Hall

September 14

SOLD OUT: Books in the Barn at the Smithtown Historical Society

Smithtown
Books in the Barn takes place in the newly refurbished barn on the property of the Smithtown Historical Society.  READ MORE

September 15

Port Jefferson Dragon Boat Race Festival

Port Jefferson
Cheer on six decorated dragon boat racing teams as they compete in a 250-meter race along the majestic Port Jefferson Harbor. READ MORE

North Hempstead KidStock

Port Washington
This open-air family festival features musical entertainment kids and parents can enjoy together. The event includes FREE admission to Clark Botanic Garden in Albertson. READ MORE

Free Astronomy Nights at Sagamore Hill

Oyster Bay
Sagamore Hill hosts a series of FREE public astronomy events this summer in partnership with the Amateur Observers Society of New York. Events include an outdoor presentation on celestial activities and stargazing through telescopes. READ MORE
Cheer on the dragon boat racing teams in Port Jefferson. Photo courtesy of Port Jefferson village
Cheer on the dragon boat racing teams in Port Jefferson. Photo courtesy of Port Jefferson village

September 16

Fall Festival at Hicks Nurseries

Westbury (ongoing daily)
At Hicks Nurseries' Fall Festival, fill your shopping cart with fall decor favorites while kids enjoy fun festival activities. Plus, Otto the Ghost stars in a free walk-through adventure, Otto’s Animated Halloween Story, all month long. READ MORE

Art In The Park in Farmingdale

Farmingdale
Head to Farmingdale's Village Green for a day dedicated to the arts. This annual fest features more than 20 artists displaying their works.  READ MORE

September 19

Meet the Goats at Catapano Dairy

Cutchogue
Visit with the kids at Catapano Dairy Farm. New owners Erin and Connor Burke invite you to meet their happy goats, watch a milking demonstration, taste several varieties of delicious goat-milk cheese made on-site, and learn about the farm. READ MORE

September 20

Bellmore Family Street Festival

Bellmore (through Sunday, September 23)
Enjoy crafts, kids and sports expos, home improvement ideas, carnival rides and games, local business booths, radio booths, food, and more at the Bellmore Family Street Festival. READ MORE

September 22

Wildwood Fall Festival

Wading River
The fall festival at Wildwood State Park is a fun-filled family event featuring craft vendors, live entertainment, and refreshments. READ MORE

Egyptian Festival

Woodbury
This cultural festival features a tour of “Old Egypt,” where visitors experience different regions of the country. Kids can enjoy bouncers, bubble mania, and other games.  READ MORE

Touch-A-Truck

Hampton Bays
Children have a hands-on opportunity to see, touch, and explore heavy machinery and meet the people who build, protect, and serve the community. READ MORE

September 23

Seaford Fall Fest

Seaford
The Seaford Chamber of Commerce is hosting an afternoon of fall family fun at the train station. From food trucks to pumpkins and everything autumn in between, there's something for everyone. READ MORE

Greenport Maritime Festival Snapper Contest


Greenport
Held on Sunday of festival weekend, the snapper contest is one of the highlights of the three-day celebration of Greenport’s maritime history. READ MORE

September 29

Fifth Annual Brookhaven Highway Safety Day

Brookhaven
Get a FREE car seat inspection from 8am to noon at this essential safety clinic. READ MORE
Unearth the past and more at Caleb Smith State Park and Preserve. Photo courtesy of New York State Parks
Unearth the past and more at Caleb Smith State Park and Preserve. Photo courtesy of New York State Parks

September 30

Caleb Smith State Park Fall Festival

Smithtown
Learn about nature and the historic past of Caleb Smith State Park and Preserve. READ MORE

Plainview-Old Bethpage Fall Festival

Plainview
The seasonal celebration at the Plainview-Old Bethpage public library parking lot is expected to draw a crowd. There will be craft vendors, music, plenty of food options, and activities for kids. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Port Jefferson Harbor
St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Church
Hampton Bays Fire House