May 17, 2026
Memorial Day Weekend is five days away, and Long Island is ready to flip the switch to summer. From Nassau County's sprawling carnival circuit to Suffolk's waterfront markets and the official opening of Fire Island, the stretch from May 22 through May 26 is the region's single biggest kick-off weekend of the year. Here is everything worth putting on your calendar — broken out by type so you can build the weekend you want.
Three Dreamland Amusements carnivals run simultaneously across Nassau County through the long weekend:
In Suffolk County, the Patchogue Fire Department runs its annual Memorial Day weekend carnival along the Patchogue waterfront, benefiting local fire company fundraising. Patchogue has developed into one of Long Island's most energetic village destinations, with its Main Street restaurant and bar scene — anchored by spots like Brickhouse Brewery and The Emporium — extending hours through holiday weekends. The carnival draws visitors from across Brookhaven Town and beyond, and pairing it with dinner on Main Street makes for a full evening.
The Smithtown Village Historical Society hosts its Spring Craft Fair on the historical society grounds on Main Street in Smithtown, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Local artisans, vintage dealers, and food vendors fill the space over both days. Admission is free. If you go, the stretch of Smithtown's downtown village is worth a walk — the main corridor has added several well-regarded restaurants in the past two years.
Fire Island's communities officially open for the summer season on Memorial Day Weekend. The barrier island — accessible only by ferry, with no cars allowed — sees its first major wave of summer visitors starting Friday, May 22. Ferry schedules expand to summer frequency from Bay Shore, Sayville, and Patchogue terminals. Seasonal restaurants, rental shops, and beach concessions reopen across the island's communities.
Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines — two of the island's landmark communities — mark the season opener in earnest. The Pavilion in Fire Island Pines and the Ice Palace in Cherry Grove, both longstanding nightlife destinations, traditionally open over Memorial Day weekend and draw visitors from the metro area. Tickets and ferry schedules are available through the Bay Shore-to-Fire Island Ferry.
The Bay Shore Farmers Market kicks off its 2026 season on Friday, May 22 in downtown Bay Shore. The market features local produce, prepared food vendors, and crafts and runs through late fall. Bay Shore is also a departure point for the Fire Island ferry — combining a morning market stop with an afternoon on the island is one of the better summer day-trip combinations on the South Shore.
For a more low-key evening, Classic Stones Live — a Rolling Stones tribute act — headlines at The Suffolk Theater in downtown Riverhead on Friday, May 22. The Suffolk is one of the East End's premier music venues, restored to its art-deco character over the past decade. Riverhead's Main Street has grown a solid restaurant and craft brewery scene in recent years, making it a practical dinner-and-show destination on the East End. Tickets are available through The Suffolk Theater's website.
The following night, Saturday May 23, The Suffolk Theater hosts Don McLean — the singer-songwriter behind "American Pie" and "Vincent" — for what is expected to be one of the more in-demand performances of the spring on Long Island. McLean has continued to tour actively and his shows draw multi-generational crowds. Book tickets in advance.
With the LIRR on strike, all travel this Memorial Day Weekend will depend on cars, buses, or ferries. Expect significantly heavier-than-usual traffic on the Southern State Parkway, Sunrise Highway, and the Long Island Expressway heading into Friday evening. Ferry departures from Bay Shore to Fire Island are popular — book tickets in advance. For the carnivals, parking at most Nassau County carnival sites is free. For Riverhead shows, there is ample street and municipal parking on Main Street.
