May 20, 2026 · Updated May 20, 2026
From a country-themed street fair along the Peconic River to the new Empire State Fair at Nassau Coliseum, Long Island's summer calendar fills fast after Memorial Day. Here are six events across Nassau and Suffolk worth planning for in June, with dates, locations and what to know before you go.
Memorial Day weekend opens the summer season on Long Island, and the calendar fills quickly after that. The next six weeks bring a country-themed barbecue fair along the Peconic River in Riverhead, the region's largest outdoor fair at Exit 53 off the LIE, and a new major fair footprint at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale. Here are six events worth marking for June.
Thursday, June 4, 5–9 p.m.
Grangebel Park, downtown Riverhead
The Riverhead Chamber of Commerce is hosting a country-themed barbecue street fair at Grangebel Park along the Peconic River, timed to the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations. The event features live country music, BBQ food vendors, line dancing and family activities. It is one of the more relaxed early-summer evenings on the North Fork calendar and serves as a kickoff to the America250 season. Admission details at riverheadchamber.com.
June 11–21
Suffolk County Community College, Exit 53S, Long Island Expressway
The FunFest bills itself as the largest fair on Long Island, with more than 30 rides and attractions on a full midway, food vendors and nightly entertainment. The Suffolk County Community College location gives it something open-field fairs often lack: direct highway access, on-site parking and enough space that crowds do not feel compressed. FunFest features fireworks on Saturday nights. Advance ride tickets typically include a discount; check longislandfunfest.com before heading out.
June 11–21
313 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove
Running the same 10 days as the FunFest a few miles away, the Smith Haven Mall Carnival is a compact midway suited for families who want a short outing rather than a full fair day. Weekend hours run later than weekdays; call the mall or check the Dreamland Amusements website for the current schedule.
June 25–28
Bellmore Train Station, Sunrise Highway, Bellmore
One of Nassau County's most consistent summer traditions, the Bellmore Fireman's Fair sets up each June alongside the LIRR station on Sunrise Highway in support of the Bellmore Volunteer Fire Department. The fair draws families from across the South Shore for rides, carnival games and fire apparatus displays. It is walkable from the Bellmore LIRR station on the Babylon branch, one of the few large outdoor events on Long Island with a practical car-free option.
June 26 through July 19
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, 1255 Hempstead Turnpike, Uniondale
The Empire State Fair is new for 2026, bringing a full fair footprint to the Nassau Coliseum campus for a 24-day run. The lineup includes Circus Murcia under the big top, the new Aqua Live water show, a petting zoo, brand-new amusement rides and an expanded food vendor section. The coliseum site offers covered space if weather turns — a meaningful practical advantage for a multi-week summer event. Tickets and parking at empirestatefair.com.
Thursday, June 26, 5–9:30 p.m.
Main Street, Patchogue
The first Alive After Five of the summer season hits Main Street in Patchogue on June 26. The free weekly street festival runs along several blocks of Patchogue's Main Street through the summer, drawing a mix of families and South Shore regulars for food, drinks and live music. June 26 is also opening day of the Empire State Fair in Uniondale — so this one is for the Suffolk County camp, or anyone who can swing both.
For a full list of upcoming events across Long Island, visit the LI Daily events calendar at linydaily.com/events.
