July Fourth 2026 events guide: Long Island fairs, fireworks and more

Tanks from the Museum of American Armor will be featured... — Tanks from the Museum of American Armor will be featured in a Fourth of July parade in Massapequa. Credit: Museum of American Armor

By Lynn Petrylynn.petry@newsday.comJune 16, 2026 10:00 am

Experience spectacular July Fourth fireworks and events on Long Island, including parades, concerts, and family-friendly activities to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday.

July 3-5: Empire State Fair

Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum parking lot, 1255 Hempstead Tpke., Uniondale

Divina Furbert and her son, Tom, on the swings ride... — Divina Furbert and her son, Tom, on the swings ride at The Empire State Fair at Nassau Coliseum. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin

Walk down the midway with games of chance and food vendors or ride the "giant" wheel, see the Royal Hanneford Circus, the Big Bee robot car, magic shows, Aqua Live and Circus Murcia. There will be a children's petting zoo and Grucci fireworks on July 4.

WHEN 5 to 11 p.m. July 3; noon 11 p.m. July 4-5
COST $10 admission; free for children under 36 inches; ride wristbands start at $30.25; free parking
MORE INFO 866-666-3247, empirestatefair.com

July 3: Flying dutchman tribute and fireworks

Riverhead Raceway, 1792 Old Country Rd., Riverhead

See races and fireworks at Riverhead Raceway on July 3. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost

Join the tribute to racing legend Fred Harbach, along with modifieds, enduros, Big Wheels racing and more. Attendees can catch fireworks at dusk.

WHEN Grandstands open at 5 p.m.; festivities begin at 6:30 p.m.
COST $40; $20 ages 6-12
MORE INFO 631-842-7223, riverheadraceway.com

July 4: Parade with Museum of American Armor

Lakeshore Drive and Walker Street to Park Boulevard, Massapequa Park

Tanks from the Museum of American Armor will participate in a Fourth of July parade.

WHEN Kicks off at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
COST Free
MORE INFO 516-454-8265, museumofamericanarmor.com

July 4: Fireworks boat cruise

Nautical Mile, 31 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport

Captain Lou charter boat in Freeport. Credit: Amy Onorato

Set sail on the Capt. Lou VII to see the Jones Beach Fireworks Spectacular : cash bar and galley, DJ and dancing.

WHEN 7:30 p.m.; boarding starts at 7 p.m.
COST $90
MORE INFO 516-623-5823, captloufleet.com

July 4: Fabulous Fourth of July Race

Long Beach boardwalk, start and finish at Laurenton Boulevard, Long Beach

Take part in a 4K on the Long Beach boardwalk. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.

Participate in a 4K run/walk on the boardwalk, along with a 1K children's fun run, in memory of Sgt. Sean Ryan.

WHEN 8:30 a.m. for 4k; 8 a.m. for fun run
COST $45; $15 for fun run
MORE INFO 516-431-3890, longbeachny.gov

July 4: FourLeaf Fireworks Spectacular at Jones Beach State Park

Central Mall, Ocean Parkway, Wantagh

Crowds gather to watch Fourth of July fireworks explode over Jones Beach State Park. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara

Catch fireworks as part of the Independence Day and Semiquincentennial celebration of America at the beach.

WHEN 6 to 10 p.m.
COST Free; $10 parking fee
MORE INFO 631-321-3510, parks.ny.gov

July 4: Red, White and Blue Holiday Zoo at Flynn's

1 Cayuga St., Ocean Bay Park, Fire Island

DJ City, left, and Fotsbeats spin music at Flynn's Fire... — DJ City, left, and Fotsbeats spin music at Flynn's Fire Island in Ocean Bay Park. Credit: Linda Rosier

Enjoy music by Fotsbeat, DJ Bad and City on the outside deck.

WHEN Noon to 8 p.m.
COST Tickets start at $23.18
MORE INFO 631-583-5000, flynnsfireislandny.com

July 4: Fire Island Invasion

Palace Bar at the Cherry Grove Hotel, Cherry Grove

Drag performers interact with the crowd after disembarking from the... — Drag performers interact with the crowd after disembarking from the ferry from Cherry Grove at Fire Island Pines. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost

A re-enactment and celebration of the first "invasion," which took place in 1976, drag performers from Cherry Grove and the Pines gather at the Ice Palace Bar at the Cherry Grove Hotel and parade through the streets of Cherry Grove. The group will board a ferry and sail to Pines Harbor, where they will be greeted by residents and visitors.

WHEN 2 p.m.
COST Free
MORE INFO fippoa.org/events

July 5: Navy/Marine helicopter landing

Eisenhower Park, 1899 Hempstead Tpke., East Meadow

See helicopters land at the park on July 5. Credit: U.S. Navy/MC2 Charles Oki

Helicopters will land in the park, followed by a performance by the U.S. Navy Band, military displays and demonstrations.

WHEN 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
COST Free
MORE INFO 516-572-0200, nassaucountyny.gov/parks

July 5: Southampton Firecracker Run

Agawam Park, 25 Pond Lane, Southampton

Head to Lake Agawam Park for a holiday race. Credit: John Roca

WHEN 7:30 a.m.
COST Fees start at $33.80
MORE INFO 631-404-8072, events.elitefeats.com

July 5-6: FourLeaf Air Show: Celebrating America's 250th at Jones Beach State Park

Central mall, Ocean Parkway, Wantagh

The Blue Angels will headline this year's air show at... — The Blue Angels will headline this year's air show at Jones Beach, which also includes fireworks, food and patriotic music to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday. Credit: Howard Schnapp

Look to the skies as the air show features performances by the Army's Golden Knights Parachute Team, the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the American Airpower Museum's Warbirds, Farmingdale State College's Flying Rams, a performance by current Sky Grand Prix Champion Aarron Deliu, and the headliners, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.