Fall events on Long Island not to miss: Food festivals and more

There are many ways to celebrate the fall season, especially when the weather turns crisp and cool, and many events are still taking place outdoors. Whether you're food tasting, navigating a corn maze or getting spooked at a haunted house, there's something for everyone as the leaves start to turn.

Taste the World/Famous Food Festival

Tanger Outlets Deer Park, southeast parking lot, 152 The Arches Circle, Deer Park

Enjoy a culinary adventure featuring dishes inspired by international cuisine. At Taste the World, you'll find over 100 food, art and beverage vendors serving specialties, plus live music, a beer and wine lounge, rock climbing, ax throwing, a mechanical bull, bounce houses and a kids' area with face painting and rides.

• WHEN 1-8 p.m. Oct. 9; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 10-12
• COST Tickets start at $10; $6 ages 8-12
• MORE INFO 516-416-5607, eventbrite.com 

Fink's Country Farm

6242 Middle Country Rd., Wading River

The farm is offering plenty of fun this season. There’s a jump pillow bouncer for kids. Watch an animatronic chicken show or climb on a real fire truck and slide down. Attendees can ride tricycles and pedal carts and sift sand for gems. During festivals, hop on a hayride for unlimited rides and explore a corn maze. The barnyard is filled with friendly animals including Marley the goat, Jennie the cow, Handsome the peacock, Bubba the bull, Mama Mae the donkey, plus chickens, pigs, ponies, rabbits, turkeys and baby emus. 

• WHEN 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. 
• MORE INFO 631-886-2272, finksfarm.com

Riverhead Ciderhouse

2711 Sound Ave., Calverton

Try a Honeycrisp Bolt, Razzmatazz, Black Cherry or Apple Annie hard cider along with local beers and wines.

• WHEN Tasting room is open noon-8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, noon-9 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays; closed Tuesdays. There's also patio seating, weather permitting.
• MORE INFO 631-591-0217, riverheadcider.com

Jericho Cider Mill

213 Rte. 106, Jericho

The cider mill offers a taste of fall fun right off Jericho-Oyster Bay Road. The venue turns its parking lot from September through December into a fun spot with tents featuring free games for kids and photo-ops. Cider doughnuts are for purchase, as well as the popular crumb doughnuts and a line of breads served in large tins. You also can buy seasonal fruit pies and homemade cheese cakealong with apple cider in half-gallon and gallon containers. Hot and cold cider will be for sale. Scoop ice cream and milk shakes. 

• WHEN 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily from September through December
• MORE INFO 516-433-3360, jerichocider.com 

Gateway's Haunted Playhouse

Gateway Playhouse, 215 S. Country Rd., Bellport

This haunted attraction features professional actors, state-of-the-art sound, lighting, automation and set design. Attendees can try a virtual queue midway with games and attractions. Head to the "Fear" garden with alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, snacks and a food truck. New for 2026: second attraction 3-D Funhouse. Additional fees apply.

• WHEN 7-11:30 p.m. weekends and select weekdays from Sept. 25 through Nov 1; recommended for ages 13 and older.
• COST $44 online, $54 at the door
• MORE INFO 631-286-1133, fearli.com

Spookyfest 

Center for Science Teaching and Learning, 1450 Tanglewood Rd., Rockville Centre

Discover what's lurking in the woods besides zombie dinosaurs at the Center for Science Teaching and Learning this Halloween season. Spookyfest includes a frightening walk in the woods along with The Enchanted Walk for younger kids. Visit Pirates Cove, a place to meet friendly pirates. Kids also can meet merry monsters and stroll through a mystical garden 6-9 p.m. Fridays to Sundays in October. Try face painting or learn what your future holds with a fortune reading. You'll also find kids' arts and crafts and, for a fee, "spooky bites" served by food trucks.

• WHEN 6-9:30 p.m. weekends in October 
• COST Admission starts at $22, book online
• MORE INFO 516-764-0045, cstl.org 

Hicks Nurseries

100 Jericho Tpke., Westbury

Celebrate fall with Otto the Ghost at the annual festival. Kids can play games like scarecrow ring toss, bowling, corn hole activities and mini-golf. Also, enjoy an animated Halloween walkthrough, photo op stations and food trucks.

• WHEN 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri., wristband activities 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. and school holidays; Free admission; pay-one-price wristband for unlimited hay maze and three crafting activities. Available online or in store.
• MORE INFO 516-334-0066, hicksnurseries.com

Rise of the Jack-O'-Lanterns 

185 Colonial Springs Rd., Wheatley Heights

Pumpkins are crafted and arranged by local artists, with music playing in the background at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts. It's a not-so-spooky, 4,200-foot trail suitable for all age groups.

• WHEN Oct. 2-4, Oct. 8-11, Oct. 14-18, Oct. 21-25, Oct. 28-Nov. 1
• COST Tickets start at $25 and advance tickets are required.
• MORE INFO jackolanterns.com  

Harbes Orchard  

5698 Sound Ave., Riverhead

The daytime Robin Hood trivia challenge maze features live actors portraying the merry men and women. Guests navigate the paths while answering trivia questions displayed on signs about the story of Robin Hood at six stations. On designated nights, the maze transforms to a spooky maze with live characters; bring a flashlight or use your cellphone. Refreshments are available for purchase, including hot or cold apple cider, cider doughnuts and fresh roasted corn. Daytime activities include apple and pumpkin picking (priced by the pound). Check out live music on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays only from noon to 5 p.m.

• WHEN Daytime maze (through Nov. 1) is open 9 a.m. with last entry at 5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays and holidays and from 10 a.m. Mondays-Fridays with last entry at 4 p.m. The night maze (Oct. 10, 11, 17, 24) is open 7-10 p.m. with last entry at 9:30 p.m.
• COST Daytime maze is included in a combo value pass for $24-$37 depending on day; nighttime maze is $26.
• MORE INFO 631-683-8388, harbesfamilyfarm.com