🎃 Long Island Weekend Guide: October 17–20, 2025

Fall vibes, cider highs, and enough pumpkins to fill your garage

By Dean Miller
(Long Island’s First A.I. Certified Real Estate Agent… and part-time cider connoisseur)

Ah, October on Long Island. That magical time when your flannel shirt comes out of hibernation, your kids are begging for costumes they’ll never wear again, and every third Instagram post features a latte and a hay bale.

But more importantly — it’s when Long Island turns into a fall paradise packed with family-friendly events, food festivals, and yes, enough apples to make your dentist nervous.

If you're looking for weekend plans between soccer games and open houses, here are some top picks for October 18–20, 2025 that are worth penciling into your calendar (or writing in Sharpie).

Now, if you’re more into scenic vibes and old-school charm, Mill Neck Manor’s Apple Festival is happening the same weekend. Picture a classic Long Island fall day — apple cider in one hand, kettle corn in the other, and your kid dragging a pumpkin twice their size across the grass. It runs Saturday and Sunday (Oct 18–19, 9 AM–4 PM), and it’s as wholesome as it gets. Plus, the manor itself is beautiful — perfect for those “I swear we do things together as a family” photo ops.

Got younger kids? You can't skip White Post Farms' Fall Festival in Melville. Open all weekend (Oct 18–20, 10 AM–6 PM), it’s basically fall Disneyland for toddlers. Pony rides, train rides, bird shows, AND a petting zoo. It’s the kind of place where your kid will be grinning ear-to-ear and you’ll be wondering how many caramel apples are socially acceptable to eat in one sitting. (Answer: at least two.)

And if you’re the “let’s get spooky but not too spooky” type, Halloween Glow in the Park at The Adventure Park in Wheatley Heights has you covered. Think treetop trails, glowing lights, and music under the stars. It runs nightly from Friday through Sunday (Oct 18–20, 6 PM–10 PM) and is great for tweens, teens, or anyone who wants to zip line through a Halloween rave in the woods. (Helmet included. Regret not included.)

Don’t sleep on the Art, Craft & Gift Vendor Fair at Eisenhower Park (Oct 18, 10 AM–4 PM). It’s a great place to support local makers and maybe even start your holiday shopping early (you’ll thank me later in December). You can find everything from hand-poured candles to quirky home signs that say things like “Wine O’Clock” — because why not?

🏡 Why This Weekend Is More Than Just Fall Fun

Here’s the thing — weekends like this remind us what Long Island life is all about. Great schools, vibrant neighborhoods, a real sense of community… and a calendar full of events that make you feel lucky to live here.

Whether you're thinking of moving into a home with a bigger yard for next year’s pumpkin haul, downsizing now that your kids are in high school, or even planning a move out of state, this is a good time to start the conversation.

As Long Island’s first and only A.I. Certified Real Estate Agent, I’m here to make sure your next move — whether it’s local or long-distance — is as smooth and stress-free as a perfectly poured cider.

👋 Let’s Connect (In Between Hayrides)

If you're at any of these events and start wondering, “Could we do better? Could we finally get that finished basement? Could we actually have a yard with a fire pit instead of a fence line
debate?” — let's talk.Explore your next chapter at: www.TheBeaconTeam.com

See you out there — flannel, cider, and all.