Looking for family fun ideas this weekend? There are some fun Free events and Lunar New Year celebrations happening. Check out all of our suggestions below:
Local Free Events
Bagels & Books Local Author Fair
Saturday, January 25th
at MCPL – Centereach from 10:00am – 1:00pm
“Enjoy bagels, readings and conversations with great authors. More than 75 adult, children’s and teen authors from a variety of genres will share their experiences and books. Visit authors with your Local Author Passport for a chance to win a basket of books! Books will be available for purchase and autographing. “
This program is FREE and open to all.
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Port Jefferson 6th Annual Ice Festival
Saturday 1/25 and Sunday 1/26
Noon Till 5pm
“Join us for the LARGEST Ice Festival On Long Island! The 6th Annual Port Jefferson Ice Festival! Featuring Guinness World Record Holder, Rich Daly Of Ice Memories Inc. Fun, interactive ice displays, free tractor rides and new this year, Rolling Raoke’s Karaoke Bus!”
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Barnes and Noble Weekly Storytime
Begins at 11am at your local participating Barnes & Noble store on Saturday morning.
“This is our regular weekly Storytime featuring one of our own booksellers reading aloud old and new favorite picture books. Come join us in the children’s department…all ages welcome!”
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Local Weekend Events (with entrance fees):
Lunar New Year Festival at LICM
Saturday January 25th at noon till 4pm
“Join us in celebrating the Lunar New Year at LICM! Lunar New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, marks the start of the new year of the lunisolar calendar and is celebrated all over the world. Come ring in the Year of the Snake as you enjoy a variety of dance and musical performances, view live artisan demonstrations and create themed, take-home crafts.
Crafts include:
- Year of the Snake Lantern: Channel your own creativity by making a snake lantern to adorn your home.
- Lucky Feng Shui Necklace: Enhance this year’s energy by creating a Feng Shui coin necklace to attract positive energy and good luck.
- Lion Dance Hat: Celebrate the power, wisdom, and good luck of the Lion Dance by making your own festive Lion Dance hat.
The Lunar New Year Festival is made possible with the support of JPMorgan Chase & Co., in partnership with the Long Island Chinese American Association. Craft activities are supported by Portledge School. “
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Celebrate Lunar New Year at the Cradle of Aviation Museum
Saturday 1/25 and Sunday 1/26
Self-Guided Activities: 12 pm – 4 pm
• Create your own Lunar New Year lantern and discover how lanterns symbolize hope and good fortune for the year ahead.
• Learn about the moon’s phases with a hands-on craft inspired by the Lunar New Year.
All activities are free with Cradle of Aviation museum admission.
Museum Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
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Game On Retro Arcade
“We are thrilled to bring you all the revival of the arcade! We are an authentic arcade that feels like its straight of the 80’s and 90’s! over 100 games to play all set to free play! $15 for all day free play! All Machines run original hardware with original CRT monitors for a true arcade experience!”
Located at: Smith Haven Mall and Riverhead Tanger Outlets
Check out their website
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Monsters & Mermaids Exhibit at The Whaling Museum & Education Center
When you visit the museum during regular business hours you can enjoy self-serve crafts and activities inspired by their new exhibit , Monsters & Mermaids.
The museum always has wonderful events throughout the year!
Check out their calendar… HERE
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A fun family tradition:
We also, wanted to highlight one of our favorite family traditions with you since Valentine’s Day is right around the corner.
We tell my girls everyday how much we love them. But, when I saw this idea of putting hearts on your child’s door each day I knew I had to make this a tradition and we have been doing this for 8 years now beginning February 1st and my girls look forward to it, even as pre-teens and teenagers now.
Whatever, you decide to do this weekend we hope you have fun creating lasting memories with your family.
