Enjoy Music, Dance, Food and Floats on March 8-9, 2025

Carnival is a vibrant holiday celebrated in countries around the world; each country’s festivities offer a unique glimpse of its culture, with lively music and dance, parades, face painting and delicious food uniting all of them. It’s a time for friends and families to come together and celebrate community spirit. The Carnival celebration at Long Island Children’s Museum is sponsored by NY State Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, District 22.

“Carnival is a celebration we’re eager to bring to our visitors,” says Aimee Terzulli, LICM Vice President for Programs & Visitor Experience. “The celebration ignites all the senses with vibrant music, dance and food.” Carnival is the second of three cultural celebrations at the Museum this year. These events provide meaningful educational experiences and strengthen community bonds, Terzulli notes “They provide rich entry points to learning about the culture of many of our Long Island neighbors.”

In announcing her support of this event, Assemblymember Solages said, “As a proud Haitian-American and representative of a district with a vibrant Caribbean and Latin American community, I am honored to sponsor the Long Island Children’s Museum’s Carnival celebration. Carnival is more than just a festival. It is a reflection of our history, resilience, and cultural pride. It is a time for families to come together, share traditions, and celebrate the rich diversity that makes our community so special. I look forward to joining the Long Island Children’s Museum in this joyous celebration of music, dance, and unity.”

During the festive weekend, visitors will enjoy a multi-sensory celebration, where they can:

• Experience a kaleidoscope of colors, music, dance and food!
• Decorate a parade float fit for a Carnival King & Queen.
• Sample the sweet and savory flavors of the holiday.
• Create Carnival-themed crafts to take home as souvenirs, Watch stunning dancers, towering stilt walkers and rhythmic drummers!
• Enjoy a celebration for all ages welcoming the changing of seasons.

Performances will take place each day at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. A Carnival King & Queen will be selected to lead Museum-wide parades each day featuring floats made by visitors. All Carnival activities and performances are included with Museum admission.

The final cultural festival offered by LICM will be Holi: The Festival of Colors on Sunday, April 6 (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.).

All activities will be held at the Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Museum admission: $18 for adults and children over 1 year old, $16 for seniors, FREE to museum members and children under 12 months old. For additional information, contact 516-224-5800.

Hours: September to June: Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. July -August: Open Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

About the Long Island Children’s Museum (www.licm.org)

The mission of Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM) is to connect all our communities’ children, and those who care for them, to a life of wonder, imagination and exploration. At LICM, children discover their passions and their relationship to the world we share. The 40,000-square-foot museum serves over 300,000 children and adults annually. The private, not-for-profit institution chartered by the New York State Board of Regents, offers museum-based educational programs and cultural experiences, as well as an extensive community outreach program offered in schools, libraries and youth centers across Long Island. Additionally, the Children’s Museum operates the historic Nunley’s Carousel in association with Nassau County, one of three intact Stein & Goldstein carousels still in existence.

Recognized with several honors, including the National Medal from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), LICM is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM), the gold standard of museum excellence. It is currently the only accredited children’s museum in New York State and is one of only 16 accredited children’s museums nationwide. LICM has earned 4-stars on Charity Navigator and has Platinum Transparency on Candid.