Halloween is the name of the game in October, which means Long Island is alive with pumpkin patches, haunted houses, fall festivals, and of course trick-or-treating—there are so many opportunities to wear Halloween costumes!

Some of this month's standout options include tiptoeing through a daytime haunted trail in Manorville filled with ghosts, witches, and dinosaurs, exploring the underwater world of Bats, Barnacles, & Broomsticks at the Long Island Aquarium, and stepping into the Halloween House walk-through experience at Broadway Commons Mall for some frightfully fun photo ops and immersive thrills.

Keep reading for our favorite family-friendly things to do on Long Island in October—you’ll want to mark your calendar for these can't-miss events.

Crisp air, cozy sweaters, and cider donuts—yes, fall is officially in the air on Long Island, and that means it’s fair and festival season. 

From farm fields full of pumpkin patches to hayrides, corn mazes, carnival games and rides and more, we’ve rounded up the very best fall festivals happening across Long Island this September and October. 

No matter where you live–Nassau, Suffolk, or the East End–autumn on Long Island is beautiful, and there’s plenty of family fun to be had.

Check out our Fall Fun Guide for more ideas, like pumpkin picking and corn mazes.