Hey South Shore,

The Halloween yards went up around town this week, skeletons slouched in the porch chairs and inflatables swaying on the lawns while the kids argue costumes at the dinner table. The one sting is Babylon's Annual Fair at Argyle Park, the Beautification Society's big fundraiser for the village, called off this year after the weather already pushed it twice. That one hurt.

But Babylon doesn't stay quiet for long. On Saturday the village Chamber fills Deer Park Avenue from noon to five with its Fall Harvest Festival, the restaurants and bakeries setting out their best, two stages of live entertainment going, and a new kids zone in the mix. The weekend even starts a night early, three 1960s acts sharing the Patchogue Theatre stage tonight, and from there it stays busy right through a Sunday out at the vineyard.

None of it runs without the neighbors who keep these traditions going, the same ones already set on bringing that fair back in 2027. We're lucky to have them, and this weekend shows it.

Babylon Village hands its main stretch over to fall for the afternoon. Local restaurants, cafes and bakeries set out their specialties alongside fall-themed plates, two stages run live entertainment all day, and there are rides, games, prizes and inflatables plus a new kids zone to work through. Swing by the Conklin House while you're there. The chamber hasn't posted a rain plan, so if Saturday morning looks unsure, glance at their page before you head out.

When: Saturday, October 17 | 12:00 PM
Where: Babylon Village, Babylon
Price: Free
🍂 See the full listing

Three 1960s acts share one bill at Patchogue Theatre on Thursday night: The Lovin' Spoonful, Gary Lewis and the Playboys, and The Hollies' Greatest Hits starring Terry Sylvester. It's a seated show in the heart of downtown, and it gets the weekend going a day early.

When: Thursday, October 15 | 8:00 PM
Where: Patchogue Theatre, Patchogue
Price: $$+
🎸 Grab your tickets

Comedian Steve Treviño brings his Family Man Tour to Patchogue Theatre on Saturday at 8 PM, a seated room downtown and an easy night out.

When: Saturday, October 17 | 8:00 PM
Where: Patchogue Theatre, Patchogue
Price: $$
🎤 Reserve your seats

Strawberry Fields brings the Beatles songbook to the Boulton Center stage Saturday at 8. It's a seated theatre night from start to finish.

When: Saturday, October 17 | 8:00 PM
Where: Boulton Center, Bay Shore
Price: $$
🎶 Find ticket details

Loughlin Vineyard turns its Sunday over to fall in Sayville, with Orchard Street putting out a German-inspired menu and Smorgasband playing live German music from 1 to 4. German beers pour alongside the estate wines, with pretzels and sausages to go with them. Reservations are highly recommended here, since walk-ins are limited.

When: Sunday, October 18 | 12:00 PM
Where: Loughlin Vineyard, Sayville
Price: Free
🍺 Plan your Sunday

The Sayville Library teen department turns its rooms into a haunted house with ghosts, aliens, and zombies, and they built it two ways. The Not Scary walk-through runs Thursday and Friday evening plus Saturday afternoon, and the Scary version with live performers takes over each night at 7. Bring one nonperishable item per person for the library's Little Free Food Pantry or Pet Pantry on your way in. A spooky-season stop that doubles as a good-neighbor errand.

When: Thursday to Saturday, October 15-17 | 5:30 PM
Where: Sayville Library, Sayville
Price: Free
👻 See it in our Halloween guide

Patchogue's Sunday farmers market runs 10 AM to 2 PM at the LIRR station lot through November 1, so only a few Sundays are left this season. An easy Sunday-morning lap while it lasts.

When: Sunday, October 18 | 10:00 AM
Where: LIRR station lot, Patchogue
Price: Free
🥕 Browse the market

American Girl digs into the Tom Petty catalog in the Boulton Center's seated room on Friday night, and those songs carry a room on their own. Grab two seats and ease into the weekend without having to shout over anyone. A warm, familiar Friday in Bay Shore.

When: Friday, October 16 | 8:00 PM
Where: Boulton Center, Bay Shore
Price: $$
🎸 Get your tickets

Side Street Dive runs its late-night Rocky Horror experience Friday and Saturday at 10. It's loud, it's theatrical, and it's built for a crowd that came to play along. This one is 21 and over with limited seating, so reserve ahead before it fills.

When: Friday to Saturday, October 16-17 | 10:00 PM
Where: Side Street Dive, Patchogue
Price: $$
🖤 Get the details in our Halloween guide

Johnnyswim, the husband-and-wife duo, brings Greetings from Georgica Pond to Patchogue Theatre on Sunday night. It's a seated show downtown and a quieter way to close out the weekend.

When: Sunday, October 18 | 7:00 PM
Where: Patchogue Theatre, Patchogue
Price: $$
🎙️ Catch the show

Practical help, a weekend road heads-up, and ways to come out for your neighbors.