Hey South Shore, last weekend gave us a run of good ones: Old Crow Medicine Show packed the Patchogue Theatre on Thursday, the Twilight Market made its debut at the Bay Shore band shell on Friday, and Saturday stayed dry and around 70. Then Sunday turned wet enough to bump the Salt Shack Pumpkin Festival to October 4. If you got rained on Sunday, you weren't alone.
This is the weekend the neighborhood's fall festival calendar arrives all at once. Saturday brings the 59th Feast of Saint Liberata to Main Street in Patchogue, and after dark the first-year Under the Sea light and art festival glows across the South Shore Mall grounds in Bay Shore. Sunday keeps it going out in West Islip. Friday and Saturday each carry a coin-flip chance of showers, so every outdoor pick below names its rain date. Check before you head out.
None of these festivals run themselves. It's the Patchogue Foundation volunteers setting up the procession, the West Islip fair committee lining up a hundred craft tables, and the neighbors who tell us which booth to hit first. That's the South Shore in late September, out in full before the weather turns. Now let's get into it.
Top 5 for the Weekend
Babylon Village End of Summer Block Party & Lily's Live Music - Deer Park Ave (Babylon Village)
Rained out twice back in August, the Chamber's season-finale block party finally lands tonight. Deer Park Ave closes between Main Street and Park Ave for live music, food, and shops spilling onto the street, with Strange Brew playing out front of Lily's from 5 to 9. This is the send-off summer deserves, one more downtown night before the calendar fully turns to fall.
When: Thursday, September 24 | 5:00 PM
Where: Deer Park Ave, Babylon Village
Price: Free
🎉 See the block party guide
Los Lonely Boys - Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts (Patchogue)
The Garza brothers bring their Grammy-winning Texican rock and roll to the Patchogue Theatre stage, with Lisa Morales opening. If "Heaven" ever lived on your radio, you already know how these three fill a room, guitars front and center and harmonies stacked three deep. A Sunday-night closer worth staying up for.
When: Sunday, September 27 | 7:00 PM
Where: Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, Patchogue
Price: $$
🎸 Grab your tickets
Under the Sea Light & Art Festival - South Shore Mall Outdoor Grounds (Bay Shore)
The Islip Arts Council turns the South Shore Mall grounds into a night of glowing art installations, projection art, an artisan night market, and live music, with Artie the glowing octopus anchoring it all. It's a first-year festival, which means the whole thing is a bit of a surprise, and Saturday night is exactly the dark you want for art that lights up. The festival runs until 10, with a limited number of VIP seats sold separately.
When: Saturday, September 26 | 6:00 PM
Where: South Shore Mall Outdoor Grounds, Bay Shore
Price: Free
🐙 Explore the festival
Sons Of Cream - Boulton Center for the Performing Arts (Bay Shore)
Kofi Baker and Malcolm Bruce, sons of Cream's Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce, revisit the power trio's catalog with Rob Johnson in the Boulton's intimate room. There's something rare about hearing Cream's catalog played by the next generation of the families that wrote it. Doors at 6, and the Boulton's small room makes every note count.
When: Sunday, September 27 | 7:00 PM
Where: Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, Bay Shore
Price: $$+
🥁 Reserve your seats
Feast of Saint Liberata, 59th Annual - Main Street (Patchogue)
Downtown Patchogue's Italian feast is back for its 59th year, and it goes all in: the procession, tarantella dancers, a bocce tournament, a zeppole-eating contest, a classic car show, a wine walk, and restaurants pouring right onto Main Street until 5. Rain date is Saturday, October 3, so glance at the sky first.
When: Saturday, September 26 | 12:00 PM
Where: Main Street, Patchogue
Price: Free
🍝 Plan your feast day
💌 Know someone who would love South Shore Digest?
Grab your personal invite link and send it to a neighbor. Three neighbors and The Regulars is yours, free.
Every neighbor who joins also sends a dollar to a local nonprofit, a different one each season, and this fall it's Long Island Cares.
Family Picks
West Islip Country Fair, 49th Annual - West Islip Public Library Grounds (West Islip)
Almost half a century in, the West Islip Country Fair fills the library grounds with more than 100 craft vendors, the West Islip Symphony Orchestra and Rock Underground on the stage, a bounce house, a magician, and face painting until 4. There's enough here to keep kids busy while the grown-ups browse the tables. Rain date is Sunday, October 4, so check before you load the car.
When: Sunday, September 27 | 10:00 AM
Where: West Islip Public Library Grounds, West Islip
Price: Free
🎪 Map out the fair
Deer Park Fall Craft Fair - Deer Park Fire Training Grounds (Deer Park)
More than 80 local craft and gift vendors, plus food trucks and live music, fill the fire training grounds on Nicolls Road until 4, with proceeds going to Deer Park Fire Department Company 2. It's a low-key Saturday wander where the kids can grab a bite and you can knock out some early holiday shopping. Rain date is Sunday, September 27.
When: Saturday, September 26 | 10:00 AM
Where: Deer Park Fire Training Grounds, Deer Park
Price: Free
🛍️ Check the details
Freckleface Strawberry - The Argyle Theatre (Babylon)
The Argyle's children's theatre season opens with the musical based on Julianne Moore's books about a little girl learning to love her freckles. It's the opening weekend of a run through October 25, with shows both mornings at 10:30, sized right for young attention spans. A gentle way to give the kids their first taste of live theatre.
When: Saturday and Sunday, September 26-27 | 10:30 AM
Where: The Argyle Theatre, Babylon
🎭 Ticket prices through the Argyle box office
A Splash of Magic Brunch with Ariel and Moana - Oakdale Brew House (Oakdale)
A rain-proof Sunday morning for the little ones: a brunch buffet, character meet-and-greets with Ariel and Moana, and crafts and goodies for every child, hosted with Once Upon a Daydream Parties. If Sunday's forecast has you looking for an indoor plan, this one delivers. Reservations are required by phone or OpenTable.
When: Sunday, September 27 | 10:30 AM
Where: Oakdale Brew House, Oakdale
Price: $$
🧜 Book your table
Date Night / Nightlife
BBQ in the Vines with Crossroadsque and Paris Ray - Loughlin Vineyard (Sayville)
Slow-smoked barbecue from Crossroadsque and estate wines under the Sayville vines, from noon straight through to 8. Paris Ray plays live from 4:30 to 7:30, which makes late afternoon the sweet spot: a plate of brisket, a glass of something local, and music drifting across the property. An easy Friday escape with someone you like.
When: Friday, September 25 | 12:00 PM
Where: Loughlin Vineyard, Sayville
Price: Free
🍷 Plan your visit
Frank Reyes, El Príncipe de la Bachata - Stereo Garden (Patchogue)
The Prince of Bachata brings his greatest hits to Stereo Garden for a late Saturday dance night in Patchogue. Doors open at 10 and the floor fills fast. Bring your ID, this one's 21 and over.
When: Saturday, September 26 | 10:00 PM
Where: Stereo Garden, Patchogue
Price: $$+
💃 Get tickets
The Best Of The 70s - Boulton Center for the Performing Arts (Bay Shore)
DizzyFish and The Uptown Horns run the whole decade's songbook in the Boulton's seated room, from Neil Young and the Eagles to Elton John and Pink Floyd. With a full horn section behind the hits, this plays more like a proper night out than a bar cover set. Doors at 7, then settle in for the ride.
When: Saturday, September 26 | 8:00 PM
Where: Boulton Center for the Performing Arts, Bay Shore
Price: $$
🎷 Catch the show
Free & Affordable
Danny Casey (Patchogue): A midweek riverside set on the Drift 82 deck to open the weekend early. The water, a drink, and easy live music from 5:30. Thursday, September 24 | 5:30 PM | Free | 🎶 Head to the deck
Honky Tonk Happy Hour (Patchogue): An early country happy hour at Patchogue's Nashville-style lounge, a warm start to a Thursday. Thursday, September 24 | 3:00 PM | Free | 🤠 Kick off Thursday early
Happy Hour Band: The Byrne Unit NY (Babylon): Babylon Village's pub runs a full-band happy hour from 6 to kick off Friday on Deer Park Ave. Friday, September 25 | 6:00 PM | Free | 🍺 Find a seat
Babylon Sisters (Patchogue): An all-female Steely Dan tribute over barbecue at Bobbique, a pairing that just works on a Friday night. Friday, September 25 | 8:00 PM | Free | 🎸 Plug into Friday
Twilight Market (Bay Shore): Bay Shore's Friday night market returns to the band shell with vendors, food trucks, and a reggae night from DJ Chris Fisher. A relaxed way to close out the work week downtown. Friday, September 25 | 6:00 PM | Free | 🛒 Browse the market
Sayville Falls Fall Concert Series (Sayville): The beer garden's fall series runs both nights, Steve's Off The Couch on Friday and David Moriarty on Saturday, from 5:30. Cool evenings, cold beer, live music. Friday and Saturday, September 25-26 | 5:30 PM | Free | 🍁 Get the details
Live Music: The Fuse Relit (Bay Shore): A high-energy Saturday cover night at Bay Shore's Irish pub. Kitty Mulligan's knows how to fill a room, and this band keeps it moving. Saturday, September 26 | 7:30 PM | Free | 🎤 Catch the night
Gotta Wanna at Eleanor's Lounge (Bohemia): A rock and roll Saturday night at the New Eleanor's Lounge on Sunrise Highway. Familiar hits and a floor that fills after 8. Saturday, September 26 | 8:00 PM | $ | 🎸 Rock the night
The Flying Ivories Dueling Pianos (Bay Shore): Two performers, two pianos, and every request you can throw at them for a rock and roll sing-along in the Great South Bay Brewery taproom. A loud, fun Saturday afternoon. Saturday, September 26 | 1:00 PM | Free | 🎹 Join the fun
Salt Shack Sunday (Babylon): Salt Shack at Cedar Beach closes the weekend on the water with Tasty Wave at 1, the Mrs. Roper-themed Roper Romp at 2, and the 80s tribute Touch the 80's at 5. A full afternoon by the bay. Sunday, September 27 | 1:00 PM | Free | 🌊 Ride out the weekend
📌 Community Board (Quick Hits)
Real ways to look out for your neighbors this weekend.
Pints for Paws (Bay Shore). The Islip Animal Shelter and Adopt-A-Pet Center brings adoptable dogs to Great South Bay Brewery, with craft beer, food, live music, and 50/50 raffle baskets all benefiting the shelter dogs. Sunday, September 27 | 12:00 PM | Great South Bay Brewery, Bay Shore | Free
80's Flashback for the Bayport-Blue Point Booster Club (Patchogue). The BBP Booster Club takes over Dublin Deck with Dizzy After Midnight, raffle baskets, and a 50/50. Food and one drink are included with the suggested donation, and 80s attire is encouraged. Friday, September 25 | 6:30 PM | Dublin Deck, Patchogue | $$
Bideawee Pet Adoption Event (Patchogue). Bideawee parks its mobile adoption van behind the Patchogue-Medford Main Library with dogs, puppies, and possibly cats and kittens. No registration, and donations of pet food, toys, and towels are welcome. Rain cancels. Saturday, September 26 | 11:00 AM | Patchogue-Medford Library, Patchogue | Free
Volunteer Day: Skip Gardner Native Garden (Babylon). Save the Great South Bay hosts its fourth-Saturday session at Babylon Village's native forest and butterfly garden: two hours of light weeding and invasive pulling, no experience needed. Saturday, September 26 | 9:00 AM | Skip Gardner Native Garden, Babylon | Free
Patchogue Lions Club (Patchogue). The Patchogue Lions run vision screenings, community fundraisers, and youth programs across the village. New members and volunteers are always welcome. Ongoing | Patchogue | Free
📣 Know a neighbor or local crew who did something good this month? One line, hit reply, and we'd love to give them a shoutout.
Three festivals, one weekend: a feast on Main Street in Patchogue, glowing art on the mall grounds in Bay Shore, and a country fair on the library lawn in West Islip. Keep an eye on the sky Saturday, check those rain dates before you go, and say hello if you spot us at a booth.
See you out there.