It's still chilly on Long Island during February, but there are lots of indoor and outdoor events to enjoy in winter. From seal cruises through Hempstead Bay to Winterfest's free jazz performances against the backdrop of Long Island wineries, there's plenty to see and do this month.
Any other events that should be included in my calendars? Please email me at longisland.guide@about.com.
Looking for something special to do on February 14th? Go to Valentine's Day on Long Island.
What to do with the kids during winter recess? See Presidents Week - Events for Kids.
Note: This calendar is updated annually. Events for 2012:
Ongoing through April 15, 2012
The Riverhead Foundation offers two-hour seal cruises on the Captain Lou Fleet, 28A Woodcleft Avenue, Freeport, NY. You'll sail throughout Hempstead Bay to observe the winter harbor seal populations. A naturalist will be onboard to give you information about seals and other marine life that you might encounter. Reservations required. The cost is $25 per adult, $20 for children 3 to 12 years old, FREE for children under 3, and $22 for seniors 65+. Learn more at Seal Cruises with the Riverhead Foundation or call (631) 369-9840.
Ongoing Saturday Evenings - Custer Observatory, Southold
Every Saturday evening from 7 p.m. until midnight, The Custer Observatory, 1115 Main Bayview Road, Southold, NY, is open to the general public. Weather permitting, staff will give guided tours of the sky, with laser pointers and powerful telescope. Please call (631) 765-2626 for further information and to make sure that the institute is not closed because of inclement weather.
Minimum suggested donation: $5 per adult, $3 per child under 14; FREE for nembers.
Group visits by classes, scouts, and others are welcome. Email CusterDonna@yahoo.com , or call (631) 765-2626.
Ongoing Sundays
Family Sunday at the Museum. Each Sunday, the Nassau County Museum of Art offers a 1 p.m. docent-led family walk-through of their exhibitions, and beginning at 1:30 p.m., supervised art activities for the whole family. Family Sunday at the Museum is free with museum admission.
The Nassau County Museum of Art is located at One Museum Drive (just off Northern Boulevard, Route 25A, two traffic lights west of Glen Cove Rd.) in Roslyn Harbor. Admission to the main building is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors (62+) and $4 for students and children ages 4-12. Museum members enter for free. These prices include admission to The Art Space for Children.
Thursday, February 2
Mayor Patti McDonald and the Malverne Village trustees invite you to come out at 7 a.m. to celebrate Groundhog Day with a cup of hot cocoa. This FREE event in the Malverne Village Square will let you and yours find out whether Malverne Mel, the village groundhog, will predict six more weeks of winter or an early spring.More info: (516) 599-2389.
See also February 4th for another groundhog event.
Saturday, February 4
Can't get to Malverne that early in the morning? Then check out whether Sweetbriar Sam will see his shadow. The Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown, NY presents Did Sweetbriar Sam See His Shadow? Will Sweetbriar's resident groundhog see his shadow, or will there be a short winter? Come to Sweetbriar and meet Sam, take a jaunt along the trails to see what other life is around while we enjoy a crisp winter's day, and create a pop-up ground hog to take home.
Saturday, February 4, 1 to 2:30 pm. Suitable for families. Fee: $5/child for members and scouts, $6/child for non-members.
Saturday, February 11
Chocolate Making, 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center, 350 Yaphank Avenue (County Road 21), Yaphank, NY. $8 per person for ages 4 and up. (Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.) Make your own chocolate! This workshop on the farm is for the whole family. Learn fun facts about this popular confection as you make and sample your own collection of sweet treats. Take your chocolate creations and a collection of easy-to-make recipes home to share with your favorite sweetie.
Make a day of it and join us for "Winter Quest" where you will explore the wonders of the farm in winter. Sign up for both programs to receive a discount.
For more information and reservations, please visit the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center or call (631) 852-4600.
Saturday, February 11 through Wednesday, March 7
Theatre Three presents Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, featuring the songs of Neil Sedaka. Set in a Catskills resort in 1960, this is the comic story of Lois and Marge, two friends from Brooklyn in search of good times and romance over one wild Labor Day weekend. The score showcases 18 Neil Sedaka classics including Where the Boys Are, Laughter in the Rain, Sweet Sixteen, Calendar Girl, the chart-topping title song, and many more.Tickets at Theatre Three.
Saturday evenings $28
Friday evenings $23
Wednesday matinees $15
All other performances $21
Children 6-12 yrs $14
Children 13 and older and Senior Citizens 20% discount
AARP Members 20% discount (Fri Only)
Theatre Three, 412 Main Street, Port Jefferson, NY, (631) 928-9100.
Saturday, February 11 to Sunday, March 18
Winterfest - Jazz on the Vine. Six weekends of FREE, live jazz concerts at various winery tasting rooms and other venues on Long Island's East End. For schedule and venues, please go to Long Island Winterfest.
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Saturday, February 18
Mickey B's Golden Oldies Winter Spectacular, celebrating The Duprees' 50th anniversary. at 7 p.m. at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts, 71 East Main Street, Patchogue, NY. Tickets: $42-75.
Special guest stars: The Duprees (Have You Heard, You Belong To Me, My Own True Love)
Kenny Vancy & THe Planotones (Looking For An Echo))
Lenny Cocco & The Original Chimes (Once in a While))
La La Brooks (Da Doo Ron Ron)
Johnny & Joe (Over The Mountain)
Cathy & The Revivals - Tribute to Frankie Lyman and the Teenagers
Somewhere in Time - Sounds of the 50s and 60s
For special seating, call (516) 822-9612. Acts subject to change.
For more info and to purchase tickets, please go to Patchogue Theatre
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Saturday, February 18
Eastern Salamander Search. This family program features a guided walk by herpetologist Andy Sabin, president of the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center, 377 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, NY.. He'll take you through the woods starting at 7:30 p.m. in search of the largest of Long Island's native salamanders, the endangered Eastern Tiger Salamander. Reservations required. Fee: non-members: $7 per adult and $5 per children ages 3-12, free for children 2 years and under. FREE for members of SoFo. Fees include a visit to the museum on the day of the program.Visit Sofo.orgor call (631) 537-9735.
Monday, February 20 through Friday, February 24
Celebrate Presidents Week at the Fire Island Lighthouse. Looking for something to do with the kids? There are reduced fees for tower tours for children under 12. Kids must be at least 42" tall to climb the tower. There will be special activity stations and scavenger hunts for kids every day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Visit their new addition-The Fire Island Light Station Fresnel Lens Building, which houses their original First Order Fresnel Lens.
Special Features-In the Lens Building
Tuesday, 11 am- Origami
Wednesday, 11am - author Vivian Farrell will do a dramatic presentation on her book, “Roberts Tall Friend”.
Friday, 11 am -“Light” magic!
For more details, visit Fire Island Lighthouse
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Tuesday, February 28
Shelter Rock Singles, Manhasset presents humorist, motivational speaker, and author, Irwin Pfeffer, who will speak on the topic of "Overcoming Obstacles to Change".7:30 p.m. at the UU of Shelter Rock in the Veatch Ballroom. Cost $10 for social, lecture and refreshments. 48 Shelter Rock Rd. Manhasset, NY. 516-627-6560 x134.
