NEWSLETTER
Known for its top-rated beaches and award-winning wine country, Long Island also boasts a vibrant and robust arts and culture scene. World-renowned works of art line the halls of a Gold Coast mansion and historic church while Broadway-caliber performances delight fans at intimate theaters in charming small towns. Annual events celebrating everything from film to music and historic sites that tell the compelling stories of Long Island’s artistic heritage make this a destination that’s sure to please enthusiasts of art in all its forms. Plus, discover even more world-class arts and culture in every region of New York State with I LOVE NY’s newly-launched regional map and guides, upcoming calendar of events, and more. Credit: @liveloveroslyn on Instagram.
Jump To: Visual Arts | Theaters and Performing Arts | Historic Sites and Landmarks | Music and Film | Events and Festivals
Visual Arts
Credit: Marta Zielinska
The Parrish Art Museum has grown from a small village art gallery to one of the region’s most vital cultural institutions with a collection of over 3,500 works by contemporary painters and sculptors. The Watermill space is an ode to the region's natural beauty and rich artistic legacy reflecting the vast landscapes of the Hamptons with a design inspired by light, water, and sky. Ten cavernous sky-lit galleries host rotating exhibits from the permanent collection and special installations by today’s groundbreaking and influential artists. With lectures, films, performances, concerts, and studio classes for all ages, the Parrish is a year-round cultural haven for art lovers and creatives alike.
Credit: @longhousereserve on Instagram
Art and nature live in harmony at this East Hampton treasure where more than 60 pieces of contemporary sculpture punctuate 16 acres of gardens accented with ponds, dunes, and a 1,000-foot hemlock hedge. With every turn comes a delightful surprise as you encounter works by the likes of Yoko Ono and Willem de Kooning and seasonal exhibitions that offer something new with each visit. From walking tours and yoga classes to panel discussions and workshops, LongHouse offers an immersive, sensory experience that’s both thought-provoking and meditative.
Credit: Marta Zielinska
The Nassau County Museum of Art offers a dynamic mix of art and nature on the former Frick Estate in Roslyn Harbor in the heart of Long Island's fabled Gold Coast. An exploration of the grounds will reveal more than 40 sculptures scattered among the lush gardens, woodlands, and meadows while the three-story Georgian mansion serves as a gallery for rotating exhibits, with recent showcases including the works of Andy Warhol and the paintings and fashions of the Gilded Age. The museum also hosts art classes and workshops, musical performances, tours, and more.
The Church Sag Harbor is one of the newest additions to the Long Island art scene that is quickly making a name for itself. Founded in 2019 by artists April Gornik and Eric Fischl, this unique space, housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century church with soaring ceilings and reimagined stained glass windows, celebrates creativity and community through a mix of rotating contemporary art exhibitions and artist residencies. Jazz concerts, poetry readings, artist talks, and workshops introducing you to monotype printing or linoleum block printing are some of the events on the calendar that make this a dynamic hub for creativity and artistic expression.
Tucked in a picturesque park outside Huntington’s bustling downtown, the Heckscher Museum of Art is a peaceful sanctuary for art lovers with an impressive collection of over 2,300 works spanning 500 years. Standouts of the collection include the sweeping vistas captured by landscape artist George Inness and the museum’s most famous acquisition, George Grosz’s Eclipse of the Sun. Galleries within the early 20th century Beaux-Arts building seamlessly blend contemporary and classical art with a dynamic schedule of changing exhibitions that includes an upcoming showcase of Berenice Abbott’s iconic New York City photographs and an annual display of works created by high school students from across Long Island.
Theaters and Performing Arts
John W. Engeman Theater at Northport
André De Shields, Janet Decal, and Jessica Lee Goldyn have all graced the John W. Engeman Theater stage on their path to Broadway stardom. With a storied past dating back to the silent film era, this intimate theater steeped in vintage elegance, complete with a piano bar and lounge, delivers main stage productions of some of Broadway's finest plays and musicals (think Waitress, South Pacific, and Footloose) all year long in the charming harborfront village of Northport. There’s plenty for the little ones to enjoy with its popular Children’s Theater productions including Rapunzel, Frosty, Frozen Jr., Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and Madagascar.
Tilles Center for the Performing Arts
Whether you're enjoying the grandeur of a full orchestra, the energy of Broadway hits, or the intimate acoustics of jazz, the 2,200-seat Tilles Center, located on LIU Post’s Brookville campus, offers something for everyone. The upcoming season features stirring performances by the Ailey II and Martha Graham Dance Company, intimate discussions with Yo-Yo Ma and Misty Copeland, and family-friendly events like Sesame Street Live!, making it a cultural cornerstone on Long Island.
Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center
Photo Credit: Reflex Photo
What started as a movie house in the 1930s has evolved into a world-class entertainment venue bringing an eclectic mix of comedy, music, and film events to the heart of the Hamptons. A night out at WHBPAC may have you laughing it up with the likes of Matteo Lane and Paul Reiser or enjoying the sounds of Kenny G and Ben Folds — all artists who performed at the vibrant venue in the summer of 2024. The center also offers arts education for all ages, including workshops and summer camps.
Originally a farmstead, The Gateway exudes rustic charm with a modern flair to create a unique theater-going experience in the quiet beach town of Bellport, located 45 minutes west of the Hamptons. The oldest of Long Island’s three professional theaters, the 500-seat venue provides an intimate setting to catch rousing musicals like In the Heights and Rock of Ages. The Gateway also offers children’s productions and a barn theater acting school for the next generation of stars. In the fall, it morphs into one of the most talked about haunted house experiences on Long Island.
Historic Sites and Landmarks
Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center
Get a glimpse into the lives of abstract expressionists Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner in the East Hampton home and studio they once shared. The barn studio, where Pollock perfected his drip painting technique to craft some of his greatest works including Autumn Rhythm, bears the markings of his creative process on the paint-splattered floor. Prints by both artists are displayed in the modest farmhouse along with the furnishings and artifacts that were in the house at the time of Krasner’s death in 1984. The site also hosts exhibits, musical performances, and artist talks. Visitation is by reservation only.
Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages
Take a unique journey through time at the Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages in Stony Brook. Explore a one-room schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, and other historic buildings. View royal horse-drawn carriages used by European nobility and other displays offering a glimpse into the age before automobiles within the Carriage Museum’s eight galleries. Inside the Art Museum, you’ll find a diverse collection of American art, including works by William Sidney Mount, alongside exhibits that explore Long Island’s rich history. From hands-on educational programs to seasonal outdoor concerts, this museum is a vibrant destination for families and history buffs alike.
Music and Film
Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame
Billy Joel. Kiss. LL Cool J. Louis Armstrong. Debbie Gibson. What do they all have in common? They’ve all been inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame! Celebrate the 120 inductees’ contributions and legacies at the hall’s museum in Stony Brook filled with unique artifacts and exclusive exhibits. Billy Joel – My Life, A Piano Man’s Journey has proven so popular the exhibit has been extended through Spring 2025. Plan your visit to see over 50 years of rare memorabilia, videos, awards, recordings, instruments, and photos, with many donated from the musician’s personal collection.
Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater
Summer nights were made for concerts at Jones Beach. The iconic open-air amphitheater with soaring water views has been a summer destination for 70 years and sets the stage for today’s hottest artists spanning all styles and genres. Recent upgrades including a 1930s-inspired Manhattan deco-style marquee and Sunset Bar with Adirondack chairs and lawn games complete your night out as you enjoy the musical stylings of everyone from Post Malone to the Beach Boys.
Want to catch a show at the best club in the world? Head over to the Paramount in Huntington. Once a vaudeville theater hailed as the best east of Brooklyn, this Long Island gem was transformed in 2011 into a versatile space that hosts concerts, comedy shows, and even boxing matches. The Paramount’s vintage-style marquee and trendy intimate interior give it a cool, nostalgic vibe with a private club channeling a 1920s speakeasy and a restaurant that also serves as an art space. Top artists who have taken The Paramount’s stage include Billy Joel, Ed Sheeran, and Rod Stewart, just to name a few.
Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center
Tucked into Patchogue’s charming downtown, the Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center is a haven for film lovers and creatives alike. This cozy, independent moviehouse offers a carefully curated selection of independent and foreign films. Open since 2010, it’s more than just a movie theater—it’s a community arts hub, offering animation classes, film editing workshops and other educational opportunities, festivals, special film series and discussions, and a welcoming space for film buffs to gather and share their passion.
The Jazz Loft, a vibrant gem in Stony Brook Village, opened in 2016 but its roots stretch back even further. Originally two historic buildings, a 1909 firehouse and an 1850s structure known as the "Stone Jug," philanthropist Ward Melville united them to first house the Suffolk Museum, then an antique center, and now this beloved venue. The Jazz Loft is a lively hub for all things jazz, featuring a 1940s-style performance space and a treasure trove of jazz memorabilia spanning 100 years of the American-born art form. With an exciting calendar of local, national, and international artists, plus educational programs, it’s a joyful celebration of jazz history and music.
Sag Harbor Cinema has stood as a beloved landmark on Main Street, captivating audiences for over a century from its days as a vaudeville theater and silent movie house to its current form as a haven for film buffs. Its iconic 1930s art deco neon sign welcomes moviegoers to discover and appreciate the moving image from blockbusters to student shorts in one of its three theaters, each boasting its own unique charm. Make sure to pop by The Green Room, their bar and rooftop terrace, for a drink and some live music.
Events and Festivals
Great South Bay Music Festival
Credit: Benny Miggs courtesy of Great South Bay Music Festival
One of Long Island’s longest-running music, art, and cultural events, the Great South Bay Music Festival welcomes fans for a July weekend packed with big-name, up-and-coming, and local artists performing everything from classic rock to jazz to folk across four stages at Patchogue’s Shorefront Park. An artisan market, KidZone, and food court guarantee a good time for all.
Hamptons International Film Festival
A fall fixture on Long Island’s East End for more than 20 years, the Hamptons International Film Festival attracts fans and A-list celebrities like Julie Andrews and Hugh Jackman for an 11-day October extravaganza featuring more than 100 films, premieres, red carpets, panels, and parties.
For four days in May, this idyllic beach town springs to life with the sounds of music. Rock, pop, folk, reggae, blues, jazz, flamenco, country — no matter what style you’re into you’re bound to find it as more than 100 up-and-coming artists perform across nearly 40 different venues across town.
“All docs, all day,” that’s what you’ll get at this multi-day festival celebrating the art of non-fiction film. Dozens of films, discussions, panels, media labs, awards, and celebrations are held every December in the charming walkable village of Sag Harbor, where festival-goers can enjoy local shops and restaurants in between screenings.
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