Vanderbilt Museum photo
Fall at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum offers a salute to veterans, live rock and Beatles music, the annual tree lighting, twilight tours of the decorated Vanderbilt Mansion, Carriage House Players productions, and new Planetarium shows.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit our Events section.
SPECIAL CHILDREN’S EVENT
A Morning for Children with Special Needs
and Their Families
Saturday, October 20 | 9:00 to 12:00
Free admission. Registration is required. Open Planetarium, Sensory Garden, Live hawk demonstration, craft workshop, examination of museum specimens, solar observation.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Veterans Day Salute!
Saturday-Sunday, November 10-11 | 12:00 to 4:00
Free admission to the Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium for veterans, active-duty service members and their families.
Annual Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 24 | 4:30-5:30 p.m.
This FREE, annual, family-friendly event in the Mansion Courtyard features carol singing, cookies and hot chocolate, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
LIVE MUSIC
History of Rock ‘n’ Roll
Sunday, October 21 | 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
The Long Island band History of Rock ‘n’ Roll, using video and period costumes, will perform songs from seven decades of music in the Vanderbilt Reichert Planetarium. Tickets: $20 online, $25 at the door, and $15 for ages 15 and under. Details and tickets.
Pure Led
Sunday, November 11 | 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
This Led Zeppelin tribute band returns to perform in the Vanderbilt Reichert Planetarium. Tickets: Adults $20, children age 15 and under $15, online; $25 at door. Details and tickets.
The Liverpool Shuffle
Sunday, December 9 | 7:00-8:30 p.m.
This popular Beatles Tribute band, in its 10th Vanderbilt show, will perform in the Planetarium. Tickets: Adults $20, children age 15 and under $15, online; $25 at door. Details and tickets.
SPECIAL EVENT
Twilight Tours of Vanderbilt Mansion
Thursday-Friday, December 27-28 | 5:30-8:00 p.m.
These special evening tours of the Mansion, decorated for the holidays, are the only times during the year that visitors can see the Vanderbilt family’s luxurious living quarters at night. Pre-registration highly recommended as availability is limited. Tickets: Adults $10; students/seniors (age 62 plus) with ID, $9; children age 12 and under $5; online (www.vanderbiltmuseum.org); Members free. Details and tickets.
CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS
Children in grades Pre-K through 5 can learn, create and have fun in five fall workshops offered by the Vanderbilt Learning Center, located on the Museum grounds at 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport, N.Y.
Parents can sign up for sessions (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted). Fee: $20 / $18 members. Advanced registration is required. For more information or to register, please call 631-854-5539.
Grades K-5
October 8 | Ravenous Raptors (K-Grade 3)
Explore the collections, learn about birds of prey and make an owl using natural materials.
October 26 | Spooky Scavenger Hunt (Grades 2- 4 – 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.)
We’re turning off the lights for a scavenger hunt in the collections and will create specimen jars that can be used in any spooky Halloween display.
November 17 | Bears and Mask Craft (Ages 3 and 4 with an adult)
We’ll hear a story in the wildlife dioramas, learn about bears, and make a mask.
December 8 | Beneath the Waves (Grades 3-5)
Explore the seas with Mr. V! We’ll learn about the diversity of life beneath the waves, examine preserved specimens, and make a marine invertebrate pillow.
Pre-school with an adult
October 6 | Raptors and Owl Craft (Ages 3 and 4 with an adult)
We’ll hear a story in the bird room, explore the raptor collection, and make an owl using re-purposed materials.
November 17 | Bears and Mask Craft (Ages 3 and 4 with an adult)
We’ll hear a story in the wildlife dioramas, learn about bears, and make a mask.
HOLIDAY MANSION TOURS
Guided Tours of Decorated Mansion
November 22 – December 30
Guided tours of the Vanderbilt Mansion, decorated for the holidays by local designers and garden clubs, will be given from the day after Thanksgiving through December 30. During the day, tours are given at regular intervals on Tuesday, Saturday and Sunday (except December 24-25 and December 31-January 1) beginning at 12:30 p.m. Visitors pay the general admission fee plus $6 per person for a tour.
THEATER
Carriage House Players
This local theater company performs year-round in the Carriage House Theater at the Vanderbilt Museum. Tickets for all performances: $20 adults, $15 seniors and children, available online and at door. To purchase tickets, please visit www.vanderiltmuseum.org, click on Events.
She Kills Monsters
October 19, 20, 26, 27, at 8 p.m.; October 21 and 28 at 3 p.m.
Qui Nguyen’s comedic romp into the world of fantasy role-playing games populated by homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and ‘90s pop culture. Details and tickets.
Constellations
November 9, 10, 16, 17, at 8 p.m.; November 11 and 18 at 3 p.m.
In Nick Payne’s spellbinding story, a romantic journey begins with a simple encounter between a man and a woman, and the difference between choice and destiny.
Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol
December 7, 8, 14, 15, at 8 p.m.; December 9 and 16 at 3 p.m.
What happened to Ebenezer Scrooge’s infamous partner, Jacob Marley? Tom Mula’s story is A Christmas Carol told from a different, funny, touching perspective.
NEW PLANETARIUM SHOWS
Incoming!
Discover what asteroid and comet impacts can teach and how scientific advances may allow us to find and track cosmic threats before they reach planet Earth. Grades 3-12.
Laser Stranger Things
Experience the ’80s tunes and soundscapes from the show reinterpreted in our vibrant laser lights. All ages.
Two Small Pieces of Glass: The Amazing Telescope
Learn the history of the telescope from Galileo to the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, and the future of astronomy. All ages.
SEASONAL PLANETARIUM SHOWS
Halloween: Haunted Skies
Explore the origins of this often-misunderstood holiday, its legends and rituals, and why we still celebrate this tradition. Ages 8 and up.
Laser Fright Light: Halloween
See vampires and demons haunt the unsuspecting and have some fun. Playlist includes Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and “Enter Sandman” by Metallica. Ages 8 and up.
Laser Holidays
Festive holiday favorites, from classical to modern, enhanced with laser light and digital artwork. All ages.
Season of Light
Explore the astronomy of the winter sky, and fascinating cultural celebrations from around the world. All ages.
