Jones Beach Magic of Lights Show on Long Island is One of Dozens of Holiday-Themed Events Across NYS

Magic of Lights Show at Jones Beach State Park, Long Island, is one of dozens of seasonal events and programs at New York state parks and historic sites.

New York State is inviting visitors from near and far to celebrate the holidays at dozens of seasonal events and programs at State Parks and Historic Sites across the state through the end of the year, starting with the annual Jones Beach Magic of Lights show underway through Jan. 2, 2022, on Long Island.

The Magic of Lights Show at Jones Beach State Park is a drive-through placed along 2.5 miles of park roadway, lit with the latest LED technology, including a 200-foot light tunnel, 40 different lighted holiday scenes, and LED decorated holiday trees. Hours are dusk to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and dusk to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.  

More details are available here. Ticket proceeds support charitable causes, with last year’s show raising more than $150,000 for local organizations, in addition to collecting non-perishable food items, toys, books, coats and more. 

Highlights of other holiday-themed events include a Gilded Age Christmas celebration at the decorated Staatsburgh State Historic Site in the Hudson Valley, a Black Friday hike through a rare Lake Erie sand dune environment at Woodlawn Beach State Park, a post-Thanksgiving “Turkey Trot” run at Shirley Chisholm State Park in Brooklyn, a visit by Santa Claus at the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park, and the 47th annual Christmas Bird Count at Letchworth State Park in western New York.  

For those wishing to head outside instead of a crowded shopping center, take a hike. Visit the State Parks website for a trail near you.  

For a complete listing of holiday events, please visit the NYS Parks calendar of events here. The list will be updated as further events are added. Some events may require pre-registration or an admission fee. 

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 individual parks, historic sites, recreational trails, and boat launches, which were visited by a record 78 million people in 2020. A recent university study found that spending by State Parks and its visitors supports $5 billion in output and sales, 54,000 private-sector jobs and more than $2.8 billion in additional state GDP. For more information on any of these recreation areas, visit www.parks.ny.gov, download the free NY State Parks Explorer mobile app or call 518.474.0456. Also, connect with the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. 

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Bethpage Air Show Returns to Jones Beach; Sold Out Show Livestreamed for First Time

US Air Force Thunderbirds display their precision flying at Bethpage Air Show, Jones Beach, Long Island, for Memorial Day weekend. For the first time the sold-out performance on May 29 will be livestreamed (raindate May 30) © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Bethpage, NY –Bethpage Federal Credit Union and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced the final lineup for the 2021 Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach.  This year’s show, which is sold out, will take place Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 29, 2021 and Sunday, May 30, 2021 10 AM – 3 PM.  

Those who were unable to purchase passes to attend the sold out show at Jones Beach, or who would like to view from the comfort of their own home, will be able to view the show through a livestream of the event available at WABC-TV https://abc7ny.com/, as well as on WABC’s Connected TV Apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku. The livestream will air Saturday, May 29, 2021 with a rain day of Sunday, May 30, 2021.

The final lineup for the show includes show headliners the United States Air Force Thunderbirds returning to the Bethpage Air Show for their 8^th appearance; the United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team performing in their 15^th Bethpage Air Show; the United States Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II, the first aircraft to be designed for close air support of ground forces; and the U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demonstration. 

Civilian performers at this year’s Bethpage Air Show include the world-famous GEICO Skytypers and their flight squadron of six vintage WWII aircraft, the American Airpower Museum Warbirds, Long Island’s own David Windmiller, the Bayport Aerodrome Society, the SUNY Farmingdale State College Flying Rams who will fly seven of their 22 college-owned aircraft in a fly-by piloted by their top academic professional pilot performers, and Mike Goulian, North America’s most decorated aerobatic pilot.

An air show first, livestream viewers will be treated to a special inside look at performances. The GEICO Skytypers, the A-10 Thunderbolt, David Windmiller and Michael Goulian will have cameras on board their planes to provide viewers with an in-cockpit perspective, live, during the show. 

“We are very pleased to be able to bring back a beloved Memorial Day weekend tradition,” said Linda Armyn, Senior Vice President, Bethpage Federal Credit Union. “Not only does the weekend help honor our country’s military, but hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders and visitors have made the show their official kick-off to summer.”  

For those who plan to view the show from the water, “The Coast Guard and partner agencies will be enforcing a No Entry Zone for boaters off of Jones Beach State Park during the air show to ensure the safety and security of the event. The No Entry Zone will be marked with orange colored buoys.” If there is an emergency on the water, the Coast Guard can be reached on VHF channel 16 or dial 911.  For safe boating information visit: www.uscgboating.org”

Known to many as the Greatest Show on Long Island, the Bethpage Air Show was canceled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  Show organizers instead held the first Bethpage Virtual Air Show which enabled fans to experience performances straight from the pilots’ cockpits.

The Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach is one of the largest and most respected air shows in the country.  During the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds’ most recent headlining appearance in 2019, over 366,000 attended the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach.   

“We are thrilled to welcome back the Bethpage Air Show and show headliners, the United States Air Force Thunderbirds,” said George Gorman, Director, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historical Preservation.  “We encourage those who were unable to buy parking passes, to view the livestreamed show online. It’s going to be a spectacular!”

The Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach is sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Newsday, WABC-TV Channel 7, Northrop Grumman, Natural Heritage Trust, Connoisseur Media Long Island, Catholic Health, and PSEG Long Island. The show can be heard in its entirety on WHLI 1100 AM. 

For up-to-date information about this year’s show, visit  www.bethpageairshow.com or https://www.facebook.com/BethpageAirShow/, or contact the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Regional Office, Recreation Department at 631/321-3510.

See photo gallery of Jones Beach Air Shows:

16TH ANNUAL BETHPAGE AIR SHOW AT JONES BEACH, LONG ISLAND, HONORS SPIRIT OF MEMORIAL DAY

PHOTO HIGHLIGHTS FROM 15^TH ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY BETHPAGE AIR SHOW AT JONES BEACH, LONG ISLAND

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