Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Center for Science is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the return of Spooky Fest, Long Island’s long-running, family-friendly Halloween celebration, opening this past weekend at the Tanglewood Preserve.
Running every weekend in October, Spooky Fest kicked off its 14th season with new attractions aimed at visitors of all ages.
This year introduces Pirate’s Cove, an expanded area within the popular Enchanted Walk, featuring a brightly lit pirate ship experience and colorful Halloween displays for younger children and those seeking a non-scary option. For thrill-seekers, the Haunted Woods offers a quarter-mile walk through the darkened preserve, filled with jump scares, monsters and animatronic zombie dinosaurs.
Hosted annually on the grounds of the Center’s Tanglewood Preserve, Spooky Fest has become one of Long Island’s longest-running continuous Halloween events. Unlike many seasonal attractions, all proceeds benefit a local nonprofit. Funds raised directly support the Center’s year-round youth STEM education programs, as well as its animal rescue efforts and permanent dinosaur exhibit.
The Center for Science, based in Rockville Centre, has served the Long Island community for 25 years through science-focused camps, school programs and hands-on learning experiences. Spooky Fest, their biggest annual fundraiser, is vital for sustaining those initiatives.
“We are celebrating our 25th anniversary with this year’s Spooky Fest,” said Dr. Ray Ann Havasy, Executive Director of the Center for Science. “This beloved tradition not only brings families and the community together for Halloween fun, but also generates crucial funding for our STEM education programs that inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators. The new Pirate’s Cove is just one example of how we continue to evolve and enhance the experience for our visitors year after year.”
The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m., rain or shine, at Tanglewood Preserve, located at 1450 Tanglewood Rd. in Rockville Centre.
Tickets are available online, with pricing set at $22 for non-scary attractions and $27 for all-inclusive admission that includes the Haunted Woods experience. All visitors ages 2 and older must have a ticket.
To buy tickets or to learn more, visit CSTL.org/spooky-fest.
