All summer long, celebrations of the 250th birthday of the formation of these United States are going on in myriad ways, from musical performances to Colonial wedding reenactments to author talks to exhibitions and so much more. Here is a run-down of just some of the ways you can celebrate.
America 250 Lecture Series | Peconic Landing, 1500 Brecknock Road, Greenport, 631-477-3800
Held on the third Tuesday of each month throughout 2026, Peconic Landing’s lecture series explores all facets of Long Island history; lectures are free and open to the public.
On June 16 at 6:30 p.m., Catherine Harper discusses her book of historical fiction I Am The House; on July 21, Dr. Paul Kelton discusses Indigenous Peoples and the American Revolution; lectures take place at the Peconic Landing Community Center Auditorium. Check Peconic Landing’s website for more events.
On Friday, June 19 at 7 p.m., the Long Island Baroque Ensemble presents this free concert, performing sea shanties, folk songs, songs brought to the United States by European immigrants and songs of freedom in celebration of Juneteenth.
Love in the Time of Revolution: A Colonial Wedding Reenactment
A collaboration between the Cutchogue Presbyterian Church and the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council and Museums, on Saturday, June 20 at 2 p.m. reenactors will present a colonial wedding celebrating the union of Gershom Terry, a local Revolutionary War veteran and Elizabeth (Case) Terry, who were originally married just before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Tickets are $50; attendees dressed in colonial era garb will receive preferred seating.
The Mattituck-Laurel Historical Society holds a lecture by Dr. Edward Allen Marlatt, retired professor and teacher, focusing on the nation’s founding mothers at the Historical Society at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, free.
Star Spangled Concerts and a Great Debate
The Cutchogue-New Suffolk Historical Council and Museums hosts multiple America 250 events, starting with a Star Spangled Concert on July 4 at 7 p.m. on the Village Green in Cutchogue with the North Fork Chorale. Free; bring your chairs, blankets and picnics.
On July 11 from 1-3 p.m. listen to the Loyalist vs. Patriot Debate, a moderated debate between Loyalist Parker Wickham and Patriot Jared Landon, with costumed actors using Wickham and Landon’s own words. The debate happens on the mezzanine of the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library with reception to follow; register here.
On July 23 at 7 p.m., enjoy a Patriotic Music Concert on the Village Green in Cutchogue with the Sound Symphony Orchestra, performing all of your patriotic favorites. Free; rain date July 24.
The Run-Up to the Revolution and America’s Birthday Party
Southold Historical Museum will host a slew of events through September, celebrating 250 years of America. On Friday, July 10, attend a special lecture titled “The Run-Up to the Revolution” exploring events leading up to the Revolutionary War. South old town historian Amy Folk will lead the lecture from 1 to 3 p.m. at Southold Historical Museum.
Get ready to celebrate on Saturday, July 11 at America’s Birthday Party from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Maple Lane Campus where there will be live reenactments of a Revolutionary War encampment, plus children’s games, a Hamilton sing-along, refreshments, vendors and tastings.
On Saturday, June 20 from 10:30-11:30 a.m., Charles Gueli of the Mattituck-Laurel Historical Society will give a lecture on President John Adams at the Mattituck-Laurel Library; free. Register through the library’s website.
Gueli also hosts a Sunday afternoon lecture series exploring the lives and legacies of American’s Founding Fathers; upcoming dates and topics are Sunday, July 12, President Thomas Jefferson; Sunday, Aug. 9, President James Madison; Sunday, Sept. 13, President James Monroe; and Sunday, Oct. 11, Loyalists and Patriots. All are free and will be held at 2 p.m. in the Historical Society’s New Egypt schoolhouse.
Gear up for 4th of July Parades
On Saturday, July 4, see the the pomp and circumstance on the streets of downtown Riverhead at 11 a.m. Starting at School Street, going up Pulaski to Roanoke, down Main Street and ending on Ostrander, the classic Independence Day event will celebrate the 250th birthday of the country with floats, local organizations and businesses marching in their red, white and blue.
Wear your red, white and blue — the Southold Village Merchants and the Southold American Legion will hold the annual Southold July 4 parade at noon from Boisseau Ave. along Route 25 to Tucker’s Lane, with marching bands, floats, and local groups participating.
Islanders definitely love a parade, and this year the streets of the Center will be lined with spectators for the Shelter Island 250th Parade on July 4 at 10 a.m., with floats, a multitude of marchers and loads of patriotic spirit. The route starts at Bateman Road by the American Legion Hall Mitchel Post 281, turns left onto Thomas Avenue, continues on East Thomas Street and turns on Route 114, ending at the Shelter Island School at noon.
“[R]evolution” sculpture exhibit at Sylvester Manor
From June 13 to October 4, this annual free sculpture exhibit on the beautiful, sprawling grounds of historic Sylvester Manor (80 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island) takes on the theme of revolution and evolution. Drawing on Thomas Paine’s groundbreaking 1774 treatise Common Sense and Charles Darwin’s Origin of the Species published in 1859, the exhibition is curated by Tom Cugliano to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence and, through the vision and work of 19 artists, offers thought-provoking, poignant pieces that address what it means to live in, and maintain, a free society, warts and all. Open daily; free.
Shelter Island History Museum 250th summer-long celebrations
The Shelter Island History Museum is offering multiple ways to view, understand and celebrate the 250th birthday of America, including the first of their two two annual large exhibitions, “Havens House: Witness the American Revolution.” Sponsored by the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation, the ongoing exhibition, which kicked off June 6, uses artifacts, writings and more to show what it was like to live through the American Revolution from the point of view of the Havens family, who farmed and lived here starting in 1743.
The SIHM’s annual gala on July 18 is themed “Red, White and Blue” and features a traditional clambake on the grounds of the Artemas Ward Garden. Get your tickets here.
