January

New Years Day Hike & Lighthouse Tower Tour
Meet at the Robert Moses State Park Field #5 at 10 am. Join us for a NPS Ranger led walk around the western end of the National Seashore. Learn about how the beach reacts to erosion and how the flora and fauna interact with the winter weather. Bring binoculars if you have them. No fee for the walk. Regular fee for the Tower Tour applies. Reservations required.

Evening Tower Tour
Experience the sunset from a new perspective. View the night sky from the top of the Lighthouse. 4:15 pm - $20 per Person Reservations Required. Sunset 4:42 pm and Moonrise 4:24 pm.

Lecture series
2 pm- In the Lens Building
Presentation by USCG Auxiliary Bill Nelson.  The history of the Life Saving Service.  Followed by a tour of the Fire Island Light Station compound. 

Lecture series

  2 pm- In the Lens Building

February  

“Lighthouses are for Lovers”
                                    4-6 pm - Come enjoy the sunset with your “someone special”.  Climb the Tower and enjoy “Light” refreshments served at sunset on the terrace.   Reservations suggested.  A free flower and chocolates will be given out to couples with reservations.  Meet in the new Lens Building.  $40 per couple.

Lecture series
2 pm- In the Lens Building
Retired NPS Chief Ranger Jay Lippert will display his hand made half ship models.  He will be on hand to discuss the process of carving. 

Sunday

Fire Island National Seashore’s Great Backyard Bird Count
10 am – noon at the Fire Island Lighthouse
11 am – 1 pm at the Wilderness Visitor Center, Smithpoint
Help us contribute to this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count, an annual bird tally conducted across the U.S. and Canada.  After a brief introduction to winter birds on Fire Island, we’ll visit maritime habitats from ocean to bay looking for our feathered friends.  Our bird count will help scientists tell the story of winter birds here on Fire Island and elsewhere along their migratory routes.  A Great Backyard Bird Count will also be taken place at the William Floyd Estate today, check www.nps.gov/fiis for more details.  Bring binoculars and dress for the weather.

Lecture series
2 pm- In the Lens Building

March

Light Keepers Behind the Scenes Tour

Junior Ranger Night Sky Program
6 pm- Become a Junior Ranger Night Explorer.  Learn all about the Moon, Solar System and Star Constellations.  For ages 8 to 12.  NPS Ranger led program-Free.  Reservations required.

Lecture series
2 pm- In the Lens Building

Evening Tower Tour
6:15 pm – Celebrate the beginning of Spring, the Vernal Equinox.  View the night sky from the top of the Lighthouse.  - $20 per person, Reservations Required.  Sunset 7:05 pm.

Lecture series
2 pm- In the Lens Building
“A Master Mariner Remembers Pre-GPS Navigation”.    Retired ship captain and lighthouse volunteer Harold Stumme presents his experience of passing a Lighthouse at sea by Terrestrial Navigation and Approaching the Port of New York plus other sea stories.        

Early Morning Tower Tour-Easter Morning
6 am - Come enjoy the scenery from the top of the tower as the sunrises. Tour includes a “light” breakfast and souvenir mug- $25 per person.  Reservations required.  Sunrise 6:26 am.  The Lighthouse will remain open until 12 noon.

Historic Area Lighthouse Trek
8 am—Meet at the eastern end in Field #5 of the Robert Moses State Park.  Join us for a guided walk around the historic surrounding area of the Fire Island Lighthouse that takes you to the boat house, the Surf Hotel site and the Western Union Sites.  Free tee shirt and “Light” refreshments.  $15 per person--Reservations required.

National Park Week- National Junior Ranger Day
11 am to 4 pm-For children 7 years old and up.  Ranger led program under the tent at the Lighthouse.  Complete the Jr. Ranger booklet and receive a special patch. “Let’s Move Outdoors”-Three mile hike round trip from the Lighthouse to Saltaire.  Limited to 20 children, bring lunch.  Reservation only, call 631-281-3010 or 631-687-4765.  Other special programs also offered.  For more information check the National Park Website-www.NPS.gov.fiis.  Free

Horseshoe Crab Program
7 pm – Learn about Horseshoe Crabs and watch them come ashore to lay their eggs while reveling in the beauty of the evening on a June beach. $4 per person -Free for FILPS members.  Reservations required.  Tower tours will be available at regular fee.

Light Keepers Behind the Scenes Tour
9 am – Follow one of our present day Lighthouse Keepers on his rounds.  This bottom to top tour takes you from the auxiliary generator and the Light Keepers workshop in the basement of the Keeper’s Quarters to the beacon in the lantern room of the lighthouse tower. Learn how lighthouse Keepers in the 1860’s to 2012 maintained the light. Includes a tour of the new Lens Building which houses our original first order Fresnel Lens.  $20 per person – Reservations required. Limit 12 people.

Armed Forces Day
Free Tower Tour for those who served in the armed forces.  Thank you for your service!

June

Evening Tower Tour
Experience the sunset from a new perspective.  View the night sky from the top of the Lighthouse.  7:30 pm - $20 per Person Reservations Required.  Sunset 8:19 pm-moonrise 7:43 pm.

11th Annual Benefit Art Show-through July 15
Local artists display their nautical artwork in the Keepers Quarters at the Lighthouse.  Opening reception will be held on June 21, 6pm – 9pm (take a shuttle bus from Field #5 RMSP).  All artwork is for sale with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the Lighthouse by the artist.  Admission free.

Lighthouse is open late – 8 pm
Enjoy the early evening at the Lighthouse.  Beat the parking fee after 4pm. Tower tours are available until 7:30 pm at regular fee. Weather permitting please call ahead
(631) 661-4876.   Every Saturday in July.

“Jr. Lighthouse Rangers” Summer Program
Six week program that meets Wednesday mornings from 10am until noon, July 11 through August 15, 2012.  A fun & informative experience of children ages 7 – 14 years old.  Learn about life on a barrier beach in the days of sailing ships.  Climb the lighthouse!  Participate in a mock US Life Saving Service rescue.  Seining in the Great South Bay offers children an opportunity to explore the myriad of marine life.  Nautical crafts round out the program.  Call for an application.  $85 per child.

Members Night

Light Keepers Behind the Scenes Tour
9 am – Follow one of our present day Lighthouse Keepers on his rounds.  This bottom to top tour takes you from the auxiliary generator and the Light Keepers workshop in the basement of the Keeper’s Quarters to the beacon in the lantern room of the lighthouse tower. Learn how lighthouse Keepers in the 1860’s to 2012 maintained the light.   Includes a tour of the new Lens Building which houses our original first order Fresnel Lens.  $20 per person – Reservations required. Limit 12 people.

National Lighthouse Day
Reduced Tower Tour fee all day. 

26th Annual “Barefoot Black Tie Dinner Dance”
6:30 – 11 pm.  Enjoy a catered dinner and dance to the sounds of the live band, Tradewinds. Open bar and silent auction.  Prizes will be given for best theme attire.  A great romantic evening in front of the Lighthouse – tickets are limited; call (631)321-7028 for tickets.

Evening Tower Tour
Experience the Lighthouse at night.    7:30 pm - $15 per Person Reservations Required.  Sunset 7:54 pm.

Evening Tower Tour
Experience the sunset from a new perspective.  View the night sky from the top of the Lighthouse.  6:45 pm - $20 per Person Reservations Required.  Sunset 7:28 pm-moonrise 7:11pm.

September

Light Keepers Behind the Scenes Tour

Early Morning Tower Tour
6 am—Come enjoy the scenery from the top of the tower as the sunrises. Tour includes a “light” breakfast and souvenir mug.  $25 per person.  Reservations required.  Sunrise 6:48 am-moonset 6:17 am.

11th Annual “Cruise to the Light” Auto Show
10 am – 3 pm.  Robert Moses parking field #4.
Come check out over 400 Show Cars or register your own car for the show!  Pre-Registration is $10; Day of show registration is $15.  Spectator fee is $5 per person, children under 12 years old free.  Food is available at the concession stand.  Rain date is October 7th.

October 

Lantern Light Tour
6 pm – 8 pm (tours leave at 15 minute intervals)-Meet in Field #5 RMSP
Enjoy an escorted lantern light walk along the beach & through the swale as stationed interpreters unfold the stories of the United States Life Saving Service & Fire Island Light Station.  $10 per person – Reservations required.  Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight for your walk back to the parking field.  The Tower will remain open until 9 pm at regular fees.  Sunset 7:15 pm.

Family Fall Festival
2pm- children’s activities, tba

Ghost Stories & Legends of Fire Island
7 pm—On the Lighthouse Terrace.  Listen to tales of eerie happenings along the Barrier Beach.  Dress warmly; bring blankets and flashlights.  Free
Tower Tours will be available from 4 pm – 6 pm at the regular fee.

Thank you to all our United States Veterans!
Free Tower Tours during regular operating hours to all veterans who served in the military.

Early Morning Tower Tour
 5:45 am—Come enjoy the scenery from the top of the tower as the sunrises. Tour includes a “light” breakfast and souvenir mug.  $25 per person.  Reservations required.  Sunrise 6:35 am.

Light Keepers Behind the Scenes Tour
9 am – Follow one of our present day Lighthouse Keepers on his rounds.  This bottom to top tour takes you from the auxiliary generator and the Light Keepers workshop in the basement of the Keeper’s Quarters to the beacon in the lantern room of the lighthouse tower. Learn how lighthouse Keepers in the 1860’s to 2012 maintained the light.  Includes a tour of the new Lens Building which houses our original first order Fresnel Lens.  $20 per person – Reservations required. Limit 12 people.

Tree Trimming Event
10 am – 3 pm.  Kick off the holiday season by helping us decorate our holiday tree.  Bring a handmade ornament relating to the sea, nature or the Lighthouse to hang on our tree.  Free hot chocolate and cookies.

Thanksgiving Weekend Evening Tower Tour
Experience the Lighthouse at night while working off some of those holiday calories. 4 pm - $20 per Person – Reservations Required.  Sunset 4:30 pm.

10th Annual Reenactment of the Flying Santa       
11:30 am to 12:30 pm– Relive this historic event with us.  Santa arrives at the Lighthouse.  Great photo opportunity!  Come early.  Free

Evening Tower Tour

Evening Tower Tour