January

New Years Day Nature Hike & Lighthouse Tower Tour
Meet at the Robert Moses State Park Field #5 at 10 am.  Join us for a guided 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.  $6 fee for the Tower Tour.  Reservations required.

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 2009 maintained the light.  $15 per person – Reservations required. Limit 12 people

Early Morning Tower Tour
6:30 am—Come enjoy the scenery from the top of the tower as the sunrises and the moon sets. Tour includes a “light” breakfast and souvenir mug- $20 per person.  Reservations required.  Sunrise 7:05 am and Moonset 7:09 am

February  

Seashells by the Seashore
11 am—Seashells come in all different shapes, sizes and colors.  This program will inform and show participants the many different kinds of shells that can be found in Long Island waters.  The life histories of some of the animals that make the shells will also be discussed.  Weather permitting, we will then go outside and find some seashells treasures and identify them. NPS Ranger led program.  Meet at the Lighthouse-Free.

“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 (5:24 pm) on the terrace.   Reservations suggested.  A free flower and chocolates will be given out to couples with reservations.  $30 per couple.

Monday -Friday

Celebrate Presidents Week at the Fire Island Lighthouse
Looking for something to do with the kids?  Come visit us!  Reduced Tower Tour fees for children under 12 years old (must be 42 inches tall to climb). Special activity at 11 am for children.  Story time/knots/nature walk/ crafts - a different activity each day.

Evening Tower Tour
Experience the Lighthouse at night.  View the night sky during the Snow Moon from the top of the tower.  5:15 pm - $15 per Person Reservations Required.  Sunset 5:42 pm and Moonrise 6:07 pm.

March

Winter Birding at the Lighthouse
9am-11am—Come along on this winter birding program to identify and observe some of Fire Island’s various bird species.  Waterfowl, shorebirds, hawks and songbirds should all be found on this wonderful barrier island.  Bring binoculars and dress warm!  Program will meet at the eastern end of Robert Moses Parking Field #5.  We will then meander down to the Lighthouse by 11 am.  NPS Ranger led program – Free 

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 2008 maintained the light.  $15 per person – Reservations required. Limit 12 people.

Stony Brook University Professor Frank Turano
Presents his pictorial history of Fire Island 1850-1950.  Meet in the Keeper’s Quarters at 1 pm for this fascinating program.  Free

Early Morning Tower Tour
6 am—Come enjoy the scenery from the top of the tower as the sunrises and the moon sets. Tour includes a “light” breakfast and souvenir mug.  $20 per person.  Reservations required.  Sunrise 6:32am and Moonset 10 am

Historic Area Lighthouse Trek-Kickoff National Park Week
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

Tea in the Lighthouse Keepers Quarters
11 am—Join us for tea with Marilyn Mahler who is the former first lady of the Lighthouse and meet her husband Gottfried who was the lighthouse keeper here(1948-1954).  Enjoy tea and cookies while listening to stories of actual happenings and family life at our Lighthouse.  $15 per person—includes a United States Lighthouse Service mug. Reservations required.

“The Old Lamplighter”
1 pm – slide show.  Join Gottfried Mahler, former Keeper and his wife Marilyn of the Fire Island Lighthouse (1948 – 1954 / pre bridge) for his slide presentation.  This is a unique opportunity to meet a former Keeper and hear his firsthand account of the life at a Lighthouse involving his career and family life with his wife, children and pets. Experience his continuing love of the Fire Island Lighthouse.  This is living history at its best!  Free

National Park Week- 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. Other special programs also offered.  Free

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 2009 maintained the light.  $15 per person – Reservations required. Limit 12 people.

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. $3 per person -Free for FILPS members.  Reservations required.  Tower tours will be available at regular fee.

June

9th Annual Benefit Art Show-through July 18
Local artists display their nautical artwork in the Keepers Quarters at the Lighthouse.  Opening reception will be held on June 24, 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.

“Jr. Lighthouse Rangers” Summer Program
Six week program that meets Wednesday mornings from 10am until noon, July 7 through August 11, 2010.  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.  $80 per child.

Lighthouse open late-8 pm
End your work week stress free at the Lighthouse.  Beat the parking fee after 4pm. Tower tours are available until 7:30 pm 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 2009 maintained the light.  $15 per person – Reservations required. Limit 12 people.

FILPS Members night
7 pm – 9 pm.  A special night for our Fire Island Lighthouse Preservation Society Members.  Tower Tours and “Light” refreshments.  Experience the Lighthouse at night.  View the night sky and the full moon. Free for all members.  Come to see the progress of the Fresnel Lens Project!

Lighthouse open late-8 pm
End your work week stress free at the Lighthouse.  Beat the parking fee after 4pm. Tower tours are available until 7:30 pm at regular fee.

National Lighthouse Day

Reduced Tower Tours All Day

24th 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.

Amateur Radio Lighthouse Weekend                   
The Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club set up their radios to communicate with other radio operators around the world.

Early Morning Tower Tour
5:45 am—Come enjoy the scenery from the top of the tower as the sunrises and the moon sets. Tour includes a “light” breakfast and souvenir mug.  $20 per person.  Reservations required.  Sunrise 6:15 am and Moonset 10:03 am.

September

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 2009 maintained the light.  $15 per person – Reservations required. Limit 12 people.

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09th 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 3rd.

October 

Lantern Light Tour
6 pm – 8 pm (tours leave at 15 minute intervals)
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.  Enjoy the beach during the full moon phase.  $10 per person – Reservations required.
Tower Tours will be available at the regular fee.

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 to all veterans with Military ID.

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 2009 maintained the light.  $15 per person – Reservations required. Limit 12 people

Early Morning Tower Tour
6:15 am—Come enjoy the scenery from the top of the tower as the sunrises and the moon sets. Tour includes a “light” breakfast and souvenir mug.  $20 per person.  Reservations required.  Sunrise 6:46 am and Moonset 6:46 am..

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 - $15 per Person – Reservations Required.  Sunset 4:28 pm and Moonrise 10:46 pm.

8th Annual Reenactment of the Flying Santa         
11:30 am to 12:30 pm– Relive this historic event with the Lighthouse Keeper that was here over 50 years ago.  Santa arrives at the Lighthouse.  Great photo opportunity!  Come early.  Free

Evening Tower Tour
Experience the Lighthouse at night.  View the night sky on the Winter Solstice from the top of the tower.  4pm - $15 per Person – Reservations Required.  Sunset 4:28 pm and Moonrise 4:59 pm.