Hicks Nurseries' Fall Festival returns for 51st year with new attractions

Hicks Nurseries is bringing back its Fall Festival in Westbury, New York, from Sept. 12 to Nov. 1, 2026, with free admission and parking plus two new features: the Skeleton Estate Garden and the Fall Festival Market. The Long Island tradition adds special events, food, kids’ activities and community donations throughout the season.

Why it matters: - Hicks Nurseries' Fall Festival is a long-running Long Island tradition that draws families back each year for free seasonal entertainment in Nassau County. - The 2026 edition adds new attractions and a larger slate of events, giving the festival more reasons for repeat visits across the fall season. - Free admission and parking keep the event accessible for families.

What happened: - Hicks Nurseries is hosting its 51st Fall Festival from Sept. 12 through Nov. 1, 2026, in Westbury, NY. - The festival includes two new features this year: the Skeleton Estate Garden and the Fall Festival Market. - The new Fall Festival Market includes four specialty shops: Harvest Moon Market, Boo-tique, Botanical Curiosities and the Toy Shoppe. - The Skeleton Estate Garden is a fall plant and Halloween décor display with friendly skeletons.

The details: - All-access children's wristbands cost $25 for Advantage Members and $30 for non-members, and are sold in-store only. - The wristband includes unlimited hay maze access for the day plus three activities: spooky nightlight craft, mum plant decorating and mystic pumpkin decorating. - The hay maze is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for $8 per person, with children ages 2 and under admitted free. - Wristbands and hay maze passes can be purchased online one to two days in advance for in-store pickup at customer service. - Admission and parking are free. - Daily kid-friendly activities include the animated Halloween story walk-through, corn hole, scarecrow ring toss, Connect 4 and mini golf. - The festival also features thousands of pumpkins, colorful fall plants and photo ops, with attractions open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Live music will run on select Sundays during the festival. - Otto the Ghost, the festival mascot since the 1970s, greets visitors on weekends and holidays from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. - The Country Market is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with fresh NY State apples, cider donuts, fudge-dipped donuts, homemade pies, Hicks' fudge and kettle corn. - The Hicks Food Truck operates on weekends and holidays with chicken tenders, hot dogs, French fries and fresh-roasted local corn.

Between the lines: - Hicks Nurseries is leaning into a mix of nostalgia and novelty, with new displays and specialty shops alongside familiar festival staples. - The event is also serving a community role beyond retail, with food donations collected for Long Island Cares and pet pantry donations tied to the Pet Parade. - The festival's calendar is built to spread traffic across multiple weekends, not just opening day.

What's next: - Opening Weekend runs Sept. 12-13. - Sept. 19 features Strange, Spooky & Carnivorous demonstrations at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m., plus a KJOY radio live remote from 1 to 3 p.m. - Sept. 27 is Fall Music Sunday, with live music from 1 to 4 p.m. - Oct. 4 brings the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off, with judging at 11 a.m. and pumpkin carving demonstrations from noon to 3 p.m. - Oct. 10-12 is Apple Harvest Weekend. - Oct. 14 is the Pet Parade & Costume Competition, with registration at 4 p.m., the parade at 5 p.m., six costume categories and more than $600 in prizes. - Oct. 18 and Oct. 25 are additional Fall Music Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. - Oct. 31 is Otto's Halloween Party, with a DJ, games, contests and trick-or-treating from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. - More information is available at Hicks Nurseries Fall Festival.