18 May 2026
The LIRR Is on Strike. Babylon’s Events Are Not.
May 18–22, 2026: Road Edition, Because Apparently We All Live in a Traffic Simulation Now
Welcome to another beautiful week around the Town of Babylon, where the sun is shining, the events are stacked, and the Long Island Rail Road has decided to cosplay as a closed Wi-Fi network.
Yes, as of the time of this post, the LIRR strike has entered Day 3, which means Long Islanders are now participating in the region’s newest extreme sport: “How Many Parkways Can One Person Regret Before 9:00 AM?”
The official advice is to work from home if possible, avoid unnecessary travel, and give yourself extra time if you absolutely must commute. Translation: your Monday morning commute now has DLC, surge pricing, side quests, shuttle buses, and possibly a boss battle on the Southern State.
But fear not, Babylon. While the rails may be on pause, local life is still very much moving. We’ve got fundraisers, crafts, live music, networking, trivia, food trucks, shopping, pet adoption, goth night, and enough waterfront entertainment to remind you that Long Island is still beautiful when you are not trapped behind someone merging at 14 mph.
🌤️ Babylon Weather Forecast: May 18–22
- ☀️ Monday, May 18: Mostly sunny and nice. High near 77°. Excellent weather for pretending your commute is “character building.”
- 🌞 Tuesday, May 19: Mostly sunny and very warm. High near 80°. Great night for live music, meditation, or quietly Googling “can I bike to Manhattan from Lindenhurst?”
- ⛈️ Wednesday, May 20: Very warm, breezy, with a possible afternoon thunderstorm. High near 86°. Because apparently even the sky wants to participate in the transportation drama.
- ☁️ Thursday, May 21: Mainly cloudy and cooler. High near 67°. A good day to reset, regroup, and stop refreshing train updates like they owe you money.
- 🌥️ Friday, May 22: Rather cloudy. High near 60°. Memorial Day Weekend begins with shopping, food trucks, music, and the collective hope that civilization still works.
📌 Table of Contents
- Introduction: The Commute Has Entered Its Villain Era
- Featured Event of the Week
- Monday Featured Events
- Tuesday Featured Events
- Wednesday Featured Events
- Thursday Featured Events
- Friday Featured Events
- Helpful Links
🚗 Introduction: The Commute Has Entered Its Villain Era
This week, Long Islanders are being reminded of one very important truth: the LIRR may be frustrating when it runs, but when it stops running, suddenly everyone becomes a transportation philosopher.
“Should I drive?”
“Should I work from home?”
“Should I take a shuttle to a subway to a bus to a scooter to a prayer candle?”
“Should I simply become a lighthouse keeper?”
These are the questions of our time.
But here in the Town of Babylon, we do what we always do: support local businesses, show up for community events, eat something delicious, listen to live music, and pretend the traffic report is not actively trying to ruin our blood pressure.
Here are this week’s local events around Babylon, Lindenhurst, Amityville, Deer Park, West Babylon, Captree, Oak Beach, and all nearby spots worth the journey — assuming your car, GPS, emotional stability, and alternate route all cooperate.
⭐ Featured Event of the Week: Tanger Foodie Fest & Memorial Day Weekend Sidewalk Sales
🍔🛍️ TANGER OUTLETS DEER PARK – Foodie Fest Memorial Day Weekend
When: Friday, May 22 through Monday, May 25, 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Where: Tanger Outlets Deer Park
Event Link: Foodie Fest Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day Weekend kicks off at Tanger Outlets Deer Park with food trucks, family fun, music, outlet shopping, and the kind of parking lot energy that says, “Yes, we survived the workweek, and yes, we deserve fried dough.”
Foodie Fest brings dozens of food trucks, sweet treats, savory eats, and free admission. Pair that with the Memorial Day Weekend Sidewalk Sales, where shoppers can find deals at select brands, and you’ve got yourself the official Long Island antidote to staring at highway brake lights for three straight days.
In a week where commuting feels like a rejected reality show called America’s Next Top Detour, this is the local reset button.
🚦 Monday, May 18: Ease Into the Week Before the Parkway Eats Your Soul
🍧 Percentage Night at Ralph’s Italian Ices
When: Monday, May 18, 5:00 PM
Where: Ralph’s Italian Ices, Lindenhurst
Event Link: Percentage Night at Ralph’s Italian Ices
Support Sunrise Day Camp while grabbing something sweet at Ralph’s Italian Ices in Lindenhurst. A portion of sales goes to help children with cancer and their siblings attend day camp free of charge. It’s wholesome, delicious, and emotionally healthier than yelling at the traffic map.
🎨 Memorial Day & Summer Crafts at Hurricane Grill & Wings
When: Monday, May 18, 6:30 PM
Where: Hurricane Grill & Wings, Lindenhurst
Event Link: Memorial Day & Summer Crafts
Kick off the week with a wood art craft night at Hurricane Grill & Wings. Because sometimes the best way to survive a transportation crisis is to glue ribbon to something decorative and call it healing.
🎸 Track 9 at Salt Shack
When: Monday, May 18, 7:00 PM
Where: Salt Shack, Babylon
Event Link: Track 9 at the Salt Shack
Track 9 returns to Salt Shack for a waterfront party to kick off summer vibes early. A beachside show called Track 9 during an LIRR strike is either perfect timing or proof that the universe has jokes.
📅 See all events for Monday here.
🛤️ Tuesday, May 19: Still No Train? Fine. We’ll Make Our Own Plans.
🧘 Transforming the Self: Finding Peace in Challenging Times
When: Tuesday, May 19, 7:00 PM
Where: Science of Spirituality Meditation Center, Amityville
Event Link: Transforming the Self
If there was ever a week for “Finding Peace in Challenging Times,” congratulations, we found it. This free workshop focuses on inner peace, happiness, and spiritual grounding — also known as the exact opposite of merging onto the Belt Parkway during a rail strike.
💬 New Beginnings with Marla Matthews
When: Tuesday, May 19, 7:00 PM
Where: Lindenhurst Memorial Library
Event Link: New Beginnings with Marla Matthews
This discussion group is for anyone seeking a new beginning after life’s challenges. And yes, “I need a new beginning because my commute has become a Greek tragedy” probably counts.
🎸 Pour Some 80’s On Me at Salt Shack
When: Tuesday, May 19, 7:00 PM
Where: Salt Shack, Babylon
Event Link: Pour Some 80’s On Me at Salt Shack
Dust off the leg warmers and get ready for an 80’s night by the water. If your commute has you feeling like you’re living in a dystopian reboot, this is your chance to escape into synth, nostalgia, and beachside vibes.
🎣 Deep Drop Tilefish Special
When: Tuesday, May 19, 11:00 PM
Where: Captree Boat Basin, Oak Beach
Event Link: Deep Drop Tilefish Special
A 24-hour deep drop tilefish trip aboard the Captree Princess. It leaves at 11 PM, which is late enough that the roads may finally have stopped screaming.
📅 See all events for Tuesday here.
🌩️ Wednesday, May 20: Midweek Thunderstorms and Emotional Support GPS
👨👩👧 Parent & Homeschool Support Meeting
When: Wednesday, May 20, 11:00 AM
Where: Lindenhurst Memorial Library
Event Link: Homeschool Parent Support Meeting
Parents and homeschool families can connect, ask questions, and get support at the Lindenhurst Memorial Library. Children are welcome, and honestly, after this week’s commute chaos, adults may also need a snack and a quiet room.
🤝 Multi-Chamber Networking Event at The Nutty Irishman
When: Wednesday, May 20, 5:30 PM
Where: The Nutty Irishman, Farmingdale
Event Link: Multi-Chamber Networking Event
Local business professionals can mix, mingle, enjoy BBQ, steel drum music, and support Pay It Forward LI’s Back-to-School Backpack Program. Hawaiian shirts are encouraged, because nothing says “professional networking” like conducting business while dressed like you escaped a cruise ship.
🎶 Half Step – Grateful Dead Tribute at The Warehouse
When: Wednesday, May 20, 6:30 PM
Where: The Warehouse Live Music & Events
Event Link: Half Step at The Warehouse
Half Step brings the Grateful Dead experience to The Warehouse in Amityville. If you’ve spent the week staring at road closures and transit alerts, a little jam-band therapy may be medically necessary.
🎤 Screamer Of The Week at Salt Shack
When: Wednesday, May 20, 7:00 PM
Where: Salt Shack, Babylon
Event Link: Screamer Of The Week
Screamer Of The Week takes over Salt Shack at 7 PM. Coincidentally, “Screamer of the Week” is also what many commuters became after opening Google Maps Monday morning.
📅 See all events for Wednesday here.
🍦 Thursday, May 21: Frozen Custard, Trivia, Loud Music, and the Will to Continue
🍦 Spirit Day for Albany Ave Elementary School
When: Thursday, May 21, 5:30 PM
Where: Abbott’s Frozen Custard, Lindenhurst
Event Link: Spirit Day for Albany Ave Elementary School
Support Albany Avenue Elementary School with a sweet stop at Abbott’s Frozen Custard in Lindenhurst. A portion of sales during the event will be donated back to the school. Finally, a form of traffic relief that comes in a cup.
🎸 Pig Destroyer, Deadguy, Sex Prisoner, Mellow Harsher at AMH
When: Thursday, May 21, 6:00 PM
Where: AMH, Amityville
Event Link: Pig Destroyer at AMH
Heavy music fans can head to AMH for a serious Thursday night lineup. If the week has already destroyed your spirit, Pig Destroyer may at least give the destruction a soundtrack.
🎨 Sceneless Scene Showcase #111 at The Warehouse
When: Thursday, May 21, 6:00 PM
Where: The Warehouse Live Music & Events, Amityville
Event Link: Sceneless Scene Showcase #111
A musical festival meets art show meets flea market, featuring local Long Island music, vendors, art, crafts, and community energy. Basically, a better use of your evening than arguing with a transit update page.
🧠 Trivia Night
When: Thursday, May 21, 6:30 PM
Where: Amityville Library
Event Link: Trivia Night
Bring your friends and competitive spirit for trivia, drinks, treats, and prizes. Sample question: “What is the fastest way from Babylon to Manhattan during a rail strike?” Answer: “Emotionally? There isn’t one.”
🎶 Limewired Strikes Back at Salt Shack
When: Thursday, May 21, 7:00 PM
Where: Salt Shack, Babylon
Event Link: Limewired Strikes Back
Limewired returns to Salt Shack to help kick off Memorial Day Weekend early. The title says “Strikes Back,” which feels dangerously on-theme this week, but at least this strike comes with live music and ocean air.
📅 See all events for Thursday here.
🎉 Friday, May 22: Memorial Day Weekend Begins, Please Exit the Traffic Spiral
🛍️ Memorial Day Weekend Sidewalk Sales at Tanger Outlets
When: Friday, May 22, 10:00 AM
Where: Tanger Outlets Deer Park
Event Link: Memorial Day Weekend Sidewalk Sales
Kick off the long weekend with major deals at Tanger Outlets. Shop Friday through Monday and score summer styles, gifts, and everyday favorites. After a week of transportation chaos, retail therapy has entered the chat.
🍔 Foodie Fest Memorial Day Weekend at Tanger Outlets Deer Park
When: Friday, May 22, 12:00 PM
Where: Tanger Outlets Deer Park
Event Link: Foodie Fest Memorial Day Weekend
Food trucks, family fun, music, free admission, and outlet shopping all weekend long. Come hungry and pretend “traffic cone orange” is just part of the Memorial Day color palette.
🐾 Mobile Pet Adoption Event
When: Friday, May 22, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Where: Renewal By Andersen of Long Island, Farmingdale
Event Link: Mobile Pet Adoption Event
Find your new best friend at this mobile pet adoption event. Dogs, cats, puppies, kittens — all significantly better at emotional support than a canceled train board.
🍹 Friday Roar’n Pour Happy Hour
When: Friday, May 22, 5:00 PM
Where: Lionz Den, Lindenhurst
Event Link: Friday Roar’n Pour Happy Hour
Kick off Friday night with drinks, bites, dinner, late-night food, and DJ vibes. You survived the week. You survived the traffic. You may now roar responsibly.
🎶 Friday Night Live Music Roundup
Friday night is packed with local music, including:
- MJT with Dysfunktone and Mr. Rooster at The Warehouse
- Mean Machine at Salt Shack
- Vinyl Revival at The Boatyard
- Live Music at Belfast Gastropub
- Sanctified: World Goth Day Celebration at AMH
Whether you want waterfront cover bands, high-energy jams, goth night, or a classic local bar vibe, Friday has options. Choose wisely. Hydrate. And maybe check traffic before you leave, because this is Long Island and the roadways are currently auditioning for a disaster movie.
📅 See all events for Friday here.
🔗 Stay Connected with Babylon’s Best
- 📬 Get Local Events in Your Inbox
- 📅 See the Full Local Events Calendar
- 💼 Support Local Businesses on Babylon Local
- ✅ Submit an Event
- 📣 Promote Your Small Business
- 🗺️ Use Our Interactive Map
- 📧 Missed an Email? See the Archive
🚗 Final Boarding Call, Except There Is No Boarding Because the Train Is Not Coming
This week, the LIRR strike may be throwing commuter life into chaos, but local life around Babylon is still rolling.
Support a fundraiser. Meet local business owners. Take the kids out. See a band. Eat from a food truck. Adopt a pet. Go goth. Buy something on sale. Stare at the ocean. Do literally anything besides refreshing the same transit alert every 11 seconds like it’s going to apologize to you personally.
We’ll keep tracking the local events. You bring the good shoes, the flexible schedule, and maybe an emergency snack for the car.
See you around town,
Ryan Williams
I Love Babylon / Babylon Local
ILoveBabylon.com | BabylonLocal.com
