The 35-year-old water park in Calverton will team up with Little Flower Children and Family Services of New York, which has served children, youth and families with disabilities across New York City and Long Island since 1929.

Giving Tuesday, a global charitable giving day that follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday, falls on Dec. 2 this year.

“Through our partnership with Splish Splash, we can create the summer of a lifetime for each child in our residential and foster care programs,” said Little Flower president and CEO Corinne Hammons.

Splish Splash, which will re-open Saturday, May 23, 2026 with an extra week of operating days, will bring back its popular Neon Nights after-dark event select Fridays and Saturdays in July and August, park officials said. The event debuted last year.

Other highlights include Kids Fest, Father’s Day Flop, Hero Appreciation week, Touch-a-Truck Day and a celebration for America’s 250th anniversary.

Splish Splash is offering Black Friday season pass deals with discounts up to $50 on select passes. Perks include free parking, free admission to Neon Nights, and discounts on food and retail.

The park features more than 30 water slides and attractions, two wave pools, kiddie areas and a lazy river. It added Stingray Bay last season, a water playground with more than 15 features.

Payment plans start at $14 per month.

For more information, visit splishsplash.com.

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Little ones and their families had the opportunity to sit in a fire truck, go inside an ambulance, see the inside of a Cybertruck and learn about local first responders and what they do. The Riverhead Police Department, Riverhead Fire Department, Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance and the U.S. Army were all there to interact and answer questions.

The water park’s mascot, Splish, also made an appearance, checking out the vehicles for himself and taking some pictures.

“It’s more of a learning moment. We try to teach the kids that there’s nothing to be scared about if you have to, God forbid, go into the ambulance,” said Joseph Oliver, vice president of the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance. “And show them that going in the ambulance is not all about getting shots, and nothing to be scared of.”

Kids were able to sit behind the wheel of the Cybertruck and the fire truck, see all the bells and whistles they come with, pretend to drive them to the scene and get photos while doing so.

“It’s nice to go to events like this, where it’s all family-oriented,” said Mr. Oliver. “All of us have kids, so it’s nice to be able to link up like that.”

This year’s “Touch a Truck Day” marked the fifth annual installment, while the water park has been hosting its Hero Appreciation Week for over 20 years. Throughout the entire week, police officers, firefighters, first responders, military members (including active duty, retired and veterans), and doctors and nurses are all eligible for admissions discounts.

The discounted one-day tickets cost $45 for themselves and up to five additional guests, $30 off the standard price. To redeem the discount, those who apply can show their identification at the park’s main gate.

“The reason why Splish Splash has been doing this event is because it’s just a way for us to give back to our local community,” said Danielle Trombetta, Splish Splash’s director of marketing. “It’s also for our guests of all ages to interact with a police officer, someone from the fire department, an EMT or the Army, and it really helps them understand what they do.”

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., people lined up and walked over to check out the vehicles right outside the park’s main gate. They also had the chance to go up to the U.S. Army tent and do some push-ups for some prizes and swag.

“They can speak to our local heroes, and who knows, maybe later on in life, they will become a police officer or join the military,” said Ms. Trombetta. “It’s a win-win for everyone.”

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Coinciding with the week, the park will host its annual “Touch a Truck Day” on Tuesday, Aug. 12, welcoming several Riverhead departments to participate. The Riverhead Police Department, Riverhead Fire Department, Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance and 106 Rescue Wing New York Air National Guard will all be on site. They will offer guests a behind-the-scenes look at what life is like as a first responder.

People will be able to sit in a fire truck, check out a police patrol car, take fun photos, and interact with local heroes to learn more about working in various public safety positions. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

“This week we celebrate heroes who keep our communities safe and strong,” said general manager Mike Bengtson. “Hero Appreciation Week is our way of saying thank you and to give back, see some friendly faces and continue our support for Long Island’s heroes.”

Throughout the entire week, police officers, firefighters, first responders, military members, including active duty, retired and veterans, and doctors and nurses will all be eligible for admissions discounts. The discounted one-day tickets will be $45 for themselves and up to five additional guests, $30 off the standard price. To redeem the discount, those who apply can show their identification at the park’s main gate.

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“In addition to all new music, synchronized songs that guests will experience going through the show include artists like Michael Bublé, Taylor Swift and others. There’s an entirely new tunnel in the show, which is like a twisting tunnel, which is a really cool effect,” Glaser said. “We have multiple music synchronized scenes, there’s well over 200 individual displays in the show and the show is actually longer than it’s ever been. It’s more than a mile, it’s like a mile and a quarter almost at this point, so it’s a really impressive show.”

The show — which is created and produced by BOLD Media — is one of various signature events created by the organization through the Northeast and parts of the Midwest.

Guests will enjoy a 20-25 minute drive through over a mile of synchronized lights and sounds, all the while tuned into the local radio station provided by BOLD for synchronized music to go with the spectacular light display.

“We’ve put in an enormous amount of work. More than half of the show is completely new and unseen, from the year prior,” he said. “It’s really an incredible show and every year we strive to change at least half if not the entire show to be brand new… if you have been in the past, you need to come see what we’ve done this year because it’s not the same — it’s far from it.”

While there are over 20 light shows put on by BOLD Media nationwide, the Riverhead show holds a special place for Glaser. “[It] was actually was founded on the East End, so this is our home turf, and we care a great deal about the show, about our communities,” he said. “This was our first live show, and it continues to be our flagship, so we’re very proud of it. We’re very excited for everyone to come out and see what we’re doing this year.”

The Riverhead Holiday Light Show is located at Splish Splash Water Park in Calverton. Tickets are $20 per car purchased online Monday through Thursday, and $25 Friday through Sunday. There are also Flex passes available for $30, which grant admission any day the light show is open, as well as season passes for $60 for unlimited access throughout the entire season. All can be purchased here. There is also the option to purchase tickets at the gate but “pricing may vary, and availability is not guaranteed,” according to a press release. For more information visit holidaylightshow.com/riverhead.

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The annual drive-through attraction features dozens of large displays synchronized to music broadcast over your car’s FM radio. Attendees can experience the 20-25 minute show until Dec. 31.

This year, there will be new displays throughout the one-mile route and a season pass for folks who enjoy it so much they want to experience the spectacle multiple times.

It’s the second year the popular light show will be held at the water park after it was moved from the Long Island Sports Park on Edwards Avenue in Calverton. 

Tickets are $25 per car and season passes cost $62.50 per car. For more information and a full schedule, visit holidaylightshow.com/riverhead.

Check out some past years’ displays below.

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