I've come across so many misinformed articles and miscaptioned photos that make you think the Wonder Wheel, the sideshow and everything else closed forever on Sept 7, 2008. We are devastated by the loss of Astroland but Coney Island will indeed be open for business in 2009. Please visit!

Coney Island attractions that will *definitely* be open in 2009:

CIUSA tourism page on this website has basic tourism information & FAQs  
http://www.coneyisland.com/tourism.shtml

There's also a link to the CIDC's Coney Island Fun guide (http://coneyislandfunguide.com/).  The newly relaunched Fun Guide provides info about Coney Island's events, attractions, restaurants, and shops previously available only through various sites.

CONEY ISLAND SUMMER 2009 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS:

April 5 - September 27 – Coney Island Circus Sideshow at Surf Avenue & West 12th Street Established by Coney Island USA in 1985, Sideshow by the Seashore is the last place in the USA where you can experience the thrill of a traditional ten-in-one circus sideshow. Both the inside and the outside of the historic 1917 building are decorated in canvas sideshow banners painted by Marie Roberts or Valerie Haller.

May 8 - September 25  – Burlesque at the Beach at Sideshows By The Seashore, Surf Ave. and West 12th st. Thursday and Friday Nights, The Great Fredini and Bambi The Mermaid present a revival of the most glorious and notorious of the "girlie revues" in Coney Island history. The sumptuous decor, fabulous bubble machine and swell girls make burlesque one of Coney's hottest attractions!


May 16 - September 19  – Coney Island Film Society at the Coney Island Museum 1208 Surf Ave presents “Summer of Horror” Saturday Evenings at 8:30pm. Some of the scariest and spookiest films from the 1920’s to the modern era! Free popcorn with each paid admission!


May 21 – Coney Island Beach and Boardwalk Opening
More than 100 acres of beachfront and more than two miles of boardwalk. Celebrate the opening on Memorial Day Weekend with the annual beach opening ceremony on the Boardwalk.

May 23-Sept.7,  The Coney Island History Project's free exhibition center on Surf Ave. under the Cyclone Roller Coaster is open Sat. & Sun, 1pm-6pm.  A new exhibition "Coney Island Icons" will feature artifacts and documentary material about the Cyclone, Wonder Wheel, Parachute Jump and Childs Building.

May 31 – August 30  – Ask The Experts Lecture Series, Sundays at 4pm at the Coney Island Museum 1208 Surf Ave. Guest lecturers discuss topics related to Coney Island.


June 17 - August 30 – Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey’s “Coney Island Boom-A-Ring” at Surf Ave and West 21st Street

June 19 - Sept 4 – Evening Fireworks
Every Friday night during the season at 9:30pm, a brilliant fireworks display will light up the Coney Island sky, offering spectator views all along the beach and boardwalk.

June 19 - September 6 – The Brooklyn Cyclones at Keyspan Park
Brooklyn's single-A baseball team, the Brooklyn Cyclones have been proudly representing the borough since June 2001. Enjoy one of the many family-friendly home games this summer, while taking in breathtaking views of the ocean from your seats in this beachfront stadium.  Opening night is Friday, June 19th at 7:00pm.

June 20 – The 27th Annual Mermaid Parade at Surf Avenue between West 10th and 15th Streets and along the Boardwalk
Hosted by Coney Island USA and a Coney Island tradition since 1983, the Mermaid Parade is the nation’s largest art parade down historic Surf Avenue. Don’t miss the biggest mermaid (and mermen) convention of the year.

June 25 – Annual Sand Sculpting Contest and Unity Day
Professionals and amateurs alike compete to create towering edifices and sculptures out of Coney Island’s sandy beach.  A full day of community events, sponsored by Astella Development Corporation, accompanies the competition.

Thursdays, July 2 – August 27 – 31st Annual Seaside Summer Concert Series at Asser Levy/Seaside Park (West 5th Avenue and Surf Avenue)
On Thursday nights, Borough President Marty Markowitz will play host to the live performances with top-name artists in classic rock, pop, oldies, contemporary and Latin music. This long-celebrated series has entertained hundreds of thousands of residents for more than 30 years, making it the longest-running free Concert Series in the New York Metropolitan area.

July 4 – Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest at the corner of Surf Avenue and Stillwell
On July 4, champion athletes from the International League of Competitive Eating compete for the top honor of the Mustard Belt at Nathan’s Annual International Hot Dog Eating Contest, broadcast live on ESPN.  Come see American competitor Joey Chestnut defend his title.

July 3-5 – AVP Crocs Tour Coney Island Open
Back for their fourth year in Coney Island is the AVP Crocs Tour Coney Island Open.  With live television coverage at the elaborate on-beach stadium, the AVP Crocs Series Brooklyn Open brings Olympic athletes to Coney’s sandy beach and is fast becoming an annual tradition.

July 18 – 9th Annual Siren Festival
In its ninth year, the Siren Festival, sponsored by the Village Voice, brings top acts in the indie-rock circuit to two stages in Coney Island’s amusement district, free to the public.

October 2- 4th – 9th Annual Coney Island Film Festival
at Sideshows By The Seashore and The Coney Island Museum. Film screenings from today’s up and coming filmmakers to seasoned veterans. Special “Coney Island Films” screening and the traditional “Warriors” Screening, Saturday at 10:30pm.