We made it South Forkers, another eventful year in the books! As we prepare for Christmas and Hanukkah next week, be sure to take this weekend to get those last-minute gifts, confirm those dinner plans (maybe at a fabulous Hamptons restaurant near you) and keep making the season bright for you and your loved ones with some of this weekend’s event lineup.
If you’re not celebrating, it’s no biggie, as we’ve got a couple of stellar activities sure to keep you well entertained while the Christmastime chaos ensues. No matter what you end up doing, remember you’re never too important be nice to people. We’re all a part of this human experience and while these are some pretty wild, unprecedented times, we’re in this together. Don’t forget that. Benjamin Franklin said, “be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man.” Happy Holidays, South Forkers. And 2025…bring it on!
Have a tip top celebration with Santa, ugly sweaters and special chef’s dinner
Join in for what will surely be a magical afternoon today in Sag Harbor as Santa pays a visit to Sen (23 Main St.). All are welcome to visit with Old Saint Nick, while enjoying festive fun, food and good cheer. Santa will be at Sen from 4 to 6 p.m. $20 admission (which includes something to munch on and a little present). Later, just down the street, K Pasa (2 Main St.) in Sag Harbor hosts its annual Ugly Sweater Party beginning at 9 p.m. There’ll be prizes, music, bites and cocktail specials. On Sunday, Dec. 22, head to K Pasa’s sister operation in East Hampton, Kumiso (37 Newtown Lane, down the alley from Breezin’ Up), for a six-course chef’s dinner. Options are slated to include sweet potato tempura, gyoza, crispy sushi sandwich, miso black cod and bread pudding for dessert. $60 per person and will run from 5 to 9 p.m. Make your resy here.
Caviar, chips and cold martinis in Sagaponack
A complimentary Caviar Happy Hour is at Sagaponack Farm Distillery (369 Sagg Road) tomorrow, Dec. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. A handful of selected caviars from Hampton Caviar Co. will be paired with Sagaponack Tiger Spud potato chips (the superior vessel; bye bye blinis!) while martinis made with the distillery’s spirits will be flowing. Caviar set to featured include California sturgeon, Siberian sturgeon and Golden Ossetra. Tins will be available for purchase and DJ Carlos Lama will be providing the tunes. On Saturday, Dec. 21, the distillery will host a holiday market from 3 to 7 p.m. featuring items crafted by local makers and artisans.
Festive fun-raising and plenty of tunes at The Talkhouse
Amagansett’s Stephen Talkhouse (161 Main St.) hosts a Christmas party tonight beginning at 6 p.m. The soiree will include a fundraiser from the East Hampton Community Council to raise toys, clothing, jackets and more for local families of children in need. Party is free to enter. Tomorrow, Friday Night Traditional ($30 cover) and Rum Punch Mafia ($10 cover) perform at 8 p.m. and 10 p.m., respectively. Lola Lama and The Cherry Bombs ($25 cover) perform this Saturday starting at 8 p.m. while Little Head Thinks ($15 cover) takes the stage at 10 p.m.
Take in British theater at Guild Hall
A screening of National Theater Live’s production of Present Laughter is at Guild Hall (158 Main St.) in East Hampton tomorrow beginning at 7 p.m. The award-winning comedy (filmed live from The Old Vic in London back in 2019) is a provocative and modern exploration of fame, desire and loneliness. Tickets are $20 plus fees.
Have a jolly, jubilant Xmas on Shelter Island
A Christmas Jubilee is at the Ram’s Head Inn (108 Ram Island Drive) on Shelter Island this Saturday. Afternoon activities will include sitting with Santa from noon to 2:30 p.m., holiday caricatures from 2 to 4 p.m., live holiday music from 2:30 to 8:30 p.m., a reading of children’s book The Lucky Blue Moose, cocktail class at 3 p.m. ($60 per person, make reservations here), a showcase of works from local artists and a day-long pop-up shop perfect for finding those last-minute Christmas gifts.
Support locals in need with LTV
LTV Studios (75 Industrial Road) in Wainscott will host a Community Cookie Exchange on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. Guests will not only be able to enjoy cookies, but also music, crafts and raffles with all proceeds going toward LTV’s new roof and the South Fork performing Arts Education Fund. Bring a nonperishable food items for LTV’s Little Free Food Pantry in exchange for cookies from local sponsors to take home for the holidays. Tickets are $10.
Sip, see Santa and savor at Wölffer
On Sunday, Dec. 22, the tasting room at Wölffer Estate Vineyard (139 Sagg Road) in Sagaponack hosts “Winter at the Winery” from 1 to 4 p.m. All are welcome to come see Santa while enjoying the terrace bar, live music, holiday market, and a chance to cozy up to fire pits on the lawn. Wölffer’s wines and selection of small bites and charcuterie platters will be available for noshing. Free to enter, but you can save your seats here.
Craft, talk books and more at Montauk Library
This afternoon Montauk Library (871 Montauk Highway) hosts “Book ‘Tauk” with Carolyn at 4 p.m. The book in question: If on a winter’s night a traveler, a postmodernist narrative told in the form of a frame story, by Italo Calvino and translated into English by William Weaver. Audio book and e-book editions are available at www.livebrary.com. Tomorrow, there’s gentle chair yoga at 1 p.m., a photo ornament “crafternoon” event at 3 p.m. and a screening Scrooge, a musical retelling of the Dickens’ classic, at 5 p.m.
Get your gifts wrapped in Southampton
“Wrap It Up for Autisum,” an annual fundraising gift wrapping event is at Southampton Publick House (Jobs Lane) this Saturdaynight from l 5 to p.m. Presented by Flying Point Foundation for Autism, the event features attendees bringing in their gifts and getting them wrapped, while enjoying a complimentary glass of wine or beer and donating whatever amount they can.
Stargaze with SOFO
All are welcome to join in for an evening of exploration of the night sky with Bridgehampton’s South Fork Natural History Museum (377 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike) tomorrow night. In celebration of the winter solstice, an in-person lecture, “Winter Stargazing: A Journey Through the Night Sky,” will be at 6:30 p.m. Learn about the year’s longest night through iconic constellations Orion and the twins of Gemini along with their mythology and significance. Weather-permitting, there will be a stargazing session following the lecture. Feel free to bring your own telescope (you know, if you have one laying around). Otherwise, learn how to identify them the old-fashioned way, led by William Francis Taylor, Hamptons Observatory Senior Educator. Free for adults and children ages 10 and up. Sign up here.
