This weekend marks the official start of the summer season — a time of year we all wait for, whether we’re visitors or residents of the East End. Summer is a very special time in the Hamptons, as all businesses, organizations and institutions gear up to provide top-notch entertainment, engagement, dining, outdoor activities and all-around fun. We’ve got a hefty happenings itinerary for you to peruse and enjoy below, and while summer is surely a time of year where the hustle and bustle is most prominent around the Hamptons, we urge you to resist falling into the trap.
Whether you’ve lived here your whole life or are just visiting for a couple days this weekend, please remember we are all in this together, so we might as well make it as pleasant as possible. If you’ve been drinking, don’t drive. If you’re dining out, tip the staff accordingly. If you’re waiting in line, have patience. If you have a picnic on the beach, clean up after yourself. Remember what the great Jerry Seinfeld said:
“They’ll fight the traffic and the heat and the parking… and the ironic thing is, the ocean doesn’t even really want us in there!”
Oh, and if you’re swimming in the ocean, never turn your back on it. Happy Summer, everybody. If you’re visiting, enjoy yourselves and stay safe. If you’re from here, only 81 days until Labor Day, and then it’s all ours.
Left: Caro Dranow, American Thighs, 2024, oil on canvas, 30 x 48 in (Photo credit: Caro Dranow); Francine Fleischer, The Water In Between 8229, archival pigment print mounted on dibond, 13 x 19 in (Photo credit: Francine Fleischer)
Make a splash at WACH
“Splash” is the latest exhibition being put on by the Women’s Art Center of the Hamptons in Bridgehampton (2418 Main St., 631-899-4253) with an opening reception set for this Friday, June 19, from 5 to 7 p.m. Featuring works by Angel Dean, Caro Dranow, Francine Fleischer, Jennifer Hannaford and Marcie Honerkamp, “Splash” explores themes of self-expression, joy, belonging and the freedom that comes from feeling at home in one’s own skin, all while celebrating individuality, connection and the simple pleasures of life.
Join in for a Juneteenth Jubilee
Eastville Community Historical Society presents “Juneteenth Jubilee,” with the third annual White Party and Awards Ceremony at LTV Studios (75 Industrial Road, Wainscott, 631-537-2777) this Friday beginning at 6 p.m. Sure to be a night of good food and festivities, the theme of the evening is conveying community through culture while commemorating the unfinished revolution. There’ll be live music food from Chara’s Kitchen and Catering, and words from keynote speaker and former state assemblyman Fred Thiele, Dr. Georgette Grier-Key and other community honorees. Attendees are encouraged to wear their finest white attire. Tickets are $75 in advance, $80 at the door and are available at eastvillehistorical.org/donate. (For more Juneteenth action across the Hamptons, click here.)
Consider becoming a member of EH historical society
The East Hampton Historical Society has announced the annual membership party will be held at the home of a renowned designer overlooking Gardiner’s Bay on Saturday, June 20, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The event will be led by Executive Director Steve Long as he shares the historical society’s accomplishments over the past year and exciting things to come in 2026 including the restoration of Mulford Farm, renovations at the Marine Museum and events around the semi-quincentennial. Tickets to the membership party include membership for the year to the East Hampton Historical Society and are $200 or $500 for a family membership. Tickets may be purchased here.
Peruse through the Arts & Crafts Fair in Sag Harbor
An annual spring-into-summer tradition, the Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce hosts its Arts & Crafts Fair at Marine Park on Bay Street beginning Friday, June 19 and continuing through Sunday, June 21. Featuring well over 50 vendors, artists and makers showcasing their wares, from jewelry to paintings to high-quality, hand-crafted textiles. Will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Take in the Southforker Taste of Westhampton Beach
Southforker’s 4th annual Taste of Westhampton Beach is set for this Saturday, June 20, from 7 to 10 p.m. — sure to be the culinary celebration of the season — on the Great Lawn in downtown Westhampton Beach, on the corner of Main Street and Potunk Lane. Under the giant tent, attendees will find unlimited samplings from some of the East End’s finest purveyors of food and drink along with plenty of opportunities for dancing, mixing and mingling! As is tradition, plenty of toe-tappin’, shoulder-swayin’ live tunes provided by funk master band In the Groove. Tickets for the event start at $135 for general admission. This is a 21+ all-inclusive event.
Hear some classic tunes on Shelter Island
Shelter Island friends of Music hosts a performance from the Ulysses String Quartet on Sunday, June 21, at 6 p.m. Praised for offering sophisticated and imaginative renditions of some of the most beloved songs in classical music, the quartet was founded in 2015 and holds international clout, with members hailing from Canada, the United States and Taiwan. Concert is free of charge, but donations are always welcome. Concert will be held at the Shelter Island Presbyterian Church located at 32 N. Ferry Road.
Find out about the American landscape at The Church
“This Land: Considering the American Landscape” is on view at The Church in Sag Harbor (48 Madison St., 631-919-5342) starting this Sunday, June 21. Curated by Donna De Salvo and Seph Rodney, the exhibition is a representation of the artist’s response to the question, “What is the American landscape?”, timed to reflect this year of our nation’s 250th anniversary. There are nearly two dozen artists slated to participate, including Jeremy Dennis, Christina Fernandez, April Gornik, Richard Mayhew, Charles Henry Miller, Kent Monkman, Mary Nimmo Moran, Thomas Moran, as well as selections from Dan Flavin’s collection of Hudson River School paintings and works on paper, and a contribution from the Center for Land Use Interpretation. The exhibition will be up through September 6, open from Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free to visit.
Stir the pot, sing with Shaiman at Guild Hall
“Stirring the Pot” is at Guild Hall (158 Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-0806) this Sunday, June 21, celebrating 15 years of Florence Fabricant in conversation with culinary celebrities. Sunday’s talk features Padma Lakshmi, whose many accolades include an Emmy-nomination, former face of “Top Chef,” current host of “America’s Culinary Cup,” and NY Times best-selling author. Padma will be joining Flo Fab to discuss her 2025 book “Parma’s All American — Tales, Travels and Recipes from Taste the Nation and Beyond: A Cookbook,” which showcases seven years of her travels, tastings and observations. Runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $51 per person. Also on Sunday, at Guild Hall, it’s Marc Shaiman, the Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award-winning composer and lyricist, celebrating his New York Times bestselling memoir, “Never Mind the Happy: Showbiz Stories from a Sore Winner.” Shaiman is known for his acclaimed work across Broadway, film, and tv — including “Hairspray,” “Mary Poppins Returns,” and numerous other productions — and will be reflecting on his remarkable five-decade career. Starts at 7 p.m. and tickets are $65.
