Memorial Day to Labor Day
The Hamptons summer season is Memorial Day to Labor Day. After the U.S. Open golf at Shinnecock Hills (June 15-21) and the Montauk Blessing of the Fleet (June 14), July remains the peak, with the Parrish Midsummer Gala, and a two-weekend Polo Hamptons in Bridgehampton (July 18 and 25). August ends with the Hampton Classic Horse Show (August 23-30).
By the end of May, the invitations start arriving, and if you go to the right events, you’re building a community that opens doors. The wrong ones are both a waste of money and a bad use of the precious resource of summer Saturday night. But the galas can also be expensive; thousands per person is not unusual.
Over Memorial Day weekend, locals dread the clogging of Route 27. This is the time to make an appearance at the Ross School Gala. It’s an education benefit that typically raises over $1.5 million and is good for networking. If this sounds too serious, the Kites for Kids event at East Hampton Main Beach the same weekend is the exact opposite: kids, kite kits, and not a black tie in sight.
June means the U.S. Open golf at Shinnecock Hills (June 15-21), and Montauk does its Blessing of the Fleet on June 14. In Sagaponack, Madoo holds a garden market, which is free; the cocktail party is $350. Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation has a regular calendar of events, and these are often family-friendly; their gala is in July at a private estate. There are private polo matches at Southampton Polo Club, which is invitation or membership only. Typically, you mingle during drinks and between chukkers.
In July, no party agenda would be complete without the Parrish Midsummer Gala on July 18 in Water Mill, where dinner is $2,000 and the party-only option $200. The Parrish gala is a seated dinner followed by live music, dancing, live and silent art auctions, and an after-party that runs until midnight. Two weekends that month, Bridgehampton will host Polo Hamptons, with open bars and only 900 tickets per match. These won’t be sold at the event.
And so to the rest of July, which starts with the Fourth of July parade in Southampton Village. The parade itself starts at 10 in the morning, and yes, there are fireworks. July 9-12, Southampton will host the Hamptons Fine Art Fair. It’s an opportunity for artists, dealers, and collectors to mingle. July 24-25, Watermill Center hosts a Summer Festival. If this isn’t your demographic, the Ellen Hermanson gala, which supports breast cancer services, is $700, $400 under 30 if you register early. Other July events include Dan’s Taste Chefs of the Hamptons at East Hampton Point Resort: VIP tickets from 6, general admission 7 to 9 PM. There’s also a Red, White and Brews event for Independence Day. And the Hamptons Jewelry show at Southampton Fairgrounds, with over 80 brands.
August starts with the Guild Hall Summer Gala, at $2,500 ($500 cocktails, $250 after-party). August 8, the East Hampton Library Authors Night happens in Herrick Park. At $150 a ticket, it’s one of the best deals of the year, plus you’ll actually find some people to talk to. August 15, East Hampton hosts the Artists & Writers Softball Game, starting at 2 p.m. The ARF Bow Wow Meow Ball in Wainscott is $1,500 for dinner and dancing, and it’s never a good idea to dress better than your dog. Southampton Arts Center Summerfest features Broadway performers, and tickets are $1,250. Other August events include the Perlman Music Program, which starts at $500 for cocktails and $1,250 for dinner. Bridgehampton Chamber Music runs a ‘Metamorphosis’ concert at Atlantic Golf Club; tickets are $1,500. If you don’t have the full price for the Guild Hall gala, Guild Hall also runs the Clothesline Art Sale in July, which is a good way in.
The Hamptons season traditionally ends with the Hampton Classic Horse Show in Bridgehampton, which runs for eight days, August 23-30. There are over 200 classes and six rings, and general admission is charged per car, at $25, with Monday admission free. The finale is the $400,000 Longines Grand Prix on the final Sunday, with grandstand seating at $55. Saturday is Kids Day with pony rides. The Judge’s Box Lounge seat is $600 on Sunday.
After Labor Day
It keeps going after Labor Day. The 80th Shinnecock Powwow runs Labor Day weekend, Sept 4-7, in Southampton. October means the Hamptons International Film Festival, and film tickets are just $20 to $45. Screenings are at Sag Harbor Cinema, Guild Hall and Southampton Playhouse. October also sees the LVIS Landmarks Luncheon at the Maidstone Club in East Hampton. In East Hampton, the ARF Stroll to the Sea dog walk typically happens in October. The walk is pretty informal. Between galas, the Parrish, Guild Hall’s John Drew Theater and LongHouse Reserve are open year-round.
Pick Your Goal
Of course, you cannot attend everything. Pick your goal, and your events based on that goal. For business contacts, the Ross School Gala and the Watermill benefit are sure bets; Polo Hamptons gets you a big crowd in one place. If you’re in it for the art, the Parrish, Guild Hall and the film festival are must-dos. With kids, the animal shelter events (and the Hampton Classic and ARF) are easiest. On a budget, the Classic has general admission, museum memberships are good value, and the film festival charges just $20 for regular films.
When it comes to charity, a few events done well is better than many. Choose causes you care about, remember to follow up with any good contacts you meet within 48 hours, and above all, go back to the same events every year. There’s no substitute for time.
