LONGHOUSE Reserve Summer Benefit
The LongHouse Reserve Summer Benefit offers an enchanting evening where art, nature, and community come together. Guests wander the gardens at golden hour with cocktails and live music, followed by an art auction featuring works by global and emerging artists, and a live auction of exclusive experiences. The night continues with dinner, dessert, and dancing under the stars, honoring Sean Scully and Bruce Horten for their lasting contributions to the arts. June 27
Whimsy: Latin Jazz Dance Party (Southampton Arts Center Benefit)
Kick off the Hamptons summer season with rhythm, movement, and purpose at this spirited early-evening benefit for the Southampton Arts Center. Blending live Latin jazz with an open-air dance floor, the event invites guests to ease into the season with energy and style. This year’s celebration honors Lana Jokel with the Community Leader Award, recognizing her contributions to fostering arts and community on the East End. June 27
God’s Love We Deliver Midsummer Night Drinks
A sun-drenched highlight of the Hamptons social calendar, the 25th Annual Midsummer Night Drinks returns to East Hampton for an afternoon of effortless glamour and purpose. Hosted by Culinary Council member David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris at their private residence, the gathering blends chic poolside lounging with cocktails, seasonal bites, and playful surprises. All in support of God’s Love We Deliver, the event channels its signature mix of style and substance into meaningful impact—making it one of the most coveted daytime invitations of the season. July 11 | 5 PM – 8 PM
Parrish Art Museum Midsummer Gala & Afterglow
The crown jewel of the Hamptons social calendar, the Parrish Midsummer Gala remains the season’s most photographed—and most anticipated—night. The evening unfolds in two distinct acts: an elegant seated dinner set against the museum’s striking architecture, followed by the Afterglow, where the energy shifts and a younger, fashion-forward crowd takes to the dance floor. This year, the gala honors philanthropist Ellen Katz, alongside artists Enoc Perez, Joan Semmel, and Hiroshi Sugimoto, with a special in memoriam tribute to Pat Steir. With a legacy of influential chairs and blue-chip sponsors, the event continues to draw artists, collectors, and cultural power players for a night that seamlessly blends philanthropy with spectacle. Saturday, July 18
Watermill Center Summer Benefit
The Watermill Center’s Annual Summer Festival—LIMITLESS TIME, presented by Van Cleef & Arpels—celebrates art and experimentation in support of the organization’s year-round programming, including its artist residency, education, and public initiatives. The evening transforms the Center’s expansive grounds into an immersive, living work of art, where a curated roster of groundbreaking international artists present installations and performances throughout the property. Guests move through this surreal landscape of creative expression before transitioning into dinner and a late-night celebration. It’s where the avant-garde meets the A-list. July 24–25
Hetrick-Martin Institute School’s Out Benefit
The Hamptons’ iconic summer fundraiser returns as HMI’s School’s Out Benefit heads to Water Mill for an evening that celebrates LGBTQIA+ youth while delivering one of the season’s most spirited gatherings. Hosted by The Browns—Marcus, Christopher, and Richie—and chaired by Ben Dixon, Bryan Ludwig, and Tonia Steck, the event brings together a vibrant mix of community, culture, and philanthropy. The signature “Best of the Hamptons” dinner showcases standout dishes from beloved East End restaurants, followed by cocktails, music, and a dance floor that rarely slows. Equal parts celebration and statement, it remains one of the rare events where impact and atmosphere carry equal weight. July 25
Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Summer Party
The 68th Annual Summer Party returns as one of the Hamptons’ most anticipated—and enduring—traditions. Set beneath a beautifully adorned tent, the evening unfolds with an air of celebration, elegance, and community spirit. Known as one of the season’s most anticipated nights, the event delivers both spectacle and substance. From inventive culinary experiences to a fast-paced auction and a packed dance floor, the celebration carries on with effortless energy. Bringing together friends, neighbors, and longtime supporters, the evening supports Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and the East Hampton Emergency Department—critical resources for the East End community. Widely considered a can’t-miss night of the season, it blends high-energy festivity with meaningful impact, delivering an unforgettable experience year after year. August 1
Southampton Race of Hope
The 2026 Race of Hope invites the Hamptons community to come together for a meaningful morning in support of mental health awareness and research. Held in Southampton, this annual run/walk to defeat depression brings participants together in a powerful show of unity and purpose. From seasoned runners to families and first-time walkers, participants join the excitement on race day while contributing to a vital cause—100% of fundraising efforts support urgent depression research. Organized by the Hope for Depression Research Foundation, the Race of Hope is a reminder that even amid the height of the summer season, community and impact remain at the heart of the Hamptons. August 2
Guild Hall Summer Gala
Guild Hall’s Summer Gala brings together patrons and artists for an evening of art, dining, and celebration set across the museum and its gardens. The night begins with cocktails and an exhibition preview, followed by dinner and dancing, all set against the backdrop of Ross Bleckner: Never The Less and Eric Freeman: The Volume of Color. Live entertainment and a festive, elegant atmosphere carry the evening from sunset into night. This year’s gala honors Andrea Grover, commemorating her 10th anniversary as Executive Director of Guild Hall—celebrating a decade of leadership and lasting impact on the East End’s cultural landscape. August 7
East Hampton Library Authors Night
One of the most anticipated—and celebrity-studded—events of the Hamptons summer calendar, the 22nd Annual Authors Night returns as a celebration of literature at its highest level. Featuring over 100 authors across genres, the evening has earned its reputation as the “Premier Literary Event of the Hamptons” and one of the largest gatherings of its kind in the country. The night begins with the Authors Reception under a grand tent, where guests enjoy hors d’oeuvres and wine while mingling with acclaimed writers, purchasing books, and having them personally inscribed. Following the reception, the evening continues with intimate dinner parties hosted at private homes, where select guests dine alongside featured authors—extending the conversation well into the night. August 8
Southampton Arts Center SummerFest
Closing the season with energy and intention, Southampton Arts Center’s SummerFest blends culinary artistry, live performance, and contemporary exhibitions into one dynamic evening. Guests move fluidly between experiences—sampling, viewing, and celebrating—while mingling with artists and members of the cultural community. All the while, the event supports one of the East End’s most vital cultural institutions, making it as meaningful as it is memorable. This year, the evening honors John Paulson with the 2026 Champion of the Arts Award, recognizing his exceptional contributions. Your support plays a vital role in sustaining the East End’s vibrant arts community—making this not just a celebration, but an investment in its future. August 22
Hampton Classic Horse Show
The perfect end to the perfect summer. The Hampton Classic Horse Show returns as one of the most iconic—and enduring—traditions of the Hamptons season. For over a week, the East End transforms into an elegant equestrian stage, where world-class riders, pristine showgrounds, and a distinctly polished social scene converge. From high-stakes competition in the Grand Prix ring to leisurely afternoons spent ringside, the event offers a unique blend of sport and spectacle. Beyond the arena, luxury boutiques, gourmet offerings, and social gatherings create a
vibrant atmosphere that draws both the equestrian elite and the Hamptons’ most stylish set. Effortlessly bridging heritage and high society, the Hampton Classic remains a defining close to the summer calendar—where tradition, competition, and social ritual meet in perfect stride. August 23–30
Eric Viner
