When the sun is shining, the stars are out on our East End and everyone wants in. Good news: although many of the Hamptons parties are private, some A-list affairs are for charity and open to the public. You don’t need a personal handler to navigate the scene, but there are some tricks for going it pro. First thing: most of the tickets sell out quickly. If an event is of interest, act fast. Be sure to check the suggested attire (a fancy event doesn’t usually mean black tie). Don’t forget to inquire if dinner will be served—many are just cocktails and light bites. And plan the whole night through. Getting a post-party dinner reservation is close to impossible at the last minute.
Related Content: 12 Places to Go in the Hamptons
JULY 8
SOFO’S SUMMER GALA
377 BRIDGEHAMPTON-SAG HARBOR TURNPIKE, BRIDGEHAMPTON
Walk the gorgeous grounds of The South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center and help raise funds for its educational and environmental programs. Food Network star Alex Guarnaschelli will be guest hosting, promising the food will be on point.
JULY 15
HOPE IN THE HAMPTONS
1143 DEERFIELD ROAD, WATER MILL
It’s a beautiful evening under grand white tents to help kids with cancer. The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s third annual Hamptons fundraiser is once again being hosted by a St. Jude patient-family on their Water Mill farm. With big names like Matt Lauer behind this life-saving mission, expect to see famous faces among the 500 high-profile guests in country chic attire enjoying farm fresh fare on the lavish lawn of this private residence.
JULY 15
BAY STREET THEATER SUMMER GALA
THE LONG WHARF, SAG HARBOR
Theater lovers won’t want to miss Bay Street Theater’s biggest fundraiser. The evening begins with a show (past events brought Alec Baldwin, Jason Alexander and Nathan Lane to the stage). Next, guests enjoy dinner and dancing under a 250-foot long tent snuggled up against the scenic sunset on the Long Wharf. This year, Grey’s Anatomy fans should be excited to see Kelly McCreary mixing and mingling. The small screen star will be performing in Intimate Apparel July 4 thru July 30 at the theater and is expected to show her support at the gala.
JULY 15
ART FOR LIFE
FAIRVIEW FARMS, BRIDGEHAMPTON
When Uncle Rush calls, the A-list answers. There’s always a bevy of bold-faced names and hip-hop heavyweights at the annual Simmons family soirée. Russell and his brothers Danny and Joseph “Rev Run” always entertain with themed attire and powerful performances in the name of raising money and awareness for arts education. Last year, Tyrese and Doug E. Fresh brought down the house. This year’s honoree is Roosevelt-native Chuck D of Public Enemy.
JULY 22
BOOM! THE COSMIC LONGHOUSE SUMMER BENEFIT
133 HANDS CREEK ROAD, EAST HAMPTON
LongHouse Reserve’s annual summer benefit is sure to wow with an evening of arts and entertainment. This year’s honorees include Alexandra Munroe, curator of the Guggenheim’s forthcoming exhibition Art and China After 1989 and Chinese artist Cai Guo-Qiang. Guests (who should dress in white) will enjoy a reception, dinner, auction and a chance to rub elbows with some famous faces. Past attendees have included Martha Stewart, Fred Savage, Yoko Ono and Cindy Sherman as well as LongHouse’s founder Jack Lenor Larsen.
JULY 22
CMEE FAMILY FAIR FUNDRAISER
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF THE EAST END, BRIDGEHAMPTON
It’s fun for the whole family and an entire day of play. Let your little ones run wild at CMEE’s Animals A to Z Family Fair. Explore the museum with the likes of Molly Sims, Jane Krakowski, Tiffani Thiessen and Julie Bowen’s famous families. Enjoy crafts, rides, games and goodies on the grounds.
JULY 29
WATERMILL CENTER SUMMER BENEFIT & AUCTION
39 WATER MILL TOWD ROAD, WATER MILL
Enter another world, one conceived by Watermill Center founder and artistic director Robert Wilson during one of the most anticipated events of the summer. Described as an enchanted forest and performance art extravaganza, the annual Watermill Center Summer Benefit unites the worlds of art, performance, music, theatre, design, architecture and fashion. Guests will enjoy an evening of cocktails, auctions and dinner. Past attendees have included Kim Cattrall, Nicole Miller and Kelly Rutherford who helped raise funds for the Center’s year-round artist residency and educational programs.
JULY 29
NOVA’S ARK PROJECT
OCRFA’S SUPER SATURDAY
WATER MILL
OCRFA’s Super Saturday is a daylong shopping event that brings top luxury name brands in high fashion, accessories, beauty, children’s and home goods at 30-50 percent off retail to guests with a passion for fashion, charity and bargains. Super Saturday is hosted by Kelly Ripa, Donna Karan, Gabby Karan de Felice, Molly Sims and Rachel Zoe, and presented by QVC. This is bargain hunting at its best! Hot tip: there are no dressing rooms, wear a swimsuit under your clothes to try on potential purchases.
AUGUST 5
PADDLE & PARTY FOR PINK
HAVENS BEACH, SAG HARBOR
Start your morning with a paddle race alongside celebs such as power paddle couple Gabrielle Reece and Laird Hamilton, Tracy Anderson and Lena Dunham. Then don your finest pink (any shade goes) and party with a purpose as the sun sets. Last year, longtime supporter Gwyneth Paltrow hosted and brought out some big names.
AUGUST 12
EAST HAMPTON LIBRARY’S AUTHORS NIGHT
4 MAIDSTONE LANE, EAST HAMPTON VILLAGE
Literary lovers can meet and greet more than 100 distinguished authors at the East Hampton Library benefit. At this year’s signing session, Alec Baldwin and wife Hilaria will be autographing their bestsellers side-by-side. Books do sell out, find your favorite author and line up early before making the rounds (they sit alphabetically). Join the VIP book club by buying a seat at a post-event dinner with your favorite author at a private Hamptons home. Find out more about the event on lipulse.com.
AUGUST 27 – SEPTEMBER 3
THE HAMPTON CLASSIC
240 SNAKE HOLLOW ROAD, BRIDGEHAMPTON
Saddle up! The Hampton Classic horse show brings some of the world’s best equestrians to our East End and the show grounds buzz with bold-faced names. Spectators can often spot stars in the stands at weekday events or dressed in their derby best at the Grand Prix. If you can score a seat at one of the sponsored tables in the Grand Prix VIP tent, you can toast to the unofficial end of the summer social season with the likes of Jon Bon Jovi, Jennifer Lopez, Mary Kate Olsen, Beth Stern and Sofia Vergara.
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