It’s Hamptons season, baby! And you know what that means…fighting for seats on the 3:58pm Cannonball, overpaying for Jitney rides, or sitting through three hours of LIE traffic, all for a weekend’s escape from the concrete jungle. But isn’t it worth it when you spend the day baking on the beach and the night at some of the hottest parties of the year? Whether you’re a long-time local, are rocking a share house, or are just out crashing on your brother's best friend's uncle's couch for the weekend, here’s our comprehensive guide to all the summer’s events worth the trek.

Girls Day Out
Okay, okay, shameless plug, but we wouldn’t mention it if it wasn’t going to be awesome, honest! Head to the Southampton Historical Museum where Shecky’s will be showcasing unique designers, serving up delectable summer cocktails and of course, giving out our famous Goodie Bags (they’re worth the Jitney ride, trust us). If you really want to make a day of it, sign up for our Hamptons Wine Getaway, for a tour of the North Fork’s vineyards followed by a catered lunch and finally an afternoon of shopping!
$30, 1pm-6pm, Southampton Historical Museum (Southampton), sheckys.com

Second Annual Ferrari Hamptons Rally
Driving around in a fancy car revving your engine could be thought of as obnoxious…unless you’re the one doing the driving. Score an invite to the Second Annual Ferrari Hamptons Rally and enjoy an intimate brunch before cruising past all the best sites the area has to offer. Later, you’ll park at Georgica Restaurant & Lounge for a late afternoon fête complete with hors d’oeuvres, specialty cocktails, and plenty of conversations about horse power.
Invite only, 12pm-6pm, Georgica Restaurant & Lounge (East Hampton), ferrarihamptonsrally.com

Oceana Splash Party
Whether you’re a trendsetter or a laid-back local, there’s one thing all Hamptonites can agree on…the beach. So why not join together for Oceana’s inaugural “Splash” party, to celebrate ocean conservation, certainly a timely topic. Guests will head to the Water Mill home of Lois Robbins and Andrew Zaro to enjoy a cocktail reception, buffet dinner, live auction, and an exclusive solo acoustic performance by Jackson Browne.
$500+, 7pm, Watermill estate (Watermill), 917.399.4552, oceanasplashparty.org

The Great Bonac Fireworks Show
No we didn’t forget to fact check…one of the best fireworks shows on Long Island doesn’t take place on the 4th (a small courtesy to those of us stuck out of town for the holiday). The fireworks will be staged by the Gruccis (who else?) so find a stomping ground along Three Mile Harbor (may we suggest The Boathouse?) and enjoy the incredible show.
Free, 9pm, Three Mile Harbor (East Hampton), bonacfireworks.org

 

Box Art Auction
With the tagline “great art for a great cause,” East End Hospice’s 10th Annual Box Art Auction is pretty self-explanatory. Renowned psychic Monte Farber will host the live auction featuring nearly 80 participating artists and their work, all to benefit Eastern Long Island’s best home health care services. So whether you come for the art, the inevitable socialite run-in, or the chance to see someone from the psychic circle up close and personal, you won’t be disappointed.
$60, 4:30pm, The Ross School (East Hampton), eeh.org

The Mercedes Benz Polo Challenge
If you’re wondering just how swanky the Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge is, put it this way…there’s even a VIP tent within the VIP tent. Head to the Bridgehampton Polo Club Saturdays July 24-August 28 to catch all the action…and we’re not talking on the pitch. Celebrities, socialites and the Hamptons elite all forgo prime field-side seating to be spoiled by sponsors like Blue Star Jets, Ralph Lauren, Vita Coco, PopChips, and more. Don’t have a friend of a friend with a share house who’s invited? No matter, for a more authentic viewing experience, fork up the $20 for parking (donated to charity), and BYOB to the rafters on the opposite end of the field.
VIP tent-invite only, G.A. $20, The Bridgehampton Polo Club (Bridgehampton), bhpolo.com

The 17th Annual Watermill Summer Benefit
Heaven on earth doesn’t come cheap, so it’s not surprising that tickets to the Paradiso-themed Watermill Summer Benefit start at $500, or that the likes of Alec Baldwin, Harvey Keitel and Rufus Wainwright have already confirmed their attendance. Always one of the most lavish events on Long Island, the benefit boasts a live and silent auction, art installations and performances from residents representing 20 different countries, cocktails, dinner and dancing. All that merriment all for a good cause…now that’s what we call divine.
$500+, 6pm, The Watermill Center (Watermill), watermillcenter.org

Art for Life Benefit
The only event in the Hamptons where they designate your wardrobe down to your accessories (summer white with a splash of fuchsia, blue, purple, yellow or orange), the guests at The Art for Life Gala are as creative as the kids the benefit supports! Hosted by Russell Simmons at his East Hampton estate, this garden party features cocktails, live and silent auctions, dinner, dancing and of course, surprise celebrity guests, so get your tickets today.
$10,000 (for a table of 10), East Hampton Estate (East Hampton), rushphilanthropic.org

Super Saturday 13
You can hear it coming from miles a way…it’s a bird…it’s a plane…nope, it’s Super Saturday and the stampede of credit card-wielding Hamptonites that come along with it. That's right, on July 31, the Hamptons will be invaded by some of the world's best designers and hundreds of bargain hunters for the 13th Annual Super Saturday, benefiting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. Ticket holders will gather at Nova's Ark Project in Water Mill to experience what's been dubbed the "Rolls Royce of Garage Sales," an event dedicated to shopping, snacking...and saving lives.
$450+, 12pm VIP, 1pm G.A., Nova's Ark Project (Watermill), ocrf.org

ARF Beach Ball
What’s not to love about running on the beach, diving into some delicious eats, being admired by the crowd…and that’s just what’s in store for the animals at the ARF Beach Ball. For you two-leggers out there, the Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club will turn into an island oasis, complete with raw bar, cocktails, dinner, dancing, a silent action and a blazing beach bonfire. Not that we’ve ever needed an excuse to party on the beach, but raising funds to help rescue animals in danger is something to bark about.
$200+, 6:30pm, Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club (Bridgehampton), arfhamptons.org

2010 Great Chefs Dinner
Calling all Top Chef fans…or anyone who just likes to eat…the 2010 Great Chefs Dinner will feature notable Manhattan chefs like Eric Ripert, Tom Colicchio, and Marc Meyer cooking up a storm for a good cause. Aside from the food and wine parings, there will be a cocktail reception, live music and a silent auction, so not only will you be tasting works of art, you might just be able to take one home as well.
$150+, 5pm, Hayground School (Bridgehampton), greatchefsdinner.com

Bill Cosby Live
Whether you loved his show, or loved his commercials (or the countless spoofs of said commercials), Bill Cosby is truly a cultural icon. Head to Westhampton’s Performing Art Center (yes, there is another Hampton!) for an unforgettable night of adults-only comedy. We suggest getting your tickets now, an event like this is sure to sell out.
$120+, 8:30pm, Westhampton Performing Arts Center (Westhampton), whbpac.org

Roar for the Cure
Whether you have kids or just want to borrow your niece and nephew for an excuse to go to carnival (just us?), the Max Cure Foundation’s 2nd Annual Roar for a Cure Carnival is not to be missed. With mini-golf, face painting, raffles, prizes, snacks, gift bags and of course, the requisite celebrity guests (we predict Christie Brinkley), adults, er, kids of all ages will have a great time, while supporting the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
$100 (kids $25), 2pm-6pm, East Hampton Indoor Tennis Club (East Hampton), maxcurefoundation.org

Best Buddies Hamptons Gala
This is generally the point in the summer where you’ve realized the “really amazing” people in your share house are actually “really annoying,” and you’re teaming for a new crew. Plan on hitting up the 3rd Annual Best Buddies Gala in Watermill, NY for a festive bash inspired by Southeast Asia, and perhaps you'll meet a few new friends of your own. The event will feature the Buddy Sous Chef Challenge, as well as silent and live auctions, followed by a gourmet dinner and live entertainment. This organization creates opportunities for one-on-one friendships, integrated employment, and leadership development for the intellectually and developmentally challenged.
$500, 6pm, Watermill Estate (Watermill), bestbuddies.org

The 35th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show
"Classic" is in the title of this horse show for a reason…the Hampton Classic's equestrian competition has been Long Island’s most prestigious and popular event long before celebrity tabloids made all the above parties trendy. Beginning on August 29 and continuing through September 5, this event features much more than an equestrian competition—expect over 70 boutiques, an international food court, pony rides, zoo animals, special attractions and people watching. Break out your summer whites one last time and end the summer with a giddy-up.
$10, $20 (per carload), 8am-5pm, Snake Hollow Rd. (Bridgehampton), hamptonclassic.com