Swing into Summer in the Hamptons

The count to Memorial Day weekend is winding down — only one short week left until Summer 2023 kicks off and the Hamptons season swings into action! And there’s so much more to do than just head to any one of the East End’s fabulous beaches. Check out new restaurants or take in any of these fun activities over the next few weekends:

Montauk Music Festival

Montauk rocks with The 12th Annual Montauk Music Festival on May 18 through May 21. Featuring more than 180 shows and 90 bands and performers over 4 days, the highlight of the Festival Weekend will be the 2-day Showcase Stage at the Montauk Lighthouse, headlined by The Wallflowers! Live music will be everywhere from morning till night, with over 30 venues booked — including such notables as Gurneys, the Memory Motel, the Montauket, the Shagwong, Gosman’s and Westlake Fish House. Check out montaukmusicfestival.com for performance schedules and additional information. 

Memorial Day Parades & Services

Amidst all the fun which makes Memorial Day Weekend so special, one can overlook the solemn reason we celebrate this holiday. Take a moment this weekend to honor the fallen – pay tribute at any of the numerous parades in and around the East End. Sag Harbor and East Hampton host parades which start at 9am on Monday, May 29; Southampton’s parade and memorial service begins at 10:45am. 

Art Shows & Festivals

If art lust is your thing, there are a number of excellent art shows and festivals to fill your time over the next few weekends. On Sunday, May 28 take in Riverhead’s Mosaic Street Painting Festival. Hosted by the East End Arts Council and taking place along the Peconic Riverfront in downtown Riverhead, this festival features street painting in chalk – anyone over the age of 14 can participate on a first come first serve basis! A true street fair, the festival also offers works of fine arts for purchase, arts & crafts, food, live music and children’s activities. Admission is free. The Westhampton Beach Fine Art Festival will take place on the Great Lawn at the end of Main Street on May 27-28 from 10am to 6pm, featuring original art in such mediums as painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, glass, ceramics, metalwork, fiber art and woodworking. Admission is free. The Southampton Artists Association Memorial Day Show will take place at the Southampton Cultural Center at 25 Pond Lane in Southampton (across from Agawam Park). The show takes place from May 24 through June 4 and features artists from the East End – from Remsenburg to Montauk on the South Fork and from Calverton to Orient Point on the North Fork. A Meet the Artists Reception will take place on Sunday, May 28 from 4-6 pm.

Garden Tours

The Garden Conservancy is hosting an “Open Day on the East End” on May 13 and June 17, featuring tours of some of the best private gardens in the area. For one day only, these private gardens can be viewed for the price of $10 per person per garden (children under 12 are free). Tickets must be purchased in advance. See gardenconservancy.org for additional details.

Fundraisers

Support a worthy cause and join in the fun with the whole family at Corwith Farm on Head of Pond Road in Water Mill on Sunday, May 28 from Noon to 3pm to “Wipe Out Bullying”. Tickets are $125 for adults; $50 for kids 3-17 and include food, wine and a raffle ticket. There will be crafts, games, and fun with farm animals! For more information, please go to wipeout-bullying.org.  

Long Island Paranormal Investigators

Looking to do something a little spooky? Go ghost hunting with the Long Island Paranormal Investigators. Learn to use ghost meters, digital recorders, infrared temperature detectors (even learn how to turn your camera into a ghost recorder) during your paranormal tour experience of the Rogers Mansion in Southampton. Dates include Saturday, May 13 and Saturday, June 2. For tickets and additional information: southamptonhistory.org/event-details/ghost-hunting-at-the-rogers-mansion-may-2023.

Restaurants Reimagined

There’s nothing like a treasured, favorite restaurant in the Hamptons – and there’s such sadness and disappointment if they close. Try giving these reimagined eateries a shot: 

Enchanté Bistro 
210 NY 27A, Southampton
Southampton’s iconic Red Bar has now been reimagined as a brand new, French-inspired bistro offering classic French fare, a chic bar and an intimate private dining room. Open Wednesday through Sunday at 5pm. For more information call 631-810-9020.

R. AIRE at the Hampton Maid
259 East Montauk Hwy, Hampton Bays
Famous for breakfast and brunch for decades, the Hampton Maid has upped its game with R. AIRE and now serves dinner as well. R.AIRE offers a Spanish-influenced a la carte menu featuring tapas and other small plates as well as a 6 course tasting menu. Prix Fix menu is available Tuesday through Friday. And here’s an upgrade from the best breakfast in the Hamptons: a bar with Happy Hour! Happy Hour specials from Tuesday through Thursday, including $1 oysters and burger specials.

Barona Bay
149 West Montauk Hwy, Hampton Bays
This pizza/takeout joint has been completely reinvented – but don’t worry, handcrafted brick oven pizza is still on the menu! Not only has the menu changed, but the dining room and bar have been updated. Happy Hour Monday through Friday from 4-6pm includes drink and food specials; let’s not forget brunch with bottomless Mimosas! For reservations, call 631-856-4054 or go to opentable.com.

Daphne’s
15 Main Street, Westhampton Beach
Oh, LT Burger, you’ve gone already! Welcome Daphne’s, a concept restaurant scheduled to open in June. Menu information soon to follow.