Highlighting the best of the Hamptons and North Fork summer season encompasses dozens of festivals, outdoor recreational activities, live music and more for couples and families of all ages. The majority of these events take place during the day or on the weekends, with several that span the course of a half or full week.
Below are a few summer events on the East End to help make the most of your getaway.
Reflextions Riverhead
Grangebel Park (Milton L. Burns Park), Riverhead
June 17th | July 14th | August 19th | 5p – 10p
Reflextions is a free, interactive, walkable public art space that takes place in the summer June-August with an OKTOBERFEST event in September. The events feature assorted elements of light based on artist interpretations and designs including LED, fire, Dayglow, and photoluminescent displays. Each illumination event will include various live performing arts.
Rites of Spring
The Rites of Spring Music Festival is an annual event that takes place across the North Fork and the East End of Long Island on various dates throughout the summer. The music festival has quickly become the premier classical and contemporary music festival on the North Fork. In addition to great music, locals and visitors can enjoy a great local food and wine paired with an historic setting and inspiring artist talks.
2023 Summer Calendar:
Saturday June 24th | 5p
Landcraft Garden Foundation in Mattituck
The Rite of Spring: the sound of the earth
Vassily Primakov, piano, Natalia Lavrova, piano
Music by Igor Stravinsky, Mussorgsky and Saint Saens
Thursday June 29th | 6p
Poquatuck Hall in Orient
Viennese Atmosphere – Mahler, Weill, Korngold
Gil Goldstein, accordion, Tom Manuel, trumpet, Laura Metcalf, cello, Paolo Bartolani, piano
Thursday July 13th | 5:30-8:30p
Village Green in Cutchogue -Cutchogue – New Suffolk Historical Council
Music at the Village Green
Stephen Gorgone, violin, Dan Martinez, viola, Craig Mehler, cello
Music by Franz Schubert and Joseph Haydn
Saturday, July 22nd | 5p
Castello di Borghese Vineyard, Cutchogue
Summer Concert & Dine – Ulysses String Quartet
Music by L. van Beethoven, Molina, Richter, traditional folk songs
Sunday August 27th | 6:30p
McCall Vineyard, Cutchogue
Rustic Mid-Summer Concert – Arnaud Sussmann, violin, Paul Neubauer, viola
Music by Halvorsen, Rolla, Martinu, Mozart, Sibelius
Alive on 25
Main Street, Riverhead
June 30th | July 14th | July 28th | August 11th | August 18th (rain date)
5p – 9:30p
Alive on 25 is a popular, free annual event in downtown Riverhead taking place on select Fridays throughout the months of July and August. The event offers local craft beverages and wine, live music on multiple stages, a car show, artists, street vendors, and activities the whole family can enjoy. The walkable, pop-up festival on main street also features restaurant offerings and specials, artist exhibitions, and much more.
Jamesport Firemen’s Association Annual Bazaar and Parade
George Young Community Center, Main Road, Jamesport
2023 Schedule:
Tuesday, July 18th | 6p – 10p
Wednesday, July 19th | 6p – 11p
Thursday, July 20th | 6p – 10p PARADE 7p
Friday, July 21st | 6p – 11p
Saturday, July 22nd | 5p – 11p FIREWORKS 10:30p
A summertime favorite on the North Fork, the Jamesport Firemen’s Association hosts their annual carnival full of exhilarating rides, captivating games and mouth watering bites to eat. On Wednesday night, the community gathers to pay tribute to local heroes in the Jamesport Parade, and the spectacular fireworks show by the Jamesport Fire Department ends the week’s festivities on Saturday night!
Sweet Corn Harvest
Harbes Family Farm, Mattituck
Saturday, July 22nd & Sunday, July 23rd | 10a – 7p
The annual Sweet Corn Harvest Festival is hosted and takes place at Harbes Family Farm in July each season. The event hosts live music in their courtyard/picnic area both days, as well as a corn eating contest, plus the opportunity to explore Harbes Barnyard Adventure that offers plenty of fun for the whole family. Admission includes a Musical Hayride tour of their 100-acre farm, famous Pig Races, adorable farm animals, and much more.
The Farm also hosts a Watermelon Harvest, Tomato Harvest, Peach Harvest and more. Harbes Orchard and Farm also host a variety of fall events including apple picking, and pumpkin and autumn festivals.
Paddle Battle
Peconic Riverfront, Riverhead
Saturday, July 29th | 9:15a
Paddle Battle is an annual event that benefits the NY Marine Rescue Center is a rescue and rehabilitation organization that promotes marine conservation. There are two separate races. One is a 2 1/2 mile recreational race, the second is a competitive 5 mile race. There are different categories per race. For instance, categories include recreational kayak, stand up paddle boards and more, depending upon the race. Estimated race start times will be given at check-in. CLICK HERE for more race details and to register.
Cardboard Boat Races
Peconic Riverfront, Riverhead
Saturday, August 5th | 9a Registration & 11a Races
Grab your cardboard and duct tape and get crafty! One of Riverhead‘s most exciting summer events is The Annual Cardboard Boat Races. Participants have the opportunity to race in various categories including the Youth Regatta, Grand National Regatta and more. Prizes are given out for the best spirit, best captain, best constructed, most creative, and more. Online pre-registration is required.
The Hampton Classic
Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton
August 27th – Sept 3rd
The Hampton Classic Horse Show is a longtime annual Hamptons event that traditionally takes place over the last week of August until right before Labor Day. Well into its fourth decade, it is one of the largest outdoor horse shows in the United States and is widely popular for everyone of all ages. At this week-long show, top equestrians from around the world compete for more than $800,000 in prize money. National champion hunter competitors, Olympic medalists, and scores of children and adult amateurs make up the field throughout the event.
In addition to watching world class equestrian sport, event goers enjoy onsite boutique shops, International food stations and food trucks, daily activities in the kids’ play area and more. Day and weekly passes are available for purchase as are individual and carload tickets.
East End Seaport Museum’s Annual Maritime Festival
Greenport Village
Saturday, September 23rd & Sunday, September 24th | 10a – 5p
Hosted by the East End Seaport Museum, the Annual Maritime Festival celebrates all things nautical and marks the end of the summer season on the East End. With over 100 artisan craft and food vendors to explore, weekend highlights include the Merfolk Parade (Sat. 11a), kayak and cardboard boat races, sea shanty performances, live music, children’s activities and Mermaids!
The Land & Sea Gala will kick off the weekend on Friday, September 22nd from 6:30p – 9:30p at Crabby Jerry’s with a VIP admission at 5:30p. For tickets, visit eastendseaport.org/landandsea
