HAMPTONS SUMMER 2026: THE CELEBRITIES, LUXURY, CHARITY AND HIGH SOCIETY EVENTS THAT MADE THE SEASON

 

The Hamptons Summer 2026

From celebrity gatherings and multimillion-dollar collector cars to charitable fundraisers, fashion, Broadway talent and the Hamptons International Film Festival, we look back at the people and events that defined the East End's 2026 social season.

The Hamptons have always held a special place in the world of New York high society. Every summer, Manhattan's familiar faces head east, joining longtime East End residents, celebrities, business leaders, philanthropists, artists and entrepreneurs for a season unlike any other.

The attraction is easy to understand. Beautiful beaches, extraordinary estates, historic villages, fashionable restaurants and a seemingly endless calendar of social events combine to create one of America's most recognizable summer destinations.

But the Hamptons is about more than expensive homes and exclusive invitations. Beneath the glamour is a community with a rich history, a thriving arts scene, important environmental organizations and charitable institutions that depend on the generosity of supporters.

Throughout 2026, Times Square Gossip followed the personalities, parties, cultural events and philanthropic gatherings that make the East End such a fascinating place.

From our May summer guide through the major events of August and the cultural celebrations of October, here is our look back at the season.

KENNETH AND MARIA FISHEL WELCOME THE WORLD OF PHILANTHROPY TO BRIDGEHAMPTON

Kenneth and Maria Fishel once again provided a beautiful setting for gatherings that brought together prominent figures from the Hamptons, New York and Palm Beach.

Their Bridgehampton estate became the backdrop for two particularly notable occasions covered by Times Square Gossip.

The first was a gathering supporting the Historical Society of Palm Beach County. The event demonstrated the close connections between the Hamptons and Palm Beach, two communities whose social calendars attract people with shared interests in philanthropy, history, culture and luxury living.

Although the two destinations have their own distinctive personalities, both understand the importance of preserving their heritage while supporting the institutions that enrich their communities.

The Fishels' hospitality reflected the tradition of private entertaining that has long been part of Hamptons society.

Their estate would also become the setting for one of the summer's biggest luxury events: the Hamptons Concours d'Elegance.

MORE THAN $100 MILLION IN COLLECTOR CARS AT THE HAMPTONS CONCOURS D'ELEGANCE

For automobile collectors and luxury enthusiasts, August 1 was an important date on the Hamptons social calendar.

Bradford Rand and his team at RAND Luxury celebrated the company's 20th anniversary with the 2026 Hamptons Concours d'Elegance at the Bridgehampton estate of Kenneth and Maria Fishel.

The invitation-only event brought together collectors, celebrities, luxury brands and automotive enthusiasts for an afternoon celebrating exceptional automobiles and sophisticated living.

More than $100 million in collector automobiles and luxury experiences were represented at the gathering, which RAND Luxury described as its largest Hamptons event to date.

Ferraris and Porsches from different eras were among the stars of the show, alongside an impressive selection of other collector vehicles.

The celebrity presence added another dimension to the afternoon.

Candace Bushnell, the author and cultural commentator whose work inspired Sex and the City, presented the Sexiest Car Award. Celebrity chef Todd English presented the English Award, while television personality Ramona Singer presented the Forever Fabulous Award.

Robert Schmitter's 1964 Porsche 356 received the People's Choice Award.

Other notable attendees included Fern Mallis, Green Day musician Mike Dirnt, John Cusimano, Dr. Sam Rizk, Jean Shafiroff, Jonathan Tucker, Marc Packer and Morgan Shara.

Guests could also explore fine jewelry, watches, fashion, artwork, private aviation, real estate and home design.

The event's charitable component was equally important, benefiting the South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center and the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation.

It was a fitting celebration of RAND Luxury's two decades in the event business, combining collector-car culture, celebrity appearances and philanthropy in one of the Hamptons' most beautiful settings.

HAMPTONS SOCIAL AND VOLVO CELEBRATE FASHION, ART AND THE SUMMER LIFESTYLE

The Hamptons social season would hardly be complete without fashion, and Hamptons Social delivered a stylish celebration on August 1.

The magazine and Volvo marked the launch of Hamptons Social's August Summer Book with a garden party at A Room at the Beach in Bridgehampton. The event also featured Malfy Italian Gin.

Hosted by publisher and editor-in-chief Lizabeth Zindel Wells and executive editor Erika Katz, the gathering brought together personalities from fashion, media, hospitality, business and the arts.

The August issue featured cover photography by renowned fashion photographer Ellen von Unwerth.

Among the notable guests were Ramona Singer, Luann de Lesseps, Barbara Kavovit, Samantha Ettus, Marilyn Chinitz, Sandra Nunnerly, Lucy Swift Weber and Hamptons novelist Jasmin Rosemberg.

The afternoon featured live music by Tom Wardle and fashion illustrations by Brianna O'Brien. Artists Eve B and Karolina Karlsson displayed their work, adding an artistic element to the garden-party atmosphere.

Volvo contributed a midsummer floral installation, while fragrance, jewelry, beauty and lifestyle brands offered guests an opportunity to explore new products and experiences.

The property's towering redwood trees and carefully arranged gardens provided a fitting backdrop for a gathering celebrating the magazine's vision of Hamptons life.

It was a reminder that the East End remains an important destination for fashion and publishing, where magazines introduce readers to the people, places and trends shaping the summer season.

ROSANNA SCOTTO HELPS NORTHWELL HEALTH RAISE MORE THAN $650,000

Some of the most meaningful events of the summer took place behind the gates of private estates, where charitable giving took center stage.

On August 8, Rosanna Scotto, co-host of Fox 5's Good Day New York, served as emcee for Northwell Health's eighth annual Summer Hamptons Evening.

Held at the Water Mill residence of Victoria Moran-Furman, the benefit raised more than $650,000 for the Katz Institute for Women's Health.

Since the event's inception, it has raised nearly $7 million to support the institute and the communities Northwell serves.

More than 300 supporters attended the gathering.

Moran-Furman co-hosted with Iris and Saul Katz, Eric Moran and celebrity event planner Larry Scott of Lawrence Scott Events.

The Katz Institute works to improve health care for women at every stage of life, with a focus on individualized care and access to specialized medical expertise.

The evening highlighted the importance of women's health services and the role philanthropy can play in supporting medical programs.

In a region known for spectacular entertaining, the Northwell benefit demonstrated how a fashionable summer gathering can also make a substantial contribution to an important cause.

GERALDO RIVERA AND VICTORIA SCHNEPS HOST THE LIFE'S WORC HAMPTONS SUMMER SOIRÉE

Another important charitable gathering brought together media, business and philanthropic leaders in support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Award-winning journalist Geraldo Rivera and Victoria Schneps, founder of Life's WORC, hosted the organization's Annual Hamptons Summer Soirée at Schneps' Hamptons home.

The event continued Life's WORC's summer fundraising efforts following the 38th Annual Geraldo Rivera Golf Classic.

Life's WORC provides residential services, education, employment opportunities and family support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The organization has spent decades working with individuals and families, helping people build meaningful lives and participate more fully in their communities.

The soirée reflected the importance of private fundraising events to organizations that provide essential services throughout the year.

It also demonstrated the longstanding relationship between journalism, public service and philanthropy that brings influential people together around shared causes.

For the Hamptons, these gatherings are an important part of the summer tradition: using the area's hospitality and social connections to support organizations whose work extends far beyond the East End.

SOUTHAMPTON'S HISTORIC HOMES TAKE CENTER STAGE

Southampton History Museum

The Hamptons may be famous for spectacular new construction and luxury estates, but its architectural history remains one of its greatest treasures.

In September, the Southampton History Museum welcomed supporters to its annual Insider's View program, offering an opportunity to explore a carefully selected collection of private homes and gardens.

The participating properties remained secret until the day of the tour, preserving the element of surprise that makes the program distinctive.

Once participants received their maps, they could discover architectural details, landscaped grounds and private properties that are not ordinarily open to the public.

The program celebrates the history of Southampton and the people who have helped preserve its distinctive character.

Historic houses and gardens tell the story of a community that existed long before the Hamptons became an internationally recognized summer destination.

They also provide a valuable contrast to the region's modern luxury lifestyle, reminding visitors that the East End's appeal is rooted in generations of history and local tradition.

The Southampton History Museum continues to play an important role in protecting that heritage for future generations.

THE HAMPTONS SUMMER SONGB0OK BRINGS BROADWAY TALENT EAST

Music and theater have long been essential elements of the Hamptons cultural scene.

In our April preview, Times Square Gossip highlighted the return of Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea, produced by Donna Rubin and LTV Creative Director Josh Gladstone at LTV Studios in East Hampton.

The 2026 program featured a lineup of celebrated Broadway and cabaret performers.

Among the announced artists were Norm Lewis, Ann Hampton Callaway, Klea Blackhurst, Billy Stritch, Eric Yves Garcia, Maria Abous, Eric Comstock, Barbara Fasano, KT Sullivan, Mark Nadler, Christine Pedi, Stephanie Pope, Pamela Morgan and Donna McKechnie.

The season began June 28 with Norm Lewis and continued through August with performances celebrating classic songs, musical theater and the art of cabaret.

The series offered audiences an intimate alternative to larger concert venues, bringing performers and audiences together in a setting designed around live music and storytelling.

For theater lovers spending the summer on the East End, it was another example of the region's ability to combine a relaxed coastal atmosphere with sophisticated cultural programming.

ART, FASHION AND SUMMER SHOPPING

Our May guide also looked at the exhibitions, boutiques and lifestyle destinations that make the Hamptons an attractive summer escape.

Painter Mark Seidenfeld's exhibition Uncharted Waters was scheduled for June at the Bridgehampton Museum, adding contemporary art to the season's cultural calendar.

Fashion was another focus.

Marina St. Barth celebrated its 20th anniversary with a new Southampton location, bringing its resort-wear aesthetic to the East End.

The guide also highlighted Baker House 1650 in East Hampton, a historic boutique property known for its gardens, accommodations and distinctive hospitality.

For those searching for gifts and entertaining essentials, MarieBelle New York's handcrafted chocolates offered another taste of luxury.

These destinations represent the quieter side of the Hamptons social scene. Not every summer highlight involves a gala or celebrity guest list. Sometimes the appeal is simply discovering a beautiful shop, visiting an exhibition or spending an afternoon exploring a historic property.

THE RESTAURANTS THAT HELP DEFINE HAMPTONS SUMMER

Southampton Social Club

Dining remains at the heart of life on the East End.

Our summer guide highlighted Southampton Social Club, which entered its 16th summer under restaurateur Ian Duke.

The restaurant's program included a supper-club atmosphere, outdoor dining, live music, private cabanas and a refreshed menu.

Union Burger Bar offered a more casual alternative, featuring gourmet burgers, signature milkshakes, outdoor seating and regular entertainment.

Together, these destinations illustrated the range of dining experiences available in Southampton, from lively evenings out to relaxed meals with friends.

Restaurants are more than places to eat in the Hamptons. They are meeting places where summer friendships are renewed, business relationships develop and familiar faces reconnect after a busy winter in the city.

THE CHARITABLE CAUSES ON THE SUMMER CALENDAR

 

East Hampton Library Authors Night

The Hamptons' philanthropic community supports a remarkable range of causes, from environmental education and animal welfare to medical research, disability services and cultural preservation.

Our May summer guide previewed several additional events and organizations that formed part of the season's broader charitable calendar.

Among them were the South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center, which planned its 37th Annual Summer Gala for July 11, and NYC Second Chance Rescue, whose fifth annual Hamptons benefit was scheduled for the August 8 weekend.

The guide also previewed the East Hampton Library's 22nd Annual Authors Night, scheduled for August 8, a literary fundraiser bringing together authors and readers.

These events reflect the breadth of charitable activity that takes place throughout the East End during summer.

Our published coverage independently documented the South Fork Natural History Museum's charitable connection to the Hamptons Concours d'Elegance, while the Northwell and Life's WORC benefits offered additional examples of the community's commitment to fundraising.

The organizations featured in the guide serve different missions, but they share a common goal: using the attention and generosity of the summer community to support important work.

THE HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL BRINGS THE SOCIAL SEASON INTO AUTUMN

Although summer is the traditional high point of the Hamptons social calendar, the East End does not simply go quiet when Labor Day passes.

October brought another cultural gathering when Antonella Bertello, owner of Baker House 1650, and philanthropist Jean Shafiroff welcomed guests to an autumn reception celebrating the Hamptons International Film Festival.

The historic East Hampton property provided an elegant setting for an evening bringing together people from film, fashion, fine art and philanthropy.

Among those attending were Jean Shafiroff, Antonella Bertello, artist Ashley Medici, Maria van Vlodrop, Donna Rubin, Frederico Azevedo, Joni Fischer and Christopher Fischer.

The reception also introduced guests to wines from Mas des Infermières, the Provençal vineyard owned by filmmaker Sir Ridley Scott and his family.

Artwork by Ashley Medici added a creative dimension to the evening.

Shafiroff used the occasion to highlight the upcoming Old Bags Luncheon benefiting the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County, demonstrating how philanthropic relationships extend across the Hamptons, New York and Palm Beach.

The reception captured the spirit of the East End's autumn season, when film, art and social gatherings continue after the summer crowds have departed.

For those who love the Hamptons, the fall offers a different atmosphere: a little quieter, more intimate and still filled with cultural opportunities.

LOOKING BACK: WHAT MADE THE HAMPTONS SUMMER OF 2026 SPECIAL?

Looking back at the 2026 season, several themes stand out.

Luxury remained a major attraction. The Hamptons Concours d'Elegance brought together collector automobiles, celebrities and high-end lifestyle brands in one of the summer's signature events.

Fashion and the arts continued to thrive. The Hamptons Social celebration, the Summer Songbook series and the season's art programming demonstrated the East End's enduring appeal to creative people.

Philanthropy remained at the heart of the social calendar. Northwell Health's women's health benefit raised more than $650,000, while Life's WORC continued its fundraising efforts in support of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

History continued to matter. The Southampton History Museum's Insider's View program reminded visitors that the Hamptons' identity extends well beyond its luxury real estate.

And the season did not end with summer. The Hamptons International Film Festival reception at Baker House 1650 showed that the East End's cultural and social life continues into autumn.

These events tell a larger story about the Hamptons. Its appeal comes not from one party, one celebrity or one spectacular estate, but from the way many different worlds come together.

JAMES EDSTROM AND TIMES SQUARE GOSSIP: COVERING THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE HAMPTONS

For Times Square Gossip, the Hamptons have always represented an important part of the worlds of celebrity and high society.

Founded in 2006, the publication has spent two decades covering personalities, social events and the people who help shape the cultural life of New York City, the Hamptons and Palm Beach.

The 2026 season offered plenty to explore, from major charitable gatherings and collector-car showcases to intimate garden parties, historic homes and cultural celebrations.

Our summer guide looked ahead to the season's possibilities, while our event coverage followed many of the people and organizations that brought those possibilities to life.

And as the Hamptons moves from summer into autumn, its story continues.

The beaches may become quieter, the traffic may ease and the grand summer houses may begin closing for the season, but the East End's cultural life carries on.

There will always be another exhibition to discover, another charitable cause to support, another interesting personality to meet and another gathering that brings the community together.

That is what makes the Hamptons such a remarkable place.

And that is why Times Square Gossip will continue to cover it.

Photos Courtesy Of Lawlor Media Group