🇺🇸 Best MDW Events, Parades, Dining, Beach Parties, Happy Hours, Shows

Memorial Day Weekend 2026 marks the unofficial start of Hamptons summer — when villages fully activate, beaches fill early, nightlife returns, and reservations tighten across the East End.

This is your Spark Hamptons curated guide to the strongest events, dining, and weekend energy across the Hamptons.

🇺🇸 MEMORIAL DAY PARADES & CEREMONIES

Southampton Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony

Monday, May 25 | Morning | Southampton Village
Main Street parade followed by a ceremony in Agawam Park honoring veterans and fallen service members.

• Parade Start: 10:45 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 2 South Main Street.
• Line Up: Veterans/marchers should arrive at the church parking lot by 10:30 a.m..
• Ceremony: 11:00 a.m. at Agawam Park.
• Post-Parade: Refreshments at Veteran’s Memorial Hall

East Hampton Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony

Monday, May 25 | Morning | East Hampton Village
A traditional village parade from Main Beach through Main Street, ending in a commemorative ceremony.

Start Time: 9 a.m.  “Lost at Sea” ceremony, wreath drop at Main Beach.

• 9:45 a.m.: Participants line up for the parade at the Presbyterian Church.
• 10 a.m.: Parade begins at the Presbyterian Church, moving along Main Street.
• 11 a.m.: Ceremony follows on the Village Green at Hook Mil

Sag Harbor Memorial Day Parade & Marine Park Ceremony

Monday, May 25 | Morning | Sag Harbor Village
Classic Main Street procession with wreath-laying and a Marine Park remembrance ceremony hosted by the American Legion.

Start Time: 9: a.m. 

• Location: Begins WWI monument at Otter Pond, corner of Main St. & Jermain Ave.
• Route: North down Main Street to Marine Park, with stops at the firehouse and the [Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter Veterans Memorial Bridge]
• Events: Ceremony with the Sag Harbor Community Band]usually takes place at Marine Park following the parade
• Refreshments: Often held at the American Legion on Bay Street afterward

🎨 ART & CULTURE EVENTS

The Story of America – Opening Reception

Saturday, May 23 | 5–7 p.m.
Southampton Arts Center

Major exhibition tracing 250 years of American political history through rare artifacts and campaign objects.

Southampton Artists Association Memorial Day Exhibit

May 21–31
Southampton Cultural Center
Annual group show featuring 40+ regional artists across painting, sculpture, and mixed media.

Claire Watson: “Re-Paired” Exhibition Talk

Thursday, May 21, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Guild Hall, East Hampton

Artist walkthrough of mixed-media works exploring transformation through reclaimed materials.

Art Open House at The Art Barge

Sunday, May 24 | 1–4 p.m.
The Art Barge
Hands-on art making, tours, and open studio experiences across two East End creative spaces.

🎶 MUSIC, COMEDY & NIGHTLIFE

Peter Cincotti Live at WHBPAC

Friday, May 22 | 8 p.m.

Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center
Jazz-pop performance blending originals and classics with full band. Cincotti is a muli-talented artist: a great singer, songwriter, pianist. He delivers an entertaining show.

Colin Quinn Live at WHBPAC

Saturday, May 23 | 8 p.m.

Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center
Veteran stand-up comedian Colin Quinn gets big laughs riffing on American culture, politics, and identity. Smart and likeable, he’s a Hamptons’ favorite with major TV credits.

Disco Dreamland at The HUB

Friday, May 22 | 6–9 p.m.

The HUB, Bridgehampton
Invite-only disco-themed opening with DJs, installations, and food vendors.

Silent Disco at Guild Hall

Sunday, May 24 | 8–11 p.m.

Guild Hall, East Hampton
Three-channel silent disco with DJs spinning disco, hip-hop, and pop under the stars.

Dan’s Rosé Soirée in Southampton

Sunday, May 24 | 6–10:30 p.m.
Southampton Arts Center
Rosé tastings, lite bites, live music, and a crowd that comes to party. Host: Ramona Singer.

🏖️ BEACH PARTIES & DAY SCENE

Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa

Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa

Oceanfront DJ sets, cabanas, cocktails, and full beach club energy all weekend.

Montauk Beach House

Montauk Beach House

Pool parties, DJs, and a strong fashion-forward weekend crowd.

Bounce Beach Montauk

Beach club energy with daytime DJs and a younger party crowd.

Si Si Restaurant – East Hampton

Thursday – Sunday May 21 – 24  (dayside and night time events; jazz, DJ, reggae, brunch) 6 – 9 pm 

Elevated party vibe on the harbor; sunsets are hard to match here.

Bonnie x Clyde at Ivy East

Sunday, May 24 | 1–9 p.m. | Water Mill
EDM-focused daytime pop-up expected to be one of the busiest party scenes.

Main Beach – East Hampton

Main Beach
Peak “summer is here” energy if weather cooperates. Popular concession stand.

Ditch Plains Beach – Montauk

Ditch Plains Beach

Surf culture, casual beach gatherings, and laid-back, daytime crowd.

🧘 WELLNESS & FITNESS

Post House – Sag Harbor

Variety of fitness classes, celerity trainers, beach workouts.

Morning Moves in the Vines

Wölffer Estate Vineyard
Weekend yoga sessions set in vineyard landscapes. (And then you hit the Wine Stand.)

The HUB Wellness Series

A weekend of Pilates fusion, sculpt classes, sauna, and cold plunge activations.

Sunday May 24 is Puppy yoga!

Wellness Wonderland at Bagatelle Montauk

Sunday, May 24 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Boxing, Pilates, IV drips, beauty stations, and brunch programming. Elevated wellness.

Gurney’s Summer Fitness Series

Thursday – Monday, May 22 – 25 | Variety of times

Oceanfront workouts and wellness activations on the deck in Montauk.

👨‍👩‍👧 FAMILY EVENTS

Pollock-Krasner Drip Painting Workshop

Pollock Krasner House drip painting. Photo by Angela LaGreca

Pollock Krasner House drip painting. Photo by Angela LaGreca

Saturday, May 23 | 10–11:30 a.m.
Hands-on family art workshop and studio tour of Pollock’s space and paint-filled floor.

Kites for Kids 2026

Saturday, May 23 | 2–5 p.m. | Main Beach, East Hampton

Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center fundraiser
Annual kite-flying fundraiser supporting early childhood education. Kites are $12.

🍽️ BEST DINING: WHERE TO BOOK NOW

Reservations are extremely limited across Memorial Day weekend. These are solid dining options and the most in-demand tables.

Amagansett

Il Buco al Mare
Authentic Mediterranean dining and one of the hardest tables of the weekend./summer.

Rosie’s
Trendy spot, elevated sourced fare. Casual stylish dining with inventive cocktails.

Fini Pizza
Very popular location of the renowned Brooklyn pizzeria. Fills up fast. Casual, busy.

Bridgehampton

Jean-Georges at Topping Rose House
Flagship fine dining reservation and one of the hardest tables of the weekend/summer.

Elaia Estiatorio
Upscale Greek seafood with a lively, celebratory MDW crowd.

Pierre’s
Longtime staple with consistent brunch-to-dinner weekend energy.

Nourish by The Roundtree

New Intimate wellness-forward dining with a design-driven feel.

East Hampton

Nick & Toni’s
High-energy Italian and one of the toughest reservations in the Hamptons.

1770 House
Historic inn dining with exquisite high-end American cuisine.

East Hampton Grill
Power-dinner steakhouse and American fare with consistent weekend demand.

Swifty’s at The Hedges Inn
Nostalgic, social, see-and-be-seen reopening energy.

LDV Maidstone
Italian coastal delights at this chic, iconic, boutique hotel. Good people watching.

Camp Rubirosa
Loud, fun Italian with pizza, pasta, and party energy. Popular, packed spot.

MA•DE and Wayan
Stylish French-Indonesian dining with elevated flavors and strong MDW demand.

The Palm
Classic American steakhouse and reliable group dinner spot, strong cocktails, homey vibe.

Rita Cantina
Casual Mexican with great margaritas and festive energy tucked away in Springs.

Sag Harbor

Tutto Il Giorno
Neapolitan menu with homemade pastas, Italian specialities in a modern, urban setting.

The American Hotel
Classic vibe, in the center of town. Excellent American fare and service.

Miracle
Buzzy newer Main Street restaurant with strong bar scene.

Le Bilbouquet
French bistro, lively bar, waterfront dining, trendy ‘seen-and-be-seen’ spot.

Page at 63 Main
Relaxed village staple with consistent food and local, elevated crowd energy.

The Beacon
Casually upscale American fare with great sunset views and romantic vibe.

Southampton

Sant Ambroeus
Day-to-night village anchor with strong social energy and style.

La Goulue
Classic French bistro with steady MDW demand.

Namiro Sushi
Sleek sushi spot with consistent weekend demand.

Montauk

Lobster House & Clam Bar – Gosman’s
Classic dockside seafood experience reopens in a big new way. Can’t beat the view.

Alba Spiaggia
Waterfront coastal Italian at the Montauk Yacht Club.

Barlume Beach
New golden-hour beachfront Italian concept that’s gettin’ lots of buzz.

Talya
Modern Greek-inspired dining. Lively vibe, transitions to late night lounge.

Westlake Fish House
Casual harbor seafood staple known for its “boat-to-table” fish and sushi.

Maverick’s Montauk
High-end steak and seafood and a hard rez. This season, walk-ins encouraged.

Water Mill

Westhampton Beach

Fauna
Modern coastal dining with a polished, design-forward feel and seasonal menu.

Flora
New American cuisine, creative menu, attentive staff. Vibe is coastal chic, cozy comfort.

Donohue’s Steak House
Classic American steakhouse with traditional cuts, hearty sides, loyal local following.

Sushi by Bou
Intimate omakase experience with limited seating, chef-driven sushi service.