*Events in New York

JULY

FRIDAY 4

LIFE'S A PICNIC

No summer is complete without Southampton Fresh Air Home's Annual American Picnic with Fireworks by Grucci the only Fourth of July family fireworks party in Southampton. 7 p.m. 1030 Meadow Lane, Southampton. Call: 631-283-5847.

SATURDAY 5

HALSEY HAPPENING

Celebrate America's birthday at Southampton Historical Museum's Halsey House Gala. Enjoy live music, heavy hors d'oeuvres from Schmidt's Market, the 3rd NY Regiment in colonial costumes, and a silent auction. 6 p.m. Halsey House, Southampton. Call: 631-283-2494.

GO GUILD HALL

Celebrate Fourth of July weekend with Guild Hall at its 2014 Season Spectacular. This year, Martin Short will have you in stitches with a comedic performance, followed by a private dinner at a nearby home. 7 p.m. Guild Hall, East Hampton. Call: 631-324-0806.

FRIDAY 11

GET GRILLED

Food Network's Robert Irvine hosts Grillhampton, a cooking competition that pits eight New York City chefs against Hamptons-based chefs for a grill-off of culinary champions. The Dan's Taste of Summer event will feature Chefs Peter Ambrose, David Hersh, Mike Prince, Elizabeth Karmel, and more. 8 p.m. Sayre Park, Bridgehampton. Call: 631-227-0188.

SATURDAY 12

FORK IT

Food Network's Katie Lee and Geoffrey Zakarian host the fourth annual Dan's Taste of Summer Two Forks event. Tents will be filled to the brim with top toques, leading wine makers, and over 40 scrumptious restaurants and purveyors from both the North and South Forks. 6:30 p.m. Sayre Park, Bridgehampton. Call: 631-227-0188.

PARRISH GALA

Experience the unbeatable combination of art, music, and performances at Parrish Art Museum's Midsummer Party, honoring Inga Maren Otto and Katharina Otto-Bernstein. The evening will feature performances by Richard Move and MoveOpolis, and Coleman Music. 6:30 p.m. Parrish Art Museum, Water Mill. Call: 631-283-2118 ext. 150.

BAY STREET BASH

The Bay Street Theatre honors Kate Burton, April Gornik, and Sheldon Harnick at its annual Summer Gala, featuring performances by Patina Miller and Tovah Feldshuh. 6:30 p.m. The Long Wharf, Sag Harbor. Call: 631-725-9599.

SATURDAY 19

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

The Southampton Animal Shelter serves espionage and intrigue at its James Bond-themed Unconditional Love Dinner Dance, chaired by Jean Shafiroff and honoring Georgina Bloomberg. 7 p.m. Southampton Animal Shelter. Call: 631-728-7387.

FAMILY FAIR

Join the Children's Museum of the East End at its sixth annual Family Fair, featuring magically inspired performances, games, arts and crafts, water rides, entertainment, and more. 10:30 a.m. Children's Museum of the East End, Bridgehampton. Call: 631-537-8250.

SPORT OF KINGS

The sport of kings returns to the Bridgehampton Polo Club, running six consecutive Saturdays through Aug. 23. This oh-so-social season promises to be even more spirited than ever. 4 p.m. Two Trees Farm, Bridgehampton. Call: 631-237-5388.

WHITE HOT

LongHouse Reserve hosts its 2014 Summer Benefit: White Hot + Blue 2, honoring filmmaker and photographer Cindy Sherman and philanthropist Agnes Gund. The sculpture garden and art exhibits from FIT will be accessible all evening. 6 p.m. LongHouse Reserve, East Hampton. Call: 631-329-3568.

SOFO SO FUN

South Fork Natural History Museum celebrates its 25th anniversary at its summer benefit, honoring Eric Goode and Michael Gerrard. 6:30 p.m. South Fork Natural History Museum, Sag Harbor. Call: 631-537-9735.

SHOWHOUSE SHOW-OFF

The 2014 Hampton Designer Showhouse opens with a Gala Preview Cocktail Party, benefiting the Southampton Hospital. Witness the work of over 25 top interior designers and decorative artists who turned a magnificent shingle-style home into a decorating masterpiece. The show runs until Labor Day. 6 p.m. 408 Paul Lane, Bridgehampton. Call: 212-980-1711.

THURSDAY 24

*MOSTLY MOZART

Experience music at its finest during the Mostly Mozart Festival, a celebration of the composer's genius through dynamic performances of both classic and contemporary music. The festival runs through Aug. 23. Lincoln Center. Call: 212-721-6500.

SATURDAY 26

CHEFS & CHAMPAGNE

The James Beard Foundation honors Bobby Flay at its Chefs & Champagne summer tasting party, featuring culinary offerings from over 30 celebrated chefs and plenty of flowing champagne. 5 p.m. W'lffer Estate Vineyard, Sagaponack. Call: 212-627-2308.

ART FOR LIFE

Russell Simmons and the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation host the foundation's Art for Life Benefit, raising funds to establish art programs for inner-city youth. 6 p.m. Fairview Farm, Bridgehampton. Call: 212-254-6677.

HAMPTONS HAPPENING

Celebrate the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation at its annual Hamptons Happening event. The evening, MCd by Chris Wragge, will honor chefs David Burke and Todd English, fashion designer Betsey Johnson, and Paul Ridley. 6:30 p.m. Home of Maria and Kenneth Fishel, Bridgehampton. Call: 646-398-5261.

SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP

Donna Karan and Kelly Ripa host Super Saturday, benefiting the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. This extremely posh designer garage sale features fashion from Ralph Lauren, Brooks Brothers, C. Wonder, Kate Spade Saturday, and more. 12 p.m. Nova's Ark Project, Water Mill. Call: 212-268-1002.

WATERMILL BENEFIT

The Watermill Center once again brings together the worlds of theatre, fashion, design, and society for its 21st annual summer benefit: One Thousand Nights and One Night'Sleepless Nights of Sheherazade. Watermill International Summer Program participants come from over 25 countries to create installations and performances throughout the grounds. 6 p.m. The Watermill Center, Water Mill. Call: 631-726-4628.

WILD NIGHT

Channel 7 Eyewitness News' Bill Ritter will serve as the live auctioneer at Quogue Wildlife Refuge's Wild Night for Wildlife Benefit Gala. Enjoy fabulous fare, dance along to the Time Square Orchestra, and even meet some of the resident animals! 7 p.m. Private Home, Quogue. Call: 631-653-4771.

AUGUST

SATURDAY 2

HOSPITAL GALA

Chuck Scarborough serves as MC at the Southampton Hospital's 56th Annual Summer Party: Endless Summer. The festive evening will include a raffle, silent auction, dinner, and dancing to the Alex Donner Orchestra, all to benefit the Jenny and John Paulson Emergency Department. 6:30 p.m. Corner of Wickapogue and Old Town Road, Southampton. Call: 631-726-8700.

PERLMAN MUSIC PROGRAM

Toby and Itzhak Perlman invite you to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Perlman Music Program at its summer benefit, featuring a reception, dinner, and celebration concert conducted by Maestros Itzhak Perlman and Patrick Romano. 6 p.m. East Hampton. Call: 212.877.5045.

SUNDAY 3

DIVINE DINING

Top Manhattan and Hampton chefs whip up some magic at the Jeff's Kitchen and Hayground School's 2014 Chefs' Dinner. Hosted by Toni Ross and Eric Ripert, the sit-down dinner will honor Top Chef judge and celebrity chef Tom Colicchio and filmmaker Lori Silverbush. 5:30 p.m. Jeff's Kitchen, Hayground School. Call: 631-537-7068.

FRIDAY 8

GUILDED GALA

Join Guild Hall for a convivial evening of music, dancing, dining, and art at its Summer Gala. Guests will also enjoy an exclusive VIP preview of the new exhibition, Celebrating Roberth Motherwell: The East Hampton Years, 1944-1952. 5 p.m. Guild Hall. Call: 631-324-0806.

SATURDAY 9

GET WILD

Let your inner party animal loose at the Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center's Get Wild Summer Gala. The evening will feature an art auction, benefiting the center's wildlife rehabilitation programs. 6 p.m. Home of April Gornik and Eric Fischl, North Haven. Call: 631-728-4200.

AUTHORS NIGHT

Paint the town 'read' at the East Hampton Library's Authors Night, co-chaired by Alec Baldwin. Dine with your favorite authors, including Philip K. Howard, Art Donovan, Talia Carner, Jerry Brandt, Edmund Levin, and more. 5 p.m. East Hampton.

SUNDAY 10

STRIDES FOR LIFE

Stretch your muscles for the Lung Cancer Research Foundation's annual Strides for Life run/walk. 8 a.m. Lake Agawam, Southampton. Call: 212-588-1580.

SATURDAY 16

PLAY BALL

Celebrities step up to the plate at the annual Artists and Writers Celebrity Charity Softball Game, benefiting East End Hospice, Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center, Phoenix House Academy, and the Retreat. Get there early to watch batting practice at noon! 2 p.m. Herrick Park, East Hampton. Call: 631-329-4398.

BOW WOW MEOW

Join the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons as it celebrates its 40th anniversary at the Bow Wow Meow Ball, honoring ARF's past presidents. The evening will feature dinner, dancing, and music by the Peter Duchin Orchestra. 6 p.m. ARF Adoption Center, Wainscott. Call: 631-537-0400.

PADDLE & PARTY

Join Martha Stewart, Donna Karan, Tory Burch, among others at the Hamptons Paddle & Party for Pink, benefiting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The day begins with a paddle board race in Sag Harbor, followed by a fabulous sunset party at a private residence. 8:30 a.m. Sag Harbor.

SUNDAY 24-31

HAMPTON CLASSIC

The nation's premiere show-jumping competition trots back into town for the 39th Annual Hampton Classic Horse Show. Enjoy boutique shopping, international food, pony rides, and more while you watch local equestrians, Olympians, and world-class riders compete. 8 a.m. 240 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton. Call: 631-537-3177.