Ten Great East End Events for Columbus Day Weekend

Columbus Day Weekend in the Hamptons and all over the East End means festivals, food and family fun. Here are ten top festivals, live music performances and art events you won’t want to miss.

OPENING RECEPTION: “FAVORITE PLACES, SUFFOLK COUNTY”

October 7, 6 p.m.

Suffolk County Historical Society, 300 West Main Street, Riverhead 

The Big Duck. The Montauk Lighthouse. A secret cove. A public art space. What’s your favorite place in Suffolk County? This new exhibit celebrates Long Island’s eastern county with both contemporary photos and selected works from the Historical Society’s Fullerton Collection.  

 

SYLVESTER MANOR’S 4TH ANNUAL PLANT & SING

October 7–October 9

Sylvester Manor, 80 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island

Rufus and Martha Wainwright headline this three-day celebration of community history, food and culture. Along with live music and farm-to-table culinary events, there’s a traditional barn dance, bonfire and garlic shucking contest, staged reading of Joe Pintauroʼs “Men’s Lives” (based on Peter Mathieson’s novel), and poetry, comedy, storytelling and readings by local authors.  

 

GREATER WESTHAMPTON ARTS & CRAFTS SHOW

October 8—October 10

Village Green, Westhampton Beach

More than 70 artisans will be displaying their works in fine art, sculpture, furniture, pottery, jewelry, clay, wood, fiber, photography and more.

 

PLEIN AIR PECONIC 6

October 7–October 10

Ashawagh Hall, 780 Springs Fireplace Road, East Hampton

Artists Casey Chalem Anderson,SusanD’Alessio, Aubrey Grainger,Gail Kern, Michele Margit, Gordon Matheson, Joanne Rosko, Eileen Dawn Skretch, plus photographers Tom Steele, Kathtyn Szoka, and Ellen Watson, exhibit and offer for sale East End landscape paintings and photographs, with a portion of sales to benefit Peconic Land Trust.

 

MONTAUK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL

October 8—October 9

Montauk

The Famous Clam Chowder Tasting contest kicks off the 30th annual festival, but honoring the best New England and Manhattan chowders is only the beginning of the fun. A 30-horse carousel, inflatable rides, face painting, pumpkin decorating, Kid Karaoke, live music, local farmers market, October-fest style food and more will make for a great weekend in Montauk.

 

INTERNATIONAL OBSERVE THE MOON NIGHT

October 8, 8 p.m.

Rogers Beach Pavilion, Westhampton Beach

A family-friendly event that puts you up close and personal with the moon, courtesy of telescopes and insights provided by the Astronomical Association of Long Island.. Pre-registration required by Friday, October 7. Contact Westhampton Free Library at 631-288-3335.

 

JOSEPH ARTHUR AT WHBPAC

October 8, 8 p.m.

Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center

Singer/songwriter Joseph Arthur has collaborated with Peter Gabriel and R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, but his best work comes in the solo sounds he’ll be playing at WHBPAC this weekend. 

 

AUTUMN ANTIQUE ROAD SHOW AT BIG DUCK RANCH

October 9, 9 a.m.

Big Duck Ranch, 1012 Flanders Road, Flanders

The original James Bond OO7 Underwater Lotus Esprit from the 1977 movie The Spy Who Loved Me is just one of the highlights at this gathering of classic cars and trucks taking over the grounds of the 37.5 acre park that’s home to The Big Duck. Make sure to vote for the People’s Choice Awards, which will be given to the most popular show entries.

 

RIVERHEAD COUNTRY FAIR

October 9, 10 a.m.

Riverhead 

The 36th annual celebration features pony rides, tractor pulls, local food and farm produce, a pumpkin decorating contest, carnival rides, folk music and art and more for a day of old-fashioned fun in Riverhead. 

FAMILY PIRATE FESTIVAL

October 9, 1 p.m.

Parrish Art Museum, Southampton

Avast, ye mateys. Translation: Hey, kids! Come aboard David Engel’s Pirate School to be transformed into seafaring swashbucklers in this interactive clown theater performance. The festival also includes face paining, caricatures and probably an aaarrgghh or two.