There’s truly no place like the Hamptons for the Fourth of July! Whether you want to lounge on the beach, catch a fireworks show over the bay, or sip cocktails at the trendiest spots, Independence Day out East has it all. From small-town parades to over-the-top bashes, here are the top 5 ways to celebrate the Fourth of July in the Hamptons this year. 

1. Fireworks & Fine Dining in Montauk

When it comes to fireworks, Mavericks Montauk has a front-row seat to some of the best. Perched on the shore of Fort Pond, the restaurant offers sweeping sunset views and a perfect setting to catch the Stars Over Montauk Fireworks Display by Grucci at 9:00 p.m. on July 4th. But the waterfront setting is not the only draw. Mavericks is one of the East End’s top waterfront restaurants, with a menu showcasing high-end surf-and-turf made from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. For a more lowkey viewing, you can also catch the Montauk fireworks on Umbrella Beach!

2. Star-Studded Sets at the Surf Lodge

If you’re looking to turn things up a notch, the Surf Lodge in Montauk is the quintessential spot for anyone looking for a good old-fashioned Fourth of July blowout. Once a quaint beachfront motel, the Surf Lodge was transformed in 2008 into the now-iconic hotspot that helped redefine the Montauk scene. Since then, it has remained the place to be, hosting performers such as John Legend, Halsey, Diplo, and Jimmy Buffett and attracting celebrity guests including Ashley Benson, Leonardo Dicaprio, Alexander Wang, and Taylor Swift. This year’s Independence Day lineup does not disappoint: musical duo SOFI TUKKER kicks things off on July 3rd, followed by French DJ Hugel on July 4th, and Swiss electronic duo Adriatique on July 5th. 

3. Americana Charm in Southampton

For those in search of a traditional patriotic Fourth, the Southampton Village Independence Day Parade is the oldest and biggest Fourth of July parade on Long Island. Organized by Southampton’s Commission on Veterans Patriotic Events, the parade features veterans, active-duty military, fire departments, first responders, Girl and Boy Scouts, Little League teams, marching bands, floats, antique cars, and more. The parade also funds the placement of flags on veterans’ graves, Memorial Day services, and Veterans Day services. This year, the parade begins at 10 a.m. on July 4th down Main Street in Southampton. 

4. Sunset Cocktails & Lobster Rolls at Dockers

If you’d rather skip the traffic heading further east, Dockers Waterside in East Quogue is the perfect all-in-one Fourth of July destination. Set right on the marina, Dockers offers something for everyone – whether you want to sip a sunset cocktail in an Adirondack chair on the dock, grab a casual bite from Doc’s Food Truck, or sit down to a full lobster dinner inside the restaurant. As the night rolls in, the energy picks up with live music and dancing, making it a festive spot to celebrate Independence Day without all the chaos and gridlock that often comes further east. 

5. After Dark at Common Ground East

Looking to keep the party going after the fireworks? Head to Common Ground East at The Clubhouse in East Hampton to check out where the East End lights up after dark. On July 4th, DJ Luke Alexander takes over the booth starting at 9:00 p.m., followed by LASZEWO on July 5th. Now in a bigger and better space at The Clubhouse, Common Ground East is sure to be one of the best late-night scenes of the weekend. 

-By Patricia Sotos