Event Calendar
Martha’s Vineyard Event Calendar
The captivating Island of Martha’s Vineyard occupies a special place in the hearts and souls of both its year-round population and diverse visitor base. Whether you’re seeking the quiet and solitude of nature, looking for a festive cultural experience, or both, Martha’s Vineyard offers it all.
The Island’s year-long calendar of events entices visitors to come back again and again—for a day trip or an extended stay. And remember, it's easy and convenient to book your Steamship Authority reservations online.
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Annual Agricultural Society Fair
When: Aug 16 to Aug 19, 2018.The Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society was established in 1859. It promotes the pursuit of agriculture, horticulture, land conservation, youth activities, mechanic and domestic arts and encourages the raising and improving of plant and animal stock and the sale of island-grown produce and flowers at local farmers' markets.
The Society, which has over 1000 year-round and seasonal members, is perhaps best known for its annual Agricultural Fair, which attracts thousands of islanders and visitors each summer.
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Fireworks at Ocean Park by the Sea
When: Aug 17, 2018.
A sensational display at dark! This is a fun night to spend out with family and friends. Music by the Vineyard Haven Band in the gazebo begins at 8 pm, fireworks at dark! It is truly one of the best events of the summer. Admission is free.
Link: http://oakbluffsmv.com -
Jazz Blues Summerfest
When: Aug 30 to Sep 2, 2018.Since its inception, the annual Martha’s Vineyard Jazz & Blues Summerfest has played host to music lovers from all over the United States and Europe. Sheila Baptista, Summerfest producer and President of Lewis and Kirk Music, Inc., believes that great music and medicine can radically change the course of one’s life, a family’s future and a community’s well-being. Baptista launched Summerfest in 2008 to support regional breast cancer initiatives with a monetary donation and to also spread a vital message regarding breast cancer, early detection, courses of treatment and positive recovery.
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Vineyard Artisan Festival - Annual Labor Day Festival
When: Aug 31 to Sep 2, 2018. Location: MV Agricultural SocietyThe largest art show on Martha’s Vineyard featuring Island Artists with unique furniture, clothing, ceramics, jewelry and fine art from the Islands top artists. Watch a weaver making a beautiful scarf from wool harvested from her own flock. Enjoy watching a young Island artist create his latest masterpiece. Be enchanted listening to the Islands only female blacksmith explain how she forged her lovely brackets. These and many more unique experiences, including live local music, await you at this premiere show. A $2.00 parking fee is for the Vineyard Artisans Scholarship Fund, which awards several scholarships to graduating MV High School students for studies in the Arts each year. -
Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival
When: Sep 4 to Sep 9, 2018. Location: Martha's VineyardCombining the laidback beach style of the island of Martha’s Vineyard with the buzz and excitement of a festival celebrating films from across the globe - The Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival is an amazing experience not to be missed.
This event is filled with the best feature and short films from top-notch festivals such as Sundance, Berlin and Cannes (with a few undiscovered gems thrown in!), great evening events, provocative forums and live world music - all within the ‘Walking Festival District’. -
Martha's Vineyard Kite & Wind Festival
When: Sep 8, 2018. Location: Ocean Park Oak Bluffs
Kite flying and making, Frisbee games, model sailboat racing, live music, and more! All events are at Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs, MA. This is a free event with no registration fees. See you in September for a great day of fun and relaxation! Kite making for children 10:30 am – noon.
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MV Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby
When: Sep 9 to Oct 13, 2018. Location: Martha's VineyardThe MV Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby is an iconic Island event that attracts fisherfolk from around the world and will include: special events including a Kayak Challenge, -$500 Super Saturday Dates, and Kids Day on Sunday September 18th. As always, the Derby’s Grand Awards Ceremony is a free event and open to all that takes place at 1 pm Sunday October 16th at Farm Neck Golf Club. A must-see family-friendly event.
Link: http://www.mvderby.com -
Tivoli Day Festival
When: Sep 15, 2018.
An annual celebration of summer’s end on Circuit Avenue featuring: live music, arts, crafts great food and family fun. This event will be held from 9 am until 6 pm all along Circuit Ave., which will be closed to traffic. Live music throughout the day.
Link: http://www.mvol.com -
Oak Bluffs Bluewater Fishing Classic
When: Sep 19 to Sep 19, 2018.This fundraising event is open to the public, catering to all fishing enthusiasts with vessels that have the range to fish in the vicinity of northeast canyons. The bluewater fishing south of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket Island rivals big game fishing anywhere around the world. The OBBC encompasses an overnight adventure, allowing entrants to fish for two straight days before returning to the dock. The OBBC involves 3 fishing days to chose from, fishing 2 out of 3 and a lay day.
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Vineyard Artisan Festival - Columbus Day Festival
When: Oct 7, 2018. Location: Grange Hall - Martha's VineyardOne day only to catch all your favorite Island artisans. Weaving, fine furniture, pottery, leather goods, oil paintings, pastels, mixed media, sculpture, wampum jewelry, hand knit items, clothing, photography, handmade books and much more. Indoors and outdoors, rain or shine. Free parking and free admission.
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Martha's Vineyard Food & Wine Festival
When: Oct 18 to Oct 21, 2018.Join us for the Annual Food & Wine Festival of Martha’s Vineyard in Edgartown, an event which reflects the Island’s tradition of farming and fishing and during which attendees enjoy locally- sourced food and culinary talent. Learn about and meet the farmers, fishermen, oyster producers, and artisans along with guest chefs and vintners from around the world during this 4 day event.
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Vineyard Artisan Festival - Annual Thanksgiving Day Festival
When: Nov 23 to Nov 24, 2018. Location: Agricultural Hall - West TisburyThis largest holiday art show by Islanders, features many holiday gifts such as one of a kind winter hand-made sweaters, hand-made soaps, Island lavender, and fine crafts including leather and vintage material bags, wood butcher block cutting boards, and so much more. The best part of coming to the Vineyard Artisan Festivals is meeting the artists and listening to how they love there art and enjoy making these beautiful gifts. Great food and live music. A $2.00 parking fee is for the Vineyard Artisans Scholarship Fund, which awards several scholarships to graduating MV High School students for studies in the Arts each year.
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Christmas in Edgartown
When: Dec 6 to Dec 9, 2018. Location: Martha's Vineyard
Christmas in Edgartown is a weekend festival you don’t want to miss! Every year through the various events, Christmas In Edgartown helps raise over $50,000 for island-wide charities and non-profits. Come be apart of the holiday magic!
Nantucket Event Calendar
Fondly nicknamed the “Grey Lady”, Nantucket is an enticing mecca of charm and distinction. From the cobblestone streets and sea captains’ mansions of Nantucket town, to the rose-covered cottages of Sconset, to the panoramic wind-swept moors, pristine beaches and ocean vistas, you will find Nantucket to be the perfect antidote to the hectic demands of modern life.
Once the whaling capital of the New World, today the Island attracts visitors year-round with its natural tranquility, delightful traditions, fine dining, and premier cultural events. Remember, it's easy and convenient to book your Steamship Authority reservations online.
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Opera House Cup Regatta
When: Aug 19, 2018. Location: NantucketThe Opera House Cup Regatta is a cherished tradition, held on the third Sunday of August on Nantucket. The Opera House Cup Regatta was the first all-wooden, single-hulled classic boat regatta on the East Coast, and it attracts some of the finest sailboats in the country.
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Nantucket Fall Restaurant Week
When: Sep 24 to Sep 30, 2018.Experience exceptional food, wine and Nantucket hospitality in many of the island's acclaimed culinary establishments. Three course dinners offered from $35 - $45 make this a culinary event not to be missed.
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Nantucket Maritime Festival
When: Sep 29, 2018. Location: Egan Maritime InstituteThe Maritime Festival is a celebration of the joy of living on an island and to experience time-honored maritime activities on and beside the sea that surrounds us. Packed with free activities for the whole family, on the water, beach and grass: build your own boat races, shucking contests, entertainment by maritime musical groups, kid’s activity tent and paddleboarding are just a few of the programs happening at this festival.
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Cranberry Harvest Festival
When: Oct 6, 2018. Location: NantucketDo you love cranberries? Then you'll love the Milestone Cranberry Bog and the Nantucket Conservation Foundation's Annual Cranberry Festival. Come out to the festival grounds and watch the berries being harvested, learn about the history of cranberry farming on Nantucket, participate in the family activities or just kick back and enjoy the music and the spectacular autumn scenery of one of the most unique and beautiful places on our Island. Don't forget to bring home a pound, or two, of Nantucket Cranberries for the Holidays!
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NantucketGrown Food Festival
When: Oct 12 to Oct 14, 2018.The annual NantucketGrown Food Festival will feature a unique and exciting series of events hosted by Sustainable Nantucket in collaboration with island farmers, chefs, fishermen, brewers, beekeepers and artisinal food producers. A showcase of food tastings, demos, culinary lessons, a "wild weed" cocktail party, "Farm Fresh Feast" and more in celebration of the Faraway Island's rich and diverse bounty.
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Annual Halloween Parade
When: Oct 31, 2018. Location: NantucketJoin the fun at the Annual Halloween Parade and Costume Pageant! A prize for Best Themed Costume will be awarded at 4:30 pm on the Methodist Church steps. The parade begins at 5 pm, and every child will receive a ribbon and goodie bag.
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Festival of Wreaths at the Nantucket Whaling Museum
When: Nov 21 to Nov 25, 2018.This beloved event, a veritable island tradition, marks the Nantucket Historical Association's kick-off to the holiday season, transforming the Whaling Museum into a magical winter wonderland. Stroll through and marvel at the array of exquisite wreaths lovingly crafted by members of the Nantucket community--including local businesses, non-profit organizations, and schools. Materials run the gamut from traditional to unconventional, and each wreath is a true masterpiece. Visitors bid on their favorites in a silent auction to benefit the NHA's year-round outreach efforts.
Link: http://www.nha.org -
Annual Tree Lighting & Community Caroling
When: Nov 23, 2018. Location: Nantucket
Everyone gathers at the top of Main Street on Nantucket to watch over 100 Christmas trees come alive with color and light. Caroling follows, filling the air with sounds of an old fashioned Christmas. School children, youth groups and non-profit organizations join with island businesses to decorate the trees in time for Christmas Stroll the following weekend.
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Nantucket Christmas Stroll
When: Nov 30 to Dec 2, 2018. Location: Nantucket Main Street
Nantucket's Christmas Stroll Weekend is enchanting and magical--a glittering Advent calendar come to life--transforming the island into an awe-inspiring panorama of sight and sound. Santa arrives via his nautical sleigh--with the help of the Coast Guard--and parades up Main Street to the Jared Coffin House, where he meets with children young and old to determine whether they've been naughty or nice. At the top of Main Street, the Magical Talking Tree mystifies children of all ages, and a Christmas Marketplace showcases the talents of local businesses--from foods and crafts to handmade wares and informational tables. Activities abound throughout Town, and there's even a Scavenger Hunt! There's no time machine needed to transport yourself back to Christmases past in this Charles Dickens' backdrop come to life. We invite you to celebrate with us
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Nantucket Noel
When: Dec 31, 2018. Location: Nantucket