Have a great time on the Island with Martha’s Vineyard Live Music and other terrific events
Sandy beaches, warm sea breezes, quaint towns busting with fun activities and resounding with live music (including wedding bells), can only mean one thing: summertime on Martha’s Vineyard.
Did you say “entertainment?” You got it! Starting with the Memorial Day weekend and ending at Labor Day, the island is alive and kickin’ with so many fun activities, the only difficulty you may have is deciding which one to participate in. And, if you are a music lover, you are in for a treat – during the summer months, you can enjoy numerous concerts and other performances.
Let’s have a look at what Martha’s Vineyard has in store for you this summer.
Be a social butterfly
Clearly, we can’t list all the wonderful events taking place on the island, but you can find details here
As you can see, summer festivities kick off with the Memorial Day weekend (May 24 – 27), during which a variety of events are planned. Among them is Oak Bluff’s Memorial Day Race, a one-mile run followed by a 5K walk or race, depending on your preference. It starts at 10 a.m.
Life’s a picnic? You got that right. At noon on Monday, the town of Tisbury will hold its annual Memorial Day picnic at Waterworks Park. There will be children’s games, music, rowboats, free ice cream, and ponies.
Throughout June, a bunch of fun events are taking place as well, including the Lighthouse Challenge on June 8 (get ready to climb to the top of MV’s lighthouses!); Vineyard Artisans Summer Festival (June 20), an art show featuring over 60 artists; and Chilmark Flea Market on June 29, an annual favorite.
Moving on to July, the highlight of the month is, of course, the Independence Day. Lots of celebrations are taking place on July 4, including (but not limited to) the Fourth of July Barbecue starting at 4 PM on the lawn of Dr. Daniel Fisher House at 99 Main Street in Edgartown, and followed by a traditional parade and fireworks.
Later in the month, there is the Tisbury Street Fair on July 8; 90th Annual Regatta in Edgartown on July 12; and Monster Shark Tournament on July 18 at Oak Bluff’s Harbor – the largest offshore fishing event in New England.
And, there is more fun in store in August. On the 14th at the MV Camp Meeting Association’s Tabernacle, 1 Trinity Park, Oak Bluffs, there will be a sing-along followed by the annual Grand Illumination, when hundreds of lanterns hung on gingerbread cottage porches are lit.
Also in Oak Bluffs, on the evening on August 19th, you can watch fireworks and listen to the Vineyard Haven Band at Ocean Park by the Sea.
As Labor Day weekend beckons and you are getting ready to bid goodbye to the summer, check out the Wind Festival on August 30 at Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs. Go fly a kite and just have loads of fun.
As we said, these are just some of many events that take place in the summer on Martha’s Vineyard. For a complete listing of things to see and do, check out this site (the same one as mentioned above)
They are singing / playing your song!
Of course, summertime wouldn’t be the same without live music. Fortunately, you will never be left wanting because Martha’s Vineyard and music go hand-in-hand.
Here’s a partial list of live music events:
The summer season starts with the traditional Chamber Music Society Spring Concert, on May 26 at 4:00pm at Old Whaling Church in Edgartown.
On June 17 and every week thereafter, listen to Musical Mondays concerts at Featherstone in Oak Bluffs http://www.featherstoneart.org/musical-mondays
Each summer week on Mondays and Tuesdays, Martha’s Vineyard Chamber Music Society will present special concerts. Monday concerts (8 PM) will take place at Old Whaling Church in Edgartown and Tuesdays’ at the Chilmark Community Center in Chilmark. Here’s what you can look forward to:
On July 15 and 16, musicians from the Harlem String Quartet will perform.
July 22 and 23 will mark the Britten Centenary (Benjamin Britten was an English composer, conductor, and pianist).
Other concerts in the series will focus on Mozart (August 5 and 6); Ravel, Piazzolla, Gershwin and Larsen on August 12 and 13; and Infiniti Brass Quintet on August 19 and 20.
Want more live music? Check out the band and concert calendar here
We bet that after taking in all these – and more – great events, your Martha’s Vineyard summer will leave you with wonderful memories. And you may even be singing this song!
