What is your ideal summer vacation? Is it quiet and laid back, or busy and active? Or perhaps it is both?
When you are vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard, you don’t have to choose — you can relax on one of our fine-sand beaches AND you can participate in all the activities our island has to offer.
We at Martha’s Vineyard Live Music are a group of musicians who perform at a variety of events on the island throughout the summer months, so we are familiar with the lay of the land, so to speak. We know what goes on where and when, and are happy to highlight some of the events for you here.
The first thing to know is that even though Martha’s Vineyard is a beautiful and fun place in all seasons (just ask the 15,000 residents who live here all year round), it is most lively in the months between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.
The official summer season kicks off on May 28 with the Annual Spring/Memorial Day Weekend Festival at the West Tisbury Grange Hall. You’ll be able to see new works that Island artists have been working on all winter, and taste great local food.
After that event, you can look forward to lots of other activities. We are focusing here on the ones the whole family can participate in:
June
06/11: 20th Annual Summer Festival is a Vineyard summer tradition where the public can meet over 70 artisans and buy their works. (If you miss this event, don’t worry. It takes place weekly until September).
West Tisbury Grange Hall, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
06/17: Annual Harbor Festival celebrates summer with live music, food, arts, and crafts.
Oak Bluffs Harbor, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
06/20: Summer Solstice Celebration. Local poets and musicians of all ages will read and perform as we usher in a new summer season.
Outdoor stage at the Featherstone, Oak Bluffs, 6 p.m.
06/29: A tour of Morning Glory Farm and its famous strawberry fields, followed by an in-the-field cooking demo and a communal, farm lunch.
Edgartown, 10 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. July
July
07/04: Three events will commemorate our nation’s independence:
- Children’s parade with youngsters on flag- and banner-decorated bikes and wagons.The Tabernacle, Oak Bluffs, 10 a.m.
- The traditional July 4th parade–marching bands, floats, old-fashioned fun for the whole family.Edgartown Town Center, 5 p.m.
- The Fourth of July BBQ. There will also be free marching band concerts in the Old Whaling Church before and after the parade And, of course, there will be fireworks galore!Dr. Daniel Fisher House, Edgartown, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
07/06: A guided Campground Walking Tour is a wonderful chance to see historic cottages renown for their unique charm. The tours take place once weekly throughout July and August, so be sure not to miss one of them.
The Tabernacle, Oak Bluffs, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
07/06: Sail Martha’s Vineyard 26th Annual Seafood Buffet & Auction celebrates the 12th anniversary of the Vineyard Cup Regatta weekend.
Tisbury Wharf, 5:30 p.m.
07/08: Tisbury Annual Street Fair with various vendors, games, food, and fun for the whole family.
Downtown Vineyard Haven, 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
07/29: Annual Vineyard Sound Concert. Local a cappella group Vineyard Sound and special guests will perform. Tickets are available online or at the door.
The Tabernacle, Oak Bluffs, 8 p.m.
August
08/16: Grand Illumination. A sing-along followed by the annual Grand Illumination when hundreds of lanterns are hung on gingerbread cottage porches. A sight to behold!
Trinity Park, Oak Bluffs, 7:30 p.m.
08/17 – 08/20: 156th Annual Agricultural Society Fair. Lots of fun with rides, games, live music, livestock, competitions, craft demonstrations, food, shopping, art show, and awards for homegrown vegetables, fruits, flowers and homemade goodies…and the ever popular dog show.
West Tisbury, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.
September
Before we say goodbye for the summer, there is one more event we’d like to mention.
09/01/ – 09/03: The 22nd Annual Labor Day Weekend Festival is the largest art show on Martha’s Vineyard featuring Island artists with unique furniture, clothing, ceramics, jewelry and fine art.
Vineyard Haven, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
All of the above activities are geared to families, but there is so much more to do and see on Martha’s Vineyard. You can find all the events here, http://mvol.com/calendar/.
We’d also like to bring your attention to two very important categories: music and arts, as well as charity events. Let’s have a look:
06/08: Judy Collins will give a concert — a wonderful opportunity to see and hear this great performer live.
The Old Whaling Church, Edgartown, 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.
08/19: Another legendary artist, Aretha Franklin, will headline Summer Concert Series as part of her farewell tour.
The Tabernacle, Oak Bluffs
For more information on the concert series and the performers visit, http://mvconcertseries.com.
09/01 – 09/03: Jazz and Blues Summer Festival, an annual event since 2008, features live performances from world-class jazz and blues musicians.
Old Whaling Church, Edgartown
Every Wednesday throughout the summer you can head to the Featherstone and learn how to play the ukulele. It’s such fun and you don’t have to go all the way to Hawaii to master this craft!
The Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
07/12 – 08/12: “Julius Caesar” will be performed by an all-women cast playing one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies.
Outdoors at Tisbury Amphitheater, 5 p.m.
08/08 – 08/12: African American Film Festival is now entering its 15th year of presenting emerging feature, documentary, and short films.
Performing Arts Center, Edgartown 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Benefits
During the summer season on Martha’s Vineyard, a number of benefits are held in support of worthwhile causes and organizations. Among them are:
06/15: A Taste of the Vineyard Gourmet Stroll to benefit the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust.
Dr. Daniel Fisher House Lawns, Edgartown, 6:30 p.m.
08/14: Summer Soiree gala and auction in support of the Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard.
Farm Neck, Oak Bluffs, 5:30 – 10 p.m.
08/18: Fireworks at Ocean Park by the Sea. Come for dinner in one of the many fine restaurants in the area and after dark enjoy a fireworks display — all in support of Oak Bluffs Firemen’s Civic Association.
Ocean Park, Oak Bluffs, 8 p.m.
These are just some of the events that benefit our community’s causes. We support all of them http://www.oakbluffsfireandems.com.
We hope you’ll enjoy your summer days and nights on Martha’s Vineyard, and keep coming back year after year!
