Whether you are vacationing with family or friends, Cape Cod offers a wide variety
of special events, many of which are free and require no advance planning. In addition
to the beautiful beaches, outstanding cuisine and quaint little villages on the
Cape, events geared to all ages abound – from festivals to sports to film. And when
it comes to eating, a favorite vacationer activity, be sure to experience the traditional
seaside favorites and freshest seafood.
Events
Wellfleet Harborfest
Wellfleet
June 1
The Annual Wellfleet Community Harborfest is a special day to promote boating, fishing
and nautical activities available at Wellfleet Harbor and Marina. This festival
will inaugurate the summer season and showcase what Wellfleet has to offer as a
waterfront community. Highlights will include a Nautical Flea Market, food vendors
promoting local seafood, educational and informational exhibits pertaining to the
Harbor, and recreational and nautical-related activities
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Wellfleet-Community-Harborfest/
WCOD Cape Cod Chowder Festival
Hyannis
June 23
A Cape Cod tradition continues with WCOD cooking up its annual “Chowder Fest” at
the Melody Tent. It’s the recipe for a perfect day of sipping and slurping samples
of chowder from many of the Cape’s best restaurants, all competing for the coveted
“WCOD Chowder Bowl.” Bring the family and spend the afternoon savoring the “souper”
seaside flavor of quintessential Cape Cod, while being serenaded by some of the
best bands on the Cape. Don’t miss your chance to get “bowled” over by the Cape’s
choicest chowders!
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/WCOD-Cape-Cod-Chowder-Festival/
Annual Provincetown International Film Festival
Provincetown
June 19 - June 26
The Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF) is dedicated to showcasing new
achievements in independent film and honoring the work of acclaimed and emerging
directors, producers and actors. PIFF is equally devoted to expanding the audience
for independent film and to serving our Provincetown and Outer Cape community by
filling the void for annual film programming and reflecting the community's rich
diversity in our selected films and honorees.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Provincetown-International-Film-Festival/
Cape Cod Baseball League
Cape-Wide
June 12 - August 7
This is the premier amateur baseball league in the nation since 1885. See the MLB
stars of tomorrow throughout the summer Cape-wide, and admission is free.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Cape-Cod-Baseball-League/
18th Annual Father's Day Car Show
Hyannis
June 16
Marvel at hundred's of collector and antique cars all along historic Main Street,
Hyannis. In addition you can taste the specialties of the area's restaurants and
food vendors and browse the arts and crafts fair. A fun day for all
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Fathers-Day-Car-Show/
Provincetown Portuguese Festival
Provincetown
June 26 – June30
P'Town embraces Iberian culture with the 2013 Portuguese Festival. The weekend includes
the annual Blessing of the Fleet, gallery opening, activities, live music, and plateful
after plateful of delicious Portuguese cuisine.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Provincetown-Portuguese-Festival/
Yarmouth Summer Celebration
Yarmouth
June 21-June 29
Start the summer with a week long celebration. There are commissioned sand sculptures
all around Yarmouth, Kite Fun, an Ice Cream Chill Off, Nature Walks ,Food galore,
Sailing Regatta ,YD Red Sox game with Wally the Green Monster, Stunt bicycle riding
demonstrations, and much more. The week ends with Celebration Fireworks at DY High
School. Check out venues and events at
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Yarmouth-Summer-Celebration/
5th Annual Cape Cod Quahog Day
Yarmouth
June 21
Celebrate the first day of Summer 2013 "Quahog-style!" Who needs a weatherman when
you have Doug the Quahog? Celebrate the first day of Summer 2013 "Quahog-style!"
Join Doug, his sidekick Johnny Quahog and his beefy Quahog Security Team on June
21st as they gather at the Skipper Restaurant in South Yarmouth for Doug’s much-anticipated
summer prediction at the 5h Annual Quahog Day. The ceremony will be followed by
a Quahog Day bash, and will kick off a week of Quahog-related activities Cape-wide,
including a Stuffed Quahog Eating contest at the Quahog Republic Dive Bar in Falmouth.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Cape-Cod-Quahog-Day/
Arts Alive
Falmouth
June 21-June 23
Free fun for the entire family! Arts Alive is a three-day arts festival with events
and activities for all members of the family. 60 performances of music, theater,
dance take place under 3 large tents on the Falmouth Library Lawn.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Arts-Alive-Festival/
SandwichFest 2013
Sandwich
June 29
Which restaurant has "The Best Sandwich in Sandwich"? You be the judge during SandwichFest.
Held in Sandwich - the oldest town on Cape Cod - activities at this fun summer street
festival also include games for kids, a pet and owner look-alike contest, live music,
and a farmers market
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/SandwichFest/
Art in the Village
Barnstable
June 29-June 30, 10-4.
Paintings, pottery, jewelry, photography and more. Children’s activities, too, including
the always popular touch-a-truck, and face painting. Enjoy live music throughout
the day, bid on great auction items.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Art-in-the-Village/
Strawberry Thanksgiving Festival
Plymouth
June 29-June 30
It’s a Native tradition to celebrate the first harvest of the new growing season:
Strawberries! Strawberry shortcake and chilled strawberry soup are on the menu at
the Patuxet Café today, as we enjoy the fresh new fruit of spring. Native people
gave thanks regularly for harvested gifts like the strawberry. Come see mishoon
(Native canoe) races along the Eel River at 11:00 a.m., as well as singing and dancing
that precedes the races at 10:00 a.m., as Plimoth Plantation celebrates a festive
Strawberry Thanksgiving! Free with Museum admission.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Strawberry-Thanksgiving-Festival/
Annual Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Pow Wow
Falmouth
July 5-July 7
The Powwow is a traditional celebration of Mashpee Wampanoag culture featuring Native
American dancing, drumming, games, food, art, jewelry, wampum, gifts, crafts and
clothing.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Mashpee-Wampanoag-Tribal-Pow-Wow/
4th Annual Mashpee Sand Sculpting Festival
Mashpee
July 5 - July 7
A unique, fun, family event that will feature the most talented sand sculptors in
the world creating amazing sand sculptures over 3 days with hundreds of tons of
specially imported sand. Live music, food, giveaways galore and so much more!
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Mashpee-Sand-Sculpting-Festival/
Annual Osterville Village Day
Osterville
July 20
The shops are open and the streets come alive during this event. The day features
all the hallmarks of a Cape Cod village festival: 5K Road Race, Craft Fair, Children's
Events, Music, Food, Big Parade with Antique Cars and Floats.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Osterville-Village-Day/
Barnstable County Fair
Falmouth
July 20 - July 27
The Barnstable County Fair has been an annual summer tradition on Cape Cod for 168
years. The Fair is a place where families can spend the day together and share experiences
they can only experience at the Barnstable County Fair. There are animal shows,
4-H demonstrations, petting zoos, horticulture displays, rides, games, live music,
arts & crafts, food and commercial vendors with various arts and crafts for sale.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Barnstable-County-Fair/
22nd Annual Woods Hole Film Festival
Woods Hole
July 27- August 3
The oldest festival on Cape Cod is dedicated to showcasing and promoting the work
of independent, emerging filmmakers from New England and features international
narrative and documentary feature films, shorts, and animation, many of them world
or New England premieres, plus master classes, panel discussions and nightly parties
held at the water’s edge.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Woods-Hole-Film-Festival/
58th Annual Chatham Antiques Show & Sale
Chatham
August 1 - August 4
The Chatham Antiques Show & Sale is a fine antiques show featuring formal American
and European furniture and accessories, fine art, porcelain, fine period ceramics,
silver, jewelry, and more.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Chatham-Antiques-Show-and-Sale/
9th Annual Provincetown Jazz Festival
Provincetown
August 17 - August 19
Craving the smooth sounds of Duke Ellington and Miles Davis? Sway to the beat this
month at the 8th Annual Provincetown Jazz Festival. This three-day Jazz Festival,
the only one of its kind on the Cape.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Provincetown-Jazz-Festival/
Annual Sandcastle Contest
Dennis
August 11
What a great time for family to spend together, don't forget to bring your pail
and shovels. Hosted by the Town of Dennis Beach Department and the Dennis Chamber
of Commerce
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Sandcastle-Contest/
Pops By The Sea
Hyannis
August 11
The TD Bank Pops by the Sea concert is Cape Cod's single largest cultural event.
For each of the past 25years we have welcomed one of the nation's finest and best-loved
musical ensembles - the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra- to the Hyannis Village
Green for their only Cape Cod appearance.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Pops-by-the-Sea-Concert/
Falmouth Road Race
Falmouth
August 11
See elite athletes from around the world in the Falmouth Road Race - a 7 mile run
from the drawbridge in Woods Hole to the beach in Falmouth Heights.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Falmouth-Road-Race/
Festival of the Arts
Chase Park, Chatham
August 16-August 18
Enjoy 120 top quality, nationally juried, arts & craft booths. Kids will have fun
as well, there is a children's area with face painting and crafts. The Festival
of the Arts is sponsored by The Creative Arts Center to support their year-round
classes, workshops, exhibitions, and outreach in the community
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Festival-of-the-Arts/
Cotuit CraftFest
Cotuit
August 17-August 18
More than 100 artisans and craftsmen gather at this premier showing of skilled craftsmanship
and artistic talent. A day spent at CraftFest Cotuit is a day full of artistic inspiration,
dialogue and learning, with all the pleasures of a quintessential summer village
festival, down by the seaside, on Cape Cod.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Cotuit-Arts-and-Crafts-Festival/
Carnival Week
Provincetown
August 18 - August 24
Imagine Mardi Gras, moved to New England. Lots of partying, wild costumes, a colorful
parade down the main drag (yes, pun intended!), and more partying. That's Carnival
time in P-town!
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Carnival-Week-in-Provincetown/
23rd Annual Pops in the Park
Orleans
August 24
What could be better that listening to the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra conducted
by Maestro Jung-Ho Pak on a warm summer evening? Not much. An event not to be missed!
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Pops-in-the-Park/
Downtown Plymouth Waterfront Festival
Plymouth
August 24
Enjoy over 200 artisans and crafters, Ducky Dash, the annual Motor Head's Cruise
In Car Show, New England Aquarium's Travelling Tidepool, Festival Carnival , "America's
Hometown" Plymouth Idol competition & 2 stages of live entertainment!
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Downtown-Plymouth-Waterfront-Festival/
Cape Cod Festival of Magic
Yarmouth
August 27-August 29
While summer in Yarmouth is always a magical time of the year, the last week of
August promises to be extra magical as some fifteen magicians, many well known in
magic circles around the world, will be performing in the Third Annual "Cape Cod
Festival of Magic." Join us for a spectacular display of magic sleight of hand,
grand illusions, creative artistry, and side-splitting comedy.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Cape-Cod-Festival-of-Magic/
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