Vineyard Haven / Oak Bluffs Band Concerts
photo by Becky Luce
Enjoy Martha’s Vineyard’s 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 Island, events geared to all ages abound
– from festivals to Island history and nature tours.
Events
A Taste of the Vineyard Gourmet Stroll
Edgartown
June 12
The Taste of the Vineyard is the kick-off to the Vineyard's summer social season.
Thursday night's Gourmet Stroll offers the Island's best food, wine and hand-crafted
beers from over 75 outstanding fine food and beverage participants. Then, dance
to Jerry Bennett and the Sultans of Swing's 12 piece band.(
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/A-Taste-of-the-Vineyard-Gourmet-Stroll/
Annual OB Harbor Festival
Oak Bluffs
June 21
Each year's Harbor Festival surpasses the record crowds of the previous year. Over
40 vendors from near and far, including many of the Vineyard favorites plan to return
for one of the Island’s most popular events. Local artists, craftsmen and antique
dealers, as well as non-profit organizations offering a tempting array of baked
goods, raffles and information about their causes, will be on hand. Live music on
the deck at Nancy’s featuring Martha's Vineyard's favorite bands. As always, an
abundance of native seafood and gourmet treats await the festive gathering at this
year’s Harbor Festival.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-OB-Harbor-Festival/
Martha's Vineyard Restaurant Week
Island-wide
June 15 - June 19
Join us for the annual Martha’s Vineyard Restaurant Week. Enjoy 3-course dinner
menus priced between $25 -$45 and lunch menus priced between $10 and $20 at some
of the Vineyard's most popular restaurants
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Marthas-Vineyard-Restaurant-Week/
Oak Bluffs Summer Solstice Celebration
Oak Bluffs
June 19
Oak Bluffs welcomes the arrival of summer at its annual solstice celebration, 6-8pm on Circuit Avenue. Music, arts, crafts and lots of family fun in the lingering
twilight of the year's longest day.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Oak-Bluffs-Summer-Solstice-Celebration/
Edgartown Independence Day Parade
Edgartown
July 4
The Town of Edgartown's 4th of July parade is a long-standing tradition filled with
fun for the entire family. As the parade winds through downtown and around each
corner, you will see kilt-clad bagpipers, veterans, floats promoting the island's
many non-profit organizations, firetrucks, animals, and a whole lot of candy and
excitement. A can't miss annual event.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/4th-of-July-Parade-Edgartown/
4th of July Fireworks Celebration
Edgartown
July 4
Cap off a fun-filled star-spangled banner day by watching a spectacular fireworks
celebration with family and friends along Edgartown Harbor. This years' celebration
will be one of the best. So put on your red, white and blue and wish America a happy
birthday
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/4th-of-July-Fireworks-Edgartown/
Vineyard Cup
Vineyard Haven
July 11 - July 13
Sponsored by Sail Martha's Vineyard, this is a weekend of sailboat racing with post
race parties that are open to the public. Plenty of food, drink, and music!
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Vineyard-Cup/
Martha's Vineyard Garden Tour
West Tisbury
July 23
Down dirt roads and hidden behind stone walls are some spectacular Vineyard gardens; join us for this special tour to visit a few. This year we visit gardens in Indian Hill, Tashmoo, and West Chop. Lunch, transportation, and afternoon refreshments provided. Please pre-register by calling 508-693-9426, space is limited and tour usually sells out quickly.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Marthas-Vineyard-Garden-Tour/
Round-the-Island Race
Edgartown
July 26
The Edgartown Yacht Club's Race Around Martha's Vineyard
Island is held on Saturday, July 26, 2014. The course around the Vineyard
passes in sight of the seven lighthouses of Cape Poge, Gay Head, Tarpaulin Cove,
Nobska, West Chop, East Chop and Edgartown. In the morning, the fleet sails between
Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket along the east beach of Chappaquiddick. By mid day,
they are in the open Atlantic Ocean with views of the south coast of the Vineyard.
In the afternoon, rounding the gorgeous cliffs of Gay Head, the fleet sail up Vineyard
Sound.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Edgartown-Yacht-Clubs-Round-the-Island-Race/
Possible Dreams Auction
Edgartown
July 27
The Possible Dreams Auction is held as a benefit for Martha’s Vineyard Community
Services. The idea for an 'unbuyable opportunities' auction was brought to Community
Services by Sandy Ray, then chair of the Fundraising Committee. The Possible Dreams
Auction is one of the oldest, most enduring celebrity concept auctions and over the years, the Auction Committee has raised over $8 million dollars in support
of unfunded care provided by the five programs of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services.
In past events, successful bidders have walked across the Brooklyn Bridge with David
McCullough; and toured the set of Ghostbusters with Dan Aykryod. They visited and
performed on the sets of numerous TV shows, traveled to amazing locales, lunched
and supped with some of the country’s most interesting characters, enjoyed concerts,
theater performances, behind-the-scene museum tours and award shows unavailable
to the public.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Possible-Dreams-Auction/
Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival
Edgartown
August 5-August 9
Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival will showcase films - shorts, features
& documentaries - judged to be the "best of the best" in independent African-American
cinema.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Marthas-Vineyard-African-American-Film-Festival/
Built on Stilts Dance Festival
Oak Bluffs
August 7-August 10 and August 16-August 19
Built on Stilts is a creative playground for both children and adults, from beginners
to professionals, representing diverse stylistic backgrounds. Over the years, the
event has showcased ballet, modern, hip hop, jazz, tap, breakdance, bellydance,
tai chi, movement theater, circus arts, pilates-based dance, mime, improvisation,
spoken word and, of course, a bit of stilting. Each performance opens with an improvisational
drum circle open to all willing musicians. The rhythms bouncing down Circuit Avenue
draw in passersby, who flood the gates of the historic Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs,
which has housed the festival since its inception.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Built-on-Stilts-Dance-Festival/
Grand Illumination Night
Oak Bluffs
August 20
Gather at the MV Camp Meeting Association's Tabernacle for a sing-along followed
by the annual Grand Illumination when the hundreds of lanterns hung on gingerbread
cottage porches are lit. This tradition, dating from the turn of the 19th century,
will delight the whole family. Sing along starts around 7 pm and the lanterns are
lit at dark.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Grand-Illumination-Night/
Fireworks at Ocean Park by the Sea
Oak Bluffs
August 22
This is a fun night to spend out with family and friends. Oak Bluffs is a great
place to do it. Grab dinner at one of the many fine restaurants in the area, then
maybe an ice cream... and then head over to the park for the show. 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.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Fireworks-at-Ocean-Park-by-the-Sea/
Martha's Vineyard Wind Festival
Oak Bluffs
September 6
A Celebration of the Wind - One of Martha’s Vineyard’s most precious resources.
What better way to say goodbye to summer, than to hold one BIG Event for everyone
to enjoy. We want to do it the old fashioned way, with fun and a creative twist.
We encourage creativity and colorful imagination. Everyone is welcome to participate.
Remember the simple pleasures that are powered by the wind? There will be Kite Flying,
Sailing, Wind Surfing, frisbees, and flying contraptions galore. Exhibits, Artisits
and Non-Profits. Competitions and prizes. And don’t forget to bring your blanket
and a picnic.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Marthas-Vineyard-Wind-Festival/
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more events