Summer on Martha’s Vineyard is full of great events that draw people to the island so always try to book your Martha’s Vineyard hotel or B&B early to avoid disappointment. The Martha’s Vineyard Lodging Association allows you to search and direct book (no commissions!!) your hotel from a single point.
So what events shouldn’t be missed?? Well here’s my top ten Martha’s Vineyard events:
– Beach Road Weekend Music Festival
– Oak Bluffs Fireworks
– Illumination Night
– Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival
– African American Film Festival
– Martha’s Vineyard Oyster Fest
– Martha’s Vineyard Food & Wine Festival
– Agricultural Fair
– Sail MV Regatta
– International Film Festival
Beach Road Weekend
A three day outdoor music festival that takes place in Vineyard Haven at the end of August. Tickets go on sale early and sell out early because of the draw of the acts that appear. Bands like Wilco, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Beck, Lord Huron, Avett Brothers and Emmylou Harris are examples of performers. Most of the Martha’s Vineyard Lodging Association properties partner for ticket packages with the festival.
Oak Bluffs Fireworks
The Oak Bluffs fireworks are breathtaking. The fireworks fill the sky above Ocean Park and are scheduled for the third Friday in August. Get there early with your blanket or beach chair to snag a prime spot in Ocean Park.
Illumination Night
Illumination night is a magical evening at the Gingerbread Houses in Oak Bluffs. Taking place the Wednesday prior to the OB fireworks, the cottage owners light up decorative lanterns across their porches at dusk and the area fills up with people strolling around the cottages admiring the light display.
Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival
A great Martha’s Vineyard experience. Locals flock to this event to watch movies and documentaries hot off the press from the Sundance Film Fest. Taking place in March at the Grange Hall in West Tisbury you’ll get to rub shoulders (in a COVID appropriate way!) with directors, producers and year round Vineyard folks!
African American Film Festival
Celebrating films that provide content, production, topics that have an African-American connection. This is #summersfinestfilmfestival. Taking place for over 20 years in Oak Bluffs you have a fair chance of bumping into Spike Lee and others.
MV Oyster Fest
An early October event that was born in Vineyard Haven and is now expanding across the island. Martha’s Vineyard is home to over 20 oyster farms and aquaculture has become an increasing part of the local economy. Even on such a small island there is a wide variety of flavor profiles for the oysters. Hang out, slurp oysters and drink champagne. Sounds like a plan.
Martha’s Vineyard Food And Wine Festival
An island wide food and wine extravaganza that takes place either in May or October (check their schedule) and highlights local chefs working their magic.
Agricultural Fair
This 4 day event in West Tisbury takes place on the third weekend of August and draws in thousands of people. The Martha’s Vineyard Ag Fair sees swimming pigs, horse pulls, tractor pulls, skillet throwing, lashings of fried food, music and more. Definitely not to be missed.
Sail MV Regatta
Taking place in July in Vineyard Haven this is a chance to see incredible vintage wooden sailing boats as well as more recently built wooden boats from our very own “Gannon & Benjamin” boat builders. The boats are immaculate with the wood varnished and polished to a mirror finish. The wooden boat regatta takes place over two days from Vineyard Haven harbor.
International Film Festival
The last film festival of the year takes place in September at the Film Center in Vineyard Haven. It showcases new films and documentaries from around the world. A great way to wind down your summer.
See you this summer!
Simon Hunton
Nobnocket Boutique Inn