🍂 Fall Activities Guide for Martha's Vineyard 2024
🍂 Fall Activities Guide for Martha's Vineyard 2024
30+ activities, events and things to do this off-season on MV
I see you shopping for cozy sweaters, cooking your first batch of chili or pumpkin bread. You’re ready for fall, and on MV, means a huge shift in island energy.
If you need help keeping track of closings, this may help as the season progresses:
In this seasonal guide I’ve included something for everyone - to either register for now, or save the date.
🌟 Try Something New: Lis’s Personal Picks
🌳 Visit a Garden
Gardens are a must-visit when the leaves change. AccuWeather predicts peak foliage in Mid-October, so be sure to save a weekend to visit one of the following:
Mytoi Garden
Hop on the On Time Ferry with your bike and see the colors change at Mytoi. Plan Your Visit: 9a-5p daily / Cost: $5 for non-members, (+ cost of the ferry) / Info
Polly Hill Arboretum
Polly Hill is a great place to see a variety of colors while learning something new. Plan Your Visit: Sunrise-Sunset daily / Visitor Center 9:30-4p / Cost: $5 (kids are free) / Info
Vineyard Gardens hosts a Harvest Festival (TBD)
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary hosts an Indigenous Peoples Celebration (TBD)
📝 Take a Class
Slough Farm
Slough Farm offers activities almost every day of the week. I love to check their calendar and see the new clubs, cooking classes, or artsy and outdoorsy activities they offer / Info
FARM Institute
While you may know them for their fall festivals, The FARM Institute offers cooking classes as well. Be sure to check their seasonal offerings as they are announced - Barnyard Buddies, Hayrides, Fall on the Farm, Harvest Dinners and Pumpkin Picking are all likely to return this season / Info
Featherstone is another venue with always-evolving class offerings.
💆♀️ Book Some Self-Care
If you need some recovery from the Summer rush, consider booking some wellness services for the fall. My Wellness Guide is a great place to start exploring what options are available.
🎣 Watch a Weigh In at the Derby
The MV Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby is a seasonal tradition on MV, whether you fish or not. I’ve always observed the commotion from afar, but last year I finally headed over to Edgartown Harbor to watch an evening weigh-in. It was such a great community feel! Plan Your Visit: Daily Weigh-In Hours: Dock St. Edgartown: Mornings: 8:00-10:00 AM. Evenings: 7:00-9:00 PM / Free to Watch
🗓️ Check the Programming at Local Events Venues
Keep an eye on Weekend Events Updates as new offerings are scheduled - best bets include Public Libraries, PathwayArts, MV Playhouse, The Strand and MV Film Center. Speaking of events…
🍁Mark Your Calendar with Autumn Happenings
Here are the fall dates we know so far:
9/14 - George V. Tankard Jr. Memorial 5K Road Race
9/15 - 10/19 - MV Striped Bass + Bluefish Derby
9/17 - Moonrise Kayak Tours at Felix Neck
9/19-9/21 - Martha’s Vineyard Songwriters Festival / Info
9/21 - Tivoli Day in Oak Bluffs
10/4 - First Friday Vineyard Haven
10/6 - Gay Head 10k
10/11-12 Winnetu Oceanside Resorts First Annual Oceans & Oysters / Info
10/12 and 11/9 - Autumn Walk through the Arboretum / Info
10/12-10/13 - Vineyard Artisans Fall Festival / Info
For Links and Weekly Updates please see “Local Events Update” each Thursday!
10/18 - 💎 Jewelry Playground at Vaalbara (Also on 10/19 and 10/20)
10/19 - 🔁🧑🌾 West Tisbury Farmers' Market at Agricultural Hall
10/19 - 🦅 Birding 101 with Martha’s Vineyard Bird Club at Eel Pond & Sheriff's Meadow Sanctuary
10/19 - 🏃♀️ Martha's Vineyard Brunch Run/Walk at Katama General Store
10/19 - 📚 Books Among Friends Pop-Up Bookstore at 47 Circuit Avenue (Also on 10/26)
10/19 - 🍁 Harvest Festival at Oak Bluffs Public Library
10/19 - 🎃 Pumpkin Festival at Morning Glory Farm
10/19 - 🍞 Pumpkin Shaped Bread with Vineyard Baker at The Farm Institute
10/19 - 🌿 Backyard Composting Workshop at Agricultural Hall
10/19 - 🍂 Oktoberfest at Newes from America, Faraway Hotel
10/19 - 📚 Author Talk: The Summer Before by Dianne C. Braley at Edgartown Public Library
10/19 - 🎉 MV Mediation's 40th Anniversary Celebration at The Loft
10/20 - 🐴 Sunday Slow Down with the Herd at Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center
10/20 - 🎣 Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby Awards Ceremony at Farm Neck Golf Club
10/20 - 🧑🌾 Agricultural Society Harvest Festival at Agricultural Hall
10/20 - 🧘♂️ Meditation at Bodhi Path Buddhist Center
10/20 - 🎭 Improv Acting Class at West Tisbury Public Library
10/20 - 🌶️ Chili Cook-Off at Island Inn Tennis
10/20 - 📷 Artist's Reception for "Dreamscapes from Martha's Vineyard" Photography Exhibit at Martha's Vineyard Film Center
10/20 - 🚶♂️ Martha's Vineyard CROP Hunger Walk at St. Augustine's Church
10/20 - 🎶 New Broadway Musicals Sing-Along and Talk at West Tisbury Public Library
10/20 - 🎤 Community Sing at Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School
10/20 - 💃 Local, Off-Season Dancing and Music with MV Ballroom at Unitarian Universalist Society
10/21 - 📅 MV Chamber of Commerce State of Tourism Breakfast
10/23 - 🎨 Art Night at Featherstone - Ceramics: Mug Making
10/25 - 🎭 Halloween Drag Show at Red Cat Kitchen
10/25 - 🛶 Witching Hour Paddle at OB Harbor
10/25 - 👪 Parents Night Out at the YMCA
10/25 - 🎉 October Bash at MV Boys and Girls Club
10/25 - 🎃 OB PTO Spooktacular
10/26 - 🎃 Halloween in Oak Bluffs
10/26 - 🎃 Trunk or Treat at Washington Park (first listing)
10/26 - 🎃 Boo in the Barnyard with MVCS at The FARM Institute
10/26 - 🐴 Ponies and Pumpkins at Misty Meadows
10/26 - 🛠️ Try the Trades with SparkMV at Ag Hall
10/26 - 🎃 Trunk or Treat at Washington Park (duplicate listing, second event)
10/26 - 🕺 Habitat for Humanity Dance Party at The PA Club
10/27 - 🍻 Octoberfest at S+S Kitchenette
10/27 - 🎃 Trunk or Treat at MV Charter School
10/27 - 🎃 Edgartown Happy Haunting
10/27 - 🐕 Halloween Kids Dog Show and Costume Contest at Ag Hall
10/28 - 👻 Haunted Island with Holly Nadler at MV Museum
10/30 - 🔮 Esoteric Evening at S+S Kitchenette
10/30 - 👻 Haunted House at MV Screenprinting
10/30, 11/01-11/02 - 👻 Fright Fest: Spirits and Spirits at Grange Hall
10/31 - 🎃 Alchemy Pumpkin Festival Competition
10/31 - 🐶 Bark and Boo Bash at MV Chamber of Commerce
10/31 - 🎃 Halloween on the Hill at MV Museum
10/31 - 🎃 Halloween Puppet Parade on Main Street Vineyard Haven
11/01 - 🎃 Halloween Dance Party at The Loft with Dolce Vita
11/02 - 🎉 Barn Raisers Day + Ball at Ag Hall
11/08-11/09 - 🎬 The Children’s Film Festival at Grange Hall
11/12-11/20 - 🎁 Featherstone's Annual Holiday Gift Show
11/15 - 🎭 TBD Improv at Grange Hall
11/16 - 🚚 Truckin’ MV
11/26 - Turky Trot 5k
11/29-30 - Vineyard Artisans Thanksgiving Festival / Info
11/30 - 💡 Light Up Oak Bluffs
I will do my best to update the section above as these dates are announced, but you can always subscribe to my Weekend Updates for the most up-to-date info.
❄️ Winter Preview
A few of last year’s guides that may be helpful as you plan for Winter:
📌 Quick Reference:
