🇺🇸 Independence Day Weekend on Martha's Vineyard: 7/3-7/5
FREE edition, first friday, fourth of july parade/fireworks, mass250, polar bears + more
Today’s full edition is FREE for all!
⏱️ This Week on MVacay
🗺️ What To Do This Weekend
Friday, July 3, 2026
🎣 Family Fishing at OB Fishing Pier, 9:30-11:30a / More Info
🫧 Bubble Fest at Oak Bluffs Public Library, 10-11a / More Info
🎨 First Friday Vineyard Haven at Downtown Vineyard Haven & Owen Park Beach, 10a-10:30p / More Info
10a-2p: Daytime Art Market on Beach Street Extension, plus Art Hang at Althea Designs.
12-4p: Live music and street performances around Beach Street Extension, Main Street, and Linden Tree Park.
5-9p: Food trucks open at Owen Park. Live music at Owen Park Beach, including LooseFit, The Cut, Luke Dunlap, and Red Night Delight.
9-10:30p: Silent DJ Party at Owen Park Beach with PathwaysARTS.
Downtown shops and galleries stay open late with gallery strolls, specials, and pop-ins throughout Vineyard Haven.
📚 Book Signing: A Weekend at Gramps ‘97 by Dave Mercaldo at Edgartown Books, 11a-1p / More Info
Meet author and MVRHS alum Dave Mercaldo as he signs his nostalgic New England-set novel for middle grades.🛍️ LoveShackFancy Pop-Up at The Charlotte Inn, 11a-4p / More Info (Sat too)
🎭 Seven Spools of Thread the Musical at The Strand Theatre, 2-4p / More Info
🎶 Joint Show: Vineyard Sound & Cape Harmony at United Methodist Church, 5p / More Info
🎶 Sunset Concert Series - Sean McMahon at Tabernacle, 6-7:30p / More Info
Saturday, July 4, 2026
🏊 Polar Bears of MV Celebrate 80th Anniversary at Inkwell Beach, 7:30-8:30a / More Info / free
🏃 Mike’s Run the Chop Challenge at Tisbury School, 8:45a / More Info
🥕 West Tisbury Farmers Market at MV Agricultural Hall, 9a-12p / More Info
🛍️ Chilmark Flea Market at Flea Market Field, Chilmark, 9a-2p / More Info / Free
🎉 Children’s Fourth of July Parade at MVCMA, 9-11a / More Info
🇺🇸 25th Annual Aquinnah 4th of July Parade at Moshup Trail and Aquinnah Circle, 10a-3p / More Info
Decorate your vehicle, join the parade, and stick around for kids’ games, awards, music, and BBQ at the Vanderhoop Homestead.🧵 Embroidery with Havenly at Erica Wilson, 10a-4p / More Info (Sun too)
🎺 Polar Bears Present Community Concert at Ocean Park, 3-5p / More Info / free
🎉 Fourth of July Parade at Downtown Edgartown, 5p / More Info
Parade steps off from Edgartown School at 5p sharp. Route begins at West Tisbury Road and Robinson Road, then continues through Main Street, Pease’s Point Way, Morse Street, Fuller Street, Thayer Street, North Water Street, and back up Main Street to finish at Edgartown School.
All downtown roads close at 4:15p; traffic is prohibited from accessing Lower Main Street and the north side of town.Parade-route traffic is prohibited from 4:30-7p, so plan for delays and arrive early. No public parking at Edgartown School or the Library; both are for parade staging only. Handicap parking is available on Pine Street.
Taking the VTA? During parade road closures, use the temporary Edgartown stops at Great Harbor Market/Curtis Lane, Edgartown Hardware, or South Water & High, depending on your route.
Chappy Ferry vehicle traffic is prohibited starting at 4:15p, though service continues for vehicles already in line on Simpson Lane and Daggett Street.
🎶 Fourth of July Patriotic Sing-Along at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 6:30p / More Info
Join Vineyard Sound directly after the parade for the Star-Spangled Banner and a community sing-along.🎵 Island Community Chorus Concert at Trinity Park Tabernacle, 7p / More Info
🎆 Fourth of July Fireworks at Edgartown Harbor, after dark / More Info
Fireworks begin after sunset, once it is completely dark. Best viewing is around Edgartown Harbor; the fireworks barge is moored north of the lighthouse, though it may be farther out depending on shorebird nesting.
North Water Street closes after the parade, with all vehicle access to North Water prohibited at 7:45p. Handicap parking is available in the EYC/Dock Street parking lot.
Taking the VTA for fireworks? Use Route 11 at Rockfish on North Water Street for pick-up/drop-off instead of Mayhew Lane; it’s the key downtown bus stop for getting out of Edgartown after the fireworks.
Sunday, July 5, 2026
🧹 Community Beach Cleanup & Trash Tally at State Beach in Oak Bluffs & Edgartown, 8-11a / More Info
🛍️ Oak Bluffs Open Market at Washington Park, 10a-2p
🎨 Vineyard Artisans Festival at Historic Grange Hall, 10a-2p / More Info
🏛️ Maintaining Our Sovereignty at Aquinnah Cultural Center, 11a-4p / More Info
Visit the Wampanoag History Museum’s rotating exhibition centering contemporary Aquinnah Wampanoag sovereignty, history, and survivance (Fri+Sat too)🧘 Restorative Sound Journey at Peaked Hill Studio, 4-5:15p / More Info / $30-$45
Relax with a restorative sound bath using Himalayan and crystal singing bowls, monochords, chimes, and other instruments.🎨 Art in the Park | Vineyard Cottages Reception at PA Club, 5-7p / More Info /
Don’t miss the Auction After Party featuring art, community, and summer celebration at the PA Club.🎶 Sundays In The Park Concerts at Ocean Park, 5:30-7:30p / free
What’s “Behind the Paywall?” Here’s a preview of what paid subscribers get in their inboxes every week year-round! The second half of the email!
📍MVacay’s Island Updates
⛅️ Weekend Weather Outlook: Sunny and hot Friday, mostly sunny Saturday, and partly cloudy Sunday, with highs cooling from the upper 80s to low 80s and lighter northeast winds by Sunday.
⭐️ Island Updates
West Marine closing: West Marine in Vineyard Haven is preparing to close, though no official closing date has been announced.
MV Grand Games: MV Grand Games is teasing a new Island event/games concept focused on group experiences; details have not been announced yet.
Island Wildlife: Felix Neck’s Tuesday morning Island Wildlife program runs from 10-11a, with a trail walk to look for birds, insects, and sanctuary wildlife, followed by an up-close visit with animal ambassadors in the Discovery Room.
New fitness offering: Let’s Keep it Mobile is a mobility and mindful movement class held at The Loft at Edgartown Bicycles, designed to support joint health, range of motion, and everyday stiffness.
Cook the Vineyard Alpha-Gal Guide: A new practical guide to alpha-gal-friendly cooking on Martha’s Vineyard, with pantry tips, recipe ideas, and local sources including farm stands, seafood options, and alpha-gal-friendly products.
🍴 Restaurant Updates
Morning Dew + Yommi: Morning Dew Juice and Yommi are teaming up at 395 State Road in Vineyard Haven, the former Pie Chicks location, with alpha-gal friendly salads, fresh juices, popsicles, and more. Now open.
BeetleBundle: Beetlebung Farm has launched a new pre-order picnic option for Tuesday and Thursday farmstand pickup, with rotating seasonal salads, dips, sandwiches on Beetlebung sourdough, and other farm kitchen items.
📅 Save The Dates - Upcoming Events
⭐️ Cool New Event Spotlights
Dock Dance: Dock Street Fight Club is bringing free, all-ages live music back to Edgartown Memorial Wharf every Tuesday this summer from 6:30-8:30p.
Voices of Independence: Vineyard Preservation Trust will host a July 7 civic program at The Old Whaling Church with spoken word, music, Island voices, historic texts, and reflections on liberty, democracy, and independence.
Chillin’ in Chilmark: Free live music on the Chilmark Common is running most Thursdays this summer, with the July 9 Common Grounds Festival featuring Red Night Delight, Black Brook Singers and Dancers, food from Chef Deon, local vendors, lawn games, face painting, and more.
Swim Across America: The inaugural MV Open Water Swim will take place July 18 at Menemsha Beach, swim options include Kids Splash, ¼-mile, ½-mile, and 1-mile swims, with proceeds supporting cancer care.
Sankofa Festival: Oak Bluffs Public Library’s annual celebration of African American literature and culture returns July 31 and August 1, with speakers, writers, scholars, artists, performers, and programs connected to Oak Bluffs’ Black history.
Elvis Costello Benefit Show: Elvis Costello will play a solo benefit show for MVYRADIO at The Old Whaling Church on August 8; Friends of MVYRADIO presale begins Thursday at 10a, with general public tickets on sale Friday at 10a.
The Vineyard Classic 5K: The inaugural Vineyard Classic 5K is scheduled for August 11 in Oak Bluffs, with a USATF-certified course along East Chop open to runners and walkers of all ages and abilities.
A look at the next 6 weeks, with links to events you may want to grab tickets to!
July 6 - Monday Afternoon Lecture Series at Cooke House & Legacy Gardens / Let’s Keep it Mobile at The Loft
July 7 - Voices of Independence at The Old Whaling Church / Martha’s Vineyard Sharks Veterans and Bicentennial Night at the MVRHS Shark Tank / Arts Icon Awards Gala at Grange Hall / Berry Tart or Pie with Chef Melissa McCullough / Drag King Storytime / MVYRADIO Summer Concert Series at Winnetu Oceanside Resort begins / Chilmark Community Trust: Music & Dancing with The Mike Benjamin Band / Nature Story Time with PHA Volunteers at Polly Hill Arboretum / Storywalk — The Brass Ring at Oak Bluffs Public Library
July 8 - Lenny Clarke and Jimmie JJ Walker Comedy Show at Martha's Vineyard Film Center / Tisbury Street Fair / Bark in the Park at MV Sharks / Summer Speaker Series: Kerry Docherty at Chilmark Free Public Library/ Third Annual Dog Show at Nomans / Live Music: Kahoots at Martha’s Vineyard Museum
July 9 - Sail MV Seafood Buffet & Auction / Sick Day: A Staged Reading at Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse / The Yellow Shop at MV Botiga / 26th Annual Gingerbread Cottage Tour at Martha’s Vineyard Camp Meeting Association / Farm to Focaccia: Bread Art with Vineyard Baker / Chillin’ in Chilmark: Common Grounds Festival at Chilmark Common / Summer Institute Speaker Series Opens at Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center
July 10 - Generations Picnic: Magic / Sunset Concert Series - Mike Benjamin at MVCMA / Cirio Collective: Open Ground —Showing and Discussion
July 10-12 - Vineyard Cup Regatta / Fluke for Luke Tournament Weekend
July 11 - Jaws: Amity Island Waterfront Experience at Owen Park / Fluke for Luke Tournament / Presidents for Kids at The Carnegie / Campground Flea at MVCMA Tabernacle / Island Elderly Housing Benefit Concert at Featherstone / Meals in the Meadow at FARM Institute / One Island, One Book 2026 / The Fabulists at Tisbury Amphitheater / Seawall Stand at Vineyard Haven Seawall / An Introduction to Nôepe History at Oak Bluffs Public Library
July 12 - Merrily We Roll Along with James Lapine at MV Film Center / Tayari Jones with Michele Norris (MV Book Festival) at MVPAC / Atlantic Soap Co. and Cosanila at MV Botiga / Edgartown Resident Appreciation Night + Hat Giveaway at MV Sharks / Vineyard Haven Band Concert at Ocean Park
July 13 - Frida: A Special Screening with Director Julie Taymor and Composer Elliot Goldenthal at Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse / Monday Afternoon Lecture Series at Cooke House & Legacy Gardens
July 14 - Tiles & Tea for Community at Atria / 250 Years Later: Thoughts on the American Revolution with Nathaniel Philbrick (Vineyard Preservation Trust) at Old Whaling Church / Adult Art Classes begin at Chilmark Community Center / MV Sharks-Mini Baseball Clinic / An Evening with Dawn Porter: Behind the Scenes of a New Documentary on Winnie and Nelson Mandela / Nomans Night Artisans Market / Chilmark Community Trust: Family Fun Night / Custard Based Ice Cream Adult Class at The FARM Institute
July 15 - A Revolution Worn: Clothing that Marked Cultural Change in America at Carnegie Heritage Center / As You Like It at Tisbury Amphitheater / Kid's Crabbing at Owen Park Beach / Daniela Gerson at the Chilmark Community Center / Summer Speaker Series: Who Was Lucy Vincent? at Chilmark Free Public Library
July 15-16 - Islanders Write
July 16 - Cottagers House Tour at Cottagers’ Corner / Chris Monty Live Stand Up Comedy at MV Film Center / Jill Biden (MV Book Festival) at Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center / Kenworthy Summer Show at Flat Point Farm / Sip and Create begins at Chilmark Community Center / Chillin’ in Chilmark: Missis Biskis / MVM Day at Martha’s Vineyard Museum / Family Style Catch and Cook with The MV Shellfish at The FARM Institute
July 17 - Sunset Concert Series - Phil Darosa at MVCMA / As You Like It at Tisbury Amphitheater / Yo (Love Is a Rebellious Bird) at Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse / Bollin Trucking and Excavation Night at MV Shark / Away to See Book Celebration and Summer Raised II Art Exhibition at Eisenhauer Gallery / Shenandoah II: Designing the Next Generation at Martha’s Vineyard Museum / Two Tables: A Farm Dinner at Beetlebung Farm
July 18 - Annual Summer Gala at Featherstone Center for the Arts / 19th Annual Native Artisan Market + Festival at Aquinnah Circle / Swim Across America — Martha's Vineyard Open Water Swim at Menemsha Beach / It Sounds So Sweet: Folk Music on Martha’s Vineyard, 1958 to 1963 at Martha's Vineyard Museum / Catboats! Sail Sculpin 2026 at Old Sculpin Gallery / Parade of Sail at Edgartown Harbor / Laughing Matters — 2nd Annual Comedy Fundraiser for Stillpoint at Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center
July 18-19 - PA Club Annual Feast
July 19 - Christin Geall at the Chilmark Community Center
July 20 - Ziggy Marley MV Concert Series / Jon Stetson Psychic Comedy Show at MV Film Center / Victoria Cardona at Grange Hall
July 21 - Island Autism Awareness Night + Jersey Auction + $1 Hot Dogs at MV Sharks / Chilmark Community Trust: Family Bingo Night
July 22 - Across the Universe at Martha's Vineyard Film Center / The Hobbit Play at Katharine Cornell Theater
July 23 - Water Tasting by the Sea at Captain R. Flanders Inn / Library Friends of Oak Bluffs - Book Sale / Chillin’ in Chilmark: Joel Harrison & Stan Strickland Duo
July 24 - Sunset Concert Series - Alwyn Robinson at MVCMA / Chilmark Resident Appreciation Night at MV Sharks / An Evening of Magic, Illusion and Mind-Blowing Juggling at Martha’s Vineyard Film Center
July 25 - Children’s Festival at MVCMA / Flying Horses Carousel 150th Birthday Party at Flying Horses Carousel
July 26 - Lee Bollinger + Jelani Cobb (MV Book Festival) at Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center / Emi Ferguson
July 26-August 1 - HBCU Legacy Week
July 27 - Jewish Culture Festival
July 27–31 – MV Documentary Week (MV Film Society) / BasketCaseMV and Potluck Print Endeavors at MV Botiga
July 28- BiodiversityWorks Summer Gathering at Tashmoo Springs / Live Music: Freddy & Francine at Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse
July 30 - Union Chapel Social / Sankofa Festival at Oak Bluffs Library begins / Martha’s Vineyard Sharks Last Home Game of the Season at the MVRHS Shark Tank / Jeffrey Osborne Benefit Concert for The Cottagers at The Strand Theatre / Sally Mann at the Performing Arts Center
July 31- Sunset Concert Series - The Dukes of Circuit Ave at MVCMA / Sankofa 2026 at Oak Bluffs Public Library
August 1 - Annual Craft & Artisan Fair at MVCMA Tabernacle
August 1-7 - HBCU Arts Festival
August 2 - Misty Meadows Summer Benefit / Maggie Haberman at the Performing Arts Center
August 3 - All Island Art Show at MVCMA Tabernacle (Children’s 8/4) / Hospice Summer Soiree at Farm Neck Golf Club / 13th Annual Martha’s Vineyard Founders and Funders Retreat at 99 Main Street
August 3-21 - MV Comedy Festival
August 4 - Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers at The Tabernacle / Night Artisan Market Series at Nomans
August 5 - InkWellness Festival
August 6 - Meet the Fleet at Menemsha Docks
August 6-9, 14-17 - Built on Stilts Festival
August 6-8 - Pen Pals at Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse
August 7 - Sunset Concert Series - Anna Laura Quinn at MVCMA Tabernacle / First Friday Vineyard Haven / Grace Kelly Benefit Concert at The Old Whaling Church, Edgartown / Who Needs College Anymore? Imagining a Future Where Degrees Won't Matter at Stillpoint / Two Tables: A Farm Dinner at Beetlebung Farm
August 7-15 - Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival
August 8 - Possible Dreams Auction with MV Community Services / Chilmark Road Race / Elvis Costello at The Old Whaling Church
August 9 - Anonymous Art at Featherstone Center for the Arts / Katarina String Quartet / Alex Cohen Memorial Basketball Marathon at Chilmark Community Center Basketball Court / Cup of Karma Café Presents Vineyard Visionaries at Stillpoint
August 10 - Broadway Divas at Martha’s Vineyard Film Center / Skippy Scallop Storytime and Touch Tank at Grange Hall
August 11 - The Vineyard Classic 5k at Washington Park
August 12-15, 2026 - Black Wealth Weekend
August 12 - Rotational Grazing Tasting Tour at Beetlebung Farm
August 13 - The Momentum Summit / Sen. Raphael Warnock at the Chilmark Community Center
August 13th–16th - Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Fair
August 14 -Sunset Concert Series - The Roundabouts at MVCMA Tabernacle / Black Education Forum
August 15 - MVCMA Fundraising Concert at the Tabernacle / MV Black Book Festival / MV Vibe Fest at Waban Park
August 15–22 – Martha’s Vineyard Soulfest 5th Year Anniversary
August 16 - Harlem Quartet / Greek Week on Martha’s Vineyard at Inkwell Beach /Eugene Robinson at the Chilmark Community Center
August 16-29 - Sanctuaire at MV Botiga
August 17 - Good Days Ahead Wellness House / Martha’s Vineyard Gospel Festival 2026 at Old Whaling Church / Meeting This Moment at the Strand Theater
August 19 - Grand Illumination Night at MVCMA / Alice Howe & Freebo at The Grange Hall
August 20 - Here There Are Blueberries: A Staged Reading at Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse / Richard Russo at the Chilmark Community Center
August 21 - Oak Bluffs Fireworks Display / Sunset Concert Series - Jon Bates Band at MVCMA Tabernacle
August 22 - MV Jazz Experience
August 26 - Last Wednesday West Tisbury Farmers Market of the season
August 27 - John Craigie with Laura Cantrell at The Old Whaling Church
August 28 - Sunset Concert Series - Dock Dance Band at MVCMA Tabernacle
August 29 - Indigo Girls at The Tabernacle (MV Concert Series)
⭐️ Also see Save the Dates for 2026 & MVacay Mobile App