🇺🇸 Independence Day Weekend on Martha's Vineyard: 7/3-7/5
first friday, fourth of july parade/fireworks, mass250, polar bears + more
⏱️ 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