😊 This Weekend on Martha's Vineyard: 5/1-5/3
FREE Edition, 10+ new business updates, save the dates thru June
Happy Weekend! Today’s edition is free for all 😊
⏱️ This Week on MVacay
For annual visitors, this checklist is helpful to plan your trip. It rounds up all the links you need in one place:
And for those looking for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day gifts, this is a wonderful resource:
🗺️ What To Do This Weekend
Friday, May 1, 2026
🎨 May Day: Plant, Paint, Play Workshop at MV Museum, 3–4:30p / More Info / $25
🎶 Trio Eris Concert at Edgartown Public Library, 3–4p / More Info
🎉 Dine to Donate Fundraiser at Vineyard Grill (5 Corners, VH), 6–9p / More Info
Enjoy live music, raffles, and food while supporting Visit VH and local arts initiatives.🎭 Locals: A Two-Night Festival of Vineyard Talent at MV Playhouse, 7p (Sat too) / More Info / pay-what-you-can
This two-night community festival showcases local performers across music, theater, dance, and spoken word.🎶 Meredith Sheldon + Wolftrap at S&S Kitchenette, 7p
🎸 Paleface and Mo Live in Oak Bluffs at PA Club, 7–9p / More Info / $10
🎧 Weekend Vibes with DJ Smooth B at Indigo Restaurant (Sat too), 10p
Saturday, May 2, 2026
🚴 Bike MS: Ride the Vineyard 2026 at MVRHS, 7:30a–3:30p / More Info
🌿 Tyke Hikes at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, 9:30–10:30a
🌸 Maypole Celebration at West Tisbury Public Library, 11a / More Info
🏇 Kentucky Derby Day at Town MV at Town (Edgartown), all day
💼 Career Navigation Office Hours with AceMV at WT Library, 3–4p / free
🛋️ Grand Opening at Summer Street Upholstery, 5–7p (Sun too) / More Info
🎵 Blues Duo at The Pawnee House Restaurant, 6–8p
Sunday, May 3, 2026
🚶 Land Bank Natural History Walk at Tea Lane Farm, 9–10:30a / More Info / free
🐐 4-H Farm Animal Meet and Greet at Ag Hall, 10a–12p / More Info / $5
🌱 Gardening 101 at West Tisbury Public Library, 1–2:30p / More Info / free
📸 Mother’s Day Portraits at West Tisbury Public Library, 1–3p / More Info / free
📰 Publisher’s Forum: World Press Freedom Day at MV Times Office, 4–6p
🌸 The Art of Flowers: Creativity in Bloom Opening Reception at Featherstone Center for the Arts, 4–6p / More Info / free
No paywall this week! Enjoy Save the Dates thru June and Island Updates.
📍MVacay’s Island Updates
⛅️ Weekend Weather Outlook: Mostly sunny Friday (58°/44°), mostly cloudy Saturday (55°/44°), and showers Sunday (54°/43°) with breezy conditions.
🌊 Island Updates
MVC Housing Ruling: A new state ruling reclassifies the MV Commission as a “local board,” removing its authority over Chapter 40B housing projects and shifting decision-making to town zoning boards, which could streamline approvals and accelerate development across the Island
Town Meeting Updates: Chilmark voters approved a $368K override to fund increased school assessments, add a full-time EMT, and expand library hours while backing improved cell service infrastructure, while Tisbury voters approved a $1M override to support its FY27 budget and are moving to expand the select board from three to five members, with final approval at the May 12 election
Mumcheag Creek Preserve Opens: A newly protected preserve on Chappaquiddick is now open to the public, featuring trails through woodlands, meadows, and salt marsh with access from Dike Road and views over Poucha Pond
⭐️ New Offerings + Businesses
Jetty Beach House Incoming: The former Lobsterville space in Oak Bluffs will reopen as Jetty Beach House, a new raw bar and cocktail concept from Midnight Med/Taco owner Jordan Wallace and partner Mike Tierney, with a Memorial Day opening planned and a shift toward a day-to-night bar and dining experience
Inkwell Beach House Update: A new restaurant and event venue is planned for the former Chowder Company space in OB, led by AJ Calloway with a downstairs restaurant from celebrity chef G. Garvin and an upstairs event space designed for year-round programming.
Farm Partnership Expansion: Milkweed Farm and Merry Farm are partnering for the 2026 season, combining operations to improve consistency, streamline ordering, and expand CSA access and local distribution across the Island
Wellness House Launch: Good Days Ahead Wellness House is launching a new immersive wellness experience on Martha’s Vineyard August 17–19, focused on multi-day programming and community-centered health events.
Yoga Studio Opening: Inner Sanctuary MV is a new yoga offering on-island focused on private sessions, group classes, and wellness programming.
New Media Launch: The Buzz MV is launching a new seasonal print and digital magazine for Summer 2026, focused on Island culture, people, and events.
Oyster Farm Transition: Roysters in Katama Bay is now being operated by Martha Scheffer, continuing the legacy of Roy Scheffer.
⏳ Restaurant Updates
Recently Opened or Opening Soon: Vineyard Caribbean Cuisine, Square Rigger (under new ownership), Mad Martha’s Edgartown, Pawnee House, S+S Kitchenette, Lucky Hank’s, Aalia’s Coffee (5/2), Pocket Dogs @ The Ritz (5/3)
Upcoming Openings: Larsen’s Fish Market (5/7), Detente (5/14), Port Hunter (5/14), Ice Cream and Candy Bazaar (5/14), Nomans (5/14), Biscuits (5/14), Chilmark Tavern (5/15), The Dunes at Winnetu (5/15), Atria (5/19), Midnight Mediterranean (5/20), Midnight Taco (5/20), The Covington (5/20), Giordano’s Restaurant (5/21), Menemsha Galley (5/21), Fish MV (5/21)
📅 Save The Dates - Upcoming Events
May 4 - Best Practices of AGF Kitchens at OB Town Hall
May 6 - TBD Improv at MV Playhouse
May 7 - A Variety Show at MV Playhouse
May 6-10 - NO BONES Comedy Festival / Improv for Adults at Grange Hall
May 8 - Vineyard Montessori School’s Big Night Out at PA Club / An Evening of Comedy with Susan Rice at Strand Theatre
May 8–9 - Fly Fishing School at Kismet Outfitters
May 9 - Aquinnah Variety Show at Aquinnah Town Hall / Second Annual Mother’s Day Brunch and Market at Town / Community Baby Shower at MV Family Center / Minnesingers Concert / Cinnamon Rolls at FARM Institute / Clowning Workshop with Jeff and Buttons and Tallie at Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse / Community Greenhouse Annual Sale
May 10 - An Evening of Comedy with Ophira Eisenberg at The Strand
Mother’s Day Brunch at Pawnee House, Maker Cafe, The Ritz, Rockfish, Sweet Life
May 13 - Pony Storytime at Misty Meadows / Movie Night: Fast Times at Ridgemont High at Pawnee House
May 14 - First Ferry Party in Oak Bluffs / Sweet Life Author Series: Juliet Izon at The Sweet Life
May 16 - Porchfest Edgartown / MV Center for Living Benefit Walk / Mike Block Trio Concert / Sourdough Baking Class at Beetlebung Farm
May 17 - The Giving Garden: Spring Tour, Taste, and Take-Home with Roxanne Kapitan wtih Ag Society
May 18 - Martha’s Party Event Conference
May 19 - Defending the Seacoast: MV in the Revolution at MV Museum
May 20 - The Shenandoah Model: Raising Confident, Connected Youth at WT Library / Trivia Night at Bad Martha at Bad Martha Brewery
May 21–24 – MV Environmental Film Festival (MV Film Society)
May 22 - Woodcutters at MV Playhouse
May 23-24 - MDW Vineyard Artisans Festival / MV Garden Club Plant Sale at The Old Mill / An Evening with Tom Rush at Strand Theatre
May 24 - Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club Plant Sale at The Old Mill / Oak Bluffs Open Market begins / Martha’s Vineyard Memorial Road Race at Summercamp Hotel
May 25 – Memorial Day / OB Open Market Begins
May 26- The Tick Panel: What’s New, What’s True and How to Stay Safe at MV Museum
May 27 - Movie Night at Pawnee House
May 29 - Vineyard Shorts at Grange Hall
May 30 – Electronics Disposal Day at MV Regional High School / Fly Rod Striped Bass Catch and Release Tournament
June 4 - Martha’s Vineyard Sharks First Home Game of the Season at the MVRHS Shark Tank
June 5 - First Friday Vineyard Haven
June 5 - Renee Balter Retrospective Opening Reception at OB Library
June 6 - First West Tisbury Farmers Market of the season
June 7 - MV Boys & Girls Club Golf Tournament at Farm Neck
June 10 - Best of the Vineyard 2026 at Farm Neck
June 11 - Taste of The Vineyard
June 13 - Pride on Island Parade in Oak Bluffs / Bloomsday at the Katharine Cornell Theater
June 14 - Vineyard Artisans Summer Festivals Begin
June 17 - Edgartown Village Market Begins
June 18 - Music in the Square: Sarah Shaw Dawson and Friends at Eisenhauer Gallery
June 19 - NAACP Taste of Juneteenth / Juneteenth Jubilee Festival / Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution at Union Chapel / The Vineyard Mindset: Where Heritage, Creativity, and Business Meet at MV Museum / Music in the Square begins
June 19-21 - Blooming Art with MV Garden Club at The Old Mill
June 20-21 - Return to Amity - Jaws Regatta Celebration at Wharf Pub
June 20 - Harbor Fest in Oak Bluffs / Return to Amity: A Jaws Regatta and Amity After Dark Celebration / Strawberry Festival at Morning Glory Farm
June 20-July 4 - Art in the Park (40 Gingerbread Cottages) in Oak Bluffs
June 20 - Martha’s Vineyard Sharks 2nd Annual Jaws Night at the MVRHS Shark Tank
June 21 - The Jaws Reunion Festival at MV Museum w Vineyard Gazette
June 22 – June 28 - Amity Week Edgartown
June 22 - Juneteenth Gospel Brunch / Musical Mondays with Delanie Pickering Band at Featherstone
June 25–28 – FILMUSIC Festival (MV Film Society)
June 27 - D’Lux MV Black Biz Tour / Chilmark Flea opens / Clothes to Go Fashion Show
June 28 - 30th Anniversary Celebration at Featherstone Center for the Arts / Community Greenhouse Annual Sale
⭐️ Also see Save the Dates for 2026 & MVacay Mobile App