🌲Winter 2023: Off-Season Activities Guide for Martha's Vineyard
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🌲Winter 2023: Off-Season Activities Guide for Martha's Vineyard
options for what's open year-round - both indoor and outdoor activities!
Martha’s Vineyard in the off-season has a special magic. You can pull up to a beach and park in the front row, you can enjoy ocean-front sunsets, fresh seafood, the changing colors of fall and crisp air of winter. Feeling eager for some community and cheer? We’ve rounded up a few ways to see the beauty and joy of Martha’s Vineyard without the crowds.
I’ve divided this list into the categories of indoor and outdoor. It’s so worth bundling up for the outdoor adventures to enjoy the beauty of the island, but we get it, it can get COLD!
Get Outside
Take a Walk on the Beach - There are a few beaches that are “town permit only” during the summer- this time of year is fun to take a walk without the parking constraints. Head up to Lucy Vincent, Lamberts Cove or Philbin Beach to enjoy a serene walk and view (here’s a beach roundup for ideas)
Browse Gardens - Visit Mytoi Gardens or Polly Hill Arboretum - these are some amazing spots for fall foliage and uniquely peaceful gardens! You might even get them all to yourself!
Explore New Trails -
We love to recommend the MVTrails app to find new ideas
We also published this guide with our 6 favorite walk recommendations for fall.
A new addition this season is the Island Folk Pottery sculpture trail, which is on our list (may close in Dec)
Tour -
Oyster Tour - Explore the island with a Cottage City Oyster farm tour (may close in Dec)
Tour the Lighthouses - Edgartown, Aquinnah and East Chop are still open for tours
Visit Island Alpaca - meet the alpacas, this is a great spot for kids year-round.
SUP - Get out on the water with Island Spirit Kayak + paddle board tours (may close in Dec)
Fly Fish - Learn to fly fish or cast with Kismet Outfitters
Stay Warm Inside
Explore Farms -
FARM institute has robust programming in the off-season for cooking, seasonal and farm events
Grey Barn Farm has off-season events and is fun to explore in the winter
Slough Farm has lots of cooking classes, talks and kids events too
See Horses - Misty Meadows Equine Learning Center also has fun fall and winter events (many indoors) for those interested in meeting the horses or horseback riding
Explore History -
MV Museum has constantly rotating exhibits and events
The Carnegie always has a new speaker or exhibit happening too
Take an Art Class - Sign up for some Featherstone Arts Classes (some of these are designed so visitors can attend them for just a one-day class too). Many libraries also offer art classes.
Check out the Library - each island library has a ton of programming - from talks, holiday parties, concerts, art exhibits - be sure to keep an eye on our app for the latest events at each one.
Listen to Live Music or Play Trivia - check out The Barn, PA Club, The Ritz, or Town MV for some Live Music and Trivia options most nights.
See a Film or Play - MV is home to a variety of performance venues, each with thoughtful, curated selections:
MV Playhouse: a performance space hosting professional productions
MV Film Center: operating year-round as an arthouse cinema and educational center
Circuit Arts: a multidisciplinary team of artists who focus on making world-class arts and culture accessible on Island
The Strand: a theatre hosting a variety of entertainment that includes comedy, music, dance, speaker symposiums, workshops and movies.
Edgartown Cinemas: a traditional, year-round film house screening first-run movies
Eat Out - Some of the difficult spots during the summer to get reservations for are still open! Take advantage of these openings. Some restaurants are only open through 12/31 so squeeze those in when you can. Check out our Year-Round Restaurant Guide!
Shop - So many island shops are featuring deep discounts between October and December! This is a great time to get incredible steals as stores clear inventory before their winter hibernation. Support Local!
Winter Save The Dates + Seasonal Events
Artisans fairs, Christmas in Edgartown… there’s tons of festive happenings on the island! This list is accurate as of November 6, 2023. For a more updated list, feel free to check our most recent Weekend Update.
🎄 November 13-December 16 - Featherstone Holiday Gift Show (12-4)
🎨 November 14 - PathwaysArts Writing and Poetry Series: Featuring Bill Eville
🎤 November 15 - Martha's Vineyard Agricultural Society Annual Meeting
🍽️ November 17 - Black Dog Chef Tasting Wine Dinner
👨👩👧 November 18 - 10th Annual Truckin' MV at MVRHS
👨👩👧 November 22 - Family Hike at Wasque
👨👩👧 November 22 - Out and About at Native Earth Teaching Farm
☀️November 23 - Turkey Trot - Oak Bluffs 5K / info
🍁November 23 - Thanksgiving Weekend Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
🍁November 24 - 42nd Annual Felix Neck Fall Festival: Scat Happens
🎄November 24 - Holiday Oak Bluffs Open Market at Strand Theater
👨👩👧 November 24 - Misty Meadows Annual Open House
🍁November 24 - Vineyard Artisans 27th Annual Thanksgiving Weekend Festival
🎵November 25 - Sounds of Autumn Concert Series: Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish
🎄December 3 - Family Friendly Interactive Polar Express at MV Film Center / info
🎄December 7-10 - Christmas in Edgartown
🎄December 8 - Illuminate Mytoi
A few FAQ’s related to the off-season:
Q: What hotels stay open during the off-season?
A: While this list isn’t perfect (sometimes hotels have low occupancy and close last-minute) it’s definitely a start! Here’s a few: Ashley Inn (Edgartown), The Charlotte Inn (Edgartown), Edgar Hotel (Edgartown), Franklin Hotel (Edgartown), Harbor View Hotel (Edgartown) *short break, The Island Inn (Oak Bluffs), The Morgan Hotel (Oak Bluffs), Mansion House (Vineyard Haven), Nobnocket Boutique Inn (Vineyard Haven), Vineyard Harbor Motel (Vineyard Haven)
Q: What restaurants stay open during the off-season?
A: Check out this guide for more details.
Q: When do most things close down for the Winter?
A: Great question. My TLDR answer is ~mid-October. But there are so many restaurants that DO stay open. After 10+ years of observation, here’s how I would roughly break down the restaurant closure timelines:
10% will stay open year-round
50% will be open ~Memorial Day through ~Columbus Day
20% will be open ~Memorial Day through ~New Years Eve
20% stay open but take a ~3-6 week break around January-March.
Our weekend updates will break down restaurants that have recently closed or about to close, so that can be your one-stop-shop to see what’s open.
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