Local Markets
West Tisbury Farmers Market, Agricultural Hall
The Island’s oldest and largest farmers market features locally grown, seasonal produce, as well as homemade bread, savory condiments, fresh honey, homemade jams, beautiful flowers, artisan chocolates, sweet desserts, and unique gifts. Open every Saturday from 9 am to 12 pm through Oct. 28. To view the list of vendors, check wtfmarket.org/vendors-2023.
Oak Bluffs Open Market, Washington Park
Shop for Island-grown produce, original artwork, handmade jewelry, fine crafts, summer flowers, specialty foods, and vintage finds in an open market near Oak Bluffs harbor. It is like a farmers market, antique show, artisan fair, and a body/mind/spirit expo all in one, plus live music. Open every Sunday from 10 am to 2 pm through Oct. 8. For updates, visit facebook.com/oakbluffsopenmarket.
Plant Sale, Polly Hill Arboretum, West Tisbury
Discover all things green and growing at deep discounts at Polly Hill’s plant sale. A wide variety of unique trees, shrubs, and perennials that are under the watchful eye of arboretum staff are waiting to be taken home. The sale runs almost daily from 9:30 am to 4 pm until Oct. 9. For details, visit pollyhillarboretum.org or call 508-693-9426.
Vineyard Artisans Festival, Grange Hall, West Tisbury
Meet more than 70 local artisans, buy directly from them, and see demonstrations of fine art and crafts. Discover furniture, pottery, stained glass, paintings, sculpture, jewelry, quilts, handmade books, and much more. Open on weekends for Indigenous People’s Day, Thanksgiving, and a holiday fair. For details, visit vineyardartisans.com.
Films and Theater
Films, Circuit Arts at Grange Hall, West Tisbury
Experience curated cinema at Circuit Arts’ up-Island theater, which is fully accessible for people of all abilities. Enjoy documentaries, narrative films, discussions with directors, and much more. For the full schedule and to reserve tickets, visit circuitarts.org or call 508-560-2134.
Oct. 13–15: Women in Film Festival, Film Center, Vineyard Haven
Watch big-screen movies from women filmmakers in this fifth annual festival from the M.V. Film Society. It is a celebration of women who are in front of and behind the camera, telling stories that have not been told from a female perspective. To learn about the diverse selection of films and to purchase tickets, visit mvfilmsociety.com or call 508-696-9369.
Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse, Vineyard Haven
Enjoy stage plays, musical revues, poetry, art exhibits, and much more at the Island’s only professional year-round theater. M.V. Playhouse is located on Church Street, just around the corner from Main Street. For the schedule and tickets, visit mvplayhouse.org or call 508-696-6300.
Concerts
Sundays in the Park Concerts, Ocean Park, Oak Bluffs
Join a seaside musical celebration at the bandstand in Ocean Park on Sundays from 5 to 7 pm, Oct. 1 and Oct. 8. Hear great tunes by the Vineyard Haven Band or other local musicians. These performances are made possible by the Oak Bluffs Parks & Recreation Department. For questions, call 508-939-1076.
First Friday Vineyard Haven, Owen Park
Have fun at a free community event held outdoors near the harbor on Friday, Oct. 6, and Friday, Dec. 1. It features live music performances starting at 4 pm, food vendors, over a dozen local artists and artisans, and a silent disco sponsored by PathwaysARTS at 9 pm. To learn more, visit firstfridayvh.com.
Recreation
Magical Sculpture Trail, Island Folk Pottery, Chilmark
Walk along a quarter-mile enchanting trail through the woods and discover whimsical sculptures on the way to an Island Folk Pottery shop. Created by artists Bill O’Callaghan and Heather Goff, the path is open daily from 9 am to dusk. Their pottery studio is open Wednesday to Saturday, 11 am to 5 pm, and Sundays, 2 to 5 pm. To learn more, visit islandfolkpottery.com or call 508-955-9944.
Polly Hill Arboretum, West Tisbury
Discover unique trees, cones, berries, and leaves in the autumn season by taking a stroll through the beautiful historic grounds at Polly Hill Arboretum. Guided tours, scavenger hunts, and other activities are often available, and pamphlets can be picked up near the visitor center, which is on a bus route off State Road. To learn more, check pollyhillarboretum.org or call 508-693-9426.
Island Alpaca, Oak Bluffs
Spend some time with adorable and gentle alpacas and learn more about these curious creatures, including where they come from, their interesting behaviors, and why they are important. To find out what this unique farm has to offer, such as fun classes, events, and a gift shop, visit islandalpaca.com or call 508-693-5554.
Island trails and beaches, sunrise to sunset
Enjoy hiking or biking on trails, kayaking on ponds, walking on the beach, and other recreational activities on the protected properties maintained by the M.V. Land Bank, Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, Mass Audubon, The Trustees, and the state of Massachusetts. Many places have scenic overlooks, tranquil ponds, footbridges, and tumbling streams. View an Island-wide map at vineyardvisitor.com.
Autumn Festivals
Oct. 7: Fall on the Farm, Farm Institute, Edgartown
Enjoy the fall season with fun activities for all ages on an Island farm. Pumpkin picking in a one-acre patch, wagon rides to see cows, bowling with squash, autumn crafts, pumpkin decorating, and meeting barnyard animals. One small pumpkin is included per child’s ticket. To register, visit thetrustees.org/tfi or call 508-627-7007.
Oct. 21: Harvest Fest, Agricultural Hall, West Tisbury
Celebrate the autumn harvest at this free festival with live music, hay rides, kids’ crafts, pie-eating contests, pumpkin carving, homesteader demonstrations, and much more. The West Tisbury Farmers Market also takes place on the grounds from 9 am to noon. For details, visit marthasvineyardagriculturalsociety.org or email programs@mvagsoc.org.
Nov. 4: Barnraisers Ball, Agricultural Hall, West Tisbury
Dance under the stars at this annual ball commemorating the 1994 construction of the Agricultural Hall. Over 300 community members helped to build the barn, which was deconstructed and brought via ferry from New Hampshire. Today, hundreds attend the ball to enjoy live local music, dancing, and sweet treats. The Barnraisers Ball is a dessert potluck, so bring a dessert to share. To learn more, visit marthasvineyardagriculturalsociety.org or email programs@mvagsoc.org.
