Community Festivals
Oct. 12: Fall on the Farm, Farm Institute, Edgartown
Enjoy the fall season with fun activities for all ages on an Island farm, including autumn crafts, pumpkin picking in a one-acre patch, wagon rides to see cows, bowling with squash, pumpkin decorating, and meeting barnyard animals. To register, visit thetrustees.org/tfi or call 508-627-7007.
Oct. 20: Harvest Festival, Agricultural Hall, West Tisbury
Celebrate the autumn harvest at this free festival with live music, food, wagon rides, kids’ crafts, pie-eating contests, hay maze, pumpkin carving, homesteader demonstrations, and much more, all from 10 am to 2 pm. The West Tisbury Farmers Market also takes place on the grounds from 9 am to noon. For details, visit marthasvineyardagriculturalsociety.org.
Nov. 2: Barn Raisers Ball, Agricultural Hall, West Tisbury
Dance under the stars at this 30th 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 celebrate with live music, dancing, and a dessert potluck, so bring something sweet to share. It will be held from 7 to 10 pm. To learn more, visit marthasvineyardagriculturalsociety.org.
Dec. 6: First Friday Vineyard Haven, Owen Park, Main St., Beach St. Ext.
Have fun at a community event held outdoors near the harbor, all within walking distance from the ferry and bus terminal. The festivities include live music, food vendors, local artists, store specials, and family activities. To learn more, visit firstfridayvh.com.
Exhibits & Gardens
Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club, 100th Anniversary
Enjoy programs and activities that cover a wide range of gardening topics and offer hands-on experience. The M.V. Garden Club, now in its centennial year, is an opportunity to meet other people with similar interests, to learn and share together, and to have fun. For the latest events and workshops, visit marthasvineyardgardenclub.org.
Island Folk Pottery & Sculpture Trail, 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 on Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, and on Sunday, 2 to 4 pm. To learn more, visit islandfolkpottery.com or call 508-955-9944.
Polly Hill Arboretum, West Tisbury
Discover unique trees, cones, berries, and autumn leaves 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. For details, visit pollyhillarboretum.org or call 508-693-9426.
Featherstone Center for the Arts, Oak Bluffs
Spark your creativity at the beautiful Featherstone campus, which offers a variety of classes and workshops in ceramics, drawing, fiber arts, jewelry making, literary arts, mixed media, painting, and printmaking. There are also inspirational art exhibits, including “Tickled Pink and Peach (Fuzz)” from Oct. 15 to Nov. 3. For details, visit featherstoneart.org or call 508-693-1850.
Martha’s Vineyard Museum, Vineyard Haven
Explore the history, art, and culture of the Island at the expansive M.V. Museum, which includes a welcome center, gift shop, First Light Café, community events, and a Rose Styron Garden. Exhibits include “Ferry Tales,” “Generations,” and “Human/Nature,” plus there are lots of ongoing exhibits, including an interactive one for children. To learn more, visit mvmuseum.org or call 508-627-4441.
Trustees’ Mytoi Japanese-style Garden, Chappaquiddick
Take a mindful stroll along winding footpaths that are nestled among a uniquely designed, secluded garden with a tranquil pond. It includes pine and birch trees, flowering bushes, a bridge, benches, and a wooden shelter for quiet contemplation. This magical sanctuary is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. To plan your visit, check thetrustees.org/place/mytoi.
Farm Activities
Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society, West Tisbury
Discover all kinds of workshops, classes, and events related to gardening, farming, and homesteading. Most of them are held at the Agricultural Hall, but also at other sites around the Vineyard. For the schedule, visit marthasvineyardagriculturalsociety.org.
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.
Trustees’ FARM Institute, Edgartown
Find activities for the whole family at the Trustees’ 162-acre working farm in Katama, which has cows, goats, chickens, sheep, and other animals, plus a vegetable garden, pastures, a farm store, and a commercial kitchen. Programs include tours, cooking classes, yoga, and farm-to-table dinners. For details, visit thetrustees.org/tfi or call 508-627-7007.
Films and Theater
Oct. 18–20: Women in Film Festival, Film Center, Vineyard Haven
Watch big-screen movies from women filmmakers in this 6th 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.
Circuit Arts at Grange Hall, West Tisbury
Experience curated cinema and interactive TBD Improv at Circuit Arts’ up-Island theater, which is fully accessible for people of all abilities. The lineup may include documentaries, narrative films, discussions with directors, and much more. For the latest schedule and to reserve tickets, visit circuitarts.org or call 508-560-2134.
Martha’s Vineyard Film Center, Vineyard Haven
Immerse yourself in critically acclaimed movies from the M.V. Film Society. The lineup includes feature films, documentaries, National Theatre Live, Met Opera Live, and more. Parking is available behind the Film Center in the Tisbury Marketplace on Beach Road, which is close to the ferry terminal. To check the list of films, 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.
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. 26. To view the list of vendors, check wtfmarket.org.
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’s 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. 13. For updates, visit facebook.com/oakbluffsopenmarket.
Plant Sale, Polly Hill Arboretum, West Tisbury
Discover all things green and growing at Polly Hill’s plant sale. A wide variety of unique trees, shrubs, and perennials that are under the care of arboretum staff are waiting to be taken home. The sale runs daily from 9:30 am to 4 pm until Oct. 14. For details, visit pollyhillarboretum.org or call 508-693-9426.
Vineyard Artisans Festival, Grange Hall and Agricultural Hall, West Tisbury
Meet local artisans, see demonstrations of fine art and crafts, and discover furniture, pottery, stained glass, paintings, sculpture, jewelry, quilts, handmade books, and much more. Open 10 am to 4 pm on Oct. 12 and 13 at Grange Hall, Nov. 29 and 30 at the Agricultural Hall, and Dec. 21 at Grange Hall. For details, visit vineyardartisans.com.
Recreation
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 of Reservations, and the state of Massachusetts. Many places have scenic overlooks, tranquil ponds, footbridges, and tumbling streams. Learn more at mvtimes.com/island-trails and view an Island-wide map at vineyardvisitor.com.
For more events and activities on Martha’s Vineyard, check vineyardvisitor.com and the online calendar at mvtimes.com/things-to-do-4-2.
