Spring has officially arrived on Martha’s Vineyard, making it the perfect time to embrace the outdoors! It's a season for tending to gardens, exploring the beaches for treasures washed ashore by winter storms, and admiring new works from local artists. April is truly the ideal month to visit the island, with a vibrant lineup of events. From live music and engaging programs at the MV Museum to exciting new restaurant openings, here are our favorite activities to enjoy this month!
Palaver Strings Community Concert - Wednesday, April 1st from 6:00pm to 7:30pm Join us for an extraordinary evening with Palaver Strings, a Grammy nominated, musician-led string ensemble from Portland, ME and the MV Chamber Music Society’s 2026 Artist in Residence. Founded in 2014, Palaver has made its mark as one of New England’s most innovative chamber ensembles. Their mission is to strengthen and inspire community through music. In their musician-led model, Palaver’s musicians share artistic and administrative leadership, guided by a passion for engaging new audiences, addressing social justice issues, and amplifying underrepresented voices. Equally committed to performance and education, Palaver presents a full season of live concerts and serves hundreds of students yearly at the Palaver Music Center in Portland.
Full Moon Owl Prowl - Wednesday, April 1st from 6:45pm to 7:45pm - Hoo's out there? Owls silently fly through our island woods and fields. Head to Felix Neck for a bright moon stroll to look, listen, and learn, about these nocturnal birds.
Annual Farm Institute Egg Hunt - Saturday, April 4th from 9:45am to 10:30am - Join us for on the farm for an egg-ceptional egg hunt! There will be three separate egg hunts based on age: 2 and under, 3-5, and 6 and up for the more advanced egg hunt participants. Each age category features one golden egg with a special prize, will you be the one to find it? The 2 and under egg hunt begins at 9:45, the 3-5 age group egg hunt begins at 10:00, and the 6 and up age group egg hunt begins at 10:15. Please note you must sign up for the correct time slot for your child. Please bring your own basket. If you do not pre-register, please bring cash to expedite registration.
Martha's Vineyard Career, Volunteer and Networking Night - Wednesday, April 8th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm - Brought to you by the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, ACE MV, MVNC, and Vineyard Preservation Trust, in partnership with Slough Farm, this event is designed to connect job seekers, volunteers, and professionals with local businesses and organizations looking to grow their teams.
Scallop Season Sendoff with MV Pasta and MVSG - Thursday, April 9th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm - Last call for scallop season! Join the MV Shellfish Group for a hands-on culinary experience learning step by step how to shuck bay scallops. Together we’ll make a delicious pasta sauce with the sweet scallops, followed by a demonstration from Katie Leaird of Martha’s Vineyard Pasta on how to make pasta from scratch. Our pasta will be a shell shape made using our scallop shells as a rolling board! We’ll enjoy a small tasting featuring the demonstration pasta, and each participant will go home with their own uncooked fresh pasta and fully cooked sauce. This program is a collaborative effort between MV Shellfish Group and The Farm Institute. The aim of the series is to connect aquaculture to agriculture and to increase access to local shellfish.
Mario Kart Tournament - Thursday, April 16th from 4:00pm to 7:00pm - Whether you are a seasoned veteran from the original N64 era or a young pro on the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe circuit, this tournament provides an inclusive and exciting environment for everyone to showcase their gaming skills. Join us for a multi-generational Mario Kart competition that bridges age gaps through the universal language of gaming! This event encourages friendly competition and community engagement, welcoming players of all ages and skill levels to race for the championship title. Thanks to our friends at OneUp Gaming to make this program happen! 25 contestants battle in double elimination tournament. Pizza for all! Registration is required, REGISTRATION OPENS APRIL 1st! Email hburbidge@clamsnet.org for your spot!
Found Foods Supper Club: A Hands-On Culinary Experience - Thursday, April 16th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm - Join Chef Jenny DeVivo for a unique hands-on culinary experience that celebrates food rescue, zero-waste cooking, and seasonal ingredients from local farmers, fishers, and food purveyors. Each session features a curated, on-the-spot menu dictated by the surplus ingredients available that week—transforming overlooked foods into delicious, sustainable meals. Attendees will actively participate in cooking, learning upcycling techniques, and gaining practical culinary skills, all while taking home their homemade dishes to enjoy with family and friends.
34th Annual Earth Day Beach Cleanup and Conservation Festival - Saturday, April 18th from 10:00am to 3:00pm - Celebrate Earth Day with the community at the annual Earth Day Beach Cleanup & Conservation Festival, hosted by the Vineyard Conservation Society. This beloved Island tradition begins with a large-scale, volunteer-powered beach cleanup across more than 30 beaches, from Aquinnah to Edgartown, bringing hundreds of neighbors together to care for the places we love. After the morning cleanup, volunteers and community members gather for a lively Conservation Festival at the Martha's Vineyard Museum. The festival features over 20 local environmental organizations, interactive exhibits, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to learn about the work happening across the Island to protect our land, water, and wildlife. Together, the cleanup and festival create a powerful day of stewardship, education, and celebration—reminding us that caring for our environment is something we can all do, together.
Arbor Day Celebration - Friday, April 24th from 1:00pm to 2:00pm - Join us for a celebration of trees in honor of Arbor Day! Arboretum staff will lead a tour of some notable trees in the PHA collection, followed by a tree planting demonstration.
Rose Coloured Glasses Concert - Sunday, April 26th at 2:00pm - Darby and Sam are the duo Rose Coloured Glasses! Spanning genres from rock, jazz, pop, country, to deep cuts and hits, Rose Coloured Glasses presents a show that will have something for everyone.
Chef's Love Letter Dinner Series - Saturday, April 4th, 11th, and 18th from 5:00pm to 9:00pm - Every Saturday night, the kitchen becomes a stage for creativity, memory, & flavor. Chef’s Kiss is a rotating menu guided by the inspiration of the Black Joy Kitchen team —where culinary imagination meets tradition. Each week, the chefs dive deep into the richness of the Black Diaspora, serving beloved classics alongside bold new creations. No two Saturdays are the same, but every plate is crafted with care, heritage, & joy. Come hungry, come curious, & let the kitchen surprise you. All are welcome — come hungry, leave family. Gluten-Free, Alpha-Gal Safe options available — and our Vegan & Vegetarian fam are always welcome at the table.
Open Mic Night - Tuesday, April 7th & 21st at 6:00pm - With the closure of Island Music, Open Mic Nights are now hosted by Vineyard Haven Public Library and the Vineyard Haven Harbor Cultural District at the Katharine Cornell Theatre. Come to play, or just to listen. Sign-up on arrival, free and open to all!
Free Soup and Bread Lunch at the West Tisbury Library - Tuesday, April 21st-24th from 11:30am to 1:00pm - Come to the West Tisbury Library during the April school break for free soup and bread lunch! All soups will be Alpha Gal friendly, vegan and gluten free. Lunch for all will be served every open weekday from 11:30am-1pm: Tuesday, April 21-Friday, April 24 (the library will be closed Monday, April 20 for Patriots’ Day). Soup is provided thanks to the West Tisbury Library Foundation, Friends, and Chef Deon. Free and open to the public!
BrunchBQ and Beats with DJ Smooth B - Sundays in April from 10:00am to 2:00pm - BRUNCH. BEATS. BLACK JOY. Black Joy Kitchen is bringing the island heat all year long on Martha’s Vineyard with BrunchBQ & Beats. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Brunch service ends and 2 p.m.), the legendary @djsmoothb is spinning the soundtrack while our kitchen serves smoky, soulful plates that taste like love, community and pure joy.
Friday Game Time at the Museum - Fridays in April from 1:00pm to 4:00pm - Friday Game Time at the Museum takes place every Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. in the museum’s First Light Café. Stop by for a relaxed afternoon of board games and card games in a welcoming, drop-in setting designed for all ages. Bring a friend, join a table, or settle in with a game and enjoy the easygoing atmosphere of the Café. This program is free and open for all to attend. Pay-what-you-can donations support Museum programs.