Ah, summer on the Vineyard. Beyond the beaches, ice cream and lobster rolls, there’s a whole host of island-only events happening this month. Dust the sand off your feet and join in on the fun including a special screening of Jaws, Shakespeare en plein air and a sunset sail with a side of aquaculture. Here is our list of the 10 must-do events taking place this month:
- Get Your Zen On: Enter vacation mode by participating in one of the island’s many beach yoga classes taking place this month. Head to Long Point Wildlife Refuge at 5:30 p.m. on July 2 or, hit the sand at Lighthouse Beach every Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. for a one hour vinyasa flow class.
- Partake in 4th Festivities: Celebrate the nation Vineyard-style this Fourth of July. First, stake your spot early to watch the Edgartown Fourth of July Parade starting at 5:00 p.m. Then, head down to the Harbor View Hotel for Independence Day festivities including a performance by the Joanne Cassidy Band and of course, fireworks over the harbor.
- See Jaws in its Natural Habitat: Don’t miss this unique experience to see Jaws in the place it was filmed: on the beaches of Martha’s Vineyard. On Thursday, July 5 at 8:00 p.m. you can watch Jaws outdoors at Owen Park Beach. Select your spot on the beach or grab a kayak or paddleboard from Island Spirit Kayak and watch from the water…if you dare.
- Celebrate in the Streets: It wouldn’t be July on Martha’s Vineyard without the annual Tisbury Street Fair. Head to Main Street in Vineyard Haven on Sunday, July 8 starting at 6:30 p.m. for food, music and goods sold at sidewalk tables.
- Hear Concerts at the Carnegie: Grab your patch of grass under the giant pagoda tree of the Carnegie for an evening of a capella tunes from the island’s very own Vineyard Sound. The concert takes place at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11.
- See Shakespeare En Plein Air: Partake in a quintessential Vineyard experience – Shakespeare among the trees at the Tisbury Amphitheater. This year’s performance of Hamlet will be taking place on select dates between July 18 and August 11.
- Watch the Island Over the Years: Need a break from the beach? The Martha’s Vineyard Film Center is hosting a screening of Historic Movies of Martha's Vineyard on Wednesday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m. The award-winning film by the Vineyard Gazette shows footage of the island dating back 100 years.
- Set Sail for Sunset: Board the Pirate Adventures Martha's Vineyard for an Oyster & Aquaculture Tour where you’ll learn about local aquaculture from Rick Karney of Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group and Cottage City Oyster farm purveyors Dan and Greg Martino. The evening is topped off by a tasting and shucking demo of fresh oysters plucked right from the waters while you sail around the Oak Bluffs harbor at sunset. Sails are every Thursday at 5:45 p.m.
- Dance Away the Night: Grab your dancing shoes and head to Memorial Wharf for an evening of music and dancing at the annual Tuesday tradition: the Dock Dance. Rotating performers will grace the “stage” of the wharf starting at 8:00 p.m. with the Edgartown Harbor and On-Time Ferry as backdrops.
- Paint the Vineyard: Take home your very own piece of Vineyard artwork after the Paint the Vineyard event at Grange Hall on Wednesday, July 25 at 2:00 p.m. Artist Brandon Newton will give step by step instructions on how to bring your island masterpiece to life. All supplies are included in the registration price.