October brings a slower pace and cooler weather. Perfect time to visit the island! Don’t miss vibrant foliage and crimson ocean sunsets. Explore the natural beauty of the island this month and enjoy some spectacular events, from pumpkin festivals to haunted barn experiences. Check out our top 10 things to do on Martha’s Vineyard in October!
- Feast of St. Francis Potluck Party & Concert - Friday, October 4th from 4-8 pm at the Aquinnah Town Hall. Featuring the musical talents of Sean McMahon, Siren Mayhew-McMahon and Isaac Taylor, benefiting Aquinnah Youth music and song class at Community Baptist Church. Come celebrate the feast day of that patron saint of stowaways, ecology and animals: St Francis of Assisi. Bring a dish or dessert to share. Tea, lemonade and water provided.
- Harvest Festival Vineyard Gardens - Saturday, October 5 at 11:00am to 3:00pm. We will have nature craft projects: gourd flower bouquets, pine cone bird feeders and planting of Paperwhite Bulbs. Food will be provided. Chili, corn bread, BBQ hot dogs and pumpkin pies. Live music by The Princess Poo-Pooly Ukulele Group. And new this year, pony rides for the kids.
- Fall Friday Chef Dinners - Friday, October 11 at 6:00pm. Come join us at the Beach Plum Inn in Menemsha overlooking the harbor with the chefs from Kitchen Porch. Enjoy curated meals developed by our team while getting an up close look at what goes into some of the dishes and also getting the chance to interact with the chefs first hand. This week's theme is "Fish, Fish, Fish." Reservations required.
- West Tisbury Farmers' Market Grange Hall - Saturday, October 12th from 9-12. Outdoor farmers market features locally grown produce and meat and locally made products. The market is dedicated to bringing local agricultural products to the people both living on and visiting the Island. The market was started in 1974 by a group of Island growers. That first year they had about a dozen farmers selling their produce.
- Vineyard Artisans Annual Columbus Day Festival - Sunday, October 13 at 10:00am to 4:00pm at the Grange. One day only to catch all your favorite Island artisans. Weaving, fine furniture, pottery, leather goods, oil paintings, pastels, mixed media, sculpture, wampum jewelry, hand knit items, clothing, photography, handmade books and much more.
- Elin Hilderbrand Fan Weekend Thurs-Sun, October 17-20 at the Winnetu Oceanside Resort. Spend a fun fall weekend with best-selling author, Elin Hilderbrand in honor of her new book, Summer of '69, which is set on the Island. Enjoy quality time with her, visit locations used in her book, sightsee and shop, and enjoy an action packed weekend. A special Meals & Activities Package is offered, which includes dinner at The Dunes restaurant (at the Winnetu), a pizza party, three breakfasts, all Island transportation, and a variety of exciting things to do.
- Pumpkin Festival - Saturday, October 19 at 11:00am to 3:00pm at Morning Glory Farm! Rain or shine, our annual Pumpkin Festival is a free family celebration of the harvest. We’ll have all kinds of fun including games, hay rides, face painting, live music from the Flying Elbows and the amazing Punkin Chunkin’ Trebuchet. Come watch what happens when this mighty siege engine whips a hefty pumpkin across our fields.
- Martha's Vineyard Food & Wine Festival - Wed-Sun, October 23-27. The flagship food, wine and drink festival of Martha's Vineyard, the MVF&W Festival stays rooted in the Island's rich tradition of farming and fishing, inviting you to meet local culinary talent, and the farmers, fishermen, oyster producers, and artisans they work with—adding guest chefs and vintners from around the world for a unique to the Island celebration.
- Barnyard Boo - Saturday, October 26 at 3:30pm to 5:30pm at the FARM Institute. Halloween is just around the corner. Come on out to The FARM Institute for a night of tricks, treats, boos and moos. The night kicks off with kids crafts, hayrides, a slightly spooky garden trick or treat and DIY s'mores around the fire from 4 to 6 p.m. This event is appropriate for all ages.
- Gay Head Lighthouse tour - Daily 10-4. President John Adams commissioned the first lighthouse at the southwest end of the Island in 1799. Built in 1856 and moved back from the Gay Head Cliffs in 2015, the current red brick lighthouse is located off Lighthouse Road.