Whether you are vacationing with family or friends, Cape Cod offers a wide variety
of special events, many of which are free and require no advance planning. In addition
to the beautiful beaches, outstanding cuisine and quaint little villages on the
Cape, events geared to all ages abound – from festivals to sports to film. And when
it comes to eating, a favorite vacationer activity, be sure to experience the traditional
seaside favorites and freshest seafood.
Events
WCOD Cape Cod Chowder Festival
Hyannis
June 24
A Cape Cod tradition continues with WCOD cooking up its annual “Chowder Fest” at
the Melody Tent. It’s the recipe for a perfect day of sipping and slurping samples
of chowder from many of the Cape’s best restaurants, all competing for the coveted
“WCOD Chowder Bowl.” Bring the family and spend the afternoon savoring the “souper”
seaside flavor of quintessential Cape Cod, while being serenaded by some of the
best bands on the Cape. Don’t miss your chance to get “bowled” over by the Cape’s
choicest chowders!
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/WCOD-Cape-Cod-Chowder-Festival/
Provincetown International Film Festival
Provincetown
June 13 - June 18
The Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF) is dedicated to showcasing new
achievements in independent film and honoring the work of acclaimed and emerging
directors, producers and actors. PIFF is equally devoted to expanding the audience
for independent film and to serving our Provincetown and Outer Cape community by
filling the void for annual film programming and reflecting the community's rich
diversity in our selected films and honorees.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Provincetown-International-Film-Festival/
Cape Cod Baseball League
Cape-Wide
June 14 - August 12
This is the premier amateur baseball league in the nation since 1885. See the MLB
stars of tomorrow throughout the summer Cape-wide, and admission is free.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Cape-Cod-Baseball-League/
Father's Day Car Show
Hyannis
June 17
Marvel at hundred's of collector and antique cars all along historic Main Street,
Hyannis. In addition you can taste the specialties of the area's restaurants and
food vendors and browse the arts and crafts fair. A fun day for all
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Fathers-Day-Car-Show/
Provincetown Portuguese Festival
Provincetown
June 21 – June 24
P'Town embraces Iberian culture with the 2018 Portuguese Festival. The weekend includes
the annual Blessing of the Fleet, gallery opening, activities, live music, and plateful
after plateful of delicious Portuguese cuisine.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Provincetown-Portuguese-Festival/
Cape Cod Quahog Day
Yarmouth
June 21
Celebrate the first day of Summer 2018 "Quahog-style!" Who needs a weatherman when
you have Doug the Quahog? Celebrate the first day of Summer 2018 "Quahog-style!"
Join Doug, his sidekick Johnny Quahog and his beefy Quahog Security Team on June
21st as they gather at the Hy-Line Cruises' dock on Onset Pier in Onset for Doug’s much-anticipated
summer prediction at the 6th Annual Quahog Day. Following the prognostication ceremony, celebate with Doug on board the Hy-Line vessel at the dock! Enjoy refreshments, giveaways and other fun. At 2 p.m., the boat will depart on a two-hour canal cruise - tickets are $14, adults and $5 kids if you want to stay on board for this sightseeing adventure! Or continue the fun across the street at the Quahog Republic Waterfront Eatery in Onset.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Cape-Cod-Quahog-Day/
Arts Alive
Falmouth
June 15-June 17
Free fun for the entire family! Arts Alive is a three-day arts festival with events
and activities for all members of the family. 60 performances of music, theater,
dance take place under 3 large tents on the Falmouth Library Lawn.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Arts-Alive-Festival/
SandwichFest
Sandwich
June 30
Which restaurant has "The Best Sandwich in Sandwich"? You be the judge during SandwichFest.
Held in Sandwich - the oldest town on Cape Cod - activities at this fun summer street
festival also include games for kids, a pet and owner look-alike contest, live music,arts and crafts show,
and a farmers market
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/SandwichFest/
Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Pow Wow
Falmouth
July 6-July 8
The Powwow is a traditional celebration of Mashpee Wampanoag culture featuring Native
American dancing, drumming, games, food, art, jewelry, wampum, gifts, crafts and
clothing.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Mashpee-Wampanoag-Tribal-Pow-Wow/
Annual Osterville Village Day
Osterville
July 21
The shops are open and the streets come alive during this event. The day features
all the hallmarks of a Cape Cod village festival: 5K Road Race, Craft Fair, Children's
Events, Music, Food, Big Parade with Antique Cars and Floats.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Osterville-Village-Day/
Barnstable County Fair
Falmouth
July 23 - July 29
The Barnstable County Fair has been an annual summer tradition on Cape Cod for 174
years. The Fair is a place where families can spend the day together and share experiences
they can only experience at the Barnstable County Fair. There are animal shows,
4-H demonstrations, petting zoos, horticulture displays, rides, games, live music,
arts & crafts, food and commercial vendors with various arts and crafts for sale.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Barnstable-County-Fair/
Woods Hole Film Festival
Woods Hole
July 31- August 8
The oldest festival on Cape Cod is dedicated to showcasing and promoting the work
of independent, emerging filmmakers from New England and features international
narrative and documentary feature films, shorts, and animation, many of them world
or New England premieres, plus master classes, panel discussions and nightly parties
held at the water’s edge.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Woods-Hole-Film-Festival/
Provincetown Jazz Festival
Provincetown
August 9 & August 13
Craving the smooth sounds of Duke Ellington and Miles Davis? Sway to the beat at the annual Provincetown Jazz Festival. This two-day Jazz Festival is the only one of its kind on the Cape.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Provincetown-Jazz-Festival/
Pops By The Sea
Hyannis
August 12
The Pops by the Sea concert is Cape Cod's single largest cultural event.
For each of the past 33 years we have welcomed one of the nation's finest and best-loved
musical ensembles - the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra- to the Hyannis Village
Green for their only Cape Cod appearance.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Pops-by-the-Sea-Concert/
Falmouth Road Race
Falmouth
August 19
See elite athletes from around the world in the Falmouth Road Race - a 7 mile run
from the drawbridge in Woods Hole to the beach in Falmouth Heights.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Falmouth-Road-Race/
Festival of the Arts
Chase Park, Chatham
August 17-August 19
Enjoy 120 top quality, nationally juried, arts & craft booths. Kids will have fun
as well, there is a children's area with face painting and crafts. The Festival
of the Arts is sponsored by The Creative Arts Center to support their year-round
classes, workshops, exhibitions, and outreach in the community
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Festival-of-the-Arts/
CraftFest Cotuit
Cotuit
August 18-August 19
More than 100 artisans and craftsmen gather at this premier showing of skilled craftsmanship
and artistic talent. A day spent at CraftFest Cotuit is a day full of artistic inspiration,
dialogue and learning, with all the pleasures of a quintessential summer village
festival, down by the seaside, on Cape Cod.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Cotuit-Arts-and-Crafts-Festival/
Carnival Week
Provincetown
August 11 - August 18
Imagine Mardi Gras, moved to New England. Lots of partying, wild costumes, a colorful
parade down the main drag (yes, pun intended!), and more partying. That's Carnival
time in P-town!
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Carnival-Week-in-Provincetown/
Downtown Plymouth Waterfront Festival
Plymouth
August 25
Enjoy over 230+ artisan and crafter booths, food vendors, two stages of live entertainment, Motor Head's Cruise-In Car Show, Ducky Dash, kid's activities, and much more! Festival is free to the public.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Downtown-Plymouth-Waterfront-Festival/
Search our Summer Events for even more events