The Beach Times
There Are Festivals for Every Season on Cape Cod
Posted by Kinlin Grover | Friday, March 2, 2018
It doesn’t seem to matter when you visit the Cape, you’re sure to find a festival or event to attend. The locals on Cape Cod are festive people, and this beautiful part of the world provides plenty to celebrate, no matter if it's March, April, October, or November.
Take the time to research the various events around the Cape in every season before booking your vacation rentals because you’re sure to find something to help you make the most of your time here. In addition, we’ll spotlight some of the Cape’s best festivals in upcoming articles.
Things to Do in the Spring
All of May is dedicated to Cape Cod Maritime Days which, as you might have guessed, explores Cape Cod's rich maritime heritage. The festival has been named one of the top 100 events in all of North America because of how much there is to see and do throughout the month. Maps taking you to historic places on all four sections of The Cape are provided, so you can make your way around and experience the area's history on the water for yourself.
May is also home to Brewster in Bloom, a three-day festival that coincides with flowers in the region coming into bloom. The festival features a parade, a 5K run, a craft show, a concert, and an antique excursion, so there's plenty to see. There's a charity yard sale, as well, which gives you the opportunity to buy some items, with proceeds going to a good cause.
Near the middle of June, and just before the start of summer, comes the Provincetown Film Festival. The event started in 1999 as a way to attract visitors to The Cape at the end of the shoulder season but has since grown into one of the country's top film festivals. Documentaries, short films, and narrative films from all over the world are on the docket at the festival and panel discussions are also held.
The Best Cape Cod Summer Festivals
Just as the film festival ends, Provincetown is also home to its Portuguese Festival, a weekend-long event highlighting the area's rich Portuguese heritage. The highlight of the festival is the parade, but there's also dining, dancing, and plenty of activities for the kids.
Not to focus on Provincetown too much, but the town hosts Carnival in August, as well. Carnival is a free festival in the high season that commonly attracts about 90,000 people to the area. The event is meant to be a celebration of diversity, with the parade being its greatest attraction.
Although it might not get the mainstream attention that many other festivals receive, the Cape Cod Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival is the highlight of the summer for many locals and visitors alike. This event, which takes place at the Barnstable County Fairgrounds in East Falmouth, brings in many of the area's most popular food trucks and dozens of craft breweries from around the country to create a day-long event in the middle of August.
Fall Festivals on the Cape
While it technically takes place at the end of the summer, just days before the official start of fall, for all intents and purposes the Harwich Arts and Music Cranberry Festival is a fall event. The Harwich Community Center Field hosts this annual music festival that kicks off the fall season on Cape Cod and features food, beer, and wine vendors, in addition to a craft fair.
The Yarmouth Seaside Festival is a highlight of the early autumn, mostly thanks to its parade and fireworks display. The festival also has concerts, a craft show, bonfires on the beach, and a variety of different races, so there is enough going on to keep you occupied all weekend. You’ll find midway rides, as well, should you be looking for a bit of adventure.
Beer isn’t just a summer drink on the Cape, as the Cape Cod Brew Fest comes to Falmouth every October. You can celebrate the arrival of autumn by sampling some of the over 75 breweries and 250 beer types on hand. Just do us a favor and don't attempt to try them all on one day because we want to see you enjoy the rest of your fall vacation on Cape Cod.
Festivals of the Winter
The Holidays by the Sea Weekend in Falmouth is usually held the second weekend in December and starts with Christmas caroling at the historic Nobska Lighthouse, followed by a winter run and the lighting of the local Christmas tree. One of the highlights of the festival is when Santa Claus arrives via boat in Falmouth Harbor, which then leads to the annual parade down Main Street. 
As we move past Christmas and into New Years, First Night Chatham approaches. This family-friendly event doesn't allow alcohol, but don't let that kill your buzz, as the festival has plenty to do and see. First Night takes place all over Chatham and features over 70 different performers each year. Oyster Pond is home to a fireworks display over the water at midnight, ending a full day of activities for all who attend.
Don’t let the winter blues get you down because Cape and Islands Orchid Show is here to provide you with a much-needed touch of summer in late January. This show and festival brings Orchid vendors from all over North America to the region, so if you are on The Cape for a week or two, pick up some flowers to add some beauty to your vacation home rental.
Visit Whenever You Wish
There is a misconception out there that Cape Cod is only a summer destination, but that unquestionably isn’t the case. While the beaches, views, and weather in the summer are exceptional, there is a ton going on in the area throughout the year.
If you’ve been planning to visit Cape Cod but don’t know when to take the leap, just have a look at the various events held in every season, and it will make your decision much clearer.
Cape Cod Cape Cod Festivals Fall Festivals Holiday Strolls Spring Festivals Summer Festivals Things To Do On Cape Cod Winter Festivals