16. Brewster Historical Society Antiques Fair
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (508) 896-9521
Description: You’re bound to find something special to purchase among the more than 70 dealers selling their wares at this very popular show and sale. It’s held on the last Saturday of June on the Drummer Boy Park grounds and, as a special bonus, the on-site Old Higgins Farm windmill is open free to the public for the event. The fair runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is $5; ages 12 and younger are free.
17. Portuguese Festival
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (508) 246-9080
Description: Provincetown celebrates its Portuguese and fishing heritage with a festival the last weekend of June. There is music galore, a kids’ fishing derby on Fri from 10 a.m. to noon, a parade at 3 p.m. on Sat, and live music and dance performances throughout the weekend. The blessing of the fleet occurs on Sun, and that event begins with a noon procession from St. Peter’s Church to MacMillan Pier. Parking is limited in Provincetown, but you should be able to find a place in one of the town parking lots if you get there early. There is no charge to attend the parade and the blessing of the fleet; however, donations are requested for some of the activities.
18. Independence Day Fireworks And Events
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Description: Many towns across the Cape offer spectacular fireworks displays to celebrate Independence Day. Plan to arrive by dusk at one of the following locations: Falmouth Heights, Hyannis Harbor, Orleans Rock Harbor, and Provincetown Harbor. Hyannis also hosts a July 4th boat parade in the harbor, Falmouth has a blessing of the fleet, and Harwich has a July 4th Family Fun Day with a craft fair and entertainment. Chatham, Orleans, Wellfleet, and Provincetown have parades.
19. Concerts In The Park
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (508) 759-6000
Description: The music ranges from country and western to jazz and from show tunes to rock ‘n’ roll at this music series held at Buzzards Bay Park gazebo. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and join the fun every Thurs night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. during July and Aug. Admission is free.
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
21. Annual Arts & Crafts Street Fair
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (508) 548-5600
Description: Hosted by the Falmouth Village Association, this event features more than 200 artisans and craftspeople displaying their wares. Booths line both sides of Main Street, and they close the street to vehicle traffic. You’ll also find plenty of food and fun entertainment throughout the day. The Street Fair, held on a Wed during early July, starts at 10 a.m. and goes until 5 p.m.
22. Mashpee Wampanoag Pow Wow
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (508) 477-0208
Description: Open to the public, this event is sponsored by the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Council and features tribal dances and other activities, such as the native fireball game, princess contests, a road race, traditional clambake, and American-Indian crafts. This popular three-day event attracts American Indians from many other states and always takes place the first weekend in July. An admission fee of $8 is charged; $6 for children and seniors.
23. Annual Sandcastle Competition
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (508) 477-0792, (508) 539-1400
Description: South Cape Beach is the site of this annual sandcastle competition sponsored by Leisure Services from 9 a.m. until noon the second Sat in July. There are five categories. Contestants are allowed three hours to produce their masterpieces; judging is at noon. The competition is free, though preregistration is requested.
24. Mashpee Night At The Pops
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (508) 539-2345
Description: The Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra, featuring conductor Royston Nash, and a fireworks display. Just bring your own chair. It’s sponsored by the Mashpee Community Concert Committee. It’s generally held at 7 p.m. on the last Sat in July. Admission is free.
25. St. George’S Grecian Festival
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (508) 775-3045
Description: This three-day fair in mid-July features fantastic food like you’ve never tasted before. Besides the wonderful Greek food, there’s a great crafts fair and bake sale as well as high-spirited dancing and a guided tour of the majestic domed Greek Orthodox Church. There are different booths and food tents. Free admission and parking.
26. Band Time In Chatham
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (508) 945-5199
Description: This is good old-fashioned Cape Cod family fun. On Fridays from July 4 through Labor Day, Kate Gould Park fills with thousands of people who happily listen to the Chatham Band play various traditional tunes, including such favorites as the “Bunny Hop” and the “Hokey Pokey” for the kids. Bring a blanket, lawn chairs, and maybe some bug spray. The music is free, but you may want to purchase balloons and refreshments. Concerts start at 8 p.m.
27. Peter Rabbit’S Animal Day
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (508) 888-6870
Description: The Thornton Burgess Society sponsors this fair geared to younger folk, who will love the live animal exhibits, pet rabbit show, music, story times, refreshments, and games. Burgess items are available for purchase. There is no admission fee to the fair, which takes place the second weekend in Aug.
28. Falmouth Road Race
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (508) 540-7000
Description: Three decades ago, a group of runners decided to run from Woods Hole to a bar in Falmouth Heights. Thus began what has become an international road race that is second only to the Boston Marathon in New England popularity. The Falmouth Road Race attracts thousands of onlookers and some 10,000 runners from across the country and around the world to sample its challenging 7.1-mile course the second weekend of Aug. The race starts at 10 a.m.
29. Centerville Old Home Week
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (508) 790-6220
Description: Among the special moments of the Centerville Old Home Week are a reunion dinner, an ice-cream social with legendary Four Seas ice cream, lectures, a road race, band concerts, and a bonfire at the beach. A good time is always had by all. Old Home Week takes place in mid-Aug, and proceeds benefit the Centerville Library.
30. West Barnstable Village Festival
City: Cape Cod, MA
Category: Annual Events & Festivals
Telephone: (508) 428-8754
Description: Look for fun and community spirit with book sales, children’s games and activities, raffles, mini-train rides, horse-drawn wagons, and plenty of food. This event is held the third Sat in Aug, and most activities are free.