Island Time, Dec. 5-8: Santa Arrives

December 5, 2019

It’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays on Martha’s Vineyard. Decorations are up, shopping is underway, and even the weather cooperated this week with a pretty white blanket of snow. Options are dizzying for the weekend ahead, but we’ve made some picks to get you started. Find the full list of activities and events happening in the next few days in the Complete Martha’s Vineyard Calendar. And be sure to take a drive through Ocean Park to see the Crosslands Annual Christmas Display.

Friday, Dec. 6 | First Friday

Tisbury’s artists and artisans are holding a special holiday-themed First Friday market at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum this evening from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., complete with live music and the ArtCliff food truck. The museum tree lighting will also occur at 5:30 p.m.

Up in Chilmark, PathwaysARTS has a special screening of Island filmmaker Angela Anderson’s documentary Inviolable: The Fight for Human Rights planned for 7 p.m., followed by a Q & A with the filmmaker.

Edgartown Cinemas is showing Knives Out at 3:45 p.m. and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood at 6:45 p.m.

At the Ritz in Oak Bluffs, Missis Biskis plays at 7 p.m. followed by a 90s Grunge Show at 10 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7 | Choral Concert

Special holiday sales taking place today include the NAACP of Martha’s Vineyard Holiday Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Oak Bluffs Council on Aging and the Christmas Bazaar at American Legion Post 257 in Vineyard Haven from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Here’s a great activity for the kids this morning — gingerbread barn decorating at The West Tisbury Farmers’ Market, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Agricultural Hall. Proceeds benefit the Island 4-H program. After that you could head to the Capawockfor a free screening of The Muppet Christmas Carol at 1 p.m. And don’t forget about visiting the Teddy Bear Suite, open today from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Point B Realty, 29 Winter Street, Edgartown.

You’re invited to a holiday afternoon tea with scones and more at the Martha’s Vineyard Playhouse in Vineyard Haven from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the 50 Years at Felix Neck Pot Luck Kick-Off at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary in Edgartown from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

More than 100 voices strong, the Island Community Chorus holds its Holiday Concerts at the Old Whaling Church in Edgartown at 7:30 p.m. today and 3 p.m. Sunday.

The Martha’s Vineyard Film Center in Vineyard Haven screens Marriage Story at 4:00 p.m. and A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 8 | Santa Sightings

Santa Claus is a busy elf today! Charge your devices, check your lists and get ready to visit Santa at the Tisbury Fire Station at 10 a.m.; from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the West Tisbury Fire Station; from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Tisbury Toy Box in Vineyard Haven, and from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at nearby Black Dog Tavern, where Santa arrives by boat.

Also in Vineyard Haven, free holiday hay rides through downtown take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with Island farmers Fred Fisher and his sons at the reins.

From 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Vineyard Haven Public Library, inspirational photographer Michael Blanchard talks about his new book, Through a Sober Lens.

At the Chilmark Community Church, weekly Offerings of Music and Light begin at 5 p.m.

Edgartown Cinemas is showing Frozen 2 in 3D at 3:45 p.m. and Jojo Rabbit at 6:30 p.m.