Deck the Halls

November 30, 2023

You can ease into the holiday spirit this weekend with a concert or a decorating class – or go all in with fairs and festivals. The choice is yours. Our top picks include the Island Community Chorus annual holiday concert at the Old Whaling Church and the special edition of First Friday on the lawn of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum. We’re also planning to head up to the Aquinnah Artisans Holiday Fair and we’ve got our eyes on that wreath-making class at The Farm Institute. For a gentle way to end the weekend, we might stop at the Chilmark Church for an Offering of Music and Light.In between? The new Beyonce concert film or maybe TBD Improv at the Grange Hall. Decisions, decisions.

Find out more about these and other events below — and remember you can check The Complete Martha’s Vineyard Calendar for all the holiday (and non-holiday) festivities and activities. A complete list of artisan fairs is at the end of this newsletter.

Hail to Queen Bey

Did you miss the chance to see Beyonce perform live on her most recent tour? Not to worry, the Strand Theatre in Oak Bluffs has the next best thing: Renaissance: A Film By Beyonce, the documentary that takes you backstage and onstage with Beyonce on tour. Starting tonight, the film will screen every evening at 7 p.m. through Dec. 23.

Festive Friday

Friday, Dec. 1 marks the final First Friday celebration of 2023. It’ll be a festive one, with the artisan vendors and music you know from summertime celebrations, but this time they’ll gather around cozy firepits on the lawn of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum in Vineyard Haven. Wear a jacket and enjoy the fun from 5 to 8 p.m. Don’t miss the tree lighting at 6 p.m.!

Go West!

Head to Aquinnah town hall on Saturday, Dec. 2 or Sunday, Dec. 3 for the annual Aquinnah Artisans Holiday Fair.You’ll find ceramics, wampum and shell jewelry, linens, cards, books of Island history and many other handmade items that you’re not likely to find elsewhere on the Island. You can pick up something to eat at the fair from Orange Peel Bakery or Jeff and Vika Duarte and make a full day of it. The fair will be open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.

Joyful Sounds

Join Island Community Chorus for Sing We Joyous at the Old Whaling Church on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. Selections in this year’s holiday concert include familiar pieces by Handel and Bach, a Christmas spiritual song, a jazzy Hanukkah piece and much more.

Peaceful, Easy Feeling

It’ll be a bath like no other when you join a Forest Bathing session at Polly Hill Arboretum in West Tisbury on Tuesday, Dec. 5. Experience the Japanese practice of relaxation in nature as Shanta Gabriel leads an easy, mindful walk that offers health benefits as well as beautiful surroundings. The event takes place from 9 to 10 a.m.

Holiday Fairs, Markets & Pop-Ups

Ongoing

Island Made Holidays at Gayle Gardens

Gayle Gardens (formerly Heather Gardens)

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

World Market Holiday

Pop-Up Shop

Capawock Theatre

10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Holiday Gift Show

Featherstone Center

for the Arts