Things to Do in Cape Cod
Authors: Marco & Angelo

Authors: Marco & Angelo

We own the Candleberry Inn, a boutique bed and breakfast in central Cape Cod. We're glad to share our recommendations on all the great things to explore throughout Cape Cod.

31 Exciting Cape Cod Events to Attend This Year

Table of Contents
    Add a header to begin generating the table of contents
    Scroll to Top

    When you visit historic Cape Cod, there are tons of things to do around every corner — even on rainy days. Among the activities and attractions are events and festivals, which are held throughout the entire year.

    While we can’t list them all here, we’ve gathered some of the top Cape Cod events to attend during each season. Choose your favorites, and start planning your trip to the Cape with our complimentary Vacation Guide!

    Get our free Cape Cod Vacation Guide, full of the best things to do in Cape Cod. The best activities, restaurants, museums, events, views, and much more!

    Click here to request the guide.

    Spring Flowers

    Cape Cod Spring Events | March, April, & May

    Hyannis Marathon Weekend | Hyannis

    Early March

    One of the premier races in New England, the Hyannis Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, & Marathon Relay is also the first distance race of the year. Many of the runners compete to get moving after winter, beat their personal records, qualify for the Boston Marathon, or simply participate for the first time.

    The historical, picturesque route is mostly flat and paved, and it passes Craigville Beach, Hyannisport, Hyannis Harbor, John F. Kennedy Memorial, and Lewis Bay.

    Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade | South Yarmouth

    Mid-March

    Long Pond Road in South Yarmouth is covered in a sea of green for the Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade. This Cape Cod event features more than 20 floats, pipe and drum bands, Clydesdale horses, and more, attracting tens of thousands of spectators who are welcome to visit the local shops and restaurants afterward.

    Cape Cod Easter Brunch Train | Hyannis

    Mid-April

    The Cape Cod Easter Brunch Train offers a 2.5-hour ride on the Cape Cod Central Railroad with a delicious Sunday brunch. Every meal includes fresh fruit, a breakfast pastry, a main course, dessert, and more. Plus, the train has a full bar.

    Spring on Main | Hyannis

    Late April

    Head to Main Street in Hyannis for Spring on Main to celebrate the budding season. There will be a mobile farmers market, an appearance by Gilbert the Party Pig, Earth Day crafts, sidewalk art, live music, and the start of outdoor dining after a cold winter.

    Brewster in Bloom Festival | Brewster

    Late April to Early May

    The biggest spring event in Brewster, the Brewster in Bloom Festival celebrates the brilliant colors that bloom during the season. The event brings the town to life with live music, a town parade, a fine arts and crafts show, a 5K run/walk, lawn display contest, and a kid’s carnival.

    Cape Cod Maritime Days | Cape-Wide

    All of May

    For the whole month of May, various spots — such as museums and art galleries — commemorate the Cape’s maritime history during Cape Cod Maritime Days. Some events include nautical art exhibits, maritime lore lectures, kayaking excursions, boat-building exhibits, and lighthouse and walking tours.

    Annual SeaFair | Sandwich

    Late May

    The Sandwich Glass Museum hosts the Annual SeaFair outdoor show and sale event. The focus is nautical and aquatic-themed glass creations, and the museum is open for tours.

    Cape Cod Things to Do in the Summer

    Cape Cod Events in Summer | June, July, & August

    Cape Cod Pirate Festival | West Yarmouth

    Early to mid-June

    For two weekends in June, get a taste of the pirate life during the Cape Cod Pirate Festival. Old Tom’s Tavern serves pints of beer, while Live Black Powder demonstrations fire up the cannons and guns.

    Also, you can participate in ax and knife throwing, as well as shop crafted items. On top of that, there are three stages of live entertainment!

    Arts Alive Festival | Falmouth

    Mid-June

    Organized by ArtsFalmouth, the Arts Alive Festival is a combined celebration of the arts on the Upper Cape, Juneteenth, and Father’s Day. The three days are filled with art and craft exhibits and vendors, dance performances, live music, theater performances, and food and drink.

    Taylor-Bray Farm’s Spring Sheep Festival | Yarmouth Port

    Mid-June

    The beautiful weather in June is perfect for spending time with farm animals at Taylor-Bray Farm’s Spring Sheep Festival. There are demonstrations of sheep herding, sheep shearing, and wool, spinning, dying, and weaving. You can purchase a range of wool products, farm hats and tees, and beach plum jelly too.

    This festival features a silent auction to raise funds that maintain the farm and care for its animals.

    Provincetown Portuguese Festival | Provincetown

    Late June

    For the four-day Provincetown Portuguese Festival, the Outer Cape town welcomes international guests to celebrate Portuguese culture and the town’s seafaring heritage. It features dancing, live music, parades, games, incredible food, and dozens of 20 activities and events.

    Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival | Cape-Wide

    Early to mid-July

    The Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival is a 10-day Cape-wide summer garden celebration of the signature blue, pink, and white flowers across the region. The main attractions are daily, private garden tours, but you can participate in lectures and workshops as well.

    Pops by the Sea | Hyannis

    Mid-August

    On the Hyannis Village Green, Pops by the Sea is the single largest cultural event on the Cape, presented by Citizens Bank. It includes music by some of the best-loved and finest musical ensembles, such as the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra.

    Annual Brew Run | Brewster

    Mid-August

    Known for its huge prize giveaway, the Brewster Brew Run is a 5.2-mile run through the town from The Woodshed to the north end of Route 124. Cold beer is served before the race, and then you can hit the best local bars afterward.

    Cape Cod in the Fall

    Cape Cod Fall Events | September, October, & November

    Eastham Windmill Weekend | Eastham

    Early September

    Eastham Windmill Weekend is a three-day event that celebrates the wonderful history and families of Eastham with activities all weekend — a Great Tricycle Race, a parade, a road race, a sand art contest, a scavenger hunt, a talent show, a vehicle show, a craft show, and fun games. There’s also live music and food and craft vendors.

    Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival | Harwich

    Mid-September

    Held behind the Harwich Community Center, the Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival is a two-day event with over 150 vendors selling handmade crafts. The CranJam Music Festival is combined with this event and features a wooden dance floor, live music, and fireworks at dusk.

    Cape Cod Brew Fest | East Falmouth

    Late September

    For a celebration of craft brewers across the country, head to Cape Cod Brew Fest at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in East Falmouth. You get unlimited samples of more than 150 styles of beer from over 50 breweries with your admission. At the end of the festival, you’ll get a custom souvenir glass.

    Wellfleet OysterFest | Wellfleet

    Mid-October

    The Wellfleet OysterFest has been celebrating Wellfleet’s deeply rooted shellfishing history since 2001. It features a range of events — a Shuck Off, Cape Cod craft beer and wine, food demonstrations and tastings, oyster farm tours, a Shuck n’ Run 5K Race, educational presentations, live entertainment, local artwork, and a family fun area.

    Annual PumpkinFest | Sandwich

    Late October

    Highlighting seasonally themed glass items and glass pumpkins, the Annual PumpkinFest at the Sandwich Glass Museum is a fun outdoor show. The museum is open for tours as well.

    Provincetown Food & Wine Festival | Provincetown

    Early November

    Another celebration of Portuguese culture and history, the Provincetown Food & Wine Festival features local chefs showcasing exceptional food and wine from the Iberian peninsula. There are five days of events — including a trivia night, tea dances, wine tastings, a pie competition, and more.

    Eastham Turnip Festival | Eastham

    Mid-November

    In celebration of the turnip, the Eastham Turnip Festival gives you the chance to taste an array of turnip recipes at participating restaurants — including turnip ice cream! Events include live music, a Turnip Cook-Off, and turnip-themed entertainment, such as temporary tattoos, a magic show, and a juggling act.

    best winter things to do on cape cod

    Cape Cod Events in Winter | December, January, & February

    Annual Glassblowers’ Christmas | Sandwich

    Mid-November through December

    Getting into the holiday spirit, the Sandwich Glass Museum hosts the Annual Glassblowers’ Christmas event. The main focus is hand-blown glass ornaments displayed on Christmas trees for purchase. From traditional colorful orbs to unique creations, there’s something for everyone’s tree.

    Brewster for the Holidays | Brewster

    Late November to Late December

    One of the most exciting Cape Cod events in Brewster, Brewster for the Holidays is a celebration featuring special activities over the course of several weeks in the run-up to Christmas.

    In addition to sponsor-hosted events, the main attractions include a traditional tree and windmill lighting, a holiday concert, breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and pictures with Santa.

    The Polar Express Train Ride | Bourne

    Late November to Late December

    The Cape Cod Central Railroad offers The Polar Express Train Ride for all ages. The 1.5-hour ride to the North Pole features Christmas carols, dancing chefs and waiters, and a reading of “The Polar Express.” There are even snickerdoodle cookies and hot chocolate!

    Gardens Aglow | Sandwich

    Late November to Late December

    One of the biggest Cape Cod events during the holiday season, Gardens Aglow at the Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich is a celebration of Christmas light displays throughout the gardens with other seasonal decor and fun activities.

    You can even visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the J.K. Lilly III Automobile Gallery. Then, you can ride the 1908 Looff Carousel in the American Art & Carousel Gallery.

    A Seaside Christmas In Orleans & Winterfest | Orleans

    Late November through December

    With festive events for about a month, A Seaside Christmas In Orleans & Winterfest celebrates the holiday season with breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a 5K race, costume contest, decorating contest, and more.

    Holidays By The Sea | Falmouth

    Early December

    In Falmouth, Holidays by the Sea is a weekend of festivities that starts with singing carols at Nobska Lighthouse. Then, Santa arrives in Falmouth Harbor by boat. Other events include a Jingle Jog, a tree lighting in the Village Green, a holiday stroll on Main Street, and a Christmas parade.

    Light the Night | Eastham

    Mid-December

    On the former T-Time property in Eastham, join the Light the Night event for a lighting of the Gingerbread Village. The celebrations include reindeer games, holiday-themed crafts, a special appearance by Santa, and the chance to drop off Christmas wish lists to Santa.

    First Light Provincetown | Provincetown

    End of Year

    For three days through the New Year, First Light Provincetown features several events. First, there’s the Canteen’s Holiday Market with awesome food and drinks. Then, there’s a huge fireworks display to ring in the new year. Finally, there’s a Polar Bear Plunge followed by the Hair of the Dog Disco.

    First Night Chatham | Chatham

    End of Year

    First Night Chatham is a celebration that rings in the new year with more than 70 family-friendly performances and events, including a town photo at noon in front of the Chatham Lighthouse. In the evening, there’s a Noise Parade followed by fireworks at Veterans Field.

    Yarmouth Winter Carnival | South Yarmouth

    Mid-February

    Skull Island hosts the three-day Yarmouth Winter Carnival with a synthetic outdoor rink for ice skating. The festival features family-friendly activities for all ages, as well as s’mores and food trucks.

    Garden Suite at Candleberry Inn Brewster bed and breakfast

    The Perfect Lodging While Enjoying Cape Cod Events

    Whether you happen to be on Cape Cod for an event or you plan your getaway around attending an event, Candleberry Inn can be your home away from home. We’re just a short walk or drive from the Brewster events and Cape Cod events on this list.

    Our Cape Cod bed and breakfast has everything that you could want in accommodations — elegant rooms and suites, a gourmet breakfast every morning, and luxurious amenities. Check our rates for your next Cape Cod getaway.

    Get our free Cape Cod Vacation Guide, full of the best things to do in Cape Cod. The best activities, restaurants, museums, events, views, and much more!

    Click here to request the guide.

    Share this post

    Share on facebook
    Share on pinterest
    Share on email