47th Annual Provincetown Carnival – “Summer Camp!”

The Provincetown Business Guild is thrilled to announce the 47th Annual Provincetown Carnival: Summer Camp! Running from August 16 to 23, this beloved weeklong festival—Ptown’s original summer extravaganza of community, expression, and creativity—returns with a playful and nostalgic “Summer Camp” theme.

Carnival draws tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe to Provincetown each year. Attendees can expect a kaleidoscope of parties, performances, costume contests, and the signature Carnival Parade, which this year will journey down Commercial Street on Thursday, August 21, departing from the Harbor Hotel at 3:00 PM and continuing through downtown.

The Carnival Parade remains the week’s centerpiece, showcasing dazzling floats, creative walking contingents, and themed artistry. In recent years, community participation has been enhanced through programs such as the Artists Matchmaking initiative, pairing local creators with businesses to elevate float design—a tradition dating back to 2022.

Here’s a curated schedule of major events, capturing the festival’s energy and flair:

• Sunday, August 17

  • Feet Over Front Street 5K Run & Walk, 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM, starts at Harbor Hotel

  • F@g Bash at Sea Carnival Cruise, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, departs MacMillan Pier (boarding around 3:15 PM)

• • Couture Camp: Opening Party & Costume Contest, 9:00 PM at the Crown & Anchor with host JenDM — win a spot aboard a float in the Carnival Parade

• Monday, August 18

  • Wet Hot Summer Camp: The Official Carnival Pool Party, 12:00 PM at the Brass Key Guesthouse, with DJs Andrew Lenox & Peter Napoli

• Tuesday, August 19

  • Queer Field Day at the Gifford House yard—classic summer-camp games with a queer twist, beginning around 12:00 PM

• • Carnival Bingo, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at the Crown & Anchor, fundraiser for the Provincetown Business Guild

  • Watership Inn Carnival Party with Miss Richfield 1981, 3:00 PM

  • Basecamp: A-House Dance Party, 10:00 PM – late at A-House

• Wednesday, August 20

  • Surf Camp: Babes & Bois × Clam Jam’s Queer Carnival Pool Party, 12:00 PM at Seaglass Inn & Spa, includes picnic, drinks, pop-ups, and on-site bar

  • “IT’S CAMP!” – Pattie Gonia’s Drag Extravaganza, 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM at Provincetown Town Hall featuring Pattie Gonia as “Camp Counselor,” plus Sequoia, VERA!, Nini Coco

• • Twin Peaks Dance Party with Tara Dikhoff & Biscuit TMFS, 10:00 PM at the Red Room

• Thursday, August 21

  • Summer CAMP! Carnival Parade, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM, kicks off at the Harbor Hotel and travels down Commercial Street

• Friday, August 22

  • Into the Wild: Carnival Closing Party with DJ Minx, 9:00 PM at the Gifford House / Club Purgatory

This enchanting lineup invites guests to immerse themselves in a week of drag, dance, costumes, games, and community, all anchored by the joyous spirit of Summer Camp. Whether you’re attending or covering the event, this schedule provides a perfect roadmap. Your stop for a full schedule of Provincetown events, programs, shows, parties, and more!: Ptownie Provincetown Event Calendar!

Provincetown Carnival stays true to its roots while embracing evolving queer culture, inclusion, and bold creativity. Originating in 1978 under the guidance of the Provincetown Business Guild, the festival has grown into a hallmark event, celebrating LGBTQ+ community, self-expression, and artistic freedom!