NOVEMBER 2018

Day of the Dead Festival
Wednesday, October 20 — Friday, November 2 (Day of the Dead, November 2)

This annual event honors life and death with art, music, a procession, workshops, and a public offrande; you can even make your own.

Provincetown Men’s Weekend
Friday, November 9 — Sunday, November 11
This weekend brings all men together in Ptown, regardless of relationship status, with lots of parties and dances.

Mr. New England Leather Weekend
Friday, November 16 — Sunday, November 18
A regional section of the International Mister Leather competition to be held in Chicago.

Pilgrim Monument Lighting
Wednesday, November 21
Every year the distinctive Pilgrim Monument is beautifully lit to commemorate the Pilgrim’s first landing in the New World. There are speeches, entertainment, food, and more; everyone comes to it, so make sure to join us!

Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 22
Many restaurants open their doors on Thanksgiving to present a hot delicious meal (often with a special Provincetown twist) for this holiday.

Lobster Pot Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 24
To really welcome in the holiday season, we light a lobster-pot Christmas tree in a special ceremony at Lopes Square. These are real lobster traps on loan from local fishermen, and the tradition has been a gift to the town from the Popko family for over a decade.

DECEMBER 2018

Holly Folly
Friday, November 29 — Sunday, December 2
Holly Folly is a weekend of shopping, partying, and revelry! Come get all your Christmas shopping done, sample soups at a special bene t lunch, and enjoy Provincetown in the offseason!

First Light
Friday, December 28 — Wednesday, January 2
An exciting weekend of celebrating a new year with festivities that include fireworks, the Canteen Holiday Market, parties, the annual Polar Bear Plunge, drag bingo, concerts, the Lite Brite bike ride, champagne brunch, and more!

February 2019

Snowbound Leather Weekend
Friday, February 22 — Sunday, February 24
Get out of the cold and into the heat with Snowbound Leather Weekend XL! Vote on your top pick for Mr. Snowbound 2019, attend workshops, and choose from a variety of parties.

March 2019

Year-Rounders Festival
Saturday, March 9
This festival celebrates the unique experience of living here year round. Come and browse local artisans’ and artists’ work, check out what local nonprofits are doing, and enjoy finding out about the year-round community.

Out of Hibernation Weekend
Friday, March 15 — Sunday, March 17
This weekend of events put on by UrsaMen and the Crown & Anchor is a celebration of the coming springtime—and getting out to celebrate.

April 2019

Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum Opens
Monday, April 1
The Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum opens for the 2019 season.

Women’s Media Summit and Film Financing Forum

Friday April 5 —Monday April 8

A gathering of movie-makers, academics, lawmakers, business professionals and supporters to build strategies that end gender inequity in American film and television, and documents gender disparities in media.

Gays for Patsy’s Annual Stomp
Friday, April 26 — Sunday, April 28
An annual Provincetown spring hoedown featuring dancing, workshops, and lots of socializing.

May 2019

Nauticon (It’s Vegas, Baby!)
Friday, May 17 — Sunday, May 19
A creative and fun way for fans of anime, science fiction, fantasy, comic books, and all things nerdy to get together and get to know one another.

Twenty Summers
Friday, May 17 — Saturday, June 15
Concerts, conversations, artist residencies, and more for one month each spring in the historic Hawthorne Barn. Season Six kicks off for 2019 with great music, ideas, and conversations!

Single Women’s Weekend
Friday, May 17 — Sunday, May 19
A weekend full of dating activities for single lesbians so you can meet (maybe) the girl of your dreams—or at least make some good friends!

Memorial Day Weekend
Thursday, May 23 — Monday, May 27
Also known as “Baby Dyke Weekend” for the attracted demographic, there are myriad parties, along with boating, dancing, pool parties, and drinking. A lot of drinking.

Women of Color Weekend
Thursday, May 30 — Sunday, June 2
Women of Color Weekend is a celebration of women of color in the LGBTQA+ community with talks, workshops, shows, and more.

Cabaretfest
Thursday, May 30, – Sunday, June 2
Provincetown CabaretFest began in 1999, and in 2015 singer and Cape Cod resident Patricia Fitzpatrick relaunched this popular event. The weekend is packed with activities that are educational, entertainment and fun, celebrating the art of cabaret!

Provincetown Pride Weekend
Friday, May 31 —Sunday, June 2
Provincetown’s second annual Pride event features dance parties, food, and a “Global Rainbow,” neon lights piercing the night sky.

June 2019

WorldFest
Sunday, June 9 and Monday, June 10
WorldFest is an opportunity for all international students/workers, residents, and visitors to learn about our international students/workers, their homes, and their creative talents.

Provincetown International Film Festival
Wednesday, June 12 — Sunday, June 16
One of the country’s preeminent film festivals presents a diverse array of American and international narrative features, documentaries, and short films.

Portuguese Festival and Blessing of the Fleet
Thursday, June 20 — Sunday, June 23
This festival celebrates the rich history of Provincetown and the town’s unique Portuguese and nautical roots. It includes a parade, live music, dancing, a great deal of amazing food, the St. Peter procession, and the blessing of the fleet.

Independence Week
Friday, June 28 — Friday, July 5
Independence Week in Provincetown is Party Central, with dances, DJs, pool parties, and lots and lots of fun! Check out your favorite bar or club for specials. There are fireworks over Provincetown Harbor and the crowd is young and energetic.

July 2019

Bear Week
Saturday, July 13—Sunday, July 21
The largest bear event in the world, with Ptown overrun by hair, leather, and large men. Restaurants love the bears!

Girl Splash
Tuesday, July 23—Sunday, July 27
Concerts, comediennes, parties, dancing and more for the summer women’s festival in Provincetown. 

Family Week
Saturday, July 27—Saturday, August 3
The largest annual gathering in the world of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-identified parents and their families. Sponsored by the Family Equality Council, this fun-filled week will include more opportunities than ever to build community. All families are welcome!

GayAthlon Games

Thursday, July 25—Tuesday, July 30

Want to show off your muscle, or see someone else’s? This is the second annual event that includes prizes, special guest athletes, poolside events, beach volleyball, weight lifting, and kickball, and more.

Whale Week
Sunday, July 28—Saturday, August 3
Sponsored by the Center for Coastal Studies, this is a week filled with educational activities and opportunities for everyone.

August 2019

Pan-Mass Challenge
Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4
The Pan-Mass Challenge raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through an annual bike-a-thon that crosses the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Immigration Equality by the Sea

Tuesday, August 14 at 76 Commercial Street (main front door): Join the first annual cocktail party to raise funds for LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrants. All proceeds benefit Immigration Equality, a nonprofit providing free legal services for queer immigrants fleeing persecution and seeking safety in the U.S. Open bar, hors d’oeuvres, and hot tub will be provided! Have fun and support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer asylum seekers.

Carnival Week
Thursday, August 15—Saturday, August 24
Provincetown’s Carnival is one of the largest outdoor celebrations in Massachusetts with a week of revelry, costumes, and a parade on the 22nd. This year’s theme is The Enchanted Forest.

Provincetown Jazz Festival
Friday, August 15
Since 2005, the Provincetown Jazz Festival™ has been held in Provincetown, home of the nation’s oldest art colony.

September 2019

Great Provincetown Schooner Regatta
Monday, September 2—Thursday, September 5
A celebration of the role of the Great Atlantic fishing bank schooner in Provincetown’s maritime history, while providing educational opportunities for residents and visitors to experience these historic vessels both in port and at sea through a series of races.

Celebration of Life and Swim for Life
Friday, September 6—Saturday, September 7
For three decades in the world’s second-largest natural harbor in the world, thousands of swimmers have braved its unpredictable waters—chilly currents, surging tides, and their own deep fears—raising millions of dollars for AIDS research and treatment, women’s health, and the community. On the night before the Swim for Life a concert is held at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House.

Gay Pilots Cape Cod Classic
Thursday, September 12, – Sunday, September 15
The Cape Cod Classic provides an intimate opportunity to experience Provincetown while bonding over our common love of aviation. The event features breakout sessions, a general aviation-themed keynote address, fly-in, and formal dinner banquet, among other activities.

Yankee Lambda Car Club
Friday, September 13, – Sunday, September 15
The Yankee Lambda Car Club is in town with the coolest cars ever! Event includes car show, parade through town, banquet and awards, and a tour of Heritage Museum car collection (Sandwich).

Afterglow Festival
Monday, September 9, – Saturday, September 14
A gathering in Provincetown of both renowned and under-the-radar innovative stage artists evolving the world of live performance.

Provincetown Book Festival
Friday, September 13, – Sunday, September 15 
The Provincetown Book Festival draws authors and readers from all over the country to spend three days in conversation about literature. Events include author readings and presentations, panel discussions, book signings, workshops, and gatherings and conversations.

CASAS Pet Appreciation Week
Monday, September 23, – Sunday, September 29 
A pet parade, dog show, and other activities all to benefit the Carrie A. Seamen Animal Shelter in Provincetown.

Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival
Thursday, September 26, – Sunday, September 29 
The festival honors Tennessee Williams by presenting his classic and undiscovered plays, the work of his peers, and new work inspired by Williams’ creative vision worldwide.

Mates Leather Weekend
Thursday, September 26, – Sunday, September 29 
A weekend of fun and frolic in Provincetown for men who like leather, rubber, and uniforms, but that also has a serious side: raising serious money for the AIDS Support Group.

October 2019

Inspiration Weekend
Friday, October 4 – Sunday, October 6
This is a weekend about self-reflection and spiritual development with the assistance of music, lyrics, and spoken word.

Women’s Week
Monday, October 14 – Sunday, October 20
This is a celebration of women hosted by women (the Women Innkeepers of Provincetown to be exact) with more than 150 diverse events.

Wellfleet Oyster Festival
Saturday, October 12 and Sunday October 13
Not technically in Provincetown, the Wellfleet Oysterfest is an annual celebration of local fishing traditions and delicious food.