Provincetown
Theme Weeks & Events
EVERYTHING YOU NEED FOR 2020
ptownie lists the best of theme weeks, events, festivals, and more!
January 2020
Polar Bear Plunge
Wednesday, January 1
Run with the pack of dedicated, courageous costumed people into Provincetown Harbor for a quick dip followed by warm-up cocktails and chili at Harbor Lounge!
February 2020
Snowbound Leather Weekend
Friday, February 21 – Sunday, February 23
Mates’ Snowbound Leather Weekend is a kick-back, have a good time, meet some hot new friends weekend for those who want to hang out, socialize, relax or party with other like-minded people in leather, rubber and uniforms.
March 2020
Out of Hibernation Weekend
Friday, March 13 – Sunday, March 15
This weekend of events put on by UrsaMen and the Crown & Anchor is a celebration of the coming springtime and getting out to celebrate.
Year Rounder’s Festival
Saturday, March 14
The 2020 Provincetown and Outer Cape Year Rounders festival celebrates the unique experience of living here year round. We are looking to harness all of the talent and energy from the year round community.
April 2020
Pilgrim Monument Re-Opens
Wednesday, April 1
Come celebrate the re-opening of the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum! The 252-foot monument was built in 1907 to commemorate the Mayflower Pilgrims’ first landing in the New World in Provincetown.
Easter Weekend
Friday, April 10 – Sunday, April 12
Miss Gay USofA
TBA
Miss Gay Massachusetts US of A Weekend kicks off with the Royalty in Review. Join past winners from the Massachusetts and national pageants for a night of music, singing, and comedy. Then, watch as a new winner is crowned Miss Gay Massachusetts US of A. This is an event you will not want to miss!
Spring Stomp: Gays for Patsys
Friday, April 24 – Sunday, April 26
An annual Provincetown spring hoedown featuring dancing, workshops, and lots of socializing.
Moby Dick Reading Marathon
TBA
The Moby-Dick Marathon brings together over 120 participants to read Melville’s classic work aloud over three days for a total of 24 hours. The event honors Provincetown’s maritime and literary heritage and an international group of Melville enthusiasts.
May 2020
Run to the Top
TBA
A run to the Top of the Pilgrim Monument to help benefit Cape Cod FF/EMS Cancer Relief Fund.
Outer Cape Chorale
Friday, May 15— Saturday, May 16
The 2020 spring concert’s theme is America’s Journey in Song and takes place May 15 and 16 at Provincetown Town Hall.
Single Women’s Weekend
Friday, May 15 —Sunday, May 17
An opportunity for lesbians to connect, perchance to eventually marry! Meet- and-greets, speed dating, shows, and other events.
Ferry Service Resumes
Friday, May 16
Bay State Cruise Company kicks off its 2020 season on May 15.
Broto Conference
Saturday, May 16 — Sunday, May 17
A weekend of exploration how art and climate can scale science globally — an ongoing experiment in art and science collaboration addressing climate change.
Monumental Yard Sale Weekend
Saturday, May 16 — Sunday, May 17
Town-wide residential & commercial yard sale weekend. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure!
Twenty Summers
TBA
Twenty Summers was founded with the dual aim of preserving the Hawthorne Barn in Provincetown, Mass., and maintaining its legacy as a place promoting the private creation of and public engagement with art.
Memorial Day Weekend
Thursday, May 21 — Monday, May 25
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.
Cabaretfest
Wednesday, May 27, – Sunday, May 31
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!
June 2020
Women of Color Weekend
Thursday, June 4—Sunday, June 7
A wide range of events, including powerful workshops, spectacular shows, social media worthy parties and delicious meals. WOCW embraces intersectionality and intergenerational dialogue, and therefore attract attendees from all waves of life.
Pride Weekend
Friday, June 5—Sunday, June 7
Pride Weekend kicks off its third year in Provincetown with parties, a visitor center, a global rainbow over the harbor and a parade!
Heritage Day Celebration
Thursday, June 11
The Provincetown Public Library will celebrate our community’s rich history on the evening of Thursday, June 11 with the 2020 Heritage Day Celebration.
WorldFest 2020
Sunday, June 14 and Monday, June 15
WorldFest is an opportunity for all international students/workers, residents and visitors to learn about our international students/workers and their creative talents.
Provincetown International Film Festival
Wednesday, June 17—Sunday, June 21
One of the country’s preeminent lm festivals presents a diverse array of American and international narrative features, documentaries and short films.
Men of Color Weekend
Thursday, June 18—Sunday, June 21
The second annual summer celebration brought to you by Men of Melanin is June 18-21, 2020! Your weekend starts with a Summer Solstice party, so dress to impress in yellow, orange, or gold. There’s a pool party on Saturday and a dance party Saturday night, while Sunday you can recover at the very popular brunch party.
Portuguese Festival & Blessing of the Fleet
Thursday, June 25—Sunday, June 28
A week-long celebration of Ptown’s Portuguese heritage and vibrant community that culminates in the Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday. Come watch all the boats as they show off their finery!
July 2020
July 4th and Independence Week
Sunday, June 28—Saturday, July 5
This is party-week central in Ptown, alternately referred to as circuit-boy week, twink week, or pretty-boy week; you get the picture. A young, energetic crowd. The town puts on a reworks show (~8:45pm over Provincetown Harbor) and a Parade (~11am) to celebrate the 4th of July.
Bear Week
Saturday, July 11—Sunday, July 19
The largest bear event in the world, with Ptown overrun by hair, leather, and large men. Restaurants love the bears!
PAAM Annual Secret Garden Tour
Sunday, July 12
Girl Splash
Tuesday, July 21—Saturday, July 25
Concerts, comediennes, parties, dancing and more for the summer women’s festival in Provincetown.
Cape Cod Dance Festival
Saturday, July 25
The program will include some of the highest caliber American choreographers, dancers, and dance companies.
GLAD Summer Party
Saturday, July 25
The Summer Party includes a delicious taste of summer, a gorgeous view of Provincetown, and a fabulous opportunity to support GLAD’s critical work.
Family Week
Saturday, July 25—Saturday, August 1
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!
August 2020
Pan Mass Challenge
Saturday, August 1—Sunday, August 2
The largest single athletic charity event in the country, the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC), brings together thousands of impassioned cyclists, committed volunteers, generous donors and dedicated corporate sponsors each year. Together, they provide Dana-Farber’s doctors and researchers the necessary resources to discover treatments and cures for all types of cancer.
Whale Week
Sunday, August 2—Saturday, August 8
Sponsored by the Center for Coastal Studies, this is a week filled with educational activities and opportunities for everyone.
Provincetown Jazz Festival
Wednesday, August 12
Jazz up your summer at the 16th annual Provincetown Jazz Festival August 12th.
Carnival 2020: Holidays
Saturday, August 15—Sunday, August 22
Provincetown’s Carnival is one of the largest outdoor celebrations in Massachusetts with a week of revelry, costumes, and a parade.
September 2020
Celebration of Life Concert
Friday, September 11
It’s the prelude to the next morning’s Swim for Life and a celebration of everything Provincetown.
Swim for Life
Saturday, September 12
Celebrating its 33rd year in 2020, this quintessential Provincetown tradition symbolizes the heroic efforts of a community devastated by the pandemic and its unequivocal response to it.
Afterglow Festival
Tuesday, September 15—Saturday, September 19
Now in its tenth year, a gathering in Provincetown of both renowned and under-the-radar innovative stage artists evolving the world of live performance.
Cape Cod Classic
Thursday, September 17—Saturday, September 19
The NGPA is the largest organization of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender aviation professionals and enthusiasts from around the world.
Yankee Lambda Car Show
Friday, September 18—Sunday, September 20
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.
Provincetown Book Festival
Saturday, September 19—Sunday, September 20
The festival seeks to benefit the community by hosting a variety of events that include author readings and presentations, panel discussions, book signings, workshops, and gatherings and conversations.
Pet Appreciation Week
Sunday, September 20—Saturday, September 26
A pet parade, dog show, and other activities all to benefit the Carrie A. Seamen Animal Shelter in Provincetown.
Tennessee Williams Theater Festival
Thursday, September 24—Sunday, September 27
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.
PAAM Consignment Auction
Saturday, September 26
PAAM’s annual consignment auction is a spectacular live event that features the work of late regional artists. Held annually in September, PAAM’s consignment auction features artwork by deceased artists who lived, studied, or worked on Cape Cod.