Ongoing events
Dec. 10 – 13
Christmas in Edgartown
All day, various Edgartown locations
The festivities take place with modifications to keep the community safe, but the favorite traditions are being reimagined. The events and sales help raise more than $50,000 for Islandwide nonprofits.
Dec. 10 – 16
Featherstone’s Holiday Gift Show
12 – 4 pm, 30 Featherstone Lane, Oak Bluffs
A one-stop holiday destination with handmade gifts from Island artists, including paintings, photographs, pottery, crafts, jewelry, clothing and stocking stuffers. By appointment for up to six people every half hour. For details, visit featherstoneart.org.
Dec. 10 – 31
Vineyard Community Wishing Tree
124 William St., Vineyard Haven
Visitors are welcome all day and at night as long as the lights are on. The Wishing Tree offers a non-denominational activity to tie ribbons and to write wishes, intentions, and prayers to put on the tree. Bring your own messages, ribbons, and tags, or use the wishing materials available onsite. For details, contact Polly Simpkins at 203-807-1469, [email protected]
Dec. 10 – 31
Gatchell Holiday Lights
County Road, Oak Bluffs
For more than 40 years, the Gatchell family on County Road in Oak Bluffs has decorated their house with a massive Christmas light display, complete with Santa, reindeer, and over 20,000 sparkling lights. People who come to see the display are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items or a monetary donation for the Island Food Pantry.
Dec. 11 – 27
Crossland’s Christmas Display
Ocean Park, Oak Bluffs
See a magical display of holiday lights in Ocean Park every Friday to Sunday night, including a floating star of twinkling lights, massive trees made of different colored lights, and the gazebo warmly lit under a nighttime sky. Every year, Crossland Landscape designs and builds this oceanside holiday show.
Daily events
Thursday, Dec. 10
Take-and-Make Winter Crafts
11 am – 4 pm, Aquinnah library
Stop by the library to pick up a craft kit for making a polar bear. For details, call 508-645-2314, or email [email protected]
Thursday, Dec. 10, and Thursday, Dec. 17
Nutcracker Ballet and Books
3:30 – 4:30 pm, virtual, West Tisbury library
Children of all ages are welcome to join Miss Shannon online to learn dances from “The Nutcracker” ballet. The classes include singing, stretching, basic ballet technique, creative movement games, and a themed storytime. To receive the Zoom login, email [email protected]
Friday, Dec. 11
Holiday Concert from Adele Dreyer
7 pm, virtual, Edgartown library
Enjoy holiday songs from pianist Adele Dreyer while wrapping gifts, decorating, baking, or engaged in other festive activities. Dreyer will play from her Steinway at home to virtually send carols for an evening of holiday cheer. For Zoom access, email [email protected]
Saturday, Dec. 12
Christmas Faire
9:30 am – 2:30 pm, First Congregational Church of West Tisbury
The theme this year is “An Island Christmas — a Celebration of Land and Sea.” Discover wreaths, swags, and centerpieces, as well as Christmas cards with vintage snowstorm photos of West Tisbury and the church. For details, email [email protected], or call 508-693-2842.
Angel Ornament Knit-Along
3 pm, virtual, Vineyard Haven library
Gather on Zoom with a mug of tea or cocoa and knit a holiday angel ornament. For most knitters, the pattern is small enough to make the decoration in one sitting, but you can also use your own design. To receive the Zoom link and the pattern, email [email protected]
Gingerbread House Decorating Competition
4 – 5:30 pm, virtual, Vineyard Haven library
Join Emily and Jennifer on Zoom for a fun, online version of the annual gingerbread house decorating program. It will be a light-hearted competition for the whole family. For the link to register, email [email protected]
Saturday, Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec. 13
Teddies Around Town
11 am to 1 pm, Edgartown
Go on a scavenger hunt to find teddy bears of all shapes and sizes in storefront windows. It begins at Point B Realty in Nevin Square, where children pick up a riddle sheet and a stamp. And it ends back at Point B Realty, where each participant receives a teddy bear. For details, visit mvteddybearsuite.com.
Sunday, Dec. 13
Teddy Bear Trot and Virtual Fun Run
All day, any Island location
The Amity Island Running Club, M.V. Boys & Girls Club, and Point B Realty are sponsoring the virtual Teddy Bear Trot 5K and Kids’ Fun Run. All ages and levels can participate, and dogs and strollers are welcomed. You can dress as festive as possible, take photos, and submit them with your race results. To register, visit runsignup.com/Race/MA/Edgartown/VirtualTeddyBearTrot.
Mondays, Dec. 14, 21
Snowflake Storytime
10:30 to 11 am, virtual, West Tisbury library
The children’s librarian is hosting a winter-themed storytime to welcome the holiday season. All ages are welcome, but the program is designed for children aged 2 to 5. Email [email protected] for the Zoom login to join.
Tuesdays, Dec. 15, 22, 29
Winter-Themed Curbside Crafts
11 am to 4 pm, West Tisbury library
Each kit includes everything needed to complete the craft at home. Call the library when you arrive, and a craft bag will be placed on the porch. Photos of the finished project can be sent by email. Bags cannot be reserved, and are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Email [email protected], or call 508-693-3366.
Wednesdays, Dec. 16, 23, 30
Handmade for the Holidays
12 to 4 pm, Oak Bluffs library
Pick up a craft kit that contains all the items needed to create a decoration. Dec. 16 is for a reindeer centerpiece, Dec. 23 is for a lavender potpourri sachet. Dec. 30 is for a dreamcatcher using a paper plate, string, beads, and feathers. For details, email [email protected], or call 508-693-9433.
Thursday, Dec. 17
Take-and-Make Winter Crafts
11 am – 4 pm, Aquinnah library
Stop by the library to pick up a craft kit for making winter icicles. For details, call 508-645-2314, or email [email protected]
Saturday, Dec. 19
Holiday Take-and-Make Crafting
11 am – 4 pm, Aquinnah library
Stop by the library to pick up a craft kit for making your own holiday wrapping paper at home. For details, call 508-645-2314, or email [email protected]
M.V. Family Chorus’ Winter Concert
2 pm, virtual
Listen online to a live concert of songs of peace, hope, and light from the M.V. Family Chorus, directed by Roberta Kirn of Be Well Sing. For anyone who wants to join the chorus, there are rehearsals on Zoom on Mondays at 5 pm through Dec. 14. To learn more, visit bewellsing.com.
Solstice Holiday Celebration
7 pm, virtual
Join a celebration of the Winter Solstice to help create more light at this time of year. Through music, poetry, healing, positive thoughts, and laughter, Arnie Reisman, Mark Alan Lovewell, Nancy Jephcote, Paul Thurlow, Spencer Thurlow, Donald Nitchie, and Valerie Sonnenthal will share their talent. Email [email protected] to sign up and get the Zoom invite.
Tuesday, Dec. 22
Beginner Knitting for the Holidays
5 pm, virtual, Aquinnah library
Make a simple knitting project for yourself or as a gift. All materials and instructions are provided. To register for Zoom access and to arrange pick-up of items, email [email protected]
Wednesday, Dec. 23, and Sunday, Dec. 27
Bolshoi Ballet Film: “The Nutcracker”
4 pm on Dec. 23, 1 pm on Dec. 27, Film Center, Vineyard Haven
On Christmas Eve, Marie’s nutcracker doll magically transforms into a prince, and they find themselves in an enchanted world. Join them on their journey as they encounter other toys that have come to life, as well as dancing snowflakes, all accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s beloved musical score. For tickets, visit mvfilmsociety.com.