Martha's Vineyard is famous for its idyllic New England summers, but many have discovered that fall brings its own kind of Island magic. Each fall, we discover more events that make visiting this time of year ever more special. We're featuring fall favorites in our 10 Ways to Fall in Love with Martha’s Vineyard This Season blog.
10 Ways to Fall in Love with Martha’s Vineyard This Season
#1 - Festivals On Martha's Vineyard
Martha’s Vineyard is bursting with fun fall festivals, many perfect for the whole family to enjoy! Here are just a couple to explore: Morning Glory Farm's Pumpkin Festival, Saturday, October 18th. Enjoy farm activities, all things pumpkins including the pumpkin trebuchet featured below. The Winnetu's Martha's Vineyard Culinary Classic, is October 17th & 18th. Enjoy a celebration of Island flavors and culinary delights from local purveyors for an unforgettable series of events. The Martha's Vineyard Film Society's Women in Film Festival, October 17th - 19th, is now in its 7th season. The WIFF is a celebration of women in the film industry -- behind the camera and in front on film. It features stories that are told from a women's perspective. These are just a couple of the festivals that make the Island your Fall destination.
#2 - Martha's Vineyard Beaches
Private town beaches are now open to the public. This means that some of the Island's most coveted beaches are accessible, including Lambert's Cove, Lucy Vincent, and Squibnocket. With warmer days still lingering to late in the season, fall beach days can be some of the best of the year, and even in cooler temperatures, exploring all the different beaches is a great activity. We like to think that Martha's Vineyard has some of the most beautiful beaches in New England.
#3 - Fall Foliage On Martha's Vineyard
While we are do not have the robust foliage of Vermont or New Hampshire, the Island does have a stunning season of Fall colors. As you drive along the beaches or on bucolic Up-Island roads, take in the vibrant reds, yellows and orange of the trees, flowers and bushes. You can also enjoy the numerous trails across the Island and savor the quiet and fall colors. You may be surprised just how beautiful fall can be on Martha's Vineyard.
#4 - Enjoy The Flavors of Martha's Vineyard
Though many restaurants close for the season, there are numerous ones that remain open. With the bounty of the sea and all the Island's local farms still happening, fall menus at Island restaurants are rich with comfort food and rotating seasonal dishes. Grab a locally crafted pint, a burger, and cozy up to the roaring fire at Offshore Ale. Enjoy game day at Rockfish with wood fired pizzas. Looking for something more gourmet? Bettini serves up gourmet seasonal dishes with a stunning view of the Edgartown Lighthouse. State Road hosts its popular Burger Night and it's always quite the scene. These are just a couple of the fall dining options you will find that can help you enjoy the season.
#5 - Hiking On Martha's Vineyard In The Fall
There are over 200 miles of hiking trails on Martha's Vineyard and trails for all levels of hikers. This time of year, the trails are less crowded and still just as beautiful. Some of our Point B Picks include: The Brickyard in Chilmark which offers a bit of history and stunning water views, Squibnocket Pond South, new this year, is a 254 acre property that offers woodland and boardwalk dune trails, and which is an easy, family friendly nature preserve where you can learn about local habitat. Added bonus for trails on the Island - many will take you to the ocean. Get the Trails MV app for a complete guide to Martha's Vineyard Trails.
#6 - Martha's Vineyard Is A Runners Paradise
Fall is a runner's paradise on Martha's Vineyard. With so many trails, bike paths and scenic road routes, there is no shortage of places to run on the Island. There are also a number of road races for you to sign up for, which is a great reason to come visit. For the experienced runner, on October 5th there is the 12th Annual Gay Head Run for the Light benefiting the preservation and continued restoration of the Gay Head Light House. On October 11th, there is the Fall 5k, benefitting the Oak Bluffs School's 8th Grade Trip and this year is going to be Jawsome (Jaws themed t-shirts this year)! If you're looking for a fun run, on October 18th, it's the Martha's Vineyard Brunch Run. After the run, enjoy a scrumptious brunch on the porch of the Katama General Store, beverages too to enjoy in your commemorative glass, and relax with fellow runners.
#7 - Halloween On Martha's Vineyard
You may not think so, but Halloween is a big deal on Martha's Vineyard. Each down Island town has it's own day to celebrate with trick or treating with businesses and fun Halloween inspired activities - Edgartown's Happy Haunting is Sunday, October 26th, Vineyard Have is on Halloween and Oak Bluffs is Saturday, October 25th. Kids get to enjoy these three days and Halloween! There is also the Martha's Vineyard Public Charter School Scarecrow Festival. Businesses sponsor literally themed scarecrows crafter by the students and you can find them all over the Island. MV Screen Printing turns into a fantastically frightening haunted house located right on State Road. There is even a zombie pub crawl in Oak Bluffs, and so much more!! Halloween is spooktacular on MV!
#8 - Fishing On Martha's Vineyard
Each Fall, fishermen & women hit the waters via boat and by shore to participate in the Martha's Vineyard Striped Bass & Bluefish Derby. Celebrating its 80th year, this beloved fishing tournament runs from mid-September to mid-October and has participants fishing up a storm for not only bragging rights but for big prizes like a new boat, fishing equipment and more. This even is a big fundraiser for the Derby Scholarship program which raises significant money for Island seniors at the high school. Can't fish in person? You can donate to the Derby Scholarship by clicking here. In addition to great fishing (you don't have to be in the derby), it's a great time to get your shellfish license and harvest some wild oysters.
#9 - Martha's Vineyard Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a very special time on the Island. It is a tradition for many summer people to return to the Island to celebrate here. The holidays are so festive and fun with our small town feel with lots of family friendly activities, including a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. If you don't want to cook, you can order entire meals, or sides or desserts through a number of different restaurants and food shops on the Island, like Black Sheep and Black Dog Cafe. Also many restaurants offer a Thanksgiving Dinner taking the task of cooking off of you and friends and family offering an easy alternative to celebrating together without the work.
#10 - Relax On Martha's Vineyard During The Fall
There is a shift in energy during the fall on Martha's Vineyard. The Island is still bustling with people and places open, but there is a softer quality to it this time of year. It's the perfect time to getaway - get cozy in a sweater on a beach walk, linger at coffee shops, read through that stack of books and let the Island help you unwind.
Autumn on Martha’s Vineyard is pure magic—crisp air, colorful leaves, and memories waiting to be made.
Thank you for reading On Point MV, a blog about Island happenings. Have something special to share or a topic you'd like to see us write about? Email guinevere@pointbrealty.com. Also, don't forget to "like" Point B on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin.