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Updated: August 15, 2022
August is prime time for Cape Cod's most popular special events!
Summer brings us celebrations at the beach, film and music festivals, world-famous Carnival Week in Provincetown, and the ever-popular "Hookers Ball" under a big white tent.
And that's just the beginning of all the fantastic things to do on Cape Cod in August!
January | February | March | April | May | June | July
August | September | October | November | December
When: July 30 - August 6, 2022
Where: Venues in Woods Hole, Falmouth & Cotuit
More Info: Woods Hole Film Festival
Dedicated
to showcasing and promoting the work of talented independent, emerging
filmmakers, the highly regarded Woods Hole Film Festival draws
filmmakers and patrons from around the world.
The Festival
showcases a wide variety of screenings and events during its eight-day run. This year, some events will be in-person and others will be virtual. Truly, something for everyone!
When: All month long
Where: Throughout the town of Yarmouth, MA
Admission: Free
More Info: Yarmouth Sand Sculpture Trail
Follow the Sand Sculpture Trail to see the mind-blowing works of nationally renowned artist and sculptor, Sean Fitzpatrick!
This year, you'll find Sean's creative, amusing and totally family friendly sand sculptures in 32 different locations around the town of Yarmouth.
Sean begins creating his works of art in mid-May, and the last sculpture is usually in place by mid-June. (If you're lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time, you might get to see Sean at work.)
Be sure to snap some fun photos and submit your entry to the 2022 Sand Sculpture Trail Photo Contest!
When: Daily throughout August, 2022
Where: Multiple cultural institutions in Massachusetts
Admission: Free
More Info: August Adventures
During the month of August 2022, Highland Street Foundations partners with special cultural institutions across Massachusetts to provide one free activity each day for 31 days.
Here on Cape Cod:
When: Daily in August, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.
Where: The Orpheum Theater, 637 Main Street, Chatham, MA
Admission: Free
More Info: Chatham Orpheum Theater
Every morning in August, Chatham's Orpheum Theater is showing free, family friendly movies:
7/29 to 8/4 - Lego Movie
8/5 to 8/11 - Paddington 2
8/12 to 8/18 - Fly Away Home
8/19 to 8/25 - Babe
8/26 to 9/5 - Rango
Doors to the theater open at 9 a.m. The show starts at 9:30 a.m.
Tickets are free, available at the box office the morning of the show. Seating is first come, first served.
When: Through the month of August, 2022 *CANCELED*
Where: Mullen-Hall Elementary School, 130 Katharine Bates Road, Falmouth
Admission: One ticket per ride, prices vary
More Info: Carousel of Light on Facebook
This hand-carved, twirling work of art features 20 wooden horses and 2 wheelchair accessible chariots (including one called "Bubbles" that actually blows bubbles!), all decked out in a nautical flair. Come out for a ride on one of the most popular attractions in Falmouth - the Carousel of Light.
Sad to say, the Carousel suffered a fatal mechanical breakdown. So the remainder of the 2022 season has been canceled. :(
When: August 6, 2022, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: The Edward Gorey House, 8 Strewberry Lane, Yarmouth Port, MA
Admission: Free
More Info: Fantastagorey Day
Fantastagorey Day 2022 - the popular, annual kids fest of stories and activities - will span the grounds of The Edward Gorey House.
Free admission is offered to all, along with treats, beverages, entertainment and crafts galore.
Make a puppet, create a dance, listen to a story, create a story - Fantastagorey Day offers something for everyone who is a kid or a kid at heart!
When: August 6, 2022, 5 p.m.
Where: Chatham VFW, 150 George Ryder Road, Chatham
More Info: Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen's Alliance
The name of this event got your attention, didn't it?
Held under a big white tent on the grounds of the Chatham VFW, this exceptional
evening highlights fresh-from-the-boat seafood, a one-of-a-kind live
auction and an extensive silent auction with items from the Cape's great
businesses, artists and services.
* New this year, all tickets are premium with reserved seating for all attendees. Registration is is limited to 400 guests.
When: August 6, 20 and 27, 2022 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Church of the Transfiguration, Rock Harbor, Orleans, MA
Tickets: Vary by event
More Info: Arts Empowering Life
On August 6th, celebrate the Feast of Transfiguration with a wonderful wind ensemble concert at the Church of the Transfiguration.
The concert will feature works by Mozart, DiLorenzo, Gabrieli and Walton.
Tickets for this event are available online and at the door - $30 general admission; $25 seniors; free for students and youth 18 & under.
On August 20th, hear the "rare musicality" and "lovely lyrical grandeur" (Los Angeles Times) of guest organist, Chelsea Chen, on the newly completed St. Cecilia organ.
The concert is a part of the Celebratory Concert Series for the Completion of the St. Cecilia Organ—an instrument restored by Nelson Barden of Boston that is comprised of parts of twenty-seven different E. M. Skinner organs, includes over 12,000 pipes, and is the only one in the world with its particular surround-sound configuration.
Tickets for this event are available online and at the door: $35 General; $30 Senior; Free for students and youth 18 & under
On August 27th, Gaudete Baroque Ensemble will present works by Handel, Boyce, and Albinoni.
Tickets for this event: $30 General; $25 Seniors; Free for students and youth 18 & under.
All are welcome at these performances!
When: August 7, 2022 from 1 pm to 5 pm
Where: Forte Fitness Center, 865 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA
Admission: $10 for parking
More Info: Contact Forte Fitness Center
The Awareness Fair will see Forte Fitness' facility transformed into a fairground (or carnival, if you will), filled with games and prizes, all with the intention of spreading awareness about Parkinson's Disease and what the good folks at Forte do to fight against it.
There'll also be food trucks, arts and craft vendors and a raffle with fabulous prizes. If guests pay $10 per car to park in one of the designated lots (all within walking distance of the fair), they will receive a FREE gift by presenting their parking pass at Forte.
All proceeds from the Awareness Fair will be donated to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research.
When: August 10, 2022 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Barnstable High School, 744 West Main Street, Hyannis
Admission: Free
More Info: Barnstable Police on FB
Join members of the Barnstable Police Department along with the five Town of Barnstable Fire Departments for their annual "Kids Day", held on the practice football field at Barnstable High School.
The day's events will feature demonstrations, equipment, and vehicles from several different police and fire departments, including K-9 demonstrations and SWAT demonstrations, a parade of emergency vehicles, a bagpiper and a kids' police academy.
Hot dogs, soda and ice cream will also be served free of charge, thanks to the generous donations of local businesses.
When: August 13 - 20, 2022
Where: Multiple venues and events around Provincetown
Admission: Varies by event
More Info: Provincetown Carnival
Now in its 44th year, this weeklong celebration of LGBTQ+ life attracts tens of thousands of guests from all over the world to enjoy parties, events, costume contests, and the wild and crazy Carnival parade down Commercial Street.
This year's Carnival theme is "Monsters, Myths & Legends". No doubt the festivities will be as big and boisterous as ever!
When: August 14, 2022, 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Where: Mayflower Beach, 1 Dunes Road, Dennis, MA
Admission: Free
More Info: Town of Dennis Beach Department
Bring your favorite sand sculpting tools (and your creativity!) to Mayflower Beach for this year's sand sculpture contest.
Everyone in the family can get in on the fun! Prize ribbons will be awarded to the winners in these categories:
Group A: 3-6 years old
Group B: 7-11 years old
Group C: 12-15 years old
Group D: 16-24 years old
Group E: 25+ years old
Group F: Family
Judging begins at 9 a.m. Pre-register: here. (Pre-registration not required.)
*Note: Parking at Mayflower Beach requires a town of Dennis beach parking sticker or daily pass ($30, cash only). Parking is first come, first served.
When: August 19, 2022, 7 p.m.
Where: Wellfleet Preservation Hall, 335 Main Street, Wellfleet, MA
Admission: $15 general admission; $10 for those under 30; $5 with student ID
More Info: Outermost Contra Dance
Put on your dancin' shoes for this fun event at Preservation Hall!
Contra dancing is the older cousin to the square dance. No fancy footwork is needed – if you can walk, you can contra dance!
All the dances are taught and called. If you're new to contra dance, be sure to get in on the early dances to learn the basic moves. (No need to bring a partner; there are plenty of friendly people in this welcoming dance community.)
Come to dance or come just to listen. All are welcome!
(*Note: Vax card required for entry.)
When: August 19, 2022, 7:00 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm)
Where: Our Lady of the Cape, 468 Stony Brook Road, Brewster, MA
Admission: Free will donation
More Info: A Night at the Movies Concert
Spend an evening with the Cape Cod String Quartet and special guests as they take you on a journey through movie soundtracks of all different genres!
Featuring pianist Kyle Davis and vocalist Joan Kirchner, "A Night at the Movies!" celebrates movie soundtracks from the last 100 years by composers such as John Williams, James Horner, Hans Zimmer, Craig Armstrong, Max Richter, and more!
The concert will raise money to benefit the Family Pantry of Cape Cod and the Saint Vincent de Paul Society.
Make sure to get there early to grab a great seat!
When: August 20, 2022, 6 - 9:15 p.m. *RESCHEDULED* to September 4, 2022
Where: West Dennis Beach
Admission: Free
With summer in full swing on Cape Cod, it's the perfect time for a beach bash! On Saturday evening, West Dennis Beach will be the scene for a beach bonfire, live music, marshmallow roasting, and a big fireworks display at dusk.
Pack your beach chairs and a "portable" dinner, and come join the party!
*Note: Beach shuttle service begins at 5:30 p.m. from Ezra Baker School and Graded School House.
When: August 20, 2022
Where: Downtown Falmouth (or virtually, if you choose, from wherever you are)
Entry Fee: $30 per participant; pre-registration required
More Info: Falmouth Walk
The 31st Annual Falmouth Walk is on the calendar for Saturday August 20 starting at 10 a.m. from Falmouth’s Town Hall Square.
The picturesque 5K
(about 3.2 miles) course will once again flow through the charming
streets of Falmouth along the bustling Falmouth Harbor and past the
storefronts of Main Street to the finish at St. Barnabas Church by the
Town Green.
The $30 entry fee for this event includes a Falmouth Walk t-shirt and official walk bib number. All profits from the Falmouth Walk benefit local charities.
When: August 21, 2022
Where: Throughout the town of Falmouth
More Info: Falmouth Road Race
The ASICS Falmouth Road Race is one of the most anticipated Cape Cod events each August. Over 10,000 runners from Cape Cod and around the world participate in the race each year.
This year's race will again follow a beautiful 7-mile seaside course, with spectators lining the route to cheer the runners on. Whether you're running or spectating, this is a don't miss event!
When: August 26, 2022 at 7:00 p.m. (rain date Aug. 27)
Where: Salt Pond Visitors Center, Eastham, MA
Admission: Free
More Info: Symphony at the Seashore
Join the Cape Symphony at the Cape Cod National Seashore’s outdoor amphitheater for their Symphony at the Seashore concert.
The evening's program will feature special guest artist, Dawn Derow, who will perform “Olde Cape Cod” as made famous by Patti Page, “(I Like New York in June) How About You?” and “Over the Rainbow,” among other favorites.
The program will also include a Disney medley, a special multimedia tribute to the National Parks and the Cape Cod National Seashore in particular, and a tribute to our armed forces and veterans.
Pre-concert activities for kids and parents will be offered from 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM. Admission is free.
When: August 27, 2022, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Stony Brook Gristmill, 830 Stony Brook Road, Brewster
Admission: Free
More Info: Stony Brook Gristmill Cornbread Festival
Have you ever tasted cornbread made from freshly ground cornmeal? Here's your chance!
Here's your chance to watch corn being ground the centuries-old way: by water power ... and to sample Cape Cod-style cornbread made with Stony Brook's "home-ground" cornmeal.
*FYI: Once your tastebuds have experienced this delicious treat, they'll never be satisfied with the store-bought stuff again! ;-)
Free cornbread samples will be given out until they're all gone. Get there early so you don't miss out!
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Important Note: The date, time, place, admission charges, etc. of the events on this page may be changed by the event sponsor at any time, without my knowledge. Please be sure to confirm all information directly with the sponsor before you make any plans!