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Cape Cod Events
January 2026

January Nature Walk at the Beach

Polar plunges, live music extravaganzas, guided nature hikes, a fabulous orchid show, and so much more.

There's plenty to see and do around Cape Cod this first full month of winter!

[*Note: Event details may be changed or events may be postponed or canceled by the sponsors at any time without my knowledge. Be sure to confirm all information directly with the event sponsor before making plans to attend.]

Special Events & Fun Things to Do
in January 2026

Provincetown Polar Bear Plunge

When: January 1, 2026 at noon

Where: Johnson Street Parking Lot Landing, Provincetown, MA

Admission: Entry fee for participants $65; onlookers - no charge

More Info: Provincetown Polar Bear Plunge

Can you imagine donning your bikini or trunks and running full speed into Cape Cod's winter surf? Yikes! I'm shivering just thinking about it!

For all you adventurous (crazy?!) folks who take the plunge, there'll be cocktails, warm drinks and chili awaiting you at the Harbor Lounge to help bring the color back to your lips. 

This New Year's Day event benefits the Center for Coastal Studies. It's a cool time for a great cause!!

FOYCOA's Annual Polar Plunge

When: January 1, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. (tentative)

Where: Smugglers Beach, South Yarmouth MA

Admission: $25 for participants; no charge to watch

More Info: FOYCOA

Nantucket Sound boasts some of the warmest waters around Cape Cod in the summer months.

How chilly does the surf become in the heart of winter? Here's your chance to find out! ;-)

This is the main fundraiser of the year for Friends of Yarmouth Council on Aging. Come on out and take a dip!

Monument Beach Polar Plunge

When: January 1, 2026 at noon

Where: Monument Beach, Bourne, MA

Admission: $25 registration to participate; free for spectators

More Info: Monument Beach Polar Club

This annual polar plunge brings members of Monument Beach Polar Club and its supporters together to dive (or wade!) into the waters of Buzzards Bay.

Funds from this event will go toward the Club's goal of raising $25,000+ to benefit Bourne Friends Food Pantry. A worthy cause, to be sure!

First Day Hikes

When: January 1, 2026, throughout the day

Where: Various venues around Cape Cod

Admission: Free (pre-registration required for some hikes)

More Info: Barnstable Land Trust

Building on the popularity of the national state park program originally launched in Massachusetts, this unique regional celebration features free special walks, talks, and hikes in communities across Cape Cod.

These events are the perfect opportunity for families, children, residents, and visitors to get outside and explore on the first day of the new year!

Cape Cod Museum of Art Winter Concert Series

When: Sundays in January 2026

Where: Cape Cod Museum of Art, 60 Hope Lane, Dennis, MA

Admission: 2026 ticket prices - TBA

More Info: CCMOA Winter Concert Series

Looking for something to do on a Sunday afternoon? Cape Cod Museum of Art has you covered!

CCMOA's Winter Concert Series features performances in many different musical disciplines from Swing to Bluegrass, Jazz, Celtic and Classical.

IRS Burn Ceremony

When: January 7, 2026 (tentative)

Where: East End, Harbor Hotel beach, Provincetown Harbor, Provincetown MA

Admission: Free

More Info: Annual IRS Burn Ceremony

When you saw "IRS" in the name of this event, I'll bet you thought of the IRS we all dread reporting to in April. But this IRS is different. :-)

It's the International Re-Rooters Society, the brainchild of artist Jay Critchley back in 1983.

Each year on January 7th, Critchley and his followers gather at P'town Harbor for (as Critchley describes it): "a purging of political and personal distress from the year gone by. The mission of the IRS is to re-root ourselves to and embrace the earth body and all of our human and non-human relatives."

The ritual of singing, chanting and dancing concludes at sunset, when a recycled Christmas tree is set ablaze on a small boat and sent out into the harbor.

If you're looking for a fun and totally unique way to start the year on a positive note, this is it!!

Outermost Contra Dance

When: January 2026 date - TBA  

Where: Wellfleet Preservation Hall, 335 Main Street, Wellfleet, MA

Admission: $15 general admission; $10 for those age 20 and under; $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 watch and listen to the music. All are welcome!

Cape & Islands Orchid Show

When: January 24 & 25, 2026, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Where: Emerald Resort & Hyport Conference Center, 35 Scudder Avenue, Hyannis

Admission:  $10/adult; $5/child (under 12)

More Info:  Cape & Islands Orchid Society

Imagine being surrounded by thousands of colorful orchids in full bloom. What better way to brighten up a winter day?!

The Cape & Islands Orchid Society's show features vendors from near and far with displays that'll have you dreaming of a greenhouse of your own!

Winter Film Series at Salt Pond

When: January 2026 dates - TBA

Where: Cape Cod National Seashore's Salt Pond Visitors Center, 50 Nauset Road, Eastham, MA

Admission: Free

More Info: Winter Film Festival

Looking for something to do on a chilly Sunday afternoon?

Head to Salt Pond Visitors Center in Eastham for the Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore's popular Winter Film Series. 

There's plenty of free parking available, and the film series  event is free to attend, too.

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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!