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Cape Cod Events
May 2023

Updated: March 17, 2023

Pre-start of the Figawi Sailboat Race in Hyannis

Events throughout the month of May have us all outdoors enjoying the spring sunshine and the first balmy beach days of the season. 

Fairs, Festivals & Special Events on Cape Cod
May 2023

Cape Cod Herring Runs

When: Through mid-May, during daylight hours

Where: Multiple locations around the Cape

Admission: Free

More Info: Herring Runs on Cape Cod

Herring? The fish ... running? Yes, indeed! And they climb ladders, too!!

We see these amazing feats every spring as thousands of herring migrate from the wide-open ocean to our local rivers, streams, lakes and ponds to spawn.

Where are the best places on the Cape to watch herring running and climbing? Click here to find out!

Mother's Day Give-Away

When: May 1st to May 14th, 2023

Where: Harwich Antique Center, 10 Route 28, West Harwich, MA

Admission: Free

More Info: Harwich Antique Center

Enter to win a $25 gift certificate to any kiosk at the Harwich Antique Center.

Sign up in store from May 1st to May 14th. (No purchase necessary!) The winner will be drawn on Mother’s Day, Sunday May 14th.

Brewster In Bloom Festival

When: May 5 - 7, 2023

Where: Various venues in the town of Brewster

Admission: Free

More Info: Brewster in Bloom

The annual "Brewster in Bloom Festival" celebrates spring in the town of Brewster.

Events during the festival encourage everyone to get out and explore all around the town:

• Discover Brewster's rich history and scenic spots with a self-guided Cultural Trail tour.
  
• Check out all the wares for sale at the open-air Fine Arts & Crafts Show at Drummer Boy Park.
  
• Enjoy the ever-popular Brewster Band's Spring Concert.
  
• Join in on the "Cape Cod 5 Bloom Run".
  
• And be sure not to miss the Brewster in Bloom Town Parade!

As it has for the past 30+ years, the Brewster in Bloom Festival will have fun for all in 2023!

Touch-a-Truck

When: May 7, 2023, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Where: Wellfleet Drive-In Theater, 51 US-6, Wellfleet, MA

Admission: Free

More Info: Wellfleet Police Dept. FB Page

Touch-A-Truck comes to us courtesy of the Wellfleet Police Association and the Eastham Police Union.

What kind of vehicles will be there? Police cars, fire trucks, construction trucks, emergency vehicles and more! 

So put this much-loved annual event on your calendar, and plan on a fun day with the family!

Harbor Your Arts Artist Shanties - Opening Day

When: May 19, 2023 at 11 a.m.

Where: Hyannis Harbor Overlook and Bismore Park, Ocean Street, Hyannis

Admission: Free

More Info: HyArts Art Shanties

These adorable "shanties" house artists and artisans whose works include ceramics, painting, jewelry and more. Items are for sale at very reasonable prices (IMHO). And even if you're not in shopping mode, it's a pleasure peeking at the artists' creations as you stroll along the harborfront.

The shanties are open on weekends only from opening day in May until mid-June, then every day through late September.

Rhododendron Festival

When:  May 19 - 29, 2023

Where: Heritage Museums & Gardens, Sandwich

Admission: $22/adult; $12/youth (3-17); Members and children 2 and under Free

More Info:  Rhododendron Festival at Heritage

This is one of the Cape Cod events I look most forward to each spring. The grounds at Heritage are a breathtaking sight to behold with thousands of Rhododendrons in bloom from late May into early June!

Plan to spend a few hours or more here, exploring the acres of gardens, miles of walking trails, and the museums filled with art, American history, and antique autos. The kids will love riding on the carousel!

Figawi Race Weekend

When: Memorial Day Weekend, May 26 - 29, 2023

Where: Hyannis / Nantucket

Admission: No admission fee for spectators

More Info:  Figawi Race Weekend

The annual "Figawi" Regatta is recognized as one of the premier yacht regattas on the east coast. For this year's 52nd annual Figawi Regatta, the teams will once again race from Hyannisport to Nantucket. 

The warning signal sounds for the start of the race at 9:55 a.m. on Saturday, May 27th.

To see the yachts gathering and watch them head off to Nantucket, you'll have a good vantage point from Kalmus Beach, Orrin Keyes Beach, or Sea Street Beach. (See my Hyannis beaches page for directions, parking info, etc.)

18th Annual "Troops in the Spotlight"

When: May 28, 2023, 11:30 a.m. to midnight

Where: Capetown Plaza, Rt. 132, Hyannis MA

Admission: Free 

More Info: Cape Cod Cares for Our Troops

Cape Cod Cares for Our Troops honors our country's fallen heroes - and all members of the military - with its 18th annual "Troops in the Spotlight" event.

Come visit the Iraq/Afghanistan Memorial Wall. Enter to win great prizes in the Troops Raffle. See the display of military vehicles and equipment. Send a free video message to our deployed troops, and make a card to include in a care package.

And most importantly of all, meet and greet members of our country's military and thank them for their service!

*Please consider making a monetary donation or donating a care package item to Cape Cod Cares for Our Troops. 

MA National Cemetery Memorial Day Ceremony

When: 2023 schedule - TBA

Where: Massachusetts National Cemetery, Connery Avenue, Bourne MA

More Info: MA National Cemetery

Each year, the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne holds a special Memorial Day remembrance ceremony. 

This year's keynote speaker and the ceremony schedule has yet to be announced.

Memorial Day Parades & Ceremonies

When: Monday, May 29, 2023

Where: Many towns and villages across Cape Cod

Admission: Free

*Note: As of this writing (March 2023), the following locations and starting times are still tentative. I'll update as I learn more.

• Bourne
  
  A special Memorial Day event will be held at Bourne Town Hall (24 Perry Avenue) beginning at 9 a.m.
  
  

• Centerville
  
  The village of Centerville's Memorial Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. at Centerville Public Library (585 Main St.).
  
  The parade proceeds along Main Street with a brief stop at Monument Square for a short program, then continue up Old Stage Road to Beechwood Cemetery where the day's main remembrance program will be held.

• Chatham
  
  The town of Chatham's Memorial Day ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the Chatham Community Center (702 Main St.).
  
  Fife and drum players will lead everyone from the Community Center to Chase Park below the Godfrey Windmill for dedication of the American Revolutionary War Memorial at 11 a.m.
  
  *Note: Godfrey Windmill will be open to the public after the dedication.
  

• Dennis
  
  The town's Memorial Day Parade in Dennis begins at 9:30 a.m. on Center Street and proceeds to the Village Green on Hall Street for a remembrance program at 10 a.m.
  
  In case of rain, the program will be held inside Dennis Public Library (5 Hall Street).

• Eastham
  
  The town of Eastham's Memorial Day Observance takes place at 9 a.m. on the Windmill Green (Rt.6 across from Eastham Town Hall).
  
  *Note: At noon, all town flags flown at half-staff will be raised to full height. At 3 p.m., the town will observe a national moment of silence.
  

• Falmouth, MA
  
  The Memorial Day Ceremony in Falmouth begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Falmouth Pubic Library (300 Main Street).

• Harwich, MA
  
  The town of Harwich's Memorial Day ceremony is held at  Brooks Park in Harwich Center (1 Oak Street), starting at 9:30 a.m.

• Hyannis, MA
  
  In the village of Hyannis, the John F. Kennedy Memorial Trust Fund Committee holds their annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Memorial on Ocean Street (next to Veterans Park Beach). Start time is 12:15 p.m.
  

• Mashpee, MA
  
  Mashpee Memorial VFW Post 5489 and Mashpee Special Events Committee sponsorMemorial Day observances in Mashpee. The program begins at 10 a.m. at the Community Park and Veterans Garden (Route 130 and Great Neck Road North).
  
  *Note: The Mashpee One-Room School House holds a  “School’s Open” tour and informational event immediately afterward.

• Orleans, MA
  
  In the town of Orleans, the Memorial Day ceremony starts at 10 a.m. at the Town Cove, then proceed up Main Street to Veterans Park (corner of Main Street and Route 28).

• Provincetown
  
  Provincetown's Memorial Day ceremonies are held at the Civil War Monument at Provincetown Cemetery (off Cemetery Road), beginning at 10 a.m.

• Sandwich
  
  The Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony in Sandwich begins at 10 a.m. at Sandwich Public Library (124 Main Street). 

• Wellfleet, MA
  
  American Legion Post 287 holds a Memorial Day service on Wellfleet Town Hall lawn (300 Main St.). Start time is set for 9 a.m.
  
  In case of rain, the service will be held at the Congregational Church (200 Main St.).

• Yarmouth
  
  The town of Yarmouth's Memorial Day ceremony is held from 11 a.m. to noon at Yarmouth Town Hall in South Yarmouth (1146 Route 28)
  
  There'll be a wishing well on display for donations of coins to be placed on gravestones at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. So please remember to bring your loose change!
  
  

Related Pages:

Lots More to See & Do on Cape Cod

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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!