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Cape Cod Events
May 2024

Updated: May 23, 2024

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. 

[*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.]

Fairs, Festivals & Special Events on Cape Cod
May 2024

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!

Museum Mondays in May

When: Mondays in May, 2024

Where: Multiple museums across Cape Cod

Admission: Free

More Info: Museum Mondays in May

During the month of May, several of Cape Cod's amazing museums will be open for FREE on Mondays as part of "Museum Mondays in May".

Whether you're an art lover, history buff, or simply looking to have some fun, this is a perfect opportunity to enjoy some of the most wonderful cultural venues on the Cape without having to spend a penny on admission.

Brewster In Bloom Festival

When: May 4 - 6, 2024

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 2024!

Celebrate Mom!

When: May 4, 2024, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: Snow's Home & Garden, 22 Main Street, Orleans MA

Admission: Free

More Info: Snow's Home & Garden

Save the date to celebrate at Snow's for an interactive, immersive Mother's Day experience!

Shop, enjoy and create memories with your besties. Browse the curated selection of participating businesses. Receive a 20% off (one item) coupon for Snow's. Enter to win a $100 Snow's gift card. Snag a FREE scout bag for all 'mom's' (while supplies last). Enjoy FREE gift wrapping, participate in the giveaways and raffles, and have a fun time!

Touch-a-Truck

When: May 5, 2024

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, the Eastham Police Union and Wellfleet Drive-In.

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 17, 2024 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 17 - 27, 2024, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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!

Master Gardeners' Annual Plant Sale

When: May 18, 2024, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (or until plants are sold out, whichever comes first)

Where: Cape Cod Fairgrounds - The Marketplace Building - West Gate, Route 151 & Currier Road, East Falmouth, MA

Admission: Free

More Info: Master Gardeners Association of Cape Cod

Looking for some amazing plants to add to your yard, garden or patio planters? The Master Gardeners have you covered with lovingly grown plants from their own greenhouses, gardens and local nurseries.

You'll find: native plants, hydrangeas, rhododendrons, perennials, dahlias, and succulents ... plus 50 tomato varieties, a fantastic selection of veggies, over 100 varieties of culinary and pollinator herbs, and more!

Proceeds from this popular annual event support the Master Gardeners Association of Cape Cod's scholarship fund and community programs including the children's garden, backyard horticulture, and the horticultural hot line.

Admission is free; and there's plenty of free on-site parking available, too.

Do plan to get there early. This sale does draw a big crowd!

Hyannis Open Streets

When: May 19, 2024, noon - 4 p.m. (rain date June 2nd)

Where: Main Street, Hyannis, MA

Admission: Free

More Info: Hyannis Open Streets

Remember when you were a little kid and your parents told you not to play in the street?

Today, everyone is encouraged to come to Hyannis to walk, dance, socialize, and yes ... play in the street!

This popular event is filled with family friendly games, live music, giveaways, performances by "Trevor The Juggler" and much more.

*Note: Main Street will be closed to traffic between Barnstable Road and Sea Street.

Mills River Rescue & Sanctuary Special Events

When: May 19 & May 23, 2024

Where: Mills River Rescue & Sanctuary, River Road, Marstons Mills, MA

Admission: Varies by event

More Info: Mills River Rescue & Sanctuary

With two special events on the calendar, May promises to be a busy month at Mills River Rescue!

Spring Carnival
May 19, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
$20 per person (reservations required)

This is your family's chance to visit with the adorable ponies, donkeys, bunnies, ducks and other animals that are so fortunate to have found a home at Mills River Rescue.

Adding to the Spring Carnival fun, there'll be magic shows every hour, games and prizes, face painting, photo booth, balloon animals, and plenty of food.

Will Cape Cod's favorite magical Unicorn be there, too? My sources say ... yes!

*Note: Space is limited for this event, so reserve early by text to (508) 367-4379

Tea Time with the Ponies
May 23, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
$15 per person (reservations required!)

Mills River Rescue's 3rd annual "Tea Time with the Ponies" is an extra-special event for ladies and gents aged 50+. 

Come spend time with the rescue's beloved critters while sipping specialty teas and snacking on fancy desserts. 

For guests who have trouble getting around, no worries! Just sit back and relax while the gentle, super-friendly little ponies are led over to meet you!

* Note: Seating is extremely limited, and spaces fill up fast. Reserve your spot early by calling or texting (774) 353-6557.

Bayberry Quilters of Cape Cod

When: Wednesday May 22, 2024, 9:30 a.m.

Where: 1848 Main St., Brewster, MA

Admission: $5 for non-guild members

More info: Bayberry Quilters of Cape Cod

This month's meeting of Bayberry Quilters will feature Timna Tarr, a nationally known quilter, author, color lover, and fabric lover.

Bayberry Quilters guild welcomes visitors to their meetings - both quilters and non-quilters alike. Join them for a morning of learning, camaraderie and refreshments.

Figawi Race Weekend

When: Memorial Day Weekend, May 24 - 27, 2024

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 53rd 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 25th.

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.)

Main Street Shop & Shuck

When: May 26, 2024, 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. (rain or shine)

Where: Main Street and Preservation Hall, Wellfleet MA

Tickets: Adults $60; Kids $15; Ages 0-5 free (*This is a rain-or-shine event. Tickets not refundable.)

More Info: Main Street Shop & Shuck

Kick-off the season with the 1st Annual "Main Street Shop and Shuck", sponsored by Wellfleet Preservation Hall and Wellfleet Oyster Alliance.

This fundraiser for Wellfleet Oyster Alliance brings together shopping, oysters, music, prizes & fun! 

Stroll Wellfleet's Main Street shops to find your favorite raffle and door prizes, then return to Preservation Hall's intimate backyard for a raw bar, clam chowder, hot dogs, beer/wine-cash bar, live music by Josh Ayala, and the winners drawings!

Main Street Shop & Shuck is a fundraiser for Wellfleet Oyster Alliance. And really, what goes together better than oysters and local businesses?!

18th Annual "Troops in the Spotlight"

When: May 26, 2024, opening ceremony at 11:30 a.m.

Where: Behind the Cape Cod Mall, 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 annual "Troops in the Spotlight" event.

Come see the display of military vehicles and equipment. Show your support for our deployed troops. 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. 

Memorial Day Parades & Ceremonies

When: May 26 & 27, 2024

Where: Several towns and villages across Cape Cod

Admission: Free

• Bourne (May 26)
  
  Memorial Day Ceremony at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne at 1:00 p.m.
  

• Hyannis (May 26)
  
  This year's Troops in the Spolight ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. behind the Cape Cod Mall in Hyannis.
  

• Brewster (May 27)
  
  Brewster's Memorial Day ceremony will be held at noon at Brewster Council on Aging, 1673 Main Street
  

• Centerville (May 27)
  
  The village of Centerville's Memorial Day Parade begins at 10 a.m. at South Congregational Church (565 Main St.).
  
  The parade proceeds along Main Street to Memorial Park where the day's main remembrance program is held.

• Chatham (May 27)
  
  Chatham’s Memorial Day ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. on the front lawn of at Chatham Community Center next to the World War I Memorial. 
  

• Dennis (May 27)
  
  The town's Memorial Day Observance ceremony takes place at 10:00am at the Dennis Port Village Green.
  

• Eastham (May 27)
  
  Eastham's Memorial Day ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on May 27 at the 1869 Schoolhouse Museum (25 Schoolhouse Road.)
  

• Falmouth, MA (May 27)
  
  The annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Falmouth begins at 9:45 a.m. on the Village Green with a 10:00 a.m. ceremony at  Falmouth's Main Street Pubic Library.
  

• Harwich (May 27)
  
  Harwich Veterans Liason will host Harwich’s Memorial Day observance at Brooks Park starting at 9:30 a.m. 

• Orleans (May 27)
  
  Orleans’ Memorial Day event will start at 10 a.m. at Town Cove (near the Orleans Yacht Club) and will continue with a walk to Veterans Memorial Park for a continuation of the tribute.
  

• Wellfleet (May 27)
  
  American Legion Post 287 will host Wellfleet’s Memorial Day observance which begins at 9 a.m. on the front lawn at Wellfleet Town Hall.

• Yarmouth (May 27)
  
  Yarmouth’s Memorial Day begins at 11 a.m. at Yarmouth Town Hall. The event is currently scheduled to take place outdoors, but it'll be moved inside if it rains. 

Wellfleet Restaurant Week

When: May 29 – June 4, 2024

Where: Multiple restaurants in Wellfleet

Admission: No tickets required

More Info: Wellfleet Restaurant Week

​Restaurant Week is a ​week-long event ​that gives both locals and visitors alike an opportunity to delight in all that Wellfleet has to offer before the kicking off the busy summer season.

There are no tickets or passes required for ​Wellfleet Restaurant Week.​ Simply dine out ​or shop ​at a participating restaurant​ or business and ​e​njoy special menu​ items and offerings​​.

This is the perfect time to Eat, Shop and Stay in Wellfleet, without the long lines and the fuss.

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!