:: 2011 Cape Cod Calendar of Events

• October Ongoing Events
  These activities occur on a given day of the week or over several days.
• October Daily Events
  Check here for daily listings!

All area codes are (508) unless otherwise indicated.

:: Ongoing Events

Cape Cod Art Association, Classes and workshops for adults and children. Exhibits and other special events throughout the year. 3480 Route 6A, Barnstable. 508-362-2909 or capecodartassoc.org.

Cape Cod Maritime Museum, Tue-Sat, 10am-4pm; Sun 12pm-4pm, mid March-mid December. Exhibits and displays featuring the Cape’s turbulent maritime heritage. Interactive exhibits the whole family will enjoy. Adults $5; seniors/students $4; under 7 free. 135 South Street, Hyannis. 508-775-1723.

Cape Cod Museum of Natural History, 11am-3pm Wed-Sun December & April, 11am-3pm Thur-Sun February & March. Exhibits feature the Cape’s flora & fauna including whales, indigenous birds, mollusks and much more. Interactive children’s activities. Three nature trails. Lectures, workshops. Adults $8; Seniors $7; ages 3-12 $3.50; under 3 are free. 869 Rte. 6A, Brewster. 508-896-3867.

Centerville Historical Museum, Tue-Sat 12pm-4pm through 12/12. Permanent collection includes period rooms, furniture, Sandwich glass, Elmer Crowell carved birds, Revolutionary & Civil War uniforms and weaponry, vintage dolls and toys. $6; seniors/students $5; children under 8 free. 513 Main St., Centerville. 508-775-0331.

Edward Gorey House, Fri & Sat 11am-4pm, Sun 12pm-4pm through the end of December. Reopens mid April. Celebrating the life and works of Edward Gorey. Featuring and exhibit on Edward Gorey’s children’s books. Adults $5, students & seniors $3, children 6-12 $2. 8 Strawberry Lane, Yarmouth Port. 508-362-3909.

Green Briar Nature Center & Jam Kitchen, Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 1pm-4pm mid-Apr-Dec; 10am-4pm Tue-Sat Jan-mid-April . Nature trails, jam kitchen, programs for kids & adults. Admission by donation. 6 Discovery Hill Road, E. Sandwich. 508-888-6870.

Highfield Hall, 10am-4pm Mon-Fri, Sun 10am-1pm. Tour gallery exhibitions, walk the Beebe Estate or Beebe Woods or take part in a program. Renovated, historic mansion built in 1878. Free admission. Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Drive, Falmouth. 508-495-1878.

JFK Hyannis Museum, closed Dec, Jan, open mid Feb Thurs-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 12pm-4pm. Multimedia exhibit of Kennedy photos and videos. 18 & over $5; 10-17 $2.50; under 10 free. 397 Main Street, Hyannis. 508-790-3077.

Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, Trails open dawn to dusk. Visitor center open most days. $4 adults, $3 children (2-12) and seniors. 110-acre sanctuary overlooking Barnstable Harbor & Sandy Neck. Trails, resident goats, sheep and wildlife. 345 Bone Hill Road, Cummaquid. 508-362-7475.

Plimoth Plantation, 9am-5pm mid-March through end of November. Living history museum. Tour a 1627 pilgrim village, the Mayflower II and a Wampanoag Indian homesite. Admission packages available. Off Route 3, Plymouth. 508-746-1622.

Provincetown Museum & Pilgrim Monument, daily 9am-5pm April through November. Monument commemorates Pilgrims’ first landing in America. Walk to the top & view Plymouth & Boston on a clear day. Museum houses exhibits on the Pilgrims, the Mayflower & local history. $7 adults, $5 seniors/students 15 & older. Children 4-14 $3.50, under 3 are free. High Pole Hill, Provincetown. 508-487-1310.

Salt Pond Visitor Center, 9am-4:30pm daily. Main visitor facility for the Cape Cod National Seashore. Orientation movies, museum, bookstore, trails, restrooms. Nauset Road, Eastham. 508-255-3421.

Sandwich Glass Museum, daily 9:30am-5pm Apr-Dec; Wed-Sun 9:30am-4pm Feb & Mar. Over 5,000 glass creations. Exhibits, demonstrations. $5 adults; $1.25 kids 6-14; free 6 & under. 129 Main St., Sandwich. 508-888-0251.

Truro Center for the Arts at Castle Hill, workshops for adults and children. Topics include ceramics, painting, sculpting, drawing, printmaking and much more. Exhibits and special events. Two locations: 10 Meetinghouse Road & One Depot Road, Truro. 508-349-7511 or castlehill.org.

Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod, Fri, Sat & Mon 11am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm in Dec & Apr. Closed Jan-Mar. Tours and tastings. 11 Shore Rd, N. Truro. 508-487-6200.

Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Trails open daily 8am to dusk. Nature center: Tues-Sun 8:30am-5pm. 1,100 acres of wood & wetlands. Five miles of scenic trails, nature center exhibits, walks & workshops. $5, $3 seniors & children 2-12. Off West Rd. (off Rt. 6), Wellfleet. 508-349-2615.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Ocean Science Exhibit Center, Tue-Fri 10am-4:30pm through December. Exhibits featuring the Institution’s research and vessels including the deep submersible Alvin that dove to the wreck of the Titanic. 15 School Street, MS#45, Woods Hole. 508-289-2663.

Woods Hole Science Aquarium, 11am-4pm Tue-Sat. Seal feedings most days at 11am and 4pm. Free admission. Started in 1885, small, public aquarium showing approximately 140 species of marine animals found in Atlantic waters. 166 Water Street, Woods Hole. 508-495-2001.

Zion Union Heritage Museum, 10am-4pm Thurs-Sat in Nov; closed in January; 11am-5pm Thurs-Sat Feb-Apr. Celebrating the African American and Cape Verdean population of Cape Cod. Adults $5, seniors $4, 10-17 $3, under 10 free. 276 North Street, Hyannis. 508-790-9466.

Daily
Wine Tasting Spa Parties, daily by appointment. Sol Spa, 2B Doane Road, Harwichport. 508-432-8772.

Saturdays
Live Animal Story Time, 10:30am. Drop-in half hour story featuring “Peter Rabbit” and other animal friends. Kids 3 and up. $2 per person. Green Briar Nature Center, 6 Discovery Hill Road, E. Sandwich. 508-888-6870.

Met Opera Broadcasts at WHAT, visit www.what.org for schedule and times. Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater (WHAT), Julie Harris Stage, Route 6, Wellfleet. 508-349-9428.

Mondays & Wednesdays
Rug Hooking Classes, Mon AM, Wed PM. With Hook in Hand, 610 Route 6A, Dennis. 508-385-4665.

Tuesdays
Bingo, 6:30pm first game. Food. Doors open at 5:00pm. Elks Lodge, 10 McKoy Rd., Eastham. 508-255-4258.

Tuesdays, Weds & Thurs
Decorative Painting Classes, carrying all the supplies needed. Hattie D’s, 285 Route 28, West Dennis. 508-398-0074.

Fridays
Critter Capers, 10:30am. Drop-in half hour visit with a naturalist and one of the center’s resident animals. Kids 3 and up. $2 per person. Green Briar Nature Center, 6 Discovery Hill Road, E. Sandwich. 508-888-6870.

Fish/Chicken Fry, 5:30pm-7:30pm. Kids meals, take-out. Orleans-Eastham Elks Lodge, 10 McKoy Rd., Eastham. 508-255-4258.

Through December 4
“Avenue Q”, Thurs-Sat 8pm, Wed at 7pm, Sun at 2pm. No performance 11/6, 11/23 or 11/24. Cape Rep Theatre, Route 6A, Brewster. 508-896-1888.

Through December 19
The Gift Show. Small works show of fine art/jewelry. Cape Cod Art Association, 3480 Route 6A, Barnstable. 508-362-2909.

November 19 & 20
17th American Made Professional Arts & Crafts Fair, 10am-3:30pm. Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, 220 Sandwich Road, Bourne. 508-759-7711.

Violinst Benjamin Thacher, 7:30pm Sat, 2:30pm Sun. $20. Presented by Eventide Arts. Gertrude Lawrence Stage, Dennis Union Church, 713 Rte 6A, Dennis. 508-398-8588.

November 25 & 26
34th Annual Holiday Antiques Show and Sale, 10am-4pm Fri and 10am-3pm Sat. 25 quality dealers offering class, furniture, paintings, china and more. Lobster roll lunch both days. Admission $4. Church of the Holy Spirit, 204 Monument Road, Orleans. 508-255-0433.

Indoor Arts & Crafts Show, 10am-5pm. Free admission. Nauset Middle School, Route 28, Orleans.

14th Annual Festival of Trees, 1pm-4pm. Sponsored by the Chatham Garden Club. Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association, 1566 Main Street, Chatham. www.chathamgardenclub.org.

November 25, 26 & 27
The Holidays at Highfield, 10am-4pm. $5 at the door, children free. View elegant holiday decorations. Music, refreshments, photos with Santa. Artisan-made wares. Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Drive, Falmouth. 508-495-1878.

November 26 & 27
4th Annual Polar Swan Express Train, 1pm-8pm. Sponsored by the Wareham Village Assoc. Cape Cod Central Railroad. Merchants Way Depot Station, Wareham Center. www.warehamvillageassociation.com.

November 26-through December
A Seaside Christmas in Orleans, visit with Santa, tree lighting, fun, music, sales and more. Throughout Orleans. www.christmasinorleans.com or 508-255-7203.

:: Daily Events

Friday, November 18
An Evening of Poetry & Readings, 7:30pm. Featuring several renowned Cape poets, playwrights and storytellers. $12, member discount. Centerville Historical Society Museum, 513 Main Street, Centerville. 508-775-0331.

Saturday, November 19
Christmas Bazaar, 9am-3pm. Lunch from 11:30am-1pm. Church of the Holy Spirit, 204 Monument Rd, Orleans. 508-349-2362.

“Old Mother West Wind’s” Christmas Craft Fair, 10am-4pm. Handcrafted gifts, wreaths, decorations. Refreshments, quilt raffle. Free admission. Green Briar Nature Center & Jam Kitchen, 6 Discovery Hill Road, E. Sandwich. 508-888-6870.

Sunday, November 20
Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service, 3pm. Traditional hymns. Refreshments and conversation follow service. Kelley Chapel, behind the Yarmouth Port Post Office, Route 6A, Yarmouth Port. 508-362-3021.

Wednesday, November 23
Annual Lighting Ceremony, 5pm-7pm. Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum, High Pole Hill Rd, Provincetown. 508-487-1310.

Thursday, November 24
Annual Chatham Turkey Trot, 8am, 7am registration. Fun 3.1 mile walk/run. Benefits Lower Cape Outreach Council. Main Street, Chatham. 508-945-1798.

11th Annual Mashpee Community Thanksgiving Dinner, 12pm-2:30pm. Call the Mashpee Chamber for reservations and info. Mashpee Senior Center, Mashpee. 508-477-0792.

Thanksgiving Dinner, call for time. Free. Presented by the Orleans-Eastham Elks Lodge, McKoy Rd, Eastham. 508-255-4258.

Saturday, November 26
Santa Visit & Tree Lighting, 10am Santa arrives at Town Cove. Candlelight stroll and tree lighting at 5pm. Orleans. Complete details at www.christmasinorleans.com or 508-255-7203.

3rd Annual Holiday Fair, 9:30am-4pm. Sponsored by the Dennis-Yarmouth Women’s Club. Pottery, jewelry, books, bake table, holiday decorations, children’s items. Refreshments and raffle. Free admission. West Dennis Graded School House, 67 School Street, West Dennis.

Sunday, November 27
Lighting & Reading of the Littlest Christmas Tree, 5:45pm. Part of Sandwich Holly Days. Shawme Pond, Water Street, Sandwich.

November 30
Native American Lecture Series, 7pm. Presented by the Bourne Historical Society. Jonathan Bourne Historical Center, 30 Keene Street, Bourne. 508-759-8167.

Friday, December 2
Brewster Band Concert, 7pm. Free. Part of Brewster for the Holidays. Brewster Baptist Church, 1848 Route 6A, Brewster. 508-896-3500.

Community Carol Sing, 7pm, rain date 12/3. Part of Sandwich Holly Days. Steps of the First Church of Christ. Hot cider and cookies follow at the Dan’l Webster Inn & Spa, Sandwich.

Saturday, December 3
Holly Fair, 9am-2pm. St. Mary’s Church, Route 6A, Barnstable Village.

Nobska Point Lighthouse Tour, 9:30am-11:30am. Free. Children must be at least 6 years old and 45” tall to enter. Nobska Road, Woods Hole.

Christmas in Cotuit, 10am-12pm. Children’s activities, Dottridge Homestead and Museum, 1148 Main Street, Cotuit. 508-428-0461.

Eastham Holiday Festival, 10am-1pm. Santa visits, crafts, goodies, activities and events. Ride the trolley between the two even locations. Sponsored by the Eastham Chamber of Commerce and the Gift Barn. Events at the Gift Barn, 4180A Route 6 and Orleans-Eastham Elks, McKoy Road, Eastham. 508-240-7211.

Christmas Fair, 10am-2pm. St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, Main Street, Chatham.

Hyannis Village Christmas Stroll, 10am-4pm. Main Street, Hyannis.

Holiday Hearthside Open House, 1pm-4pm. Setting: December 1711, preview of Chatham’s 300th Anniversary. Caleb Nickerson House, 1107 Orleans Road, North Chatham.

14th Annual Festival of Trees, 1pm-4pm. Gala party from 5pm-8pm. Sponsored by the Chatham Garden Club. Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fishermen’s Association, 1566 Main Street, Chatham. www.chathamgardenclub.org.

Community Christmas Open House, 1pm-5pm. Free community event before the lighting on the Village Green. Falmouth Museums on the Green, Julia Wood House, 55-65 Palmer Ave., Falmouth. 508-548-4857.

Hyannis Harbor Lighting and Boat Parade, 4pm-7pm. Ocean Street, Hyannis.

Sunday, December 4
48th Annual Falmouth Christmas Parade, 12pm. Largest holiday parade in Southeastern Massachusetts. Steps off at the Falmouth Mall and proceeds down Main Street Falmouth. 508-548-8500.

Jolly Jaunt Hyannis, 12pm. 5K run, 2K walk. Jolly Jaunt Junior Dash at 11:15am. Benefits the Special Olympics. Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis. www.jollyjaunt.org.

Yarmouth Port Christmas Stroll, 1pm-4pm. Decorations, tasty treats, music. Visit the area’s museums, B&Bs and inns. Caroling and tree lighting at 4:15pm on the Village Green, Route 6A at Strawberry Lane, Yarmouth Port. 508-362-3021.

Holiday Open House, 1pm-5pm. Free community event following the Falmouth Christmas parade. Falmouth Museums on the Green, Julia Wood House, 55-65 Palmer Ave., Falmouth. 508-548-4857.

Annual Visit from Santa, 1:30pm. Santa arrives at the Chatham Fish Pier by Coast Guard Cutter, then travels by fire truck at 2pm to visit with the children at the Chatham Community Center, Main Street, Chatham.

Teddy Bear Victorian Tea Party, 2pm-4pm. Bring your child or grandchild and their favorite teddy bear to tea. Reservations required. Presented by the Dennis Historical Society. 1801 Jericho Historical Center, 90 Old Main Street, West Dennis. 508-394-0017.

“To Warm the Winter’s Night”, 7:30pm-9:30pm. Concert with harpist Aine Minogue. Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main Street, South Yarmouth. 508-394-7100.

Wednesday, December 7
Silver Tea, 2pm. Holiday tea presented by the East Dennis Ladies Aid Society. Christmas boutique, poinsetta sale, jams, jellies, cookies. $10 donation. Evangellical Free Church, Center Street, East Dennis.

Barnstable Village Holiday Stroll, 6pm-8pm. Main Street, Barnstable Village.

Friday, December 9
42nd Annual Christmas Open House and Stroll, 12pm-9pm. Main Street, Osterville.

Annual Tree Trimming & Lighting Ceremony, 5:30pm. Sponsored by the Chatham Merchants Association. Main Street, Chatham.

Saturday, December 10
Pancakes with Santa, seatings at 8am, 9am & 10am. Part of Sandwich Holly Days. Grange Hall, Old County Road. www.sandwichhollydays.com.

Annual Cookie Express, 9am-11am. Home baked cookies by the pound. First Congregational Church, Chatham.

Annual Hearth Warming, 10am-4pm. Holiday refreshments. Free admission. Chatham Historical Society, Atwood House Museum, 349 Stage Harbor Road, Chatham. 508-945-2493.

Dennisport Christmas Stroll, 11am-7pm. Gifts, refreshments, special sales and holiday activities. Face painting, raffle with drawing at 4pm. Route 28, Dennisport.

Christmas on Main Street, 12pm-5pm, Christmas parade at 3:30pm. Rain date 12/17. Sponsored by the Wareham Village Association. Main Street, Elm Street, Swan Lane and Tihonet Village, Wareham.

15th Annual Chatham Historic Inn Tour, 1:30pm-4:30pm. Tickets available at the Chatham Chamber and select locations. $10. Chatham. 508-945-5199.

6th Annual Mashpee Christmas Parade, 5:30pm. Starts at Mashpee Commons and ends at South Cape Village, Route 28, Mashpee. 508-477-0792.

Highfield Hall Holiday Ball, 7pm-11pm. Annual gala. Food, holiday caroling, silent auction, dancing. $125 per person. Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Drive, Falmouth. 508-495-1878.

Sunday, December 11
Dennis Historical Society Christmas Open House & Festival of Trees, 12pm-4pm. Enjoy decorations, seasonal music and refreshments. 1736 Josiah Dennis Manse, 77 Nobscusset Road, Dennis.

Dennis Christmas Stroll “Visions of Christmas”, 12pm-4pm. Hayrides and trolley rides, tree lighting, face painting, village stroll, silent auction, petting zoo. Food sampler, Santa & Mrs. Claus, music at the bandstand. Village Green and along Route 6A, Dennis.

Holly Days Home Tour, 12pm-4pm. Part of Sandwich Holly Days. Sandwich. www.sandwichhollydays.com.

Chatham Community Christmas Concert, 3pm & 5pm. $15. Children under 12 free. First Congregational Church, Chatham. 508-945-0800.

Saturday, December 17
Santa and a Movie, 10am. Free. Wellfleet Cinemas, Route 6, South Wellfleet.

Annual Chowder Contest, 11:30am-1:30pm. Join Mrs. Claus and friends. Part of A Seaside Christmas in Orleans. Mid-Cape Home Center, Main Street, Orleans. www.christmasinorleans.com or 508-255-7203.

Sunday, December 18
Annual Holiday Concert, 3pm & 7pm. A Civil War Christmas with the Boston Revels Repertory Company. $40 in advance. Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Drive, Falmouth. 508-495-1878.

Saturday, December 31
21st First Night Chatham, family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration. Events all day, entertainment, town picture, fireworks over Oyster Pond at midnight. Most events along Main Street, Chahtam. 508-945-1122 or www.firstnightchatham.com.

Chatham Lighthouse Tour, 12pm-2pm. Free. Children under 5 not allowed above base. Chatham Lighthouse, Main St at the Chatham Coast Guard Headquarters, Chatham.

New Year’s Eve Party, call for time. Advanced reservations. Dinner, dancing, champagne, noisemakers and brunch. Orleans-Eastham Elks Lodge, McKoy Road, Eastham. 508-255-4258.

Sunday, January 1
“Embracing the New Year”, 1pm. Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra. Barnstable Performing Arts Center, 744 West Main Street, Hyannis. 508-362-1111.

Sunday, February 12
Jazz at the Mansion, 4pm. Jerry Portnoy Trio. $20 advance, $25 at the door. Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Drive, Falmouth. 508-495-1878.

Saturday, April 2
Comedy Night at the Coonamesset Inn, 8pm. Benefits Wings for Falmouth Families. $35 advance, $40 at the door. Coonamesset Inn, 311 Gifford Street, Falmouth. 508-274-4703.

Saturday, April 7
“Portraits in Blues: The Story of Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday”, 10am. Lecture by Robert Wyatt. $20 advance, $25 at the door. Highfield Hall, 56 Highfield Drive, Falmouth. 508-495-1878.

Sunday, April 29
Verdi’s “La Traviata”, 3pm. Presented by Opera New England of Cape Cod. Tilden Art Center, Cape Cod Community College, Route 132, West Barnstable. 508-771-3600.