Oh What Enjoyable, December Has Begun

Maybe I’m only a New England lady via and thru, however there are few issues I like greater than embracing the change of the season. And whereas snow is extra of a hope than a promise proper now, strolling our city facilities nonetheless appears like strolling via a Vineyard wonderland. This month, I spoke with the individuals who deliver our vacation festivities to life, every city and custom providing its personal tackle merry-making. And although their celebrations differ, all of them share a standard thread – gentle. December could deliver our shortest days, but it surely’s also called the season of sunshine, and the Island embraces that. From the general public Menorah lightings by Vineyard Chabad, to the Oak Bluffs tree lighting, to the Christmas in Edgartown parade, and each celebration in between, the Vineyard shines in its personal distinctive methods.

Taylor Stone, who’s the Administrator for the Vineyard Haven Business Association in addition to the Clerk for the Vineyard Haven Harbor Cultural District, spoke with me about how these two organizations collaborate with the city of Tisbury to placed on “Tis’ the Season”. This month of merriment kicks off with the final First Friday of the yr on December fifth. 

“First Friday has grown into something people can really rely on, and it continues to grow with the support of our incredible VH community and sponsorship from local businesses,” Taylor stated. The MV Playhouse can be internet hosting an artist market in collaboration with MV Made and that includes over 20 native makers within the foyer, in addition to dwell music by Willy Mason within the theater from 5 to eight pm. This Friday additionally marks the beginning of late-night buying, with many Vineyard Haven storefronts staying open past their typical hours every Friday in December, to help shop-local efforts.

If hitting the city after darkish feels daunting, save your looking for Sunday the seventh when 10% of gross sales from collaborating VH companies will go to Island Grown initiative. While Taylor is happy concerning the Cranberry Shores Chorus Carolers, the horse drawn carriage rides led by Fred Fisher, and the enduring “snow” the city creates, she was delighted to interrupt the information that the New Years Eve celebration previously often called “First Night” will return to Vineyard Haven for the primary time in 25 years – the right technique to bid farewell to 2025. This revival celebration can be led by the Youth Task Force and held by the Playhouse on the thirty first, and extra details about it is going to be revealed by the VHBA and the Youth Task Force quickly. Taylor describes the theme of the Vineyard Haven vacation occasions as “family friendly and financially accessible”, and she or he encourages everybody to attend as we proceed to observe our port city develop.

By the time you’re studying this, you have got in all probability already loved Light Up Oak Bluffs. Interim Director of the Oak Bluffs Association, Jen Adamson, shared a glimpse into the historical past of the occasion and what it takes to make it occur. 

“Light Up Oak Bluffs actually grew out of some very simple community traditions: neighbors and local families gathering in Healey Square, shops staying open a little later, and volunteers decorating downtown together. Over the years, those pieces naturally came together into the weekend we know today, with carriage rides, holiday markets, cocoa, music, and more businesses joining in. But the heart of it hasn’t changed. It’s always been about tradition, and local families coming out to make memories together.” Jen continued by describing what occurs behind the scenes. “It’s really just a bunch of local folks doing their part. Friends of Oak Bluffs volunteer to make the big red bows for the Healey Square tree. The Highway Department brings in the tree itself, which is arranged by Mahoney’s. Stefanie Wolf runs her Snowflake Scavenger Hunt, placing paper snowflakes in participating shops so kids can get their passports stamped as they explore town.” 

This yr there’s a new custom beginning to take form: the Oak Bluffs Holiday Stroll on December eleventh and twelfth from 3 to 7 pm. “Downtown shops will each be hosting an artisan pop-up, and it’s a really fun way to discover local makers. We’ve got businesses like OSO, Toteally Yours, Craftworks, Curio, Sanctuary, Stefanie Wolf Designs, Lazy Frog, Jubilee, SEABAGS, and Basics all participating, along with a great lineup of island artisans” stated Jen. “It already feels like something that’s going to become a favorite OB holiday tradition.”

The Chabad on Martha’s Vineyard will host a collection of Island-wide gatherings all through December, not solely for many who observe Hanukkah, however for anybody excited by coming collectively to get pleasure from Jewish tradition. Co-Director Rabbi Tzvi Alperowitz shared with me a few of what’s deliberate. The festivities start on December seventh with a menorah-making workshop for native youngsters and households. Then to formally welcome Hanukkah on December 14th, the Chabad has partnered with the Edgartown Board of Trade for a neighborhood gathering within the Edgartown Mini Park at 4 pm. “There will be a large menorah lighting, a live band playing Hanukkah music, a break-dancing show, latkes, donuts, children’s crafts, and entertainment. Basically, a big, fun party for all,” Tzvi stated.

Additional public menorah lightings and celebrations will observe in Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs, and in Owen Park in Vineyard Haven, with extra particulars to come back from the Chabad. For those that want to hitch from residence, the Chabad may even provide a neighborhood Zoom occasion titled Eight Voices for Eight Nights, the place eight neighborhood members will every communicate for 5 minutes concerning the vacation.

“One of the most beautiful things about Hanukkah is the tradition of bringing light into darkness,” Tzvi shared. “It’s about giving that light to someone who might need it. Each night we light a candle and celebrate, and everyone is welcome to take part.”

He additionally spoke concerning the significance of coming collectively throughout these polarizing occasions, and the way significant it’s to embrace our variations. “A menorah is only a menorah because it has eight different branches, each offering its own purpose,” he stated.

More details about native Hanukkah occasions can be posted on the Chabad website within the coming days, and Tzvi encourages everybody locally to hitch within the celebration.

Christmas in Edgartown will rejoice its forty fourth yr starting December 11, and Edgartown Board of Trade Director Erin Ready shared with me why it stays one of many Island’s most enduring vacation traditions. “Many people don’t realize that Christmas in Edgartown began as a small, grassroots shopping weekend created by local business owners during the quiet winter season,” Erin defined. “Merchants decorated their storefronts, hosted open houses, and encouraged neighbors to come downtown to fill a few inn rooms and support holiday shopping.”

Over the years, the weekend has grown considerably, and but it nonetheless carries the identical community-driven spirit. “Many of those early organizers are still here and continue to lead by example,” she stated. “Today, dozens of businesses and nonprofits participate, and the weekend spans a full calendar of activities while maintaining its small-town charm. At its core, the mission remains the same: business owners, volunteers, and community groups coming together to create heartwarming holiday programming for residents and visitors.”

The full schedule of occasions is obtainable on the Christmas in Edgartown website, that includes all the things from the Boys & Girls Club Teddy Bear Suite and the Sweet Homes of Edgartown Gingerbread House Contest, to dwell music on the Wharf, the Most Festive ’Fit Contest on the Village Green, the enduring Donaroma’s Light Show, the Edgartown Christmas Parade, and far more.

“It truly takes a village,” Erin stated, reflecting on how the weekend involves life annually. “Every part of the community contributes in some way. We encourage businesses to host events that work for their staffing and operations, and many choose to partner with a charitable cause. Town departments including Police, Fire, the Christmas Decorating Committee, Highway, Parks, and others, each play a huge role in creating the holiday atmosphere that carries through the entire month of December.” Together with the volunteer planning committee, their efforts rework Edgartown right into a picturesque vacation haven, reminding us why this beloved custom has endured for greater than 4 many years.

Winter on an island in the midst of the ocean can really feel chilly and darkish at occasions, however these vacation celebrations provide a lot gentle. It’s additionally fairly wonderful how most of them come collectively via volunteer work and neighborhood help, and plenty of with the only objective of celebration and cultural expertise. In a world the place consumerism has nearly swallowed the vacations, the Vineyard finds methods to protect the true worth on this time of yr. Because right here, it’s much less about what we purchase, and extra about what we share.  

For extra details about our upcoming winter celebrations, preserve an eye fixed out for Holiday Happenings, a bit of the Martha’s Vineyard Times publishing on December eleventh and that includes a complete information to the season.