The year 2025 promises to be an exciting, inclusive, and welcoming celebration of LGBTQ+ life in Provincetown, the queer haven at the tip of Cape Cod. One of the country’s most beautiful beach towns, Ptown is a welcoming village of galleries, restaurants, guesthouses, hotels, bars, and cafes. It’s famed for its beautiful dunes of the Cape Cod National Seashore.
Solidarity and diversity are hallmarks of the more than two dozen events held throughout the year, which bring together everyone in the queer community at parties, meet-ups, dances, and gatherings, as well as the daily Tea Dance at the Boatslip.
The season kicks off in March with Out of Hibernation: Winter Bear Weekend, before moving on to Lesbian Visibility Week and Single Women’s Weekend, MEMDay Ptown to Womxn of Color Weekend. Provincetown Pride ushers in high summer, followed by the Provincetown International Film Festival, Frolic Weekend, and Juneteenth to the Provincetown Portuguese Festival, Bear Week, Girl Splash, Family Week, and Carnival.
Fall is highlighted by the Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival, Women’s Week, Trans Week, and Spooky Bear Halloween Weekend. Then it’s on to holiday favorites like Holly Folly and First Light, reaching a crescendo with the Polar Plunge on New Year’s Day. Here’s a look at what 2025 has to offer.
APRIL
Lesbian Visibility Week, April 21-27
Lesbian Visibility Week (LVW) 2025 will be celebrating the power of sisterhood by uplifting incredible LGBTQIA women and non-binary people from every generation, in every field, and from every country around the world. Provincetown Lesbian Visibility launched the inaugural celebration in April 2024. 2025/2026 will focus on establishing Ptown as the national LVW activity hub, drawing performers and visitors to Ptown in the spring shoulder season. The event schedule, will highlight activities affirming the female, lesbian, non-binary, BIPOC, and queer experience. This year, DIVA is working in partnership with EL*C (Euro Central Asian Lesbian Committee), ILGA World, GLAAD, Curve, and LGBT Foundation to make Lesbian Visibility Week a genuinely international stage where iconic LGBTQIA women and non-binary people can be recognized for the work they do and the joy they bring.
MAY
Twenty Summers, May 1 – June 30
Twenty Summers is an incubator for art and ideas. It imagines a more equitable and sustainable future twenty summers from today. The organization was founded in Provincetown’s historic Hawthorne Barn and honors its legacy of artistic freedom by providing resources, residencies, and a platform for original projects and innovative ideas.
Tea Dance at the Boatslip, May 2- October 12
The legendary Tea Dance is on weekends, from May to early June and mid-September to October. Held daily from mid-June to mid-September. A historically important and revered institution for almost 50 years, the legendary Tea Dance at The Boatslip is a “must-do” event for first-timers and seasoned visitors alike.
Start of Fast Ferry Service from Boston, May 16
Bay State Cruise Company and Boston Harbor City Cruises begin Fast Ferry Service for 2025.
Outer Cape Chorale and Chamber Singers Spring Concert, May 16-17
The Outer Cape Chorale returns to entertain Provincetown with two spring concerts at Provincetown Town Hall.
Single Women’s Weekend, May 16-18
Single Women’s Weekend is a women-centered summer event featuring speed dating, dance parties, mixers, a scavenger hunt, and a singles Cape Cod National Seashore Dune Tour.
MEMDay Ptown, May 22-26
The MEMDAY Weekend Women’s Festival brings thousands of LGBTQ+ Women, Non-Binary, and trans friends to Ptown on Memorial Day Weekend.
JUNE
Womxn of Color Weekend, June 5-8
Womxn of Color Weekend in Provincetown (WoCW Ptown) is a four-day event designed for Queer Women of Color, held in conjunction with Pride. It’s an annual celebration of womxn of color, trans-, nonbinary, and genderfluid people of color, aimed at raising awareness about social justice, empowerment, sharing experiences, and healing through workshops and shows.
Provincetown Pride, June 6-8
Provincetown Pride is a town-wide event highlighting what Provincetown has always been known for: LGBTQ+ awareness, empowerment, and diversity. Activities include the Pride festival and rally at Town Hall, the Queer Comedy showcase, and Feet Over Front Street Pride 5K. Honoring Commercial Street’s original name, Front Street, it starts at the Harbor Hotel in Provincetown’s East End and runs the entire length of Commercial Street to the Provincetown Inn on the West End of the Town.
Provincetown International Film Festival, June 11-15
The Provincetown Film Festival is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to showcasing new achievements in independent film and honoring the work of emerging and acclaimed directors, producers, and actors. It is Provincetown’s premier cultural event, attracting 10,000 plus filmgoers, movie buffs, and arts patrons throughout the five-day festival. Now in its 26th year, this 5-day festival showcases over 80 American and international independent narratives, documentaries, animated features and shorts, panel discussions, and special events.
Frolic Weekend, June 18-23
Frolic Weekend is an annual event that attracts more than 1,000 men of color that spans Juneteenth weekend. Now six days long, this year’s theme is Summer Camp. The goal is to connect and find queer joy in the community through events ranging from pool parties, social mixers, beach takeovers, special club nights, and other fun activities.
Juneteenth, June 14-21
Join a coalition of Black/African Americans, Indigenous Persons, People of Color, young leaders from the Provincetown IB School, allied community members, organizers, and leaders to mark Juneteenth in Provincetown with a community celebration and a cookout.
Provincetown Portuguese Festival, June 27-29
The Provincetown Portuguese Festival celebrates Portuguese culture and heritage in Provincetown. There will be music, dancing, and food, while events include the Blessing of the Fleet, fostering a connection between Provincetown’s history and the present-day fishermen.
JULY
REVOLUTION: Independence Week, June 28 – July 7
REVOLUTION: Independence Week is Provincetown’s renowned 4th of July Circuit Party week, with international DJs, dance parties, and pool parties.
Independence Day Parade & Fireworks, July 4
Catch the 4th of July Parade at 11:00 AM on Commercial Street and watch the fireworks at dusk from MacMillan Pier.
Bear Week, July 12- 19
The 25th annual Bear Week brings bears, wolves, cubs, otters, and their admirers for a week of parties, events, and shows.
Girl Splash, July 23-26
A summer week for women, Girl Splash promises parties, solo meet-ups, Lesbo Bingo, a schooner sail, beach bonfires, and Lesbian Beach.
Family Week, July 26- August 2
Family Week is the largest annual gathering of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identified families in the world.
AUGUST
Provincetown Jazz Festival, August 12
The 21st Annual Provincetown Jazz Festival on August 12, will feature performers such as Shawnn Monteiro, Cape Cod Jazz Trio, Kieran Brown, and Matt Baker.
47th Annual Provincetown Carnival: Summer Camp, August 16-23
Carnival, created by the Provincetown Business Guild in 1978, is Ptown’s original summer celebration of community, expression, and creativity. The weeklong festival attracts thousands of guests who enjoy parties, performances, costume contests, and the celebrated Carnival parade on Thursday, August 21st with a Summer Camp theme. Thousands of visitors and locals will pour into the street along the parade route that runs down Commercial Street from the Harbor Hotel in the East End to the Coast Guard Station in the West End, symbolizing Provincetown’s inclusiveness, creativity, and diversity.
SEPTEMBER
Swim for Life and Paddler Flotilla Weekend, September 6
The 38th Provincetown Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla is held in Provincetown Harbor, one of the largest natural harbors in the world. In the past three decades, thousands of swimmers have braved its unpredictable waters and raised more than $7M for AIDS, women’s health, and local community nonprofits. The event is a 1.2-mile swim along the shallow East End shoreline. The Wellfleet’s Great Pond swim is a one-mile swim.
Provincetown Book Festival, September 19-21
The 2024 Provincetown Book Festival is a weekend of literary events for readers, writers, and book lovers at the historic Provincetown Public Library.
Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival, September 24-28
The 20th season of The Provincetown Tennessee Williams Theater Festival, featuring a production of “Sweet Bird of Youth,” looks at the playwright’s fascination with science fiction and fantasy. The festival celebrates the playwright’s connection to the Cape by celebrating his avant-garde spirit and cultural contributions to the artistic community through a series of inspiring performances each year. Film screenings, live music, videos, and readings inspired by Tennessee Williams fill out the Festival’s four-day roster. This year marks the end of the four-day festival, which will continue in a new way next year.
OCTOBER
Mates Leather Weekend XXVII, October 2-6
Mates Leather Weekend brings together people looking to socialize and party with like-minded, leather-wearing peers.
O’Neill Festival of New Works, October 3-13
The O’Neill Festival of New Works will present readings and workshops of original plays by Provincetown and nationally known playwrights anchored by an O’Neill workshop, during which six new scripts will be presented.
Women’s Week 41, Oct 13- 19
Women’s Week is celebrating its 41st year and has grown into a festival with over 300 events that attract some of the most talented performers in the LGBTQ scene from across the world and from the local community.
Trans Week, October 19 – 26
This year marks the 51st anniversary of Trans Week, (formerly Fantasia Fair) which blends a learning experience with a social gathering and reunion. Trans Week is a complete immersion experience, so attendees can and usually do spend an entire week 24/7 presenting their gender as they identify.
Spooky Bear Halloween Weekend, October 30- November 2
It will be a frightfully furry weekend in Ptown with Spooky Bear Halloween Weekend, with a monstrous medley of parties, dances, a haunted house, and a costume ball.
NOVEMBER
Provincetown Food & Wine Festival, November 5- 9
The fifth annual Provincetown Wine & Food Festival. Details to be announced.
The Lighting on the Hill November 26
The Lighting on the Hill is the annual celebration surrounding the lighting of the Pilgrim Monument. It commemorates the arrival of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower and the time they spent in Provincetown and the Outer Cape before sailing onto Plymouth. The Mayflower Compact, one of the first written forms of our modern-day representative form of government, was signed in Provincetown Harbor. The Lighting on the Hill event includes lawn games, a cash bar, and a DJ before the lighting.
Mr. New England Leather, November 21-23
The annual pageant to crown Mr. New England Leather 2024 with a Victory Celebration and a weekend to socialize.
The Canteen Holiday Market, November 21 – December 31
The Canteen Holiday Market offers holiday food & drinks, goods from local artisans, and a cozy gathering place for friends & family.
Lighting of the Lobster Pot Tree, November 29
The Lighting of the Lobster Pot Tree in Lopes Square is a Provincetown tradition that rings in the holiday season. Honoring local lobstermen, the tree is built from real lobster traps and is decorated with lights and bows.
DECEMBER
Holly Folly, December 5- 7
The nation’s original LGBTQ+ Holiday Celebration, Holly Folly, began in 1997. It brings together the queer community travels to enjoy excellent performance art, fine dining, and holiday shopping experiences from the genuinely unique shops, boutiques, and galleries that line Commercial Street. The Jingle Bell Run and the Champagne Brunch are highlights.
Outer Cape Chorale and Chamber Singers, December 12- 13
A program of holiday concerts. Schedule to be announced at Outer Cape Chorale.
First Light Provincetown, December 31, 2024 – January 4, 2025
First Light Provincetown is the final big festival of the holiday season. It’s a four-day-long event featuring holiday parties, events, and performances. The biggest event of the celebration is the fireworks from MacMillan Pier on New Year’s Eve. The event includes the Lite Bright Bike Ride on New Year’s Eve.
Polar Bear Plunge January 1, 2026
The annual Polar Bear Plunge in Provincetown Harbor on New Year’s Day.
For more information on Provincetown’s events, festivals, and weekends, visit Provincetown Events
