Why Black Week on the Vineyard Belongs on Your 2026 Calendar
Every August, Martha’s Vineyard transforms into something truly extraordinary. The island is always beautiful, but during Black Week, the air feels different—charged with energy, creativity, and connection.
You hear it in the laughter spilling out of restaurants in Oak Bluffs. You see it in the vibrant colors of sundresses and linen suits drifting down Circuit Ave. You feel it in the easy nods exchanged between strangers who instantly feel like family.
If you missed it this year, don’t just add it to your “someday” list—make 2026 your year to experience it for yourself.
Oak Bluffs: More Than a Pretty Postcard
Oak Bluffs is one of those rare places where history, culture, and joy intersect. Decades before the phrase “Black travel” became a hashtag, this coastal town was quietly serving as a refuge for Black families who weren’t welcome everywhere else.
The pastel-painted gingerbread cottages, the wraparound porches, the clapboard houses along the shore—all hold stories of gatherings, celebrations, and milestones. During Black Week, those streets come alive in a way that makes you feel like you’re walking through a living scrapbook of our history and resilience.
Legacy Week on the Vineyard
July 26 – August 1, 2026
Part reunion, part cultural summit, Legacy Week is where HBCU pride meets coastal relaxation. The week is filled with panels that make you think, performances that make you move, and moments that remind you why our shared legacy is so powerful.
It’s a week for reconnecting—with old classmates, with new friends, and with the parts of yourself that light up when you’re surrounded by community.
The Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF)
August 7 – 15, 2026
Every year, MVAAFF turns Oak Bluffs into a hub for Black storytelling. You’ll see everything from thought-provoking documentaries to laugh-out-loud comedies, often followed by Q&As that bring you face-to-face with the people who made them.
The festival is Oscar-qualifying, but more importantly, it’s heart-qualifying—it fills you with pride to see our stories told authentically, beautifully, and unapologetically.
🛎️ How to Secure Your Spot
One thing about Black Week: Oak Bluffs fills up fast. The key is planning ahead—think months, not weeks.
If you want a ready-made experience, GoGIRLS! Travel Club has already announced a curated Vineyard trip August 6–9, 2026. You’ll stay at the oceanfront Summercamp Hotel, enjoy guided tours, themed evenings, and plenty of sisterhood woven into every moment.
💡 Why You Can’t Miss It
Black Week isn’t just about being on the Vineyard—it’s about being seen, celebrated, and connected in a space where our culture is the heartbeat. It’s an opportunity to honor our history, enjoy our present, and invest in our future.
When you stand on the Inkwell Beach at sunset, hear the waves against the shore, and look around at all the faces reflecting joy and pride—you’ll understand why so many of us return year after year.
So don’t wait. Mark your calendar. Book your room. And start picturing yourself in Oak Bluffs, soaking in the sunshine, the conversations, and the collective magic that is Black Week.