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Music on the Rock 2022 brought reggae, rock, and local Vineyard bands to Vineyard Haven. A high-energy summer concert behind The Cove Golf and Grill.
"Music on the Rock" was a May 2022 concert in Vineyard Haven, put on by Phil daRosa and Carter Hakala. DaRosa also founded MV Soundfest, an outdoor music festival that began at Waban Park in Oak Bluffs in 2014 and has been held in Vineyard Haven in recent years.
Filmed May 2022The island moves on: shops, signs and prices may differ from what you see here. The text of this guide was checked October 2026.
It has been held at 386 State Road, Vineyard Haven, the outdoor space behind the island's mini golf course: for years The Cove Golf and Grill, reborn in summer 2026 as Steere the Course Mini Golf and Grille under new island ownership, with live music still part of the deal. Phil daRosa and Carter Hakala co-produced the 2022 Music on the Rock show there.
The lineup mixes genres on purpose: there's always a reggae headliner, plus rock, soul, folk and DJ/dance music. Past headliners include Barrington Levy (2025), Anthony B (2023), and The Itals (2022), plus local favorites like Willy Mason and Johnny Hoy and The Bluefish. The 2025 edition was the 5th year at The Cove. Kids under 12 got in free at the 2022 show.
There's plenty of other live music on the island:
Music bingo at the Black Dog Bakery Cafe, Friday from 6 to 8 pm, as the poster on the counter says.
Exploring the town? Start with our complete Vineyard Haven guide: food, beaches, parking and the local rhythm, all in one place.
Halloween on Martha's Vineyard 2026, town by town: Edgartown's Happy Haunting on Sunday, October 25, Halloween in Oak Bluffs on Saturday, October 31, the museum's Halloween on the Hill, the library events, haunted Edgartown walks and Circuit Arts' revue at the Grange, plus how the Vineyard Haven puppet parade ran in past years (set for October 31 at 4 PM).
New Year's Eve on Martha's Vineyard: the $150 dinner over the lit harbor, the two-seating table in Edgartown, live music at the Ritz, the family First Night at the Playhouse, where the lights are, what runs on the holiday (the ferry does, the reservation office does not), what is open on New Year's Day, and the empty January that begins the week you leave. 2026–2027 dates.
Columbus Day (Indigenous Peoples' Day) weekend on Martha's Vineyard: the last weekend of the seasonal island. The Artisans Fall Festival at the Grange Hall, the Derby weigh-ins, the last Ocean Park concert, what closes on the Monday (Island Queen, Seastreak, the Chappy gatehouses), what stays open, the half-price rooms, and a Friday-to-Tuesday plan.
Labor Day weekend on Martha's Vineyard, hour by hour: the Artisans Festival at the Ag Hall, the jazz weekend in Oak Bluffs, First Friday, the last guarded swim while the water is still summer-warm, which ferries make their last sailings, how to survive the Monday exodus, and why staying to Tuesday is the best trick. 2026 and 2027 dates.
Memorial Day weekend on Martha's Vineyard, explained: the Friday March to the Sea at Owen Park, the Monday parade in Vineyard Haven, the Artisans Festival at the Grange Hall, the first Island Queen and Gay Head Light climbs, what is still closed, the prices, and a three-day plan for May 29 to 31, 2027.
Martha's Vineyard has two fireworks nights: Edgartown over the harbor at dusk on the Fourth of July and Oak Bluffs off Ocean Park on the third Friday of August (canceled in 2026, back in 2027). Where to stand for each, the street closures and blanket rules, the free bus, the ferry diversion and how to get home.
Island tip of the day Timing No. 61 of 79 New tip at midnight, island time
Visit Edgartown on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Same beautiful town, maybe 30% of the weekend crowds. Most restaurants have availability without reservations.
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