Step 1: Review the list of authors here; identify the authors you want to see; download a printable version of the book festival schedule here. Plan your strategy for Saturday and Sunday.

Step 2: Stop at Bunch of Grapes Bookstore in Vineyard Haven and read some of the festival books for authors you wish to see.

Step 3: How will you get to the festival?

  • Live nearby? Ride your bike: We have a new bike rack near the tennis courts. Come try it out.

  • Live down island or coming over for the day on the ferry? Drive to the West Tisbury School, where there is plenty of parking, or take a Lyft or an Uber to the school. Then, take the Festival Shuttle from the West Tisbury School to the Chilmark Community Center (CCC). A shuttle will leave the West Tisbury School every 40 minutes all day/both days of the festival. The shuttle will run between the West Tisbury School at 401 Old Country Road, West Tisbury, and the CCC in Chilmark.

  • Driving to Chilmark and want to avoid the congestion? Park at the Chilmark Dump Lot on Tabor House Road for free. There will be a Festival Shuttle running every 15 minutes all day/both days from the Dump Lot to the CCC.

  • Want to get to the site, but are handicapped? Get dropped off at the CCC lot. Drop-offs only.

  • Still driving to Chilmark/Beetlebung Corner? We have a parking plan and a map!
    The best options are:

    • the Pony Field on Menemsha Crossroads—this is on the left side of the road heading from Beetlebung Corner and will be well marked

    • Beetlebung Farm off of Middle Road

    • Chilmark Church on Saturday after 1pm and Sunday after 11am

    • The Yard on Sunday only

    • Town Hall after 12pm on Saturday and Sunday

  • Places you cannot park

    • The Chilmark Police Department lot — reserved for Volunteers

    • The Chilmark Community Center and the Chilmark School — reserved for Authors and Sponsors

    • The Chilmark Public Library — reserved on Saturday for Library patrons and on Sunday for Authors and Moderators

    • Beetlebung Farm off of South Road — reserved for Authors and Moderators

    • Martha’s Vineyard Bank — Saturday after 12pm reserved for Authors and Moderators

    • Chilmark Store, Chilmark Tavern and Chilmark Gallery — They are open, be nice.

    • The Yard on Saturday — They have a performance.

    • Be careful about parking on the side of the road. Read the road signs.

Step 4: How to Best Enjoy the Festival

Keep Cool - Remember to wear sunscreen and keep hydrated! We are a green festival. We will have a limited supply of Martha’s Vineyard Book Festival water bottles available for purchase at the Info Tent. Water coolers for filling your water bottles will be available throughout the festival site.

Stay Nourished - Enjoy a delicious breakfast or lunch or snacks on the festival grounds. We have choices and will offer some of the island’s favorites with Orange Peel Bakery, Scottish Bakehouse, Chef Deon’s Kitchen, and Chef Amy Johnson’s Food Truck. Mary’s Lemonade will keep you refreshed throughout the day.

Buy the Books- Purchasing the Authors’ books from Bunch of Grapes helps sustain the authors, our local book seller, the publishing industry, the festival and the island. Do your part. A signed book makes a wonderful gift.