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Escape to the Cape Over the Holidays
Provincetown takes on an extra festive look and feel during the holiday season, with various art galleries and boutiques along Commercial St keeping their doors open through the quieter winter months, while holiday-themed markets provide a chance to support local artisans and restaurants create special winter menus to warm you up. We also offer special rates during the winter months, making it all the more attractive to plan a getaway to the outer Cape, where you can explore the nearby beaches and hiking trails without the summertime crowds, eat delicious and fresh-caught seafood, and experience the charm of Provincetown shopping around the holidays.
Our Provincetown bed and breakfast is within walking distance of the weekend holiday markets and all the unique, locally-owned shops along Commercial Street – get all your gift shopping done as you enjoy the quaint harbor views and cool winter breeze off the Atlantic, a picturesque and pristine holiday scene.
Holiday Markets and Delicious Eats in a Festive Ambiance
The Canteen, one of our favorite Provincetown restaurants and neighbors around the block on Commercial St, transforms its beachfront back bar into a holiday market from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. The holiday market celebrates its 9th year in 2023, inviting over 25 local vendors to sell their wares every weekend through the holiday season, setting up cute and inviting booths along the sand in the back of the Canteen’s always-busy restaurant. The artists’ booths resemble the famous artist dune shacks of the Cape Cod National Seashore, a nod to Provincetown’s rich artistic heritage. As you stroll along the pathways, decorated with twinkling lights and Christmas decor, you’ll find everything from custom jewelry and local honey to shells artfully turned into ornaments and specialty Cape Cod dog cookies.
The Canteen market will take place on the weekends of December 16-17, 22-23, and 29-31st from 11 am-5 pm, and although the market winds down around sunset, stay for the evening festivities in their “Shack” and “Lodge” pop-up holiday restaurants. The Lodge is set up like a European ski chalet, with wooden outdoor tables and holiday decorations in a heated tent, transporting you to a Swiss village. Meanwhile, the Shack has rotating menus every weekend focusing on big group meals in the convivial spirit of holiday gatherings. Share a raclette (a decadent preparation of melted cheese served with potatoes, various types of meat, and pickled onions), seafood platter, or charcuterie board with the table while sipping on mulled cider, cran-apple spiked holiday punch, and hot toddies.
The next block over on Commercial St, Crown and Anchor hosts their Holiday Market at the Crown every weekend at 11 am from now until New Year’s Eve. The Crown is a hub of entertainment in P-Town, catering to the LGBTQ+ scene but welcoming all to their multiple bars, eateries, and show stages at their property, which dates back to the mid-19th century. Do some Provincetown shopping from local artisans at their market and enjoy brunch from one of their three on-site restaurants, such as the Balena Brasserie, which serves tasty dishes like fried calamari, pan-roasted halibut, pesto salmon, and slow-cooked short ribs.
Provincetown Shopping and Browsing the Shops Along Commercial Street
The annual lighting of the Provincetown Monument in November rings in the holiday season on the outer Cape, and although some stores shut their doors around this time, plenty stay open throughout the slower winter months.
Head just a block over from Gabriel’s and the can’t-miss Monument (which neighbors our property) to Commercial St, where you can start your Provincetown shopping day with a latte at Kohi Coffee, rated the best coffee shop in town by Food & Wine Magazine, and bring home some specialty beans as a stocking stuffer for the coffee connoisseur in your family. Pop into truly unique stores like Mystik Moon, in business since 1982, and the oldest psychic shop on Cape Cod, where you can pick up tarot cards, crystals, and incense for the new age-leaning friend on your shopping list. 3 Graces boutique, women-and-family-owned, will cover all your women’s clothing shopping needs, while anyone will love some classic saltwater taffy from Cabot’s Candy in their stocking.
As you stroll down the East End on Commercial St, browse the aisles at East End Books for the book lover on your list. Their thoughtfully curated selection includes an array of LGBTQ+ books and works by local authors, perfect for someone who has spent time on the Cape. Finish off your Provincetown shopping loop with a stop at the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, where you can browse their art-themed calendars, books, and art supplies for your aspiring artist friends and family. In addition to supporting the Provincetown art scene for over a century, PAAM invites local artists to sell their work during the holiday season in their Members’ Open Small Works exhibit. Through January 7th, you can check out these new works by local artists and purchase them on the spot, bringing them home to give as gifts and supporting the local arts.
Stay with us this holiday season – when the bustling markets, unique shopping, and delectable food make wintertime in Provincetown extra special!
