Carnival 2023: Ptown's Original Summer Celebration - Provincetown Business Guild

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The 45th Annual Carnival is happening August 12-19, 2023

Carnival – created by the Provincetown Business Guild in 1978 – is Ptown’s original Summer celebration of community, expression, and creativity. The weeklong festival attracts tens of thousands of guests from all over the world to enjoy parties, events, costume contests and the celebrated Carnival parade down Commercial Street. Start planing now for 2023’s theme: Land of Toys

Plan your Carnival trip to Ptown

Thank You to Our 2022 Sponsors & Partners

More from Carnival 2022

Sunday August 14th

Feet Over Front Street 5K Run & Walk

Get Carnival week started off on the right foot by sharing some self-love in the form of fresh air, exercise and community right in step with your LGBTQ+ fam.

Sunday August 14th @ 8:30a

“Let’s Get Kraken” Carnival Cruise

Provincetown’s 44th Annual Carnival will officially get KRAKEN with a legendary cruise and MONSTER dance party featuring music by NYC’s own Bright Light Bright Light and Justin Dawson.

Sunday August 14th @ 4p

Miss Swamp Thang Carnival Opening Party @ The Crown & Anchor

Miss Swamp Thang has crawled out of the Cranberry Bogs of Provincetown and is headed straight to the dance floor. The most monstrous swamp-lewk will win $250 cash and spot aboard one of the PBG’s floats in Thursday’s Carnival Parade.

Sunday August 14th @ 9p

Monday August 15th

The Myth of Medusa Carnival Pool Party @ The Brass Key

Join over 1,000 of the sexiest folks at Carnival for a truly massive, one-of-a-kind experience. Dance the day away under the sun on the gorgeous grounds of the Brass Key Guesthouse – plenty of surprise performances and jaw-dropping feats throughout the afternoon await.

Monday August 15th @ 1p

Gesellschaft Presents – 1986: Legends of Zelda, O’Queerina of Time @ Red Room

This one goes to all the GAYmers out there!! Whether you’re a Link-Twink, or a full-bodied Jiggly Puff with show-stopping twerk talents, we know you’ll bring the spirit of your favorite gamer legends to the dancefloor.

Monday August 15th @ 10p

Tuesday August 16th

Electric Dreams: Legendary Tea Dance @ The Boatslip

Provincetown's legendary Tea Dance at The Boatslip hosts an extra special edition just for Carnival. Expect the unexpected and celebrate this historic queer tradition in your most mythical look as DJ Chris Ewen spins a monstrous set.

Tuesday August 16th @ 4p

HORNY Official Carnival Dance Party @ The A-House

Provincetown’s longest-running discotheque is already the stuff of legends, so let’s horn-up and get down. It’s about to get real devilish in here with all you little monsters running around 😈😈😈

Tuesday August 16th @ 10p

Provincetown Follies: Carnival Edition @ The Crown & Anchor

Join us for a night at the Provincetown Follies, for a cabaret style show produced by Jonathan Hawkins that is packed with fun and colorful craziness plus a touch of Vegas, the Folies Bergere and the Moulin Rouge!

Tuesday August 16th @ 10p

Wednesday August 17th

Legend of the Pied Piper – Pop-Up Girl Party @ Provincetown Brewing Company

Provincetown’s famed (and last!) lesbian bar returns to Provincetown for a one-afternoon-only girl-party over with music curated by DJ Leah L’Duke. This Pied pop-up is gonna bring all the girls to the yard…

Wednesday August 17th @ 4p

Mx Justin Vivian Bond: Oh Mary, It's Carnival Week! @ Town Hall

To celebrate the return of Provincetown's legendary Carnival festivities, your Auntie Glam, Justin Vivian Bond is bringing their brand new show: Oh Mary, It's Carnival to our queer and quaint seaside paradise for one night only!

Wednesday August 17th @ 8:30p

“KAPOW!” Lycra Party @ Red Room

Superhero Secret #1: Half the battle for looking SNATCH during Carnival is wearing your Super-lycra bodysuit. Live your best life in lycra at the Red Room, the home of Provincetown’s iconic weekly Underwear Party.

Wednesday August 17th @ 10p

Thursday August 18th

44th Annual Carnival Parade

Winding its way down Commercial Street from the Harbor Hotel in the East End to the Coast Guard Station in the West End, this year’s 44th Annual Carnival Parade will again serve as a symbol of Provincetown’s inclusiveness, creativity and diversity with 2022's theme: Monsters, Myths & Legends.

Thursday August 18th @ 3p

Friday August 19th

SLURP: Paige Turner's Tawdry Pool Party @ The Boatslip

Mayhem. Foolishness. Music! Celebrate the return of NYC’s longest-running drag show - now poolside! Expect prizes, show-stopping numbers and banana hammocks galore plus beats from the hunky DJ James Cerne.

Friday August 19th @ 12p

Rainbow Connection: Big Feet Dance Party @ Provincetown Brewing Company

Jump into the ‘Legend of Big Foot’ and bring your BIG FEET dance-moves to groove amongst the redwoods of the taproom. Who knows, maybe Sassy-Squatch will make an appearance? Grab some food and the best beer in town to keep the party going.

Friday August 19th @ 7p

Carnival Gallery Stroll

The Provincetown Gallery Stroll is a free event that occurs Friday evenings in season. Most of Provincetown’s galleries, from the east to the west end, are open for visitors to stroll through with many featuring special exhibitions during The Stroll. This is a great opportunity to visit the many wonderful galleries throughout Provincetown.

Friday August 19th @ 7p

Monster Mashup Carnival Closing Party @ The Crown & Anchor

Not your average graveyard smash. The Monster Mashup closing party will wrap-up the entirety of our Monstrous, Legendary, Mythical week, and smush all of our themes together into one big party climax. Expect DJ Chris Racine to serve a mashup (or two,) to keep the children entertained. Dance until your tank is out of gas, because this will be the final serve!

Friday August 19th @ 10p

Saturday August 20th

Queer AF Bingo: Studio 54 Carnival Edition with Austin & Mackenzie @ The Crown & Anchor

Relive the glamor by dressing up as your favorite Studio 54 legend and then join Ptown celebrity-duo, drag queen Mackenzie + lovable co-host Austin, as they tell some stories, pull some (Bingo) balls, and give away some fabulous prizes!

Saturday August 20th @ 2p

44th Carnival Parade

More than 100,000 visitors came to Provincetown to celebrate Monsters, Myths & Legends during the 44th annual Carnival Parade on Thursday August 18, 2022

44th Carnival Parade Winners

Most Queer Float, Best Musical Float, and more! Find out who the judge's selected as the best floats in this year's parade.

Carnival's 2022 Grand Marshal

Mx Justin Vivian Bond has been at the forefront of Trans visibility and activism since the early 1990s and has appeared on stage, screen, television, nightclub stages, and in concert halls worldwide.

Meet Mx Justin Vivian Bond

Carnival's 2022 Featured Artist

Eric Lesh - the creator of the 2022 Carnival poster - is a portrait and figurative artist, and LGBTQ rights lawyer in New York with a fine art gallery in Provincetown, MA.

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Mar 24

Dear Provincetown Voters: Just a quick reminder fr

Dear Provincetown Voters: Just a quick reminder from Senator Julian Cyr @juliancyr & Michelle (aka @qyacristal ) to stay civically engaged and participate Provincetown’s upcoming Town Meeting Monday, April 3rd at 6PM.

Articles regarding budgeting, capital improvements and housing plans are all included. These decisions affect the PBG’s member businesses, our community, and resultantly the experience of our visitors.

Read up on the Town Warrant on our link.tree to get informed, and see you there!

#ptownbusinessguild #townmeeting #ptowntownhall #senatorcyr #michelleobama #civicduty #ptowncommunity #visitptown

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Mar 18

Who says winter is quiet in Ptown? The dessert boa

Who says winter is quiet in Ptown? The dessert board at @spindlers_ptown featuring churros y chocolate and house made open face iced cream sandwich will wake up all of your senses! #churros #provincetown #fridaynight #spindlers @visitptown

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Mar 12

Smiling neighbors, pups on parade, non-profits, ar

Smiling neighbors, pups on parade, non-profits, artisans and more made for a great 2023 Year-Rounders Festival at Town Hall. Thank you to organizers Penny and Elise for this wonderful community event!

#visitptown #ptownbusinessguild #yearroundersfestival #ptown2023 #ptowncommunity #ptowntownhall

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Mar 11

The @ne.ursamen are #OutofHibernation and @onlyat

The @ne.ursamen are #OutofHibernation and @onlyatthecrown is packed! #outofhibernation #alwaysinseason #winterinptown #instabears #gaybears #bears #bearweek #bearweekend #🐻 #pride #lgbtq

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Mar 6

Calling all bears, cubs, otters, wolves and all ot

Calling all bears, cubs, otters, wolves and all other hirsuite friends, allies and admirers! Out of Hibernation - Provincetown's Winter Bear Weekend hosted by @ne.ursamen and @onlyatthecrown - returns this weekend; March 9 - 12!

It all starts this this Thursday - so rally your friends and enjoy a winter weekend away in Provincetown!

With a special premiere of the hilarious #cocainebear at @ptownfilm Waters Edge Cinema on Thursday, the sexy Boots & Boxers Party or Bear Bingo at @onlyatthecrown on Saturday and Sunday, and the all new Bear Yoga and Conscious Connections sessions at @outermostyoga with @lebeautigrenyc and @shengst on Friday and Saturday that give you the opportunity to limber up and connect with others, there's a good time to be had by all this weekend.

Get all the details on Ptown.org and book your tickets now for many of the weekend's offerings!

Looking to book a room? Check out Ptown.org now to make your reservation and take advantage of winter rates and availability! #Instabears #outofhinernation #instagay #lgbtq #queer #husbands #cubs #bearpride #bear365 #bearsofinstagram #🐻

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Mar 4

The friendly faces of The Key West Business Guild

The friendly faces of The Key West Business Guild @gaykeywestfl have wildly similar stories to tell about their origins, goals and future efforts in today’s cultural climate…

Our Guilds were not only formed in the exact same year, but for the same need for better representation in our respective communities - to elevate, promote and protect the LGBTQ+ community and our business members through tourism. While our high seasons may be almost inverse on the calendar, we both work similarly to represent as best as possible across the full spectrum of our communities, struggle with housing shortages for our locals and businesses, the loss of dedicated Women’s spaces, and share a fear of making sure our homes remain celebratory bastions for LGBTQ+ community. How do you think we can better work with our sister cities like Key West?

We are excited to partner more closely with Key West moving forward and share ideas (and hopefully get their two-person team up to Ptown!) Thank you to Fritzie and Kevin for the warm welcome today 🏳️‍🌈

💜 in Pride

#gaykeywest #keywestbusinessguild #visitptown #ptownbusinessguild #queercommunity #gaysunited #queertravel #lgbtqtravel

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Feb 23

CALLING ALL ARTISTS: Interested in getting paid up

CALLING ALL ARTISTS: Interested in getting paid up to $1,500 to produce a GWAGEOUS Carnival Float for this year’s ‘Land of Toys’ Carnival Parade?? The Provincetown Business Guild is hosting an informational sessions with our good friends at the Provincetown Commons @commonsptown this Sunday, Feb 26th at 4PM. Both artists AND businesses are invited to learn more about the program, ask questions and find out how to sign up for 2023. Digital attendees are also welcome to join!

To register, please click the Eventbrite link in our bio up top ⬆️

Photos by @mckeondan

Float designs from left to right: @meat_market & @charlie.builds , @izzyberdan , @lovepaulrizzo_ & @guerrettemarc , @joshmoths & @sirerainbow

#visitptown #ptowncarnival #artistmatchmakingprogram #ptownartists #thecommonsptown #ptowncommons #carnival2023 #landoftoys2023 #ptownbusinessguild

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Feb 16

Get outta the 🧊 and into the 🔥 with Snowboun

Get outta the 🧊 and into the 🔥 with Snowbound Leather Weekend XV in Provincetown next Friday Feb 24-26. Provincetown’s fifteenth annual winter leather/fetish weekend hosted by Mates @matesleatherwkd gets bigger every year featuring annual events like the opening beer blast at Watership Inn, parties at @onlyatthecrown and A-House, brunch at @baysidebetsys , after-party at @ptownbrewingco and all the 🖤🖤🖤 you can take.

Those with a bit of an exhibitionist streak and a desire to fundraise for the incredible work the ASGCC @aidssupportgroupofcapecod does can also vie for the title of MR. SNOWBOUND 2023 (more info on that at our link.tree!) Mates has raised many thousands over the years 👏🏼

#visitptown #ptownbusinessguild #matesleather #snowboundleatherweekend #snowbound2023 #mrsnowbound #leatherfetish #fetish #fetishweekend #ptownbusinessguild

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Feb 10

What’s pink & red and queer all over?? Ptown for

What’s pink & red and queer all over?? Ptown for V-Day Weekend 💕 It’s not too late to surprise your love-dove with a trip to Ptown. Check out in the link up top the full lineup of Valentines events all over Town and all the restaurants waiting to wrap you in a culinary cocoon of romance 🍷 And if you’re flying solo, even better - come nuzzle up to the community, and we’ll have a great time this weekend.

Just a reminder to check out “Art with Heart” at the Provincetown Commons Saturday & Sunday 10AM-2PM - not only can you nab art created by both Ptown professionals and IB students for $50, but you’ll be financially supporting our students here in Ptown.

Thanks to @itsjustmackenzie @madd4arts and @dannyboysparkles for bringing the Bad Romance to @ptownbrewingco last year, where now you can attend a ‘Sweetheart Soup Swap’ on Sunday.

#visitptown #ptownvalentines #valentinesinptown #ptownis4lovers #winterinptown #ptownlocals #ptownie #ptownmag #ptownindependent

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Feb 8

Earlier this week we lost a champion of Provinceto

Earlier this week we lost a champion of Provincetown and our LGBTQ+ community with the passing of Roger Chauvette. Active for many years as a writer/editor for Provincetown Magazine @provincetownmagazine and the the coordinator of the PBG's Carnival Parade, Roger also served on many town committees, including the rebuilding of MacMillan Pier, the Bicycle Committee, The Provincetown Theater and the AIDS Support Group - his support for our community could be felt throughout Provincetown.

Daniel Llata @luckystraggler and Stephan Hengst @shengst had the pleasure of learning from Roger's experience in advance of the 2022 Carnival Parade. Over the 8 years that Roger organized the Parade, he prepared a guide to pass down to the future generation of PBG leaders, and they were so fortunate to have him share his sage advice with them directly.

Here's to all the great work done by Roger; may our memories of him - and the stories he told - continue to contribute to the diversity of our Provincetown community for generations to come.

A memorial celebration for Roger Chauvette will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Provincetown on Friday, February 10 at 2 PM. The service will be livestreamed at the following link (also shared on our link tree): https://www.youtube.com/live/6CFJ-MmTJOU?feature=share

#ptownheroes #ptownie #ptownlocals #provincetowncarnival #rogerchauvette #ptownbusinessguild #ptownmagazine

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Feb 4

Need the tea on events happening RIGHT NOW in Ptow

Need the tea on events happening RIGHT NOW in Ptown?? (Like tonight??) Just hit up Ptown.org/calendar for new ideas. There’s something happening every night of the week: between weekly Trivia with Mona Mour @missmonamour on Tuesdays at Grotta Bar, the Washashore Sessions on Saturdays at PBC @ptownbrewingco , Ru Paul on Fridays at Crown & Anchor @onlyatthecrown , monthly Mosquito Story Slams at The Provincetown Theater @ptowntheater , Karaoke Fridays/Saturdays at Pilgrim House @pilgrimhouseptown and Thirsty Burlington’s last Wednesday Bingo at A-House this week, there is PLENTY happening at any given time! And those are just a few of your options..

Don’t see your event listed at Ptown.org/calendar? DM us and we’ll help you get it up there!

PS - If this post made you miss Joe @joecoffeeptown they’ll be back Feb 11th!

#visitptown #ptownbusinessguild #winterinptown #ptownevents #ptownie #ptownlocals

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Jan 31

PTOWN is 4 LOVERS. This upcoming Valentine’s Wee

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Jan 27

Support Provincetown’s incredible IB Schools stu

Support Provincetown’s incredible IB Schools students + buy your Valentine something with HEART!!

Purchase works donated by Provincetown artists alongside pieces created by MYP 3 students, families & community members during a Drawing Workshop donated by artist Mark Adams @chillmark13 . Artwork will be priced at $50 (or as deemed by the artist.) And all proceeds will help support Provincetown IB Schools fundraise for their trip to London ✈️🇬🇧

This community steps up for our families, so please make sure to swing by The Commons @commonsptown this February 11th OR 12th between 10AM-2PM to share the love this Provincetown Valentine’s Weekend.

#artwithheart #ptownschools #fundraiser #provincetowncommons #ptownbusinessguild #visitptown #valentinesweekend #ptown #ptownie

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Jan 20

Congratulations to Fanizzi’s on their quick reco

Congratulations to Fanizzi’s on their quick recovery from last awful month’s storm and wreckage. Be sure to go and show some support for their return starting TODAY 🍸

Lunch: 11:30-3:30
Dinner: 4:15-9:00

“We want to THANK everyone for their support over the last month and to their continued support over the years! Unfortunately, Sunday Buffet Brunch is on hold until we open the restaurant fully. We hope the bay room dining area will be open in March sometime.”

Here are some more snaps from our biggest Jingle Bell Run yet, graciously hosted on the front end by Paul and the Fanizzi’s crew 🙏

Photos by @mckeondan

#visitptown #ptownbusinessguild #fanizzis #hollyfolly2022 #jinglebellrun

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Jan 12

Looking forward into 2023?? We’ve been hearing f

Looking forward into 2023?? We’ve been hearing from lodgers lately that some of your favorite theme weeks are already fully booked up season (Carnival, Bear Week, Labor Day, Spooky Bear, etc.)

Now is the time to get the best rates possible for whichever week(s) speaks most to you! Check out Ptown.org/lodging for a full list of diverse homes-away-from-home and support our gorgeous spread of inns, hotels and guest houses 🏘️

#visitptown #ptown2023 #ptownbusinessguild #booknow #carnival #hollyfolly #spookybear #themeweeks

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Jan 9

For 40 years artist Jay Critchley @jaycritchley ha

For 40 years artist Jay Critchley @jaycritchley has performed his Re-Rooters day ceremony highlighting the perils of consumptive capitalism. At the ceremony’s apex Jay set aflame a constructed boat carrying four Christmas trees from the dump (peppered with symbolic items from the crowd of onlookers they wanted to dispose on in the twilight of a New Year.) With equal parts humor and sanctity more than a hundred folks shivered on in solidarity and wonder.

Only in Provincetown 🙏

Congratulations to Jay on the commitment of this 40-year-old piece of art and thank you to Mike Sullivan @mike3sullivan for the fantastic photo. For more information please check out JayCritchley.com

#visitptown #rerootersdayceremony #eastbay #ptown #performanceart #jaycritchley #ptownlocal #ptownart

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Jan 1

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Instagram post 17936738930588544

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Jan 1

Happy New Year from Provincetown 💜 Swipe for so

Happy New Year from Provincetown 💜 Swipe for some of our favorite moments of 2022 👉🏼

OFFICIAL FIREWORKS UPDATE: Provincetown’s display will happen at dusk. The actual start time will vary based on ideal weather conditions. Please anticipate a start time as early as 4:45PM. Unfortunately the forecasted winds for tomorrow do not allow for a rain date.

#visitptown #ptownbusinessguild #firstlight2022 #firstlight #ptownies

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Dec 30

Curious to know who’s open New Year’s Weekend?

Curious to know who’s open New Year’s Weekend?? Check out Ptown.org/Open to find out where you can go for shopping, dining, getting pampered and more…

👋🏼 to The Black Dog up top 🐶 open daily 10-8PM

#ptownbusinessguild #visitptown #theblackdog #ptowninwinter #openinptown #ptownie #ptownmag #firstlight

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Dec 25

We are shocked by the damage caused by yesterday’s storm to our community, and our hearts go out to local businesses like Fanizzi’s @paulfanizzi East End Market @eastendmarketptown , and the community members who have dealt with major damage and/or lost electricity or have been displaced for the holidays…

However, we are heartened by the waves of community support: We saw that folks raised over 15k (in a matter of hours) to support service workers, heard stories of neighbors welcoming one another into their homes for the holidays, were glad to hear about the warming center at the VmCC today, and have seen other local businesses jump at the opportunity to help one another. This may be a great example of the spirit of the holidays, but it’s always the spirit of Provincetown.

So wherever folks are tomorrow we hope they are warmed by that thought, and know we will continue to support in the ways we can. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas Ptown 🌟

#visitptown #ptownbusinessguild #ptownstrong #ptownie #merrychristmas #happyholidays #happyholigays #pilgrimmonument