Provincetown prepares to host 42nd annual Women’s Week

Part of the festival will be an event to mark the 50th anniversary of iconic women’s bookstore, Womencrafts.

Oct 7, 2026 - 20:00

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Provincetown prepares to host 42nd annual Women’s Week

Women's Week Provincetown — (Photo: Women’s Week Provincetown)

Provincetown in Massachusetts is preparing to host one of its biggest and longest-running events: the annual Women’s Week from Oct. 12th – 18th.

This will be the 42nd Women’s Week, and it’s expected to pull in some 4,500 travelers.

The week began when the Women Innkeepers of Provincetown invited past guests to a single clambake on the beach to stimulate off-season bookings. In those early days, there were 18 such inns, but that number has sadly dwindled down to two (Provincetown Hotel at Gabriel’s and Ravenwood).

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That said, a wide range of venues will participate in Women’s Week. In total, you can expect no less than 349 different events!

Among these will be festivities to mark the 50th anniversary of iconic lesbian bookstore, Womencrafts. The store, at 376 Commercial Street, has operated continuously since 1976 and many regard it as a cultural heart and soul for the queer community. It won a Las Culturistas Award last year.

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A special celebration in its honor takes place at the Town Hall on Friday, Oct. 16th 2026. Writers, performers, artists, and customers spanning the decades will come together for stories, performances, reflections, and memories celebrating the space, people, voices, and community that have made Womencrafts such an enduring and essential part of so many lives.

The schedule also includes whale watching trips, sailing, daily moments of queer joy at the aforementioned Womencrafts, dune walks, wine tasting at a local vineyard, and tea dances at the Boatslip Resort. There will be single mingle breakfasts, 12-step meetings, meditation, yoga, a stitching circle, film screenings, and lots of stand-up comedy.

Whether you want to visit a sapphic book signing or hang out with leather dykes, there really is something for all women.

Other Women’s Week highlights include

An Evening with Kate Moennig

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Talking life, love, and The L Word at the Town Hall on Saturday, Oct. 17th. Known for portraying Shane McCutcheon in Showtime’s drama series The L Word and its revival, The L Word: Generation Q, Moennig will receive the Women’s Week ICON Award for her lasting impact on queer television and culture.

Comedian Kristin Key

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Queer comedian Kristin Key brings her rapid-fire stand-up, original comedy songs, poignant observations on relationships, queer culture and everyday life to Provincetown for her Women’s Week debut. She’ll be playing the Town Hall on Friday, Oct. 16th from 7-8 pm.

Lesbo Bingo

A Women’s Week tradition and another Town Hall highlight, taking place from 11 am-1 pm on Wednesday, Oct. 14th.

Lucy Kaplansky

An intimate afternoon of contemporary folk, expressive vocals and personal songwriting at The Keyhole on Saturday, October 10.

Zoe Lewis and Mouths of Babes

Monday, Oct. 12th at UU Meeting House, 236 Commercial Street. Part of the Fierce and Fabulous Women in Music Series. Singer-songwriter Zoë Lewis welcomes Mouths of Babes (Ty Greenstein and Ingrid Elizabeth) to Provincetown.

Check the official Women’s Week Provincetown website for the full schedule.

Where to stay

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Provincetown prepares to host 42nd annual Women’s Week

Part of the festival will be an event to mark the 50th anniversary of iconic women’s bookstore, Womencrafts.

Pack your bags, we’re going on an adventure