Jaws at 50: How to Join a Blockbuster Party
Looking to celebrate the big 5-0 of the world’s most famous shark? Martha’s Vineyard is the place to be.
By Yankee Editors|May 26 2025|
Hollywood’s stand-in for the fictional town at the center of “Jaws,” Martha’s Vineyard always looks ready for its close-up.
Photo Credit: J. Ossorio-Castillo/stock.adobe.comThe Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard has long been a hot spot for celebrity sightings, a place where you might see Spike Lee grabbing a coffee or Seth Meyers shopping at the general store. But this year the star of the summer will be a certain world-famous film legend with a toothy grin—and the island is rolling out the red carpet with events ranging from screenings to parties and book signings, all in honor of the 50th anniversary of Jaws on Martha’s Vineyard.
Photo Credit : MV Chamber
Director Steven Spielberg’s legendary shark thriller, which premiered June 20, 1975, was filmed mainly on and around Martha’s Vineyard. The island has been a lure for movie buffs ever since, who come to visit the “Jaws bridge” and other notable shooting locations, and to seek out quirky relics like the film’s “Amity National Bank” plaque, which is preserved at the real-life Rockland Trust Bank in Edgartown.
Photo Credit : Carol Christopher Photography
Visitors to Martha’s Vineyard have long been able to soak up the Hollywood vibe by taking Jaws-themed tours with local outfits such as Edgartown Tour Company and HomeGrown Tours. However, if you’re on the island this June, there’s a blockbuster lineup of special events that promises to make your trip downright sharktastic.
Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story: On June 20, the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center hosts the premiere of this in-depth National Geographic documentary on the making of Jaws; when the free tickets are released to the public, expect them to go quickly. The June 22 and June 25 screenings at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center, featuring a live discussion with Wendy Benchley, wife of the late Jaws novelist Peter Benchley, have already sold out. Another option? Nab a ticket to the June 24 or June 28 screening at the Nantucket Film Festival.
Jaws: The After-Party (June 20): Admission to this shindig at the Harbor View Hotel doesn’t come cheap, but it’s hard to imagine a more enticing setting for diehard Jaws fans. Expect to mingle with filmmakers and industry insiders as you sip shark-themed cocktails and load up on exclusive Jaws swag and photo ops.
Jaws in Concert (June 21): Cape Cod Symphony performs the live score for an outdoor screening of Jaws at Winnetu Oceanside Resort. The “Big Boat” general admission gets you a commemorative anniversary blanket, tote bag, and other goodies, while the “Bigger Boat” VIP ticket comes with reserved seating, food and cocktails, and yet more swag.
Amity Homecoming Weekend at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum (June 19-23): Cast and crew members, historians, and film experts are among the stars of this five-day celebration, named for the fictional community in which Jaws is set. While several of the special programs and talks—including an appearance by Wendy Benchley—have sold out, waitlists are available. And anyone can score admission to the museum’s newly debuted “signature” exhibition, “Jaws at 50: A Deeper Dive,” which sheds light on how Martha’s Vineyard became Amity Island, with its rare photos and film artifacts (yes, that is a life-size replica of the Jaws shark’s head).
Amity Week (June 19–29): The Edgartown Board of Trade is throwing a townwide party for Jaws’s big 5-0, and tickets for marquee events are going fast (for instance, “Meet the Cast & Crew” nights at the Wharf Pub have already sold out). But there’s still plenty to choose from, such as:
• June 19: The “Amity” MV Sharks take on the “Quint” North Shore Navigators in a collegiate baseball face-off, with special Jaws-themed jerseys for sale.
• June 20: Edgartown Books hosts a Jaws 50th anniversary book signing with authors Mike Smith (Finatics: 50 Years of Jaws) and Dennis Prince (Joe Alves: Designing Jaws), and special guest Joe Alves, Jaws production designer.
• June 22: Famed Massachusetts-based shark expert Dr. Greg Skomal presents “Jaws Revisited: What Have We Learned About the Great White Shark?” at the Old Whaling Church.
Discover more ways Martha’s Vineyard is marking the 50th anniversary of Jaws when you visit the MV Chamber of Commerce website.
