WaterWORKS 2026 is coming up on January 13!
A unique regional celebration with free events for everyone!
WHAT: First Day Hikes Cape Cod2026 – 5th Anniversary Celebration
WHEN: Thursday, January 1, 2026, 6:45 am – 3 pm
WHERE: Various locations across Cape Cod (Barnstable, Brewster, Chatham, Dennis, Falmouth, Harwich, Mashpee, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Truro, Wellfleet, Wareham)
WHO: General Public
COST: FREE
PROGRAM SCHEDULE: 6:45 am – 3:00 pm; Individual program details will be available after the Thanksgiving Holiday
Did you know that “Getting Outside More” is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions, one of the easiest to keep, and one of the cheapest to implement? Celebrating its fifth anniversary with free events across the region, First Day Hikes Cape Cod is a beloved tradition where everyone can start the new year off on the right foot.
This fifth anniversary of this regional celebration features free events across Cape Cod including a range of opportunities for families, children, residents, and visitors to explore nature on the first day of the new year. Spearheaded by Barnstable Land Trust, and representing 16 organizations across Cape Cod, this one-of-a-kind regional celebration will include close to 20 special events throughout the day including sunrise hikes, nature walks, educational programs, and more. Previous festivals have attracted hundreds of people from on and off Cape Cod.
The day-long festival also celebrates the first anniversary of cape-wide Conservation Community Calendar which invites visitors and residents alike to explore nature programs year-round with just one click! Last year, over 660 programs were featured by nonprofit conservation group members throughout the year!
About First Day Hikes Cape Cod
Championed by Barnstable Land Trust and supported by fifteen local conservation organizations, First Day Hikes Cape Cod celebrates the 5th Anniversary of this first-in-the-nation regional event that encourages people to get outdoors with free guided walks and activities to explore Cape Cod’s parks, trails, and natural resources. A tradition often celebrated by state park systems across the country, Cape Cod was the first to launch a regional initiative involving nonprofit conservation groups. This year participating nonprofit and conservation organizations include the 300 Committee Land Trust (Falmouth), Barnstable Land Trust, Brewster Conservation Trust, Chatham Conservation Foundation, Dennis Conservation Land Trust, Friends of Bass River (Dennis), Friends of Herring River (Wellfleet/Truro), Harwich Conservation Trust, Native Land Conservancy, Orenda Wildlife Land Trust, Orleans Conservation Trust, Provincetown Conservation Trust, Sandwich Conservation Trust, Salt Pond Bird Sanctuaries (Bourne), Wareham Land Trust, and Wellfleet Conservation Trust. To find out more, check www.blt.org/firstdayhikescapecod for more details in early December. The day-long festival also celebrates the first anniversary of cape-wide Conservation Community Calendar which invites visitors and residents alike to explore nature programs year-round with just one click. Last year, over 660 programs (many free) were featured by nonprofit conservation groups throughout the year. (https://blt.org/capeconservationcalendar)
About Barnstable Land Trust (BLT)
Barnstable Land Trust is a community-supported, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving open space and natural resources in the Town of Barnstable and nearby areas. BLT has protected nearly 1,250 acres in the Town of Barnstable and supported the Town in conserving over 11,000 more. Celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2023, BLT is a regional leader in collaborative land preservation and stewardship, community engagement, training, and advocacy. BLT also leverages its conservation expertise to inform local public decisions as they impact our ecosystems, community health, well-being, and quality of life. To learn more about or access one of its three popular trail map guides (Barnstable Trail Guide – English and Portuguese versions, Cape Cod Pathways/Barnstable Trail Guide, and Eagle Pond & Little River Sanctuary Trail Guide), visit BLT.org. Offering over 130 programs annually including popular series like Hike Barnstable, Marsh Madness, Earth Month, Climate Conversations, and Volunteer First Fridays, check out BLT’s calendar of events here.