Event Dates
From: Friday, September 5, 2025
To: Sunday, September 7, 2025
Provincetown
Swim for Life Weekend 2025
Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla essence embodies Provincetown as a place of healing and compassion.
Provincetown Swim for Life Weekend 2025
The Provincetown Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla essence embodies Provincetown as a place of healing and compassion.
- Visiting Ptown? Book your stay at the Carpe Diem Guest House, rated “Superb” by our readers and located right by Commercial St, close to all the Swim For Life activities.
The Swim Event
- Saturday 6th Sept 2025 – Swimmers will swim along the East End shoreline from the Breakwater Hotel near Snail Road to Johnson Street Beach, 1.2 miles. The swim begins at 2.30 pm.
- The Provincetown Swim for Life celebrates the PTown community as one that not only cares about local health and well-being, but also about Planet Earth, which faces unparalleled environmental challenges.
- Provincetown is a spiritual home to people across the globe. A place of hope and promise. Swimmers have come from France, Bulgaria, Australia, Mexico, Spain, UK, Canada and beyond.
- Stay at the Brass Key Guest House rated “Wonderful” by guests with a perfect location, charming hosts and famous outdoor pool for those who want to practice their swim strokes before the race!
Watch Parties
- Watch Parties for the public along the shoreline to cheer on the swimmers.
- Beach locations: St Mary of the Harbor, 517 Commercial St; Cape Codder Guest House, 570 Commercial St; Kandall Lane and Pearl Street Town Landing.
History of the Event
- In the summer of 1988, artist Jay Critchley and dancer Walter McLean wanted to test their swimming ability by swimming across Provincetown Harbor. The two made the swim and two weeks later organized the first Swim for Life, which continues to celebrate the healing waters and ecology of the harbor, while raising money for local health services.
- The event has grown to attract swimmers, kayakers, volunteers and friends from throughout the country and abroad. With the assistance of 150 volunteers,400 swimmers and thousands of spectators, this annual fall ritual has become an event that defines the best of the Provincetown spirit.
- Provincetown is the fastest selling destination out of 200+ cities on our site, don’t delay, book your hotel as soon as possible.
The Mermaid Brunch
- Awaiting venue and time confirmation for 2025
- In 1991, Helen Roczkowski, a local gourmet chef, produced the first legendary Mermaid Brunch at the home of iconic Provincetown artist Hans Hofmann, which immediately followed the Swim, catered by Far Land Provisions.
- The Mermaid Brunch has since been held at at the big white tent & Prayer Ribbons Garden. Other venues have included the Cannery Wharf Park, Crown & Anchor pool, Bas Relief Park and the Boston Ferry.
- The free meal is attended by hundreds of participants and is open to the community.
Celebration of Life Concert
- On the Friday after Labor Day since 1994, from 8 pm.
- This euphoric community songfest at the UU Meeting House was created by John Thomas and Jim Vincent in 1994 in association with the Swim for Life. John Thomas has directed this free concert since, offering a rousing prelude to the next day’s Swim.
- The Mermaid Brunch, along with the Celebration of Life Concert, has propelled the Swim for Life into a weekend long celebration
The Prayer Ribbons
- From the lofty ceiling of the Meeting House to the deck of the Boatslip, from across Commercial Street to the State House in Boston, these five-foot long, inscribed colored ribbons are a dominant visual presence at the Swim for Life weekend.
- Prayer Ribbons were initiated in 1993 to provide a visual witness to the swimmers as they crossed the harbor from Long Point to the Boatslip, each swimmer with his or her own personal images, hopes and fears.
- All are invited to inscribe the names of those they love – and personal messages – to those they wish to celebrate in their lives, both living and deceased.The ribbons commemorate the devastation that AIDS has done to our community, but they also challenge us to live our lives more fully and joyfully. They create a visual statement about Provincetown as a community, its contradictions, its conflicts, its possibilities.
Trending Hotels in PTown
The following hotels are currently trending with our readers. All are close to the Swim for Life Events:
Recommended Hotels
Where to stay close to all the gay bars.
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
Where we stay!
The Carpe Diem Guesthouse is our
home from home when in Provincetown.
Official Website
For further information and advice on
Swim for Life Weekend Website
Gay Map of Provincetown
Provincetown itself has two main drags, Commercial Street and Bradford Street. P’town can be divided into three sections, the quiet and peaceful West End, the bustling downtown center, and the East End, which has a number of galleries and guesthouses.
7 Cook St, Provincetown, MA 02657
Located in the heart of Provincetown’s art gallery district, the historic Inn at Cook Street was originally built in 1836. It features unique, individually decorated guest rooms and serves a daily hot breakfast.
Each guest room is decorated with original local artwork and offers antique furnishings. A flat-screen TV and en suite bathroom are included.
12 Winthrop Street Provincetown, MA 02657
This Cape Cod Bed and Breakfast is centrally located in the heart of Provincetown and boasts 3 outdoor decks. Whale watching from the pier is less than 10 minutes’ walk away.
The Beaconlight Guest House features rooms with an en suite bathroom, a flat-screen TV with DVD player, and a refrigerator. The rooms are furnished with bright colors and inviting décor, and offer plush bathrobes.
102 Bradford Street Provincetown, MA 02657
This historic Provincetown hotel, located in the heart of Provincetown, Massachussets, boasts a large courtyard and gardens as well as free WiFi access. Pilgrim Monument is 290 m away.
Every room at The Provincetown Hotel at Gabriel’s features a a cable TV. Many rooms have a fireplace. They are uniquely decorated in warm colours, plush bedding, and wood furnishings. Select rooms offer a private balcony.
176 Commercial St Provincetown, MA 02657
This Provincetown property features rooms equipped with refrigerators and free Wi-Fi. The Pilgrim Monument and Park are within a 10-minute walk of the property.
Rooms are uniquely decorated and with large windows and balconies at the Anchor Inn Beach House. The rooms have antique-style furnishings and white bedding.
Provincetown, MA
This apartment will provide you with a satellite TV and DVD player, air conditioning and a living room. The kitchenette has a microwave, a fridge and an oven, as well as coffee machine. A patio and free WiFi.
Provincetown, MA
All units have a satellite TV. There is also a kitchen, equipped with a dishwasher, microwave and fridge are also offered, as well as a coffee machine. There is a private bathroom with free toiletries in every unit.
Provincetown, MA
The holiday home has 4 bedrooms, a TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 4 bathrooms with a bath. Private parking and free WiFi.
Provincetown, MA
This home offers it all! Just steps to the best spots downtown and direct access to a beautiful bay beach. This air-conditioned holiday home has 4 bedrooms, a cable TV, and a kitchen with a microwave and a fridge.
6 Masonic Place Provincetown, MA 02657
Provincetown's Oldest and Most Popular Gay Bar in Town Featuring The Little Bar, a jukebox bar with fireplace, The Macho Bar, a leather cruise bar, and The Dance Club
Historic District, 186 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657
Gay bar with Friendly staff, great company and good music with shows
359 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657, United States
Walk through a long courtyard and pass some stores to find this modern, minimalist gay bar overlooking the beach, the place to be for the sunset
293 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA 02657, United States
Fun gay bar with lots to do like Pool Tables, Ping Pong, Air Hockey, Darts
161 Commercial St Provincetown, MA 02657
Internationally renowned destination for LGBTQ+ travelers and home to the world famous Tea Dance. Located on the water in the West End of town on Commercial Street
247 Commercial St Provincetown, MA 02657
The Crown & Anchor features six unique bar venues including the town's largest nightclub (Paramount), the town's only video bar (Wave), a cabaret venue, a poolside bar with heated pool, a piano bar and an ever-popular leather bar (The Vault). The Crown also features the Central House at the Crown—a year-round restaurant offering lunch and dinner
9 Carver St, Provincetown, MA 02657
The Porchside Lounge is the friendliest meeting place in Provincetown! Join friends for a game of pool, challenge yourself to a video game or relax at one of the indoor lounge areas or outdoor porch bars. Enjoy good conversation, renew old acquaintances and make new friends!
10 Carver Street Provincetown, MA 02657
Chill Lounge located on the corner of Carver Street Upscale and sophisticated gay bar
177 Commercial St Provincetown, MA 02657
Per dinner drinks are always good here, so is the food
Amazing waterfront outdoor deck dinning with a 180 degree view of Provincetown Harbor. Fresh seafood, American continental, weekly specials, late nigh bar
207 Commercial Street Provincetown, MA 02657
Gay bar with a beautiful waterfront deck bar boasts magnificent views, creative cocktails, and an exceedingly comfortable atmosphere.and with a nice patio overlooking the water
149 Commercial Street Provincetown, MA 02657
A relaxed little gay bar mixed ages
Recommended Hotels in Provincetown By Booking
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Provincetown that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
Anchor Inn Beach
4 Star, Luxury
- 4 Star – Unique Decor, Large Windows and Balconies
- Close to the gay district
- Refrigerators, antique-style
- Provincetown property with uniquely decorated rooms, refrigerators, Wi-Fi, close to Pilgrim Monument and Park.
Beaconlight House
4 Star, Readers Choice
- 4 Star – Outdoor Hot Tub, Flower Gardens
- Close to the gay district
- En suite bathroom, flat-screen TV
- Features en suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs with DVD players, refrigerators, outdoor hot tub, and flower gardens.
Inn at Cook Street
4 Star, Great Value
- 4 Star – In The Heart of Art Gallery District
- Close to the gay district
- Unique decorations, flat-screen TV
- In Provincetown’s art gallery district, historic inn with individually decorated rooms, daily hot breakfast.
Hotel at Gabriel’s
4 Star, Location
- 4 Star – Large Courtyard and Gardens
- Close to the gay district
- Cable TV, fireplace, balcony
- In central Provincetown, offers free WiFi, rooms with cable TVs, fireplaces, warm colors, and plush bedding.
Video Of Provincetown Swim for Life Weekend
Swim4Life 2020 – 90 Second Bumper
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