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Nantucket Island Events
Nantucket kicks off the season with Daffodil Weekend and concludes with a flurry of excitement with Stroll Weekend. The spring, summer, fall and winter seasons offer so much to do for couples, families, wedding parties and groups. So when you are not shopping, dining or relaxing on a comfy chaise, check out our Calendar of Events below. Click to view a more detailed listing of events.
Nantucket 2012 Event Calendar
Click to view events in April, May, June, July, August, Sept., Oct. Nov., Dec.
April
Daffodil Festival Weekend, April 27 – April 29, 2012
From early April to mid-May, over three million daffodils of every color, shape and size will bloom on Nantucket. This blossoming, and the arrival of spring itself, is the focal point of celebration during Daffodil Festival Weekend. The Festival's grand event is the Antique Car Parade, which features more than 100 antique cars, decorated with daffodils, of course! After winding through town and across the island to the charming village of Siasconset, participants join residents and visitors for the Daffodil Tailgate Picnic. This "Nantucket-Style" tailgate picnic showcases traditional New England fare ranging from gourmet meals served on fine china to boxed lunches and burgers.
Other Daffodil Festival Weekend highlights include the Nantucket Garden Club's Daffodil Show, The Annual Daffy Dog Parade, Children's Daffodil Parade, and The Daffy Hat Pageant.
May
Daffodil 5K, April 29, 2012
The second annual Nantucket Triathlon Club's race starts at 8 am on Sunday, May 1. The scenic course traverses the village of''Sconset's historic neighborhoods as well as ocean side roads.
Nantucket Wine Festival, May 17 - 20, 2012
Providing a perfect excuse for wine lovers to head to Nantucket, the annual island Wine Festival is a multi-faceted exploration of food and wine. For more than twelve years, Nantucket has played host to over 100 wineries of international acclaim with a weekend filled with special events, including celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, seminars, a special charity gala, and auctions.
Figawi Race Weekend, May 25 - 28, 2012
Recognized as a top sailing event in the Northeast, and around the World , the annual Figawai Race Weekend is considered to be the official kick off to the Nantucket summer season among the sailing community. Thousands of sailing lovers and visitors from all over the country make this event a fun weekend to enjoy Nantucket.
June
Spring Restaurant Week, June TBD
Experience gastronomic bliss at the island's acclaimed culinary establishments during Nantucket's annual Spring Restaurant Week. With special menus and affordable price points, this event is not to be missed.
Nantucket Film Festival, June 20 - 23, 2012
The Nantucket Film Festival takes place over five days in June and has become a prestigious annual event within the international film community. Screening over 50 films of all genres, the Nantucket Film Festival draws 10,000 or more attendees, screenwriters, producers, agents, and movie stars each year. To learn more click here .
July
Independence Day Fireworks, July 4, 2011
Every July Fourth, Jetties Beach on Nantucket is the place to be to view spectacular fireworks.
Dance Festival, July TBD
Featuring dance stars from the New York City Ballet and the Paris Opera Ballet brought together by Artistic Director, Benjamin Millepied, choreographer and New York City Ballet principal dancer. Tickets for the evening performances cost from $45 - $85 (with discounts for students and seniors) and will be available July 1st at the library and at www.nantucketatheneum.org . All other events are free.
The week includes book author and illustrator talks, a film, classes and workshops for dance enthusiasts of all ages. All outreach events are free except for the July 22 & July 23 performances. For complete information visit the Schedule of Events page.
The Nantucket Atheneum Dance Festival is a major fundraising event for the Atheneum, which must raise 60 percent of its budget through special events and private donations.
Nantucket Comedy Festival, July 25 - 28, 2012
This festive event brings great comedy to Nantucket while supporting local charities. Hosted by Kevin Flynn and other notable comedians.
Nantucket Anglers' Club Billfish & Offshore Tournament, July 26 - 28, 2012
The Nantucket Anglers' Club 43nd Annual Billfish & Offshore Tournament is a two-day, one-night tournament for multiple species. The Boat/Team with the highest points total will be considered the winner of the tournament. The event opens with a welcoming party and closes with an awards banquet where results are celebrated; calcuttas and prizes given. The Billfish Tournament has always been a gentlemen's tournament open to the public with family and friends welcome.
August
Nantucket Race Week, August 11 - 19, 2012
Nantucket Race Week is an eight-day event that brings the entire Nantucket community together in an exciting week of regattas, award ceremonies, and parties. Perfect for all ages, this annual race provides fun and sport for all sailing levels.
Opera House Cup Regatta, August 19, 2012
The Opera House Cup Regatta is a cherished tradition held on the third Sunday of August on Nantucket. This Regatta was the first all-wooden, single-hulled classic boat race on the East Coast, and, as a result, it attracts some of the finest sailboats in the country.
Boston Pops, August 11, 2012
Every August, Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops host a concert on Nantucket's Jetties Beach for an evening of outstanding music and fireworks - all set on one of Nantucket's gorgeous beaches. This year the special guest to be announced. To purchase tickets, click here.
Sandcastle & Sculpture Day, August 18, 2012
Held every August, for the past 37 years! at Jetties Beach, this late-summer ritual is a favorite among participants and sandcastle admirers. Each year, over 50 sculptures emerge from the sand from families and teams vying for the top honors. The rules are simple - be creative! Highlights have included everything from Nantucket Lightship Baskets to VW Bugs. A visit to Jetties Beach to watch the sculpting in action or to view the finished sculptures at sunset is well worth the trip!
Big Game Battle, August 09 - 12, 2012
"The Big Game Battle" is an invitational fishing tournament held in August on Nantucket. Started by a group of "weekend warriors" looking for another excuse to spend time fishing on the water and participating in Nantucket's festivities, this event is now over nine years old and guarantees fun and excitement when fishing on island.
Nantucket Anglers' Club Shark Tournament, August 24 - 26, 2012
The Nantucket Anglers' Club 11th Annual Shark Tournament is a two-day offshore tournament, during which several species of sharks may be caught. Each boat may bring in and weigh one shark per day, the overall winning score consisting of combined total points of the two days. Prizes are awarded at a banquet on the final day of the tournament.
Nantucket Arts Week, Dates to be determined
A celebration of arts on Nantucket sponsored by the Nantucket Arts Council, this week long festival brings together the best of performing, visual, and literary arts to the island.
September
Slip 14 BlueFin Tuna Blast, September 8 - 10, 2012
Created with the goal of giving fisherman a professional and fun tournament for anglers and guests alike, Nantucket's Bluefin Blast, is a weekend of fishing, sharing stories, and enjoying the beauty of Nantucket Island.
Nantucket Slam, Cystic Fibrosis Benefit, September 09 - 11, 2011
The Nantucket Slam Cystic Fibrosis Catch for the Cure Tournament is an all-inclusive two-day competitive fishing tournament, designed to please the recreational and avid angler alike. This catch and release tournament is two days of competitive fishing for Bluefish, Bonito, Striped Bass, and Atlantic Bonito/False Albacore. The object is to obtain a "Slam," the outstanding angling accomplishment of landing three of a designated species by one angler in the same day! All proceeds benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Fall Restaurant Week, September 2011
Nantucket's annual Fall Restaurant Week offers special menus and affordable price points, making this culinary delight not to be missed.
The Nantucket Project , TBD
As the host hotel, the White Elephant offers the backdrop for this incredible gathering of eminent and accomplished visionaries, thinkers, business leaders, innovators and cutting edge creative performers in one of the most storied places in the the United States, Nantucket Island.
As a past guest of our hotels and marina on Nantucket, we wanted you to be one of the first people to know about this exciting event.
October
Fall Festival
Family Scalloping, October 1, 2012
An iconic island activity, October 1 on Nantucket marks the start of family scallop season. Island residents and visitors alike pull out their push rakes, waders, floating baskets, snorkel masks, flippers, and wetsuits and take to the water searching for scallops.
November
Festival of Wreaths, November 22-26, 2012
An annual Nantucket tradition, the Festival of Wreaths mark the start of the island's winter holiday season. Held on Thanksgiving weekend, the festival welcomes more than 1,600 visitors, free of charge, to enjoy more than eighty beautifully decorated wreaths in the Whaling Museum's Peter Foulger Gallery.
Nantucket Noel, November 24-December 31, 2012
Nantucket Noel kicks off a month-long celebration of sparkling lights, tree trimming, decorations, activities, and events that unite the entire Nantucket community.
Commercial Scalloping, November 2011-April, 2012
The commercial scalloping season on Nantucket begins in November and runs until April.
December
Christmas Stroll, November 30- December 4, 2012
Nantucket is particularly enchanting during the holiday season when New England's finest traditions come alive for the Annual Christmas Stroll weekend, which is part of Nantucket Noel a month-long celebration organized by the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce. Christmas Stroll weekend is a community holiday celebration attracting visitors from around the world. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on the island via a Coast Guard vessel and ride up Main Street in a horse-drawn carriage accompanied by the Town Crier. Carolers in Victorian costumes, bell ringers, student choirs, and other musicians perform on the Main Street stage as well as stroll through town performing; all the while visitors can enjoy Nantucket's unique shops and restaurants.
Festival of Trees, December 2-20, 2012
Opening Christmas Stroll weekend each year, the Festival of Trees transforms the Whaling Museum into a magical forest of about eighty beautifully decorated holiday trees. Ranging from traditional to whimsical, each tree is decorated by a member of the Nantucket community including schoolchildren, artists, merchants, and non-profits.
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