Holidays are Here!

12/01/2022

As the holiday season greets us, Nantucket slowly but surely transforms into the charming and elegant winter wonderland that it is. As the Christmas trees arrive on Main Street and are decorated by local students and businesses, the island fills with holiday cheer. This holiday season, Nantucket is celebrating the 48th anniversary of Christmas Stroll with many festivities, both historic and new. If the elegant ambiance of the island isn't enough to get you in the holiday spirit, there are enough activities and events to please all!

Island Holiday Traditions & Events

Nantucket Noel kicks off Friday, November 25th with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Head downtown before dusk to watch as over 150 Christmas trees lining the cobblestone streets light up, bringing a smile to your face and holiday cheer to the island. Following the lighting, community caroling will be led by Nantucket Highschool's choir group. This event brings the Nantucket community together beautifully, initiating a holiday season filled with elegance and joy. For more information, please click here.

On Saturday, December 3rd, head downtown for many Nantucket Stroll festivities. Wander through beautifully decorated downtown streets to find yourself at the Christmas Marketplace sprinkled with handcrafted gifts, snacks, and drinks sold by Nantucket Chamber members and non-profit organizations. Walk around with a cup of fresh hot chocolate and view each uniquely decorated tree throughout town, admire your favorite, and make sure to cast your vote for the annual "People's Choice Award" given to the favorite tree of the year! Don't miss the mysterious Talking Tree, decorated beautifully with colorful lights. Make sure to listen carefully, as the tree lets you know if your holiday wishes will come true! Performances by the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket, The Boys and Girls Club, Susan J. Berman, MCMC Vocalist, The Accidentals & Naturals, Nantucket Ballet, and others will continue on the Main Street Stage throughout the day. Around noon, Santa will be escorted by the Coast Guard's cutter and will parade up Main Street, and over to the Nantucket Historical Association's Whaling Museum for a meet and greet, and to drop off your letter to the North Pole. Don't miss out on the Ugly Sweater Contest at the top of Main Street later in the afternoon, just before joining the community for caroling on Main Street, led by world-renowned Victorian Carolers to close out a remarkable Saturday celebration to kick off the weekend, and holiday season.

Another favorite holiday tradition is heading downtown to the Nantucket Whaling Museum for The Festival of Trees, made possible by the Nantucket Historical Association. Visit the museum from December 2nd through 31st, as it transforms into an elegantly decorated winter wonderland of beautifully crafted trees decorated by a variety of community organizations and members.

There will be a number of other festive events hosted by local businesses throughout the weekend. For the most up-to-date schedule of activities, please visit Nantucket Chamber's website here, and be sure to pick up a copy of the 2022 Official Stroll Program from its table in Santa's Village marketplace on Saturday, December 3rd from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Shop Local

To encourage local commerce for the holiday season, and promote community sustainability, each year Nantucket Chamber of Commerce continues the Annual Red Ticket Program. Beginning on November 1st, for each $25 spent at participating local businesses, consumers will receive one red ticket. On December 24th, join the community on Main Street, for the red ticket drawing to see if you are one of the lucky winners of this year's prizes. If you are home for the holidays or visiting for Stroll, be sure to pay attention to the double red ticket days (November 26th, Stroll Weekend, and December 17th) where you will be given double the red tickets, and double the chances to win big! This island event is a great way to support the island economy, get your holiday shopping done, and increase your chances of winning a cash prize!

Restaurant Reservations

If you find yourself on Nantucket during the holiday season, there is always plenty to do that is sure to bring you holiday cheer. Make sure to visit the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce's website to stay up to date on all that's going on.

Happy Holidays, Nantucket!