(Dec. 5, 2024) Christmas Stroll began in 1974 in large part to encourage Nantucketers to do their holiday shopping on-island following the construction of the Cape Cod Mall. Merchants also used the festive atmosphere of Stroll to attract visitors in an otherwise slow-paced time of year before closing up shop for the season.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this weekend, Nantucket’s annual Christmas Stroll has become much more than just a series of sales. Around 10,000 visitors have been coming to the island each Stroll weekend in recent years to partake in the festivities, which range from caroling, theatrical performances and fine dining to the arrival of Santa by Coast Guard patrol boat.
There’s an outside chance it could be a white weekend – the forecast calls for lows in the high-20s and a possibility of precipitation Saturday and Sunday – but it should be a festive time regardless.
The stage for this year’s Stroll – which begins tomorrow and runs through Sunday – has already been set. Around 100 evergreens line downtown streets, adorned with colorful lights and decorated by businesses, student groups and nonprofit organizations. Windows and doorways have also been spruced up with Christmas cheer in mind.
For last-minute calendar additions, log on to www.ack.net and visit the Calendar page.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday to Friday through the holiday season, Visual Arts Center Champion Gallery, 24 Amelia Drive. This Artists Association of Nantucket show features artwork by AAN students, teachers and staff.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through the holiday season, Cecelia Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery, 10 Washington St. The AAN presents an exhibition of small works by member artists perfect for holiday gift-giving.
Winter Street”7 p.m. Bennett Hall, 62 Centre St. Theatre Workshop of Nantucket presents Justin Cerne’s adaptation of bestselling island author Elin Hilderbrand’s “Winter Street” series of novels as its 2024 holiday production. Through Dec. 8. Visit www. theatrenantucket.org for additional dates, times and tickets.
Live Music: Crooked Coast
10 p.m. The Gaslight, 3 North Union St. Second show Friday. Cape Cod-based Crooked Coast fuses reggae rhythms, hip-hop grooves, a punk sensibility and rock hooks into an eclectic high-energy sound. 21 and over.
Live entertainment, a visit from Santa, festive holiday decorations, delicious food and more transform downtown Nantucket into a winter wonderland in the 50th anniversary Nantucket Christmas Stroll.
9 a.m.-3 p.m. Bartlett’s Ocean View Farm, 33 Bartlett Farm Road. Decorate a 12-inch wreath with scallop shells, pine cones, berries, glitter spray, fancy baubles and more. Bartlett’s provides the supplies,you provide the imagination.
Farmers and Artisans Market
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nantucket Yacht Club, 1 South Beach St. Sustainable Nantucket hosts more than 40 vendors offering locally-made food and artisan products.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Macy Warehouse, 12 Straight Wharf. Meet designer Katie Grover and check out her line of fine jewelry, including the Nantucket holiday dory pendant with stones.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Big Gallery, upstairs at 12 Straight Wharf. The Artists Association of Nantucket hosts an exhibition of large works by its artist members.
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nantucket Whaling Museum, 13 Broad St. The Nantucket Historical Association’s Festival of Trees transforms the whaling museum into a magical woodland of brilliantly-decorated holiday trees. Through Dec. 31 (closed Sundays and Christmas Day). Visit www.nha.org for more information. Preview party Dec. 5.
3-11 p.m. Nantucket Hotel, 77 Easton St. Nicole Miller, Andrea Marie and the Magnolia Band, saxophonist Damion Ellliott and DJ Billy Voss provide the entertainment to keep you in the holiday spirit.
Open House 3-5 p.m. Upstairs at 11 Centre St. Enjoy free hot cider and holiday treats in festively-decorated Sherburne Hall, while learning about Nantucket Preservation Trust’s ongoing advocacy work to preserve, protect and promote the island’s historic architecture and sense of place.
4-7 p.m. Cisco Brewers, 5 Bartlett Farm Road. Nantucket’s own alt-country band Buckle & Shake will perform.
5-7 p.m. Cecelia Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery, 19 Washington St. The Artists Association hosts a reception for its Holiday Small Works Show.
7 p.m. Dreamland Theater. 17 South Water St. The Dreamland Theater hosts its annual Stroll party, with The Hess Twins in the DJ booth, libations and bites from 8Arms Chef Services. Costume for best-dressed. The winner gets four tickets to the Stroll Daffodil Party in April. Tickets go fast. Reserve at www.nantucketdreamland.org
Christmas Concert7 p.m. 16 Fair St. St. Paul’s hosts an evening of holiday classics and a sing-along. Followed by dessert and bubbly.
Nantucket Lobster Trap, 7:30 p.m. Second show Saturday. St. Louis rock band will perform a mix of soul-inspired roots rock influenced by the wide rivers and red-brick streets of their home city.
10 p.m. Chicken Box, 6 Dave St. Second show Saturday. Boston party band Beach Nights brings its high-energy danceable groove to the Box. 21 and over
8 a.m. Handlebar Café, 15 Washington St. The Nantucket Clean Team meets weekly spring through fall to pick up trash around the island. Bags and pickers provided.
8 a.m. start, Surfside Beach parking lot, end of Surfside Road. A timed five-mile run through the Surfside neighborhood. All are welcome. The first 100 runners receive winter gloves compliments of the Nantucket Athletic Association.
9:30 a.m. Online antiques auction featuring Americana, furniture, accessories, fine art, Nantucket baskets, jewelry, sterling silver. Previews Thursday and Friday at American Legion Hall, 21 Washington St. Phone bidding also available. www.nantucketauctions.com
9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 16 Fair St. Boutique items, a hot lunch, seasonal gifts, a holiday bake sale and more. If you’re in town Friday, check out the annual holiday concert at 7 p.m. at the church.
10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Mitchell’s Book Corner, 54 Main St. Mitchell’s Book Corner hosts a day of book-signings, starting at 10 a.m. with Leslie Linsley (“Christmas on Nantucket”), followed at 1 p.m. by Debi Lilly (“Summer Style”), Nancy Thayer (“Let It Snow,” The Summer We Started Over”) at 2, Nathaniel Philbrick (“In the Heart of the Sea,” “Travels with George”) at 3 and Elin Hilderbrand at 4:30. The Hilderbrand signing will be limited to the first 150 people in line. Only books sold at Mitchell’s will be signed.
Entertainment 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Main Street Stage. Performances on the Main Street stage featuring Victorian carolers, island choirs, musicians, singers, dancers and more. Sponsored by the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce.
10 a.m.-noon, First Congregational Church, 62 Centre St. Climb the tower of the First Congregational Church for the best view of Nantucket, and meet Santa’s reindeer. $5 suggested donation benefits The Warming Place.
Christmas Café 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nantucket United Methodist Church, 2 Centre St., Wesley Hall. Stop in, rest and grab some chowder, chili, soup, hot and cold drinks, doughnuts and sweet treats.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. St. Mary’s Ca
tholic Church, outside on Cambridge St. St. Mary’s hosts a cookout of burgers, dogs, vegetarian chili, beverages and more.
Santa’s Christmas Village
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Parking lot at the foot of Main Street. Hot food, games, tables of unique merchandise by Chamber of Commerce members and information on the island’s nonprofits. Sponsored by the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce.
Decorating Contest 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Downtown. Vote at Zero Main Street Stroll through town to admire the gaily decorated trees and storefronts. Place your vote for the annual “People’s Choice Award.” Sponsored by the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. 5 Washington St. Anna P. Jay, featuring exclusively female jewelry designers, will host a trunk show.
Frog and Toad” 10 a.m. Dreamland Theater, 17 South Water St. The Dreamland Stage Company presents “A Year with Frog and Toad,” featuring an upbeat, jazzy score, making it an inventive, exuberant and enchanting musical for the whole family. Through Dec. 15. Visit www.nantucketdreamland.org for tickets and additional times.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. White Elephant Ballroom, 19 North Water St. The Nantucket Lighthouse School hosts this bazaar of handcrafted holiday items, heirloom-quality gifts, a curated art show, holiday bake sale, craft activities for children and more.
Town Crier Rings In Christmas Stroll
11:45 a.m., Main Street. Follow the town crier from Main Street to Straight Wharf as he signifies the start of Christmas Stroll and announces the imminent arrival of Santa Claus. Sponsored by the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce.
with Jon StetsonNoon, Nantucket Hotel, 77 Easton St. Known as “America’s master mentalist,” Stetson blends the art of mystery with the study of psychology, the predictability of human nature and the power of intuition, with a disarming sense of humor.
Comes to Town Noon, Straight Wharf. Santa arrives via Coast Guard cutter and travels up Main Street and around town. Sponsored by the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce.
The Nantucket Hotel 3-11 p.m. Nantucket Hotel, 77 Easton St. Nicole Miller, Andrea Marie and the Magnolia Band, saxophonist Damion Ellliott and DJ Billy Voss provide the entertainment to keep you in the holiday spirit.
3 p.m. judging, Main Street stage. Strut your stuff in your ugliest holiday sweater. Prizes. Sponsored by the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce. Sign-ups from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the Chamber table on Main Street.
4-7 p.m. Cisco Brewers, 5 Bartlett Farm Road. Second show at 3 p.m. Sunday. Alternative-indie singer/songrwriter Jeff Tuohy will perform.
4:30 p.m. Top of Main Street. Join Nantucket’s Victorian carolers for a very special sing-along on the steps of Pacific National Bank. Sponsored by the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce.
Dreamland Concert: Amanda Mena
6 p.m. Dreamland Theater, 17 South Water St. The Dreamland Theater presents a concert of holiday classics by Amanda Mena, winner of “The Voice” and an “American Idol” and “America’s Got Talent” finalist. Tickets at www.nantucketdreamland.org
7-10 p.m. Straight Wharf Fish, Harbor Square. Indulge in an evening filled with luscious bites and bubbly, stargazing on Straight Wharf, a festive photo booth, “cosmic” caroling, reindeer games and visits from the Sconset Santa, Gigi the Holiday Spirit Fairy and Zoltar the Fortune Teller. Tickets are limited, and available at www.mariamitchell.org.
2 and 5 p.m. Nantucket High School auditorium, 10 Surfside Road. Nantucket Dance Theater presents this shorter, family-friendly version of the beloved holiday classic. Join Clara as she encounters dancing snowflakes, candies and life-sized dolls, set to the music of Tchaikovsky, paired with dancers of all ages.
Skate with Santa 3-6 p.m. Nantucket Ice, 10 Backus Lane. Nantucket Ice will be transformed into a winter wonderland, with holiday music, dance performances, cookies, a cocoa bar, kids activities, a holiday photo booth and more. Santa will join skaters on the ice for an unforgettable holiday treat.
4 p.m. Summer Street Church, 1 Summer St. The Nantucket Community Music Center Jazz Band under the direction of Nigel Goss will perform a selection of holiday favorites and jazz standards.
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