Thanksgiving and Nantucket Stroll 2018
Celebratory energy is at every shingled corner and brick cobblestone during Thanksgiving and Stroll, two of Fisher’s favorite island festivities.
This year Nantucket Stroll is on Friday, November 30th to Sunday, December 2nd, 2018.
The Nantucket Stroll holiday unofficially begins during the week of Thanksgiving. Town and neighborhoods across the island are reinvigorated when businesses and summer residences turn up their lights and heat! Nantucket summer lovers are catching on that the Thanksgiving and Stroll holiday is “the most wonderful time of year” 30 miles out to sea. Here are some Fisher tips to enjoy a joyous Nantucket Stroll and Thanksgiving holiday surrounded by friends and family!
Nantucket Stroll 2018
One week after Thanksgiving weekend, we are treated to a second holiday, Christmas Stroll! There is so much to do during the three days of Stroll that you’ll need to make a list and check it twice! “Strolling” is all about wandering around Town and taking in the shopping, sights, sounds and smells. Here are Fisher’s tips to make the most of your Nantucket Stroll 2018 weekend and stay tuned for a fun Fisher sponsored event – details to be announced later.
Make Those Dinner Reservations Well in Advance
Trust us- you don’t want to head into the weekend without reservations if you plan on dining out. Almost every restaurant will be at capacity on Friday and Saturday night. The honest reality is that you may not get the same service as you do in July, so please be kind to those working in the restaurant industry who operate seasonally. This list from Nantucket Visitor Services is our favorite resource for finding restaurants open this week on Nantucket.
Shop ’Til You Drop
The Stroll holiday originated in 1973 to keep islanders local to do their holiday shopping. The Nantucket Stroll 2018 Craft Show continues the tradition by offering amazing items from more than 40 Nantucket artists and artisans. Head over to the Preservation Institute at 11 Center Street on Saturday from 9-5. Find a variety of crafts from ornaments, textiles, pottery, floral arrangements, woven items, wooden whales and much more! The Nantucket Stroll Christmas Marketplace will set up in the Stop & Shop parking lot in Town. Rows of vendors will be selling hot food, handcrafted gifts and merchandise in an open-air market that is sponsored by the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce. Finally, enjoy discounts up to 70% at shops all around Town, the sales seem to drop further as the weekend goes on. Follow this link for a list of all the Craft Fairs from Thanksgiving to the end of December.
Go See a Show
White Heron Theatre – A Nantucket Christmas Carol
5 actors take on all the classic characters from the beloved Dickens story, reimagined as a tale from the American whaling era. Set on The Far Away Island, A Nantucket Christmas Carol features fast paced humor, classic Christmas music, imaginative stagecraft and mesmerizing quick-change artistry. Opening Thanksgiving Day with performances on November 22, 23, 24, 29, 30, and December 1, 2, 6, 7, 8. Link to tickets.
Theatre Workshop – Miracle on 34th Street, The Musical
Get tickets early for this musical running from November 15th – December 9th at Bennett Hall. Experience this Christmas classic come to life on stage directed and choreographed by Justin Cerne. A mix of off- and on-island actors will comprise the cast of 26 actors and 3 musicians. Link to tickets.
Nutcracker
We get not two, but three holiday classics this season! Local dancers (from youth to adult) from the Nantucket Ballet will perform A Nutcracker Suite. This is a shorter family-friendly version of the beloved holiday classic. Save the date Saturday, December 9th, at 1:00 and 4:00pm at the Dreamland. They will also perform a short set at the Whaling Museum on December 2nd at 4:00 with a meet and greet with Clara and Sugar Plum Fairy for the kiddos after!
Santa! I Know Him!
There are a few chances to see Santa in person this year. He is scheduled to arrive midday on Stroll Saturday on the Coast Guard Cutter and ride up to the Jared Coffin House with the Town Crier. Expect a line of families down Broad Street patiently waiting for this once in a lifetime opportunity! For an adorable photo opportunity of Santa with your four-legged friend, head to Strong Wings on Nobadeer Farm Road on Sunday from 11-2. They have tables full of pet costumes and decorations so all you need to bring is your friendly pup. This fundraiser is for Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals and there is a suggested donation of $25. Link to Facebook event.
Head Back to the Whaling Museum for The Festival of Trees
The Nantucket Historical Association says, “The Festival of Trees is the NHA’s highly anticipated holiday tradition that begins during Nantucket’s Stroll weekend and transforms the Whaling Museum into a festive winter wonderland for the entire month of December! This event now in its 25th year features community-crafted trees designed by local merchants, nonprofit organizations, artists and children.” Tickets will sell out early for the Preview Party on November 29. Missed out on tickets? The trees remain on display from November 30–December 31, 2018.
Contact Your Fisher Agent to Book Your Holiday Vacation Rental or Go House Hunting
We at Fisher Real Estate would love to help you celebrate Thanksgiving and Nantucket Stroll 2018, with either a week-long vacation rental, or to purchase the home of your dreams where loved ones can gather during the holidays. Finally, reach out to your trusted Fisher Agent to schedule some showings or help book a last-minute Stroll rental!
Thanksgiving on Nantucket 2018
As Brent says, Thanksgiving is the time to “open your doors to others, do something nice for strangers and show gratitude for those who grace your table.” Just on the heels of Thanksgiving, Stroll is a mix of quintessential, small-town activities, like craft fairs and Christmas Carolers, with revelers in holiday outfits filling the streets and restaurants.
Prepare Your Meal in Advance
Do your grocery shopping as early as possible. Stop & Shop will become the place to see and be seen leading up to Thursday. Stop & Shop on Sparks Avenue and Salem Street will both be closed on Thanksgiving Day.
Why not order your bird, fixings and pies from one of our fantastic local shops? Some wonderful options include the Meat and Fish Market, Bartlett’s Farm (link to menu), Nantucket Culinary (link to menu), Wicked Island Bakery (link to menu), 45 Surfside (link to menu) and Annye’s Whole Foods (link to menu). Order and pick up ahead of time to take the stress of cooking “off your plate”!
Celebrating Thanksgiving at a restaurant on Nantucket makes a lot of sense for those who may not have a fully stocked kitchen or the time to prepare a dozen different dishes. Reach out to The Breeze at The Nantucket Hotel (link to menu) or the Brant Point Grill at The White Elephant to reserve your table for their buffet feasts. Bonus: they both offer live music to brighten the festivities!
Stay Active Before and After Thanksgiving Dinner
Go for a Run
There will be a Brant Point Runners Thanksgiving Day 5K run Thursday November 22, 2018. Waiver sign registration is at 7:30 AM across from the Nantucket Hotel. The race starts 8 AM.
Go for a Swim
Take a quick dip into the shallow waters of Children’s Beach! Another nice way to burn calories is the Annual Turkey Plunge, a fundraiser for the Weezie Library for Children at the Nantucket Atheneum. Participants don everything from turkey costumes to the official 17th Annual Plunge tee shirt to the most brave- in only their bathing suits. You will find more participants on a mild, sunny day, however don’t forget to register ahead of time as you can save $20. You will need a sign up packet from the library or other Island locations. Pick up your bracelet and t-shirt at the Atheneum on Wednesday between 10 and 2. This event is about giving back to our library which enriches island life with over 500 free programs offered year-round. As MC Tommy B says, “Do it for the kids!” Thanks to Geno Geng for this video from the Turkey Plunge, 2016.
Get Outside
Now for another Thanksgiving Day tradition of taking a stroll post-feast to stretch your legs and bellies before your next piece(s) of pie. Keep it close to home by throwing a football in the yard or exploring your neighborhood by bike. We are lucky to have some epic nature walks on Nantucket. Or, bring your four-legged friends to a conservation area like Sanford Farm or Tupancy Links.
Visit the Festive Whaling Museum
At the 20th Anniversary of the Festival of Wreaths, bid on wreaths in a silent auction decorated by local artists. This is a smaller event but a very fun way to kick off the holiday season. The Preview Party will be held on November 20th and the Festival will continue November 21, 23-25, 2018.
Dreamland Conversations Presents John Kerry
The Dreamland says, “In the first-ever presentation of DREAMLAND STORIES, The Dreamland presents Secretary John Kerry in conversation with Dreamland board member and well-known broadcast journalist David Gregory. A Senator, major party presidential candidate, and Secretary of State during President Barack Obama’s administration, Mr. Kerry will discuss the state of politics in Washington post the midterm elections, as well as his brand new book, ‘Every Day Is Extra’. A signing will follow the conservation.” Get your tickets today as this event is sure to sell out! Link to tickets.