This New England Holiday Fest is Blending Classics with Contemporary For its 50th Anniversary
As the days get shorter and chillier, leaning all the way into the holiday spirit can help power through the windy, cold weather and breathe some life into the season. Plus, there’s always comfort and familiarity in the traditions of the holidays—but that doesn’t mean each year’s celebration has to feel repetitive.
On Nantucket, that nostalgic, familiar holiday feel is met with a refreshed and contemporary energy as the island kicks off its 2024 Nantucket Noel season, which runs from November 1 through December 31. Nantucket Noel hosts a full calendar of holiday festivities, celebrating the season and all the local businesses and vendors that help create the island’s personality. This year, the island’s classic and long-standing holiday tradition, the Christmas Stroll, celebrates its 50th anniversary. In celebration of this milestone, this year’s event—which features visits from Santa, live entertainment, vendors, craft shows and more—is extra exciting.
Should you visit December 6 through 8, you’ll be in town for Christmas Stroll weekend to experience all the Christmas motifs you know and love—think visits from Santa Claus and steaming cups of hot chocolate—mixed with entertainment, local specials, and small businesses that offer a unique holiday-season experience. But whichever weekend you choose to come to the island (and pro tip: we recommend booking soon to avoid hotels and reservations booking up), you won’t be without holiday festivities. Here’s our guide to planning your winter visit and enjoying all the activities and amenities Nantucket offers—fresh and vintage alike.
How to Get There and Where to Stay
You won’t be the only one traveling to Nantucket for the Christmas festivities—Saint Nick himself will also be making the trip, and he’s coming by boat. You, too, can travel by water: The island is easily accessible by boat, especially with Steamship Authority’s regularly scheduled ferries that run year-round.
For Santa, that trip is a change of pace, but one he welcomes. “It’s thrilling to be able to ride along with our dedicated Coast Guard officers coming across the water to visit my favorite island of Nantucket,” he says. “It’s a little different than a sleigh ride, but it can be just as much fun!”
But that’s not the only way to get to the island—if you opt to fly, it’s a great idea to stay at the Nantucket Inn, a recently renovated inn that celebrates the classic Nantucket aesthetic and is conveniently located near the airport. Other accommodation opportunities include the classic Nantucket Hotel and Resort, and boutique inns such as The Centerboard.
For more, head to nantucketchamber.org for a full list of accommodations. Advance recommendations are always a good idea!
What to Do
Nantucket-goers who opt to visit for the tree lighting ceremony—which takes place on Friday, November 29 at 4pm—will also experience Community Caroling, where musical performances provide a beautiful soundtrack to the scenic lights.
And if you’re on Nantucket for Christmas Stroll weekend, you, too, will get to see the island in its full winter wonderland glory. When you arrive, you can stop by the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce at Zero Main Street (second floor) for a copy of the 2024 Official Stroll Program that’ll be your guide to the latest on events and experiences. Those include a host of activities, including strolling carolers in Victorian garb, the Magical Talking Tree, craft shows and the arrival of Santa via his nautical sleigh on Saturday at noon.
Also on Saturday, the Stroll celebrates its 50th anniversary with a European-style Christmas marketplace that celebrates all the enchanting aspects of the season. From aromatic foods and treats to festive, delicious beverages and hand-crafted gifts and merchandise from local vendors, this event captures the holiday magic within Nantucket’s charming atmosphere.
As you stroll the island in all its Christmas glow, don’t miss the chance to learn more about the Stroll’s history and the history of Nantucket in general. Visit the Nantucket Historical Association online or in person when you arrive to look beneath the surface of the gorgeous views.
Where to Eat
The food scene on Nantucket, especially during its holiday celebrations, captures the nostalgia that’s so characteristic of the season: With homages to the island’s history, the dining you’ll experience is as exciting as it is classic.
Between bars and pubs for some brews, cocktails and wine, bakeries and cafes for smooth coffees and fresh breakfast pastries, and family-friendly dining options that’ll please both refined palates and young picky eaters, you won’t leave Nantucket hungry. Check out a comprehensive list of dining options here.
And for dessert, Aunt Leah’s Fudge is a staple of Nantucket’s culture (and with gift packages available, you can take some of these treats home with you for a guaranteed hit as a gift). Having been in business for nearly 50 years, Aunt Leah’s shop is celebrating Stroll with a commemorative tin.
“The painting of our fudge shop by Barbara Capizzo is my fondest memory of the Stroll,” says Aunt Leah. “This ‘old time’ painting really captured the essence of Nantucket and the Stroll years ago.” When you’re on the island, you can check out Capizzo’s painting on the tin at Aunt Leah’s shop on Straight Wharf.
To learn more about this year’s Stroll, click here.
This is a paid partnership between Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce and Boston Magazine
