While vacationing on Nantucket, don’t miss these special events geared to young
and old alike, from sandcastle-building to antique shows. In addition to the beautiful
beaches, outstanding cuisine and quaint little villages on the Island, there are
plenty of fun-filled activities for all.
Events
Nantucket Spring Restaurant Week
June 3- June 9
Enjoy a week of culinary extravaganza showcasing Nantucket’s superb restaurants
with special menus and price points.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Nantucket-Spring-Restaurant-Week/
Nantucket Book Festival
June 20-June23
Nantucket has a storied literary culture indeed, and we feel the time has come to
celebrate and share it. This year we're drawing upon the amazing people and places
of our island to create a multi-day cultural event celebrating the rich literary
resources of Nantucket's past, present, and future. We will instill a renewed enthusiasm
for books in our culture, connect authors and readers, encourage a love of reading
and writing among young people, and celebrate Nantucket Island as an oasis and haven
for the literary arts. Events include talks, panels, tented book fair, parties,
authors in bars, author brunch, a pig roast at the local brewery, and more.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Nantucket-Book-Festival/
Nantucket Film Festival
June 26 - June 30
The Nantucket Film Festival has become one of the premiere destination film festivals
in the world. Visitors come from all over to experience our preview screenings,
signature programs, and stand-out hospitality on a magical island rich with history,
a friendly atmosphere, and beautiful sandy beaches.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Nantucket-Film-Festival/
Nantucket 4th of July Celebration
July 4
Join us downtown for Nantucket's annual 4th of July celebration......Face painting,
sand painting, dunk tank, watermelon/pie eating contests, kid's parade, pet parade
and more. The Grande Finale of the day is the famous water fight with the Nantucket
Fire Department at noon
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Independence-Day-Activities-on-Main-Street/
Nantucket 4th of July Fireworks
July 4
Every July 4th, Jetties Beach on Nantucket is the place to be to view spectacular
fireworks. Nothing could be better than watching fireworks on a beach on Nantucket.
A great family event!
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Nantucket-4th-of-July-Fireworks/
Summer Kitchens House Tour
July 18
Each year the Nantucket Preservation Trust opens kitchens in an historic neighborhood
in the downtown area to educate about the significance of Nantucket’s historic houses
and to broaden knowledge about the possibilities that exist in designing new and
retaining historic kitchens in old houses. Kitchens are open the third Thursday
of July from 10am-4pm. Fact sheets about the history and architectural features
of each house are developed where appropriate information on kitchen designs, appliances,
architects, contractors, and furnishings.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Summer-Kitchens-House-Tour/
Nantucket Atheneum Dance Festival
July 22-July 27
Featuring stars from the dance world brought together by Artistic Director, Benjamin
Millepied, noted choreographer and newly appointed Paris Opera Ballet artistic director.The
festival includes many free outreach events for adults and children and culminates
with two spectacular evening performances on July 26 and July 27 which features
a dance program of classical and contemporary ballet. Tickets for the evening performances
will be available July 1st at the library and online. All other events are free.
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.
The festival began in 2007 and has featured principals and soloists from the New
York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Royal Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet,
and Paris Opera Ballet.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Nantucket-Atheneum-Dance-Festival/
Nantucket Comedy Festival
July 18-July 20
Nantucket's own comedy weekend, The Nantucket Comedy Festival, returns to the island
from July 18 - July 20, 2013. Featuring local youth comedians, regional touring
stand-up comics as well and nationally famous personalities, the weekend has something
for everyone. A festive event bringing great comedy to Nantucket while supporting
local chairities.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Nantucket-Comedy-Festival/
The Nantucket August Antiques Show
August 2 - August 5
The 2013 August Antiques Show is the highlight of Nantucket’s summer season. As
the Nantucket Historical Association’s major annual fundraising event, the 36th
annual antiques show will present a wonderful week of parties, lectures, and activities.
Managed by the prestigious Antiques Council, the show is one of the most highly
regarded antiques events on the East Coast, attracting collectors and enthusiasts
to the island.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Nantucket-Antiques-Show/
Boston Pops on Nantucket
August 10
Join us for our 17th annual Boston Pops on Nantucket concert to benefit Nantucket
Cottage Hospital with outstanding music and fireworks in a gorgeous setting on Jetties
Beach
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Boston-Pops-on-Nantucket/
Nantucket Race Week
August 10-August 18
Nantucket Race Week is an eight day series of sailing regattas, awards ceremonies
and parties. Sailors of all ages and skill levels from children in small craft to
grand prix racers in some of the finest sailing yachts in the world. Race Week is
headlined by the Opera House Cup Regatta. Now in its 41st year the Regatta was the
first all-wooden, single-hulled classic boast regatta on the Eastern seaboard. Hosted
by Nantucket Yacht Club and Great Harbor Yacht Club the week long series of events
benefits Nantucket Community Sailing (NCS).
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Nantucket-Race-Week/
The Big Game Battle
August 15-August 18
Join us for fishing, fun times, and to raise money for charity! This summertime
event is an offshore sport fishing tournament held on the history rich Island of
Nantucket. We will fish East or South of the Island for a wide variety of game fish
from bluefin, yellowfin, albacore, mahi mahi, blue marlin, white marlin, big eye
and more. The Nantucket Boat Basin is centrally located to fish these waters. The
Island also boasts an active nightlife. The hospitality of the Dock Master and Professional
Crews has been most accommodating since the inception of this event in 2002. This
is not a “money” tournament. We do support the competition between the boats and
crews. However, our most important goal is to have a fun weekend away with friends
and come home with many memorable stories. Each year the Big Game Battle Committee
will choose a foundation to support with the input from each boat captain and crews.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Big-Game-Battle/
The Annual Sandcastle & Sculpture Day
August 17
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!
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Sandcastle-and-Sculpture-Day/
The 41st Annual Opera House Cup Regatta
August 18
The Opera House Cup Regatta is a cherished tradition, held on the third Sunday of
August on Nantucket. The 41st Annual Opera House Cup Regatta will be Sunday, August
20th 2013. This Regatta was the first all-wooden, single-hulled classic boat regatta
on the East Coast, and it attracts some of the finest sailboats in the country.
It is a clean regatta as certified by Sailors for the Sea.
www.weneedavacation.com/Events/Annual-Opera-House-Cup-Regatta/
Search our Nantucket Events for even more events