If you’ve ever been to Nantucket in the springtime, you’ve likely heard of “Daffy Weekend”. Held on the last weekend in April, the annual Daffodil Festival kickstarts a series of events to celebrate the spring season on Nantucket. Known for the Antique Car Show and ‘Sconset tailgate picnic, the Daffodil Flower Show, the Children’s Bike Parade, and numerous contests for best Daffy hats and lavish costumes-this is a weekend you don’t want to miss out on! This year's 47th Annual Daffodil Festival 2023 will be held on April 27-30, 2023. 

How it started

In the 1970s, summer resident Jean MacAusland donated a million daffodil bulbs to be planted along Nantucket’s pathways and roads. The Nantucket Garden Club then organized its first Annual Daffodil Flower Show in 1974. A few years later, the spring festivities included an antique car parade followed by a community tailgate picnic in ‘Sconset. In 1983, 80 cars registered for the parade and 40 more crashed the party, and the rest was history!

Where it’s going

Fast forward to current time, the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce now hosts the Annual Daffodil Parade, which includes the Antique Car Show and ‘Sconset tailgate picnic, Daffy Hat Pageant, Children’s Bike Parade, Daffy Dog Parade, Daffy Festival Bazaar, along with various family events at Children’s Beach. For more information and a detailed itinerary of events click here.

The Nantucket Garden Club also continues to host the Annual Daffodil Flower Show at Bartlett’s Farm. This year the theme is “Seas of Daffodils” and events will be held from Saturday April 29th-Sunday April 30th. They continue to donate thousands of Daffodil bulbs each year to be planted by school children and over 4 Million daffodils can now be seen island wide.

Need a place to stay for Daffy Weekend? Contact an agent today to Book your Nantucket Rental.

North of town is Brant Point, one of the most iconic summer destinations on Nantucket. Brant Point serves as the point of entry for all those entering Nantucket Harbor, and as such, offers great views of both the harbor and Nantucket sound. The mostly residential neighborhood is bordered by the Cliff to the north and Town to the south. Charming estates, iconic beaches, and waterfront dining are all staples of Brant Point. Here are some of the reasons we love this North Shore neighborhood:

1.Brant Point Lighthouse, 2 Easton Street

Overlooking Nantucket Sound is Brant Point Lighthouse. Originally established in 1746, it was the second lighthouse ever built in the United States. The current structure was established in 1901 and is an active post for the U.S Coast Guard. This location is a favorite for fishing, destination weddings, and professional photography.

2.Children’s Beach, 15 Harbor View Way

Family friendly due to calm waters, playground, a park, a cafe, and a stage that hosts activities all summer long. There is a lifeguard on duty during the summer months and restroom facilities at this location.

3. Jetties Beach, 4 Bathing Beach Road

Jetties has a variety of activities for everyone. Sandbar Restaurant has an open-air dining area and live music during the summertime. There are also private sailing lessons & rentals available through Nantucket Community Sailing, and 6 tennis courts which are first-come first-serve at this location. The Boston Pops is also held annually at Jetties.

4.Lola 41, 15 Beach Street 

A vibrant and stylish restaurant with a sushi and cocktail bar. This is an island favorite for locals and visitors alike. Open for lunch and dinner, and a great place for evening cocktails. Make sure to order their famous truffle fries, you won’t regret it! 

5.Brant Point Shellfish Hatchery

Located on Brant Point beach right next to the lighthouse, here you can learn about the restoration of bay scallop commercial and recreational fisheries, shellfish production, water quality, and eel grass mapping and restoration. During the summer months you can schedule a tour of the space. For more information click here.

Contact an agent for a full list of properties available in Brant Point and enjoy reading about some of our favorite spots. 

Welcome to The Cliff, one of Nantucket’s most sought after locations. The Cliff area is home to luxurious properties, tranquil beaches, beautiful conservation trails, and beachfront restaurants. Whether you’re visiting the island for a weekend getaway in the shoulder seasons, enjoying a summer retreat, or looking to catch a sunset or trail walk, here is a list of places you must visit. 

1. Tupancy Links, 165 Cliff Road

A former nine hole golf course, this location offers approximately 1.5 miles of wonderful trails maintained by the Nantucket Conservation Foundation . Tupancy links has a large parking lot and the Cliff Road bike path runs right by the entrance. It is also dog -friendly and a pup favorite!

2. Steps Beach, 23 Lincoln Ave

If you’re looking to catch a spectacular sunset, or a picturesque view of Nantucket Sound, then Steps Beach is the place to go. During the summer months, you may also get a glimpse of the bioluminescent creatures at night. Note: there are no public restrooms or facilities at this location, and parking is limited.

3. Galley Beach Restaurant , 54 Jefferson Ave  

This chic restaurant is one of the few waterfront restaurants on the island. You can dine in the covered porch area or directly on the beach. 

4. Something Natural, 50 Cliff Road  

A bakery and sandwich shop right off the Cliff Road bike path. This location is great for grabbing something on the go before heading to the beach or after a long walk. Make sure to try some of their classic sandwiches, lemonades, and baked goods.

Check out available properties in the Cliff area here.

Every year during the first weekend of December, Nantucket businesses, merchants, local artists, non-profit organizations, and community members welcome the holiday season in one of the most anticipated island celebrations, Nantucket's Christmas Stroll. This year's Christmas Stroll weekend will be held December 2-4th.

Partake in the festivities by dressing up in your fanciest Stroll outfit or your coziest holiday sweater and head to town.. Support local businesses by picking up a gift and crossing items off your shopping list. And of course, you don't want to miss Santa Claus as he arrives (in true Nantucket fashion) by Coast Guard vessel, then makes his way from Straight Wharf to Main Street.

Check out a Calendar of Events below:

Friday December 2nd, 2022

11AM-5PM Holiday Trunk Show, (Thomas Macy Warehouse - 12 Straight Wharf)

10AM-7PM Festival of Trees, (Nantucket Whaling Museum)

7:30PM A Christmas Carol, (White Heron Theater Company - 5 N Water Street)

Saturday December 3rd, 2022, Main Street

10AM-3PM- Christmas Market & People's Choice Award? Storefront and Tree Decorating Contest

11:45AM- Town Crier Rings in Christmas Stroll

12-1PM - Santa Claus & Parade (Straight Wharf, Main Street, Centre Street, Whaling Museum)

1-2:30PM - Santa Meet and Greet (Nantucket Whaling Museum)

3PM - Ugly Sweater Contest

4:30PM - Community Caroling on Main Street

Saturday December 3rd-Sunday December 4th, 2022, Bartlett's Farm Garden Center

10AM-3PM Bartlett's Wreath Workshop

Saturday December 3rd, 2022, Mitchell's Book Corner, 54 Main Street

10AM-5:30PM Book signing Extravaganza

Saturday December 3rd & Sunday December 4th, 2022, Nantucket Whaling Museum

10AM-4PM Festival of Trees

The holiday season is fast approaching on Nantucket Island! Thanksgiving weekend is filled with many Island traditions and festivities. From the Turkey Plunge, to the Tree Lighting Ceremony, and the Festival of Wreaths, community members and families gather to celebrate.

The 21st Annual Turkey Plunge

Are you ready to brave the cold and take the plunge?! Everyone gathers at Children?s Beach, where participants charge into the chilly water. This event is taking place at 10AM on Thursday November 24th. You can also participate from afar- just as long as you take a plunge outdoors during Thanksgiving week. All benefits and proceeds go to Nantucket Atheneum Weezie Library for Children, who provide FREE access to yearly events for ALL members.

The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony . The Nantucket community will gather at the top of Main Street on Friday November 25th, 4:30pm to light the picturesque Christmas tree. Following the ceremony, you can enjoy caroling led by Nantucket High School's Accidentals & Naturals. Throughout the rest of the month and December, children, youth groups, businesses, and non-profit organizations decorate the trees for Christmas Stroll!

Festival of Wreaths

This year, following the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, you can join NHA at the Whaling museum on Friday November 24, 5pm-7pm and enjoy beautifully crafted wreaths by islanders, local businesses, non-profits, schools, and organizations. The Festival of Wreaths will be on display from Nov 19-26th.

For Rebecca Chapa, owner of the restaurant The Hungry Minnow, it means shuffling between the upstairs portion of her house to a small apartment in the basement every summer to make some extra cash. read more

With a controversial proposal that could reshape one of the pillars of Nantucket?s tourism economy?the short-term vacation rental market? the nascent island organization known as ACK?Now has made a splash over the typically quiet offseason. The group?s bylaw proposal to regulate and restrict short-term rentals has spawned an intense debate that encompasses property rights, affordable housing and community character, while also catching the attention of the giant online platforms like Airbnb and VRBO that facilitate them. read more