What's Going On Around Nantucket?
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Friday, April 17th:
- MMA Steam Squad For Grades 6-8: Telescopes With Dr. Jackie Milingo: From 3-5 p.m., telescopes are a powerful tool to explore the world beyond ours. Join MMA's Astronomy Director, Dr. Jackie Milingo, along with our educators to learn how telescopes work and how to use one. Join the MMA on the third Friday of each month for an exciting, hands-on STEAM Club designed specifically for students in grades 6–8. Each session invites participants to explore the intersections of science, technology, engineering, art, and math through creative challenges, guided investigations, and collaborative projects. From designing and testing inventions to analyzing natural phenomena and building artistic interpretations of scientific ideas, students will grow their curiosity, confidence, and problem-solving skills. Each month features a new theme and a fresh opportunity for discovery. This program is perfect for middle schoolers who enjoy exploring, making, experimenting, and thinking in new ways—no prior experience necessary. Register here.
- Unwind Under The Whale: Candlelight Creations: From 5:30-7 p.m. at the Whaling Museum, Unwind Under the Whale is a monthly series at the Whaling Museum, each featuring a special activity, light bites, and unique history components. Lean in to Nantucket’s candle making history by rolling a set of beeswax candles. Enjoy lite bites and a mocktail by Lemon Press and view collections items from the vault relating to the candle factories of Nantucket of yore. Learn more and buy tickets here.
- Teen Game Night: Go play games at the library. Teens and tweens are invited to play a selection of Nintendo Switch games like Just Dance and Mario Party and many more. The games will rotate and are first-come, first-served. This will take place from 6-8 p.m. at the Atheneum's gallery.
- Gathering Together - An Introduction To Foraging With Sean Allen, Part 2: The Plant Kingdom: From 6:30-8 p.m. at the Atheneum in their Learning Lab, in this workshop, you will build off their tenets of ethical foraging from the last workshop, and seek to apply those to the profiles of useful native and invasive species of plants. When you're outdoors, have you ever wondered which plants and mushrooms were safe to eat, and which ones to avoid? Join the library, with Sean Allen, Assistant Coordinator of Adult Programs and Self Taught Forager. Allen grew up harvesting beach plums, blueberries, and blackberries with their friends and family and have always loved being out in nature. During the 2020 Pandemic, Allen began to delve deeper into foraging as a skill and now can confidently identify many species of plants and fungi, plus their uses, though they are ever learning more. Register here.
Saturday, April 18th:
- Town Of Nantucket Paint Collection Event: From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., got leftover water-based paint? Bring it to the town's Semi-annual paint collection event. This will take place at the DPW Offices (188 Madaket Road). Accepted paints include latex, acrylic, and vinyl emulsion. For more information, click here.
- Grab & Go Bag: Colorful Parrots: From 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Weezie Library at the Atheneum, this week they are making colorful parrots- with a few sheets of paper and the outline of your hand, the parrots will come to life! As long as supplies last.
- Cinema For The Very Young: Every Tuesday and Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. at the Dreamland, join the theater with your little ones for a sensory-friendly Rated G or All Ages screening of a film/series (titles will not be announced in advance). Tickets are free and available online or at the box office. All children in attendance must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver throughout the 90 minute program. Lights will be left on at medium strength and the volume of the screening turned down to a moderate level to accommodate and encourage socialization. Learn more and get tickets here.
- Mindful Minute: Connecting To Art And History Through Conversation: Drop-in and join the NHA for a mindful museum experience. Discover connections to art and history as Museum guides create conversation about works in our collection. From 10:45 - 11:15 a.m. at the Whaling Museum. This is free to attend.
- Nature Storytime: Enjoy this program designed for the young explorer in your family. During each session, an MMA educator will read a nature or science themed book, introduce you to one of the MMA's animal friends, and will finish up with an activity related to the story. This is a recurring program, but the specific focus and materials provided will change each week. At least one adult must sign up with children. This program is designed to be interesting for children ages 3 and older. This program meets at the MMA Natural Science Museum at 7 Milk Street from 11-11:45 a.m. Learn more and register here.
- Origami Time: From 1-2 p.m., join the Atheneum for a fun weekly origami workshop. We will learn about a new design each week and progress through the steps together. At the end you will be able to take home your paper folding project.
- What's In Your Attic: A Community Show-And-Tell: From 3-4:30 p.m. at the Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum (158 Polpis Road), Egan Maritime Institute invites members of the community to showcase personal items connected to Nantucket’s maritime or general history. Selected local presenters* will bring an item to the museum and join Egan Maritime staff in a lively gam exploring its personal significance, historical context, and the stories it may hold. Plus, get an exclusive look at artifacts from the Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum’s ‘attic’ (archival storage) that aren’t typically on display. Together, we'll uncover how personal items/artifacts and storytelling contribute to local history. Join them as a presenter by applying below, or, come as an audience member and learn what your neighbors have tucked away in their attics. The program includes: Community show-and-tell: presentations via a relaxed, facilitated discussion; Audience Q&A: ask questions, learn from others, and join the conversation; and Social coffee break: connect with your community. Submit your item here and learn more here.
Sunday, April 19th:
- NCTV Filmmaking Workshop: Beginning at 9:30 a.m., NCTV is hosting a free workshop upstairs at the Dreamland Studio Theater. Community members will come together to learn fundamentals, workshop ideas, and network with one another. Get a head start on your NSF26 Short Film. Participants must reserve a free ticket for entry.
Ravenous Reptiles: Join MMA staff on a tour as they feed the hungry animals at the Natural Science Museum. Learn about the unique adaptations of turtles, frogs, snakes, and more at the MMA Natural Science Museum. You will get to learn about and interact with several of the MMA Natural Science Museum educational animals. This is a great way to learn about native and non-native species up-close, especially if you love animals. At least one adult must sign up with children. This program is designed to be interesting for adults and children ages 4 and older. This program meets at the MMA Natural Science Museum at 7 Milk Street from 12-12:45 p.m. Pre-registration is recommended as programs do fill up but walk-ins are welcome subject to availability. Program begins promptly at start time. Learn more and register here.
- Sensational Science: Everyday Engineering - Spinning Tops: From 1-2 p.m., spin up some fun and explore a variety of spinning tops. Then, using recycled materials, try your hand at making a top of your own. How long will it stay spinning? At least one adult must sign up with children. This program is designed to be interesting for children ages 4 and older. This program meets at the MMA Natural Science Museum at 7 Milk Street. Pre-registration is recommended as programs do fill up but walk-ins are welcome subject to availability. Program begins promptly at start time. Cost per participant is free, chaperones (supporting a junior participant) are free. Register here.
If you have any events you would like included in this guide, please email David Creed at davidcreed@n-magazine.com and we will add them.