Island Events Calendar

If you have an event that we missed that should be included in this guide, please email David Creed at davidcreed@n-magazine.com, and we will add it.

Thursday, October 8th

Egan Maritime Foghorn Speaker Series, Sea Dogs- Canines in Maritime History: From 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Shipwreck and Lifesaving Museum, 158 Polpis Rd. Join Egan Maritime in exploring the many ways dogs have made their mark on maritime history, from working aboard ships to providing companionship, protection, and even saving lives. Following the talk, head outside to the lawn for a live demonstration with Nantucket resident Ron Janes and his Newfoundland dog, Ester, showcasing some of the skills that made these remarkable dogs such valued maritime companions. Register here.

Scalloping Field Trip with Maria Mitchell: From 4:00 to 5:30 pm, meeting location available after registration. Join the MMA for an afternoon on the water for a scalloping adventure. You will collect and observe bay scallops, and learn all about their biology and the challenges they face. For registration and more information, click here.

Evening Art- Paint with Nikoline Bohr: From 5:00 to 7:00 pm and meets at the MMA Natural Science Museum, 7 Milk St. Led by artist Nikoline Bohr, create a personalized work of art while learning foundational painting techniques through step-by-step instruction and live demonstration. Subjects are inspired by Nantucket’s history, locations, and environments. Leave with a finished piece of art to take home and enjoy. This is designed to be interesting for adults. Pre-registration is required, and registration closes at 3 PM the day before the program.

Owl Prowl with the Maria Mitchell Association: Every Thursday from 8:00 to 9:30 pm. Join the MMA's Field Ornithologist, Ginger Andrews, as you listen for calls of a variety of nocturnal animals and birds. You will watch for owls as they begin their nightly activity. This program meets at the MMA Administrative Office at 4 Vestal Street. Pre-registration is required and can be found here.

Epernay Wine and Spirits- Thursday Night Wine Tastings: Every Thursday night from 6:00pm - 7:30pm at Epernay Wine & Spirits. New theme every week. Enjoy tasting and learning about new wines with our wine expert Frank Hersey. Click here for more information.

Friday, October 9th

POP UP Nantucket Bird Walk with Ginger Andrews: From 7:45 to 10:00 am, convenes at 4 Vestal St, parking recommended in the town lot. Explore Nantucket’s birdy landscapes and hidden nooks with local bird guide and Inquirer and Mirror columnist, Ginger Andrews. This program will be canceled in the event of inclement weather and a ticket exchange issued for an alternative date. Pre-registration is recommended as programs do fill up but walk-ins are welcome, subject to availability. Click here for more information.

Marine Story Hour with the Maria Mitchell Association: From 11:00 to 11:45 am at the Maria Mitchell Aquarium, 32 Washington St. During each session, an MMA educator will read a marine 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 reoccurring program, but the specific focus and materials provided will change each week. Click here to find more information and registration.

Nature Story Hour with the Maria Mitchell Association: From 11:00 to 11:45 am at the Hinchman House Natural Science Museum, 7 Milk St. During each session, a 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. Click here to find more information and registration.

MMA Blue Science Club for Grades 6 - 8: From 3:00 to 4:00 pm. Blue Science Club invites students in grades 6–8 to dive into the science of Nantucket’s waters through hands-on experiments, investigations, specimen exploration, and creative challenges. Each session features a new marine science theme—from local wildlife and coastal ecosystems to water quality, ocean technology, and conservation. Click here to find more information and registration.

Veronica Beard Gives Back Shopping Event: From 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Veronica Beard, 11 S Water St. Veronica Beard believes in Paying it Forward. You're invited to a shopping event to benefit the Maria Mitchell Association. Veronica Beard will donate 15% of proceeds to the Maria Mitchell Association! Kindly RSVP to NantucketRSVP@veronicabeard.com

Miss Mitchell's Comet Party- Celebrate the 179th Anniversary of the Discovery of C1847VI: From 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Loines Observatory, 59 Milk St. Join the Maria Mitchell Association for bourbon and brownies to celebrate the anniversary of Miss Mitchell's comet. Pre-registration is required, and the program will be cancelled in the event of inclement weather. Find registration here.

Wine and Rines: Every Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Bartlett’s Farm. Bartlett’s Farm’s weekly tasting is the perfect way to ease into the weekend. Join them for a relaxed, guided pairing of their favorite wines and cheeses. This event is always free, and no reservation required!

Artists’ Association of Nantucket Presents, Wet Paint Weekend- DAY 1: AAN is pleased to offer the community an art-filled weekend with a live auction free to the public. Today, enjoy a Gallery Exhibition Reception at the Cecelia Joyce & Seward Johnson Gallery, 8 Federal Street. 5:00 to 7:00 pm.

NCF Native Plant Sale: From 2:00 to 4:30 pm at 220 Milestone Road. Native plants are good news for your garden and for the island. They support pollinators, many are naturally deer resistant, and once established, they need less water than non-native plants. Join Nantucket Conservation Foundation specialists who are ready to answer your questions and help you find the plants that are best suited for your yard. Find registration here.

NCF Wellness Series- Nature Photography Expedition: From 4:00 to 6:00 pm, meeting location disclosed after sign up. A new offering for the Wellness Series focused on curating an artistic way to see our properties. Join local photographer Riley Wynn on golden hour expeditions through our trails to capture and appreciate the seasonal changes with your own camera. Learn how Riley adjusts his settings to capture Nantucket’s beauty, texture, and light for his compositions. Group sizes limited, must bring your own personal camera to participate. Find registration here.

Eighth Annual 2026 Cobblestones & Commerce- Falling for Nantucket: Taking place from 10/9 to 10/12. This reimagined community shopping initiative celebrates the businesses that make Nantucket special while encouraging locals and visitors to shop, dine, explore, and support local. With a fresh new look and this year’s theme, “Falling for Nantucket,” we’re bringing new energy to a favorite fall tradition—and making it more fun than ever to discover island businesses and share your favorite finds. Click here for more information.

The Nantucket Ghost Walk- Town Route: From 8:00 to 9:20 pm, meets at the TOP of Main St. at 7:50 in front of the steps of the Pacific National Bank (big brick building). Join on a one-mile, 80 minute evening stroll down the streets and lanes of historic Nantucket Town to five of our most haunted locations. This is the most popular walking tour ever on Nantucket, led by the original guide. $25 for adults 20+, $20 for seniors, $15 for teens, $10 for 6+, under 6 are free. It is cash only and no reservations are necessary.

Saturday, October 10th

Sustainable Nantucket's Farmers & Artisans Market: The Farmers & Artisans Market occurs from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm at Cambridge and North Water streets in downtown Nantucket. The market is weather-permitting. Come enjoy fresh produce and items from rotating vendors.

Nantucket Clean Team: Every Saturday morning at 8:00 am. Nantucket Clean Team’s mission is to keep our fragile, beautiful island as free of litter and debris as possible through weekly clean-up outings beginning in late April through the last Saturday in October. They look to recruit year-round residents and seasonal visitors to join them on appointed days and times, and to become “adjunk” members, cleaning when and where they are able. Follow @ackcleanteam on Instagram for weekly meeting locations, usually posted a day or two before!

Dharma Yoga in the Hayloft: 8:30 to 9:30 am at Bartlett’s Farm. Join Joanne of Dharma Yoga for yoga and movement that strengthens and lengthens, enlivens and invigorates, soothes and calms. Allowing you to feel better and live more fully in your bodymind being. Registration is required and the schedule is subject to change. For more information, click here!

Farm Talks- Joann Burnham: Every Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 am through November 7th at the Bartlett’s Farm Hayloft. The Fall Farm Talk series focuses on health & wellness. Join us weekly to hear from local experts. Joann Burnham of Dharma Yoga will focus on breathing techniques, flowing movement, and different meditative styles.

Cinema for the Very Young at Dreamland: Every Tuesday and Saturday at 10:30 am. Join the Dreamland 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). 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. Tickets can be found here.

MMA Aquarium Release Day: From 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Maria Mitchell Aquarium and Sea Shop at 32 Washington St. The MMA Aquarium is dedicated to educating the public on the importance of biodiversity in our unique marine ecosystems found here on Nantucket. MMA staff snorkel, seine, and beachcomb to find over 100 different marine animals to learn about and care for throughout the season. These marine animals represent roughly 70 different species collected by staff in tandem with local fishermen. When the Aquarium closes at the end of each summer season, the MMA staff host our annual Release Day event to say goodbye to our marine friends, thank them for their lessons, and safely return them to their ocean home until we encounter them again. This event is free but registration is recommended.

Fall Workshops at Bartlett’s Farm: From 9:00 am to 2:00 pm every Friday and Saturday this October. Swing by the farm for some pumpkin painting and wreath-making! There will be activities for the whole family, including corn hole, ring toss, coloring, a bubble station, and more. $5 per person, no reservation required.

American Legion's Chowder Fest: From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the American Legion will be hosting a Chowder Fest in the American Legion Hall (21 Washington Street). There will be six chowders to taste. The price per cup is $10 and a tasting is $20.

Nantucket Shorts Festival Presented by NCTV: 5:00 pm at the Dreamland main theatre. Since its founding in 2013, the Nantucket Shorts Festival has been a cherished tradition, fostering support for both amateur and professional filmmakers. Our mission is simple: to celebrate and inspire filmmaking on Nantucket. Each film submission is thoughtfully reviewed by a jury of local artists and filmmakers, with the standout selections showcased on the big screen at the Dreamland Theater. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of entertainment, creativity, and inspiration. Get tickets here.

Artists’ Association of Nantucket Presents, Wet Paint Weekend- DAY 2: AAN is pleased to offer the community an art-filled weekend with a live auction free to the public. Today, enjoy Wet Paint Art Hop- Artists plein air paint at locations around town from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm.

Sunday, October 11th

15th Annual Nantucket Half Marathon: Beginning at 8 a.m. at Bartlett Farm, the 15th annual Nantucket Half Marathon will begin. The course travels through sandy beach roads, bike paths, lightly traveled neighborhood streets, a few patches of sand, and features incredible ocean views. The route begins and ends at historic Bartlett's Farm and highlights the Nantucket Land Bank's Smooth Hummocks Coastal Preserve. The Preserve is a globally rare sand plain grassland ecosystem. There is also a free kids fun run. Each child gets a treasured Bartlett's Farm pumpkin. Learn more here.

Dharma Yoga in the Hayloft: 10:15 to 11:15 am at Bartlett’s Farm. Join Joanne of Dharma Yoga for yoga and movement that strengthens and lengthens, enlivens and invigorates, soothes and calms. Allowing you to feel better and live more fully in your bodymind being. Registration is required and the schedule is subject to change. For more information, click here!

Nantucket In-Shore Classic- Start of Week 5: This catch-and-release tournament welcomes anglers of all ages and skill levels to compete from boat or beach in categories for striped bass, bluefish, bonito, and false albacore. Divisions include All-Tackle, Fly, and Junior, from boat or beach, with winners determined by fish length. Runs September 6th through October 11th.

Mini Movers with MMA: 11:00 to 11:45 am at the MMA Natural Science Museum, 7 Milk Street. Young children and their caregivers are invited to dance, explore, and discover the animal kingdom through stories, music, crafts, and a visit with a live animal ambassador at the Natural Science Museum. At least one adult must sign up with children. Pre-registration is recommended.

Ravenous Reptiles at the MMA Natural Science Museum: 1:00 to 1:45 pm at 7 Milk St. 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, and several of the MMA Natural Science Museum's educational animals. Click here for registration and more information.

Outdoor Art with Nikoline Bohr: From 2:00 to 3:30 pm at the MMA classroom, 33 Washington St. Outdoor Art invites participants to slow down, observe, and connect with the natural world through close-up drawing and artistic exploration. Led by Nikoline Bohr, this outdoor art experience focuses on the intricate details of nature—textures, shapes, colors, and patterns often overlooked in everyday life. This program is designed to be interesting for adults. Click here for registration and more information.

NCF Wellness Series- Yin Yoga: From 9:00 to 10:00 am, meeting location disclosed after sign up. The newest type of practice in our Wellness Series, Yin Yoga uses slower pacing and longer holds in poses to increase circulation and joint flexibility. A good stretching style yoga suitable for all ages and speeds to help you move better throughout the week. Find registration here.

The Dreamland Presents, Special Double Feature: John Stanton’s The Last Bay Scallop? & Last Call: 4:00 pm at the Dreamland Studio Theatre. Nantucket filmmaker John Stanton returns to Dreamland with two documentaries about what makes island life worth protecting, and what we stand to lose. After the screenings, John Stanton will join the audience for a conversation about the films and the island they document. A portion of the proceeds will benefit The Warming Place, Nantucket’s seasonal shelter, which offers warmth, meals, and a safe place to stay for islanders in need from November through April. Tickets can be found here.

Artists’ Association of Nantucket Presents, Wet Paint Weekend- DAY 3: AAN is pleased to offer the community an art-filled weekend with a live auction free to the public. Today, enjoy Silent and Live Art Auction at the Nantucket Yacht Club. Doors open at 3:30 pm, Live Auction begins at 5:00 pm. Wet Paint Dinner: From 6:30 to 9:30 at the Nantucket Yacht Club. This dinner will be honoring local island artist Illya Kagan. Tickets for the dinner are required and can be found here.

Monday, October 12th

Tuesday, October 13th

Golden Age Films at Dreamland - Touch of Evil: Every Tuesday at 1:30 pm. The Golden Age Film Series is free for members, free for seniors and only $13 for the general public. Funding for free senior admission provided by The Nantucket Fund at the Community Foundation for Nantucket and The Remain Fund at the Community Foundation for Nantucket. Tickets can be found here.

Wednesday, October 14th

Scalloping Field Trip with Maria Mitchell: From 8:00 to 9:30 am, meeting location available after registration. Join the MMA for an afternoon on the water for a scalloping adventure. You will collect and observe bay scallops, and learn all about their biology and the challenges they face. For registration and more information, click here.

Stargazing at Loines Observatory: From 7:30 to 8:30 pm at 59 Milk St. Join professional astronomers at the Maria Mitchell Association’s Loines Observatory for Open Night Stargazing sessions held June through November on Nantucket. Guests can explore the night sky through historic and modern telescopes while viewing the Moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies, as well as learning about current astronomy research. Tickets cost $27 for adults and $17 for youth. Pre-registration is recommended, and events are weather-dependent.

NCF Marsh Native Replanting: From 1:00 to 3:00 pm, exact meeting location disclosed after sign up. Join the Nantucket Conservation Foundation and their Native Plant Propagation Manager, Stacey, as you replant native species at Windswept Bog. This is more than just a day of planting; it represents a crucial step in our active restoration process, giving the bog support so it can be a healthy, self-sustaining ecosystem. Find registration here.

Artists’ Association of Nantucket- Short Days, Long Nights Exhibition: Through November 17th at Cecelia Joyce and Seward Johnson Gallery, 8 Federal St. AAN "Short Days, Long Nights" Exhibition: As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, the Artists Association of Nantucket continues into the cozy Fall season by featuring an impressive selection of our local artists' work sure to brighten your day. From paintings and photography to sculpture and jewelry, the Artists Association of Nantucket offers a wide selection of artwork available for sale from their vetted membership of over 200 local Nantucket artisans.

Thursday, October 15th

Friday, October 16th

NCF Weekly Walks- Cranberry Harvest at Milestone Bog: From 8:30 to 10:30 am, exact meeting location disclosed after sign up. A fall favorite tour of the historic Milestone Cranberry Bog. Join Neil Foley and third-generation cranberry grower Nick Larrabee on a walk through the bogs to see the living history of growing cranberries on Nantucket. See the dry harvest in action and buy some cranberries to share through your holidays and beyond. A true part of Nantucket’s agricultural legacy. Find registration here.

Saturday, October 17th

Farm Talks- Sheri Perlman: Every Saturday from 10:30 to 11:30 am through November 7th at the Bartlett’s Farm Hayloft. The Fall Farm Talk series focuses on health & wellness. Join us weekly to hear from local experts. Sheri Perlman, a practitioner and instructor of healing modalities, offers an introduction to Jin Shin Jyutsu, the ancient art of harmonizing life energy in the body. You will learn about the 26 “safety energy locks” along energetic pathways that feed life to our bodies.

Scalloping Field Trip with Maria Mitchell: From 10:30 am to 12:00 pm, meeting location available after registration. Join the MMA for an afternoon on the water for a scalloping adventure. You will collect and observe bay scallops, and learn all about their biology and the challenges they face. For registration and more information, click here.

Weekend Crafting with MMA: 12:00 to 12:45 pm at the Hinchman Natural Science Museum, 7 Milk St. Join MMA staff for nature-inspired crafting, where young makers and their families can explore the wonders of the natural world through hands-on projects. From building mini habitats to creating art inspired by local wildlife, each session sparks curiosity, imagination, and learning. Click here for registration and more information.

Sensational Science with MMA: 2:00 to 3:00 pm at the Hinchman Natural Science Museum, 7 Milk St. Join MMA Natural Science staff to uncover more about the world of science. You’ll take a deep dive into the microscopic world, investigate shark biology, make agar art, or even collect plankton. Click here for registration and more information.

"No More Empty Bowls" AAN Community Glazing Event: From 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at the AAN Visual Arts Center, 24 Amelia Drive. Help support the Nantucket community by glazing a handmade bowl to be donated to the No More Empty Bowls fundraiser, benefiting Nantucket Food, Fuel & Rental Assistance. No pottery experience is necessary—our instructors will guide you through the glazing process, and all materials are provided. Each finished bowl will become part of this meaningful community event, helping neighbors in need. Recommended for ages 15 and up due to the nature of the glazing process and materials used. Drop in, get creative, and add your personal touch to a bowl that will make a difference. No registration or payment required.

Artists’ Association of Nantucket- Short Days, Long Nights Exhibition: Through November 17th at Cecelia Joyce and Seward Johnson Gallery, 8 Federal St. AAN "Short Days, Long Nights" Exhibition: As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, the Artists Association of Nantucket continues into the cozy Fall season by featuring an impressive selection of our local artists' work sure to brighten your day. From paintings and photography to sculpture and jewelry, the Artists Association of Nantucket offers a wide selection of artwork available for sale from their vetted membership of over 200 local Nantucket artisans.

Puppy Meet and Greet with NiSHA: From 12:00 to 2:00 pm at NiSHA, Back Upper Yard, 11 Crooked Ln. Fall in Love with a New Best Friend! Fall is one of the best times of year to welcome a dog into your life on Nantucket when the beaches and walking trails are quieter. When you adopt from NiSHA, your dog is already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped — and, most importantly, you’re giving a deserving dog the chance to become part of a family. No appointment necessary. And no pressure to adopt. Come meet the dogs, and see who steals your heart! If you already know you're ready, you can fill out our application to be pre-approved and come earlier in the day.