The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) is hosting their 30th annual Festival of Trees Monday- Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm during the month of December (closed on Christmas Day, December 25). This festive display is presented in the Whaling Museum. Admission is free for island residents, underscoring the NHA’s commitment to the community and celebrating Nantucket’s history as an island built on the talent, skill, and creativity of its residents.
The NHA’s highly anticipated Festival of Trees will transform the entire Whaling Museum into a festive winter wonderland for the month of December. This event features nearly 100 community-crafted trees designed by local businesses, school groups, and organizations. “It is an honor to chair the Festival of Trees and to be able to celebrate this wonderful tradition,” said 2023 event chairs Donald J. Dallaire and David M. Handy. “Every year, it is a joy to see the festive spirit of the island through the beautifully designed trees.”
“A Night of Holiday Magic” is back on Saturday, December 16. From 4 to 7 pm, the Nantucket Historical Association invites the island community to celebrate the holiday season in the Nantucket Whaling Museum. Attendance is free, and all may participate in ornament crafting, enjoy music performances, and explore more than ninety beautifully designed trees that will be on display throughout the museum for the Festival of Trees.
During this festivals, the NHA is pleased that their Whaling Museum will again be the venue for the stunning Home For The Holidays display, featuring more than 350 illuminated stained-glass houses and churches with thousands of pieces of handmade lampwork, including glass animals, trees, sleighs, and bicycles. This enchanting glass village was amassed by collectors Annalise and Tom Nelson and will be open to visitors Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm from November 20 through December 31 (closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day).
The NHA’s mission is to preserve and interpret the history of Nantucket through its programs, collections, and properties, in order to promote the island’s significance and foster an appreciation of it among all audiences.
