Most of us who live on Nantucket year-round think of Autumn as “our time”— the weather is glorious, the waters are still warm enough for swimming, restaurant reservations are easier to come by, and we can find parking downtown.
It’s time to exhale after a busy summer season, but there’s still quite a bit of local, small-town fun to enjoy. The Nantucket Island Fair just had another successful weekend mid-September, and this Saturday, September 27, the Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) is hosting their Fall Festival at the Oldest House on Sunset Hill. From 10 am to 1 pm, this free day of family-friendly fun will feature hands-on activities for families, tours of the historic Jethro Coffin House & Garden, lawn games, plus a chance to view the Community Quilt Display and add to the NHA’s community weaving loom.
Visitors are welcome to bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic lunch on the lawn with live music from 12-1 pm. Parking is limited, but the Oldest House is a short walk or bike ride from town. Rain date is Saturday October 4.
The week of September 29 to October 5 the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce has organized Nantucket Restaurant Week to encourage everyone to dine out and savor local cuisine.
Friday, October 3, the Nantucket Shellfish Association holds its annual Scallopers Ball. Timed for the beginning of family scalloping season, this popular fundraiser with food, drink, music, dancing, and a silent auction celebrates Nantucket’s shellfishing heritage and the preservation of our waters. Tickets sell out every year in hours, so you don’t miss the 2026 Ball, become a member at nantucketshellfish. networkforgood.com.
The Artists Association of Nantucket’s 2025 Wet Paint Weekend will be on October 10 to 12. This vibrant, art-filled weekend brings together artists, collectors, and art lovers for pop-up exhibitions, plein air artists painting around town, a community-wide art hop, and a live auction- all free. This year, AAN has named acclaimed painter Joan Albaugh as the 2025 Wet Paint Honoree Artist. Known for her striking and serene seascapes, Albaugh has long been a cherished member of the Nantucket arts community.
All proceeds from Wet Paint Weekend support arts education, year-round gallery exhibitions, and community outreach that fosters the next generation of artists. “Wet Paint is a beautiful reminder of how alive and connected our art colony truly is,” said Robert Frazier, AAN Artistic Director. “It’s more than a fundraiser: it’s a triumph of ingenuity, collaboration, and Nantucket itself.”
On Friday, October 17, the NHA is celebrating their 2025 main exhibit, Behind the Seams: Clothing and Textiles on Nantucket, with a festive 21+ party in their Nantucket Whaling Museum with light bites, drinks, and an exhibit tour. The theme of the evening is Nantucket Fashion, so arrive wearing your Nantucket Reds, whale pants, madras, and Nantucket Looms shawls. Tickets are $50 at nha.org ($35 for members).
Sunday, October 26, from 10 am to 3 pm, the Nantucket Conservation Foundation is holding a Fall Festival and Batacular Bike Race. This free community event at 220 Milestone Road will offer hayrides, kids’ games, a Nanpuppet show, live music, and more. Running alongside the festival is the Batacular Bike Race.
Spooky season on-island begins with the Coast Guard Station Brant Point’s infamous haunted house, sponsored by the Cape Cod Chief Petty Officers Association. Those brave enough to venture through the Nautical Nightmare should walk to the USCG station at Brant Point on October 28 from 5 to 9 pm—5 to 6 pm this first night will have no “jump scares.” The Nightmare continues on October 29 and 30 from 6 to 9 pm. This event is open to all ages who dare to participate, but children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Admission is free; the donation of a non-perishable food item for the Nantucket Food Pantry is suggested. Knights of Columbus will be in attendance each night selling fair food.
Halloween on Nantucket is for all ages. Main Street will be closed to traffic for the afternoon so that everyone can gather—in full costume—to trick-or-treat, enjoy music, and see neighbors who have been too busy to meet up during the summer. The fun on Main Street usually begins around 3 pm. From 3:30 to 6 pm, the public is encouraged to stop by the Whaling Museum on Broad Street for some candy and to take photos with Tony Sarg’s seamonster balloon “Morton.” Later on the evening of October 31, The Nantucket Dreamland and the Rose & Crown are both hosting Halloween parties with prizes for the best costumes.
Looking ahead, the Nantucket Atheneum is already accepting registrations for their Cold Turkey Plunge: the exciting way Nantucket residents & visitors start their Thanksgiving Day every year, helping to raise money to support our island’s public library and the many free programs they offer.