Nantucket is widely known for its festivals: we celebrate daffodils in April, wine and food in May, books and screenwriters in June, comedy, gardens, yoga, and dance the rest of the summer. Just when we think the season is over, the Nantucket Historical Association lights up their Whaling Museum with their Festival of Wreaths followed by their Festival of Trees.
The Festival of Wreaths Preview Party and Silent Auction Kickoff is Monday, November 24, from 5 to 7 pm and is the Nantucket Historical Association’s (NHA) first celebration of the holiday season. Tickets to the preview party are $120 ($75 for NHA members) at nha.org or by calling 508-228-1894.
Opening to the public on Tuesday, November 25, the annual Festival of Wreaths features an array of about 80 unique and beautiful wreaths handcrafted by local residents, businesspeople, organization members, and schoolchildren on display during the week of Thanksgiving. Wreaths of many sizes made from a wide variety of materials are featured. From traditionally decorated greens to unconventional materials, all of the Festival of Wreaths entries capture the creativity of Nantucketers.
Visitors may bid on their favorite wreaths in a silent auction to benefit the NHA’s year-round outreach efforts. This year, there will again be an online component to the Festival of Wreaths, so those not on-island can view the wreaths and bid. The online Festival of Wreaths goes live November 25: click the link at nha.org.
This festival is closed Thanksgiving Day, but reopens on Friday, November 28 through Saturday, November 29, 10 am to 4 pm. Entry is through the Peter Foulger building to the left of the Whaling Museum entrance.
This display in the Whaling Museum at 13 Broad Street is free to the community, so attendees may visit and revisit favorite wreaths to increase their bids and their chances of winning. Winning bids will be announced on the last day of the Festival of Wreaths, Saturday, November 29. Bidders do not need to be present to win.
One week later, on Thursday, December 4, the NHA is hosting a Festival of Trees Preview Party from 6 to 8 pm. At press time, tickets were still available at nha.org, but act quickly as this event always sells out.
Friday, December 5, the NHA’s annual Festival of Trees opens to the public, with the Whaling Museum transformed into a festive winter wonderland for the rest of December. More than 90 trees—modern and traditional, whimsical and serene—trimmed with photographs, symbols, artwork, scrimshaw, and more will be side-by-side with trees made from origami and trees constructed with inventive materials. The creativity always astounds in this festive display.
The NHA’s Festival of Trees began in 1994 as one of several events that celebrated the organization’s centennial anniversary. The event was held at various NHA properties over the years, and permanently moved to the Whaling Museum after the museum’s 2005 renovation. With so many tree and creative designs every year, it is one of the most anticipated events of the island’s holiday season.
Admission to the Festival of Trees from 10 am to 4 pm Monday through Saturday (plus Stroll Sunday, December 7) is with the regular admission fee to the museum. On December 9 and 11, the NHA is inviting island residents to special Community Nights from 5 to 7 pm with music and performances amongst the trees, free of charge.
The Festival of Trees will be closed Thursday, December 25, for Christmas Day and will reopen on Friday, December 26.