Summer Events

Nantucket Film Festival June 17-26, 2026 The Nantucket Film Festival® was founded in 1996 by siblings Jill and Jonathan Burkhart. The Burkharts lived on the island year-round and knew it was the perfect place to begin a festival that combined with their love of film and community. In 1997, Mystelle Brabbée joined the team and today serves…

Race For Open Space – June 27, 2026 This year’s Race For Open Space will be held on June 27th, 2026. This 5K (3.1 miles), 10K (6.2 miles) race or 2 mile walk attracts serious runners, casual joggers, walkers, and those who are simply avid conservation supporters. Proceeds from the Race will go to the…

Independence Day Events – July 4, 2026 Nantucket Celebrates the Fourth of July!   Three Great Locations on One Great Day! On Saturday, July 4th, the Town of Nantucket will offer activities all day long to celebrate the nation’s Independence Day. Locations include the Main Street area, Children’s Beach, and Jetties Beach. Main Street Area8:30am-12:30pm: Sustainable…

Nantucket Dance Festival – July 6-12, 2026 Featuring a mix of genres from ballet to tap to street dance, the Nantucket Dance Festival offers an expansive view of different expressions of the artform, providing the audience with insight into the different ways emotions can be expressed through movement. The 2026 Festival, produced by Nantucket Dance…

Nantucket Garden Festival July 7-9, 2026 The Nantucket Garden Festival highlights the unique and beautiful garden ecosystems on Nantucket and focuses on the importance of sustainability, conservation, and gardening ethics for the long-term health of the island. Nantucket Garden Festival celebrates gardening through creative lectures and workshops, exquisite garden tours, and children’s activities. PRODUCED BY…

Nantucket Comedy Festival July 9-11, 2026 Co-founded in 2007 by Kevin Flynn and Bonnie Levison, the Nantucket Comedy Festival is an annual summer event that brings top comedic talent to Nantucket Island as the major fundraiser for Stand Up & Learn™, an island-based, year-round comedy education program serving Nantucket’s children. The Nantucket Comedy Festival envisions…

NISDA Sandcastle & Sculpture Contest July 11, 2026 A Classic Family Event Look forward to a fun-filled afternoon at Jetties Beach on July 11, 2026!  Nantucket Island School of Design and the Arts founded this event in 1975, and today the Sandcastle Contest is co-sponsored by NISDA and the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce. It began…

Nantucket by Design July 13-16, 2026 Nantucket by Design is an annual celebration of art, design, and history hosted by the Nantucket Historical Association on the charming island of Nantucket. The event brings together world-renowned designers, artisans, and skilled craftspeople to showcase the timeless elegance of Nantucket’s design heritage. Through panels, keynotes, master classes, social…

Weekend at the Library July 2026 The Atheneum invites you to join us for our major fundraiser! This annual summer event brings together visionary thought leaders, renowned musicians, and celebrated authors for an unforgettable gathering that celebrates the Nantucket community. The Weekend at the Library is a celebration of the island’s spirit and the incredible people who make it extraordinary. Over the course of three unforgettable days, we come…

Nantucket Triathlon July 18, 2026 SWIM (450 YARDS) Start Location Athletes will be grouped by age and organized in a chute leading down to the water, forming two lines. BIKE (13.5 MILES) Athletes will exit the transition area and mount their bikes in a designated “mount” zone near the entrance to the upper parking lot.…