Friday, December 28
8 AM – 4 PM  Linda Loring Nature Foundation   A walk on the trails at the Linda Loring Nature Foundation at 110 Eel Point Road is a quiet and peaceful respite at any time of year. Families with young children will enjoy reading a nature story along the Story Walk.  The trail overlooks the North Head of Long Pond where numerous species of waterfowl overwinter in the protected pond. The trail is about 1 mile long and takes you through pristine coastal heathlands to a rise in the landscape looking toward Nantucket Sound and Smith's Point. The trails are open daily from dawn until dusk. No dogs are allowed on the trails. Free! llnf.org

8 AM – 11AM Maria Mitchell Association Early-Bird Bird Walk Join the MMA’s Field Ornithologist, Ginger Andrews, on a boutique birding experience. Birds are an important part of Nantucket’s ecosystem and the island is known as an excellent birding spot. You will head out to some of the best birding areas on the island.  Transportation is provided from 4 Vestal St.  This program is meant for adults, but children ages 8 and up are welcome to register with an adult guardian. Members: $5 Non-members: $20  mariamitchell.org/learn-discover/fallwinter

10 AM-5 PM NHA Festival of Trees The Festival of Trees is the NHA’s holiday tradition that transforms the Whaling Museum into a winter wonderland for the month of December.  This event features community-crafted trees designed by local merchants, nonprofit organizations, artists & children. Free/members; $5/Island resident; $20 General admission. 13 Broad St. 508-228-1894

Saturday, December 29
8 AM – 4 PM  Linda Loring Nature Foundation See Friday 8 AM for details.   Free!

8 – 10 AM. Nantucket Walkabout:  Smooth Hummocks 2-hour guided wilderness hike through the sandplain grasslands, Nantucket’s version of the Midwest’s prairies complete with rare wildflowers and grasses that thrive in sandy, nutrient-poor soul.  This is a fascinating island ecosystem with many things to teach us.  $40 adult/$20 child. Pick up/drop off at The Handlebar Café, 15 Washington St. Reservations on www.nantucketwalkabout.com.

11-12 Noon  Noon Year’s Eve:  Parent-Child  Art Workshop  Ring in a creative New Year at the Artists Association of Nantucket.  Join us for this fun and glittery holiday workshop complete with a noon-year’s countdown.    Register online at nantucketarts.org. AAN’s Visual Arts Center, 24 Amelia Drive 508-228-0722.  Supported, in part, by the Nantucket Golf Club Foundation

12 – 2 PM  New Year’s Eve Skating Party  Ring in an early New Year with skating, favors, refreshments, fun and festivities at Nantucket Ice.  A skating celebration for children and families.  Nantucket Ice, CNB Rink, 10 Backus Lane.  $8 adult/$5 youth.  Skate rentals $5.  508-228-2516

12 – 3:30 PM  First Night Celebration for Families – Peace Puzzle Draw or write your wish for peace for the world or Nantucket on a blank puzzle piece and help create a Peace Puzzle.  Blank pieces, pencils and markers provided.  Light refreshments.  No pre-registration required.  Puzzle will be displayed in the Weezie  Library for the first week of January.  Atheneum Gallery

10 AM-5 PM NHA Festival of Trees  See Friday  10 AM for details.

5 PM  Five O’Clock Shadow Fun, family-friendly event with Boston’s world-famous rock a cappella group featuring Nantucket native, Caleb Wheldon.  The group has been together for more than 20 years in different incarnations and has toured and supported artists like James Brown, Patty LaBelle, Aaron Neville, The Boston POPS, Cool and the Gang, and many more. Performance on the main stage of the Dreamland. Tickets are now on sale and available at the Box Office or online at nantucketdreamland.org.

6 PM – 8 PM Nantucket Culinary Center New Year’s Eve Party with Nantucket Island Safe Harbor for Animals and Nantucket Arts Council.  Start your New Year’s Eve night at the Culinary Center and help raise money for a good cause.  Bites, Bubbly, and Festivity!  $50. 22 Federal Street.  508-228-COOK (2665).

9 PM – 1 AM The Nantucket Hotel’s  New Year’s Eve Disco Ball  Dust off your bell bottoms and hustle on over to The Nantucket Hotel for the 5th Annual New Year's Eve Ball. This disco spectacular will include hors d'oeuvres; a spectacular dessert buffet; champagne toast at midnight; live music; and dancing. AND A DISCO BALL of course!  $120 online at thenantuckethotel.com  77 Easton St.  508-901-6780.

9 PM – 12:30 AM The Nantucket Hotel’s New Year's Eve Ball Event for Kids – Ages 5-12 Nantucket Hotel Guests, Nantucket Club Members, and anyone attending the New Year’s Eve Disco Ball can drop off the children for a supervised New Year’s Eve Ball Event just for them!  The Event includes pizza dinner, games and activities, antique fire truck rides and a movie.  $50 per child.  Reservations required.  Call the Concierge at 508-901-6780.

9 PM – 12:30 AM  The Nantucket Hotel’s Teen “Studio 77” New Year’s Eve Disco Ball – Ages 13 & Up.  Nantucket Hotel Guests, Nantucket Club Members, and anyone attending the New Year’s Eve Disco Ball can drop off teems for a supervised New Year’s Eve Ball Event just for them!  There will be a DJ spinning tunes, Karaoke, and Wii and disco dancing.  The event includes a pizza dinner and a midnight toast with mocktails.  $50 per child.  Reservations required.  Call the Concierge at 508-901-6780.

Sunday, December 30
8 AM – 4 PM  Linda Loring Nature Foundation See Friday 8 AM for details.   Free!

11:00 AM Dharma Yoga Nantucket Set your Intention for the New Year.  Join Sheri Perelman of Dharma Yoga Nantucket to set your intention for the New Year! New Year’s Day is a wonderful time of change, growth and renewal.  What better practice than yoga to set your frame of mind and embody your intentions? This class is the perfect blend of movement and mindfulness. Open the way to a truly new  year with a class dedicated to Sankalpa or intention setting. Unearth what you truly need and how you want to be in 2017.This class is suitable for everyone. Please bring your own mat.  Bartlett’s Farm.  

12 – 3 PM  Nantucket Walkabout:  Smith’s Point.  3-hour guided wilderness hike in Madaket on the peninsula jutting out into the the channel between Madaket Harbor and Tuckernuck Island.. $40 adult/ $20 child. Pick up/drop off at The Handlebar Café, 15 Washington St.  Reservations on nantucketwalkabout.com or call 508-422-7466.

Monday, December 31
8 AM – 4 PM  Linda Loring Nature Foundation/Nantucket Community School Story Walk. See Friday, 8 AM for details.   Free!

8 AM – 11AM Maria Mitchell Association Early-Bird Bird Walk  See Friday, 8 AM for details.

8 AM – 10 AM Stump Swamp/Norwood Farm 2-hour guided wilderness hike through two island ecosystems led by Nantucket guide/naturalist, Peter Brace.  Fascinating hike through a shrub swamp wetland and the moors – all shaped by a glacier 21,000 years ago. $40 adult/$20 child. Pick up/drop off at The Handlebar Café, 15 Washington St. Reservations on nantucketwalkabout.com