Celebrating its 39th year, the Nantucket Christmas Stroll is Nantucket Island’s most fabulous holiday weekend – held on the first weekend of December. This 3-day event signifies the kickoff to the holiday season, with many summer residents opening up their gorgeous grey shingled homes for the last holiday hooray.
From trees decorated by local businesses, youth groups and non-profit organizations lit up throughout downtown, to a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus (who arrive to the island in style on a boat from the mainland), caroling, craft shows, Christmas home tours, holiday bazaars, spiced cider, yummy chowders, celebratory libations and so much more, the Stroll offers a myriad of activities and pleasures to delight and amuse everyone!
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Here, we’ve put together a Holiday Shop, Eat, Drink, and Dance guide for Nantucket Island. Below, we show you the best things to do during the Nantucket Christmas Stroll Weekend, November 30, 2012-December 2, 2012. From where to eat, drink, and dance, to where to shop, we’ve got all the top hotspots covered for you to have the best time ever!
Editor’s Note: The Nantucket blACKbook – your guide to all things hip and fresh on Nantucket Island – collaborated with Nubry for the holiday season to show you how to have the best time ever at the Nantucket Christmas Stroll. From where to dine, where to drink, where to dance and where to shop, ACK blACKbook has covered it all.
Insider Tips To Having The Best Time Ever At The Nantucket Christmas Stroll
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WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK ON NANTUCKET:
– The PEARL –
A Nantucket Stroll favorite, the Pearl is open for dinner both Friday and Saturday night. On Sunday, chef owner’s Seth and Angela Raynor hold the ultimate in champagne, chefs, and a see-and-be-seen event with the 12th annual BUBBLE BASH (More info on the Bubble Bash HERE). This glam event is not to be missed (if, of course, you are lucky enough to make STROLL into a three day holiday weekend!)
– VENTUNO –
An innovative Italian menu with a lively bar scene upstairs and down.
– DUNE –
This restaurant on Broad Street has three distinct dining areas, as well as a great after dinner lounge scene.
– CRU Nantucket –
A restaurant that came into the 2012 season swinging with more buzz than a beehive, reopens their doors from Thursday to Sunday, and you’ll want to sip on some vino and nosh on some oysters as you toast the holiday season with the CRU crew.
– THE BOARDING HOUSE –
This remains a Nantucket hot spot, and whether brunch-hopping with bloody marys and sliders at noon or dancing with Journey at midnight, you won’t stop believing that these Nantucket nights are some of the most fun out here.
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WHERE TO DANCE ON NANTUCKET:
With a handful of hotspots on the island, you’ll need to get your dance shoes ready!
– CHICKEN BOX –
Check out the Savage Brothers, a Nantucket band favorite playing at the island’s infamous CHICKEN BOX on Friday and Saturday nights. I often tell people that going to Nantucket and not going to the BOX is like taking a USA road trip and skipping over Vegas…you just have to see it to believe it.
– PAZZO –
A Mediterranean restaurant, this place moves the tables after dinner service and kicks it up a notch with DJ’s COMMON GROUND on Saturday night for those looking to get their groove on. BONUS: The BOX is literally a stone’s throw from PAZZO, so you can check them both out in one night!
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WHERE TO SHOP ON NANTUCKET:
Now lets get down to Bizzzz-niss. There are a plethora of gorgeous boutiques that sell perfect presents to give (and to get!) on Nantucket.
– MILLY & GRACE –
Head over to the fabulously feminine boutique owned by Emily Ott Hollister, who puts together a fresh mix of clothing and home accessories… a true spot with “something for everyone” and you’ll be mesmerized by the chic collections of soft colors and lace mixed with cashmere and beyond.
– THE LOVELY –
This store is new to the island this season and truly lives up to its name. Proprietress Julie Biondi has sophisticated and cozy fashions which have a unique quality…you’ll be wanting to wear everything to somewhere fantastic and they’re so comfy you’ll want to sleep in these gorgeous clothes when you get home! Check out the selection of Bella Luxx and Rachel Pally along with VPL!
– BLUE BEETLE –
This shop is in the heart of Main Street. Elizabeth Thompson Hughes’s store gives you the best of cashmere ruffle wraps, day to night dresses from Elizabeth McKay to Shoshanna, along with the gamut of gifts perfect for any women who loves cool jewelry, district fun home ACKcessories, and even those holiday hats and hand bands that spruce up simple outfits!
– EYE OF THE NEEDLE –
This store gives you the reason to put the sparkle bACK into your life, with a cool combination of the latest fashions which keeps you both girlie and haute – a combo that veteran boutique owner Karen Starr Golov knows how to do perfectly! You’ll want to check out her selection of party dresses for your next big night out (or to pick up your BUBBLE BASH dress to wear to the PEARL party next door!)
– POSH –
This shop has the fabulous gems from celebrity and island beloved jewelry designer, Jessica Hicks!
karen starr golov
you offer the greatest insight into the must haves! must sees! must go! Your blog is a MUST!!!!
Gretchen Hackmann
Thank you Karen! Means so much to hear your kind words 🙂