NANTUCKET, MA – The Nantucket Historical Association (NHA) is pleased to announce that the 24th Annual Festival of Trees will be held December 1 through December 31, 2017, at the Whaling Museum, 13 Broad Street.
The Festival of Trees is the NHA’s highly anticipated holiday tradition that begins during Nantucket’s Stroll weekend and transforms the Whaling Museum into a festive winter wonderland for the entire month of December. This event features community-crafted trees designed by local merchants, nonprofit organizations, artists and children.
The Festival of Trees Preview Party is the highlight event of Nantucket’s holiday season. This fund-raising party will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2017, from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M., providing attendees with the first opportunity to view this year’s tree designs.
The 2017 Festival of Trees will open to the public on Friday, December 1, 2017, with special extended museum hours from 10 A.M. to 8 P.M.
From December 2 to 24, 2017, the Festival of Trees will be open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M., as well as Tuesday—Sunday, December 26 – 31, 2017, open daily from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. The Festival of Trees will be closed on Monday, December 25, 2017, for Christmas Day, and Monday, January 1, 2018 for New Year’s Day.
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 a variety of innovative tree designs every year, it is one of the most anticipated events of the island’s holiday season.
“It is an honor to chair the 2017 Festival of Trees event and we will do our best to elevate the efforts of the talented tree designers in this most special Nantucket setting,” says Beth English, co-chair for this year’s event with her husband Mark Donato. “It is always a joy to unite with friends and community members at the Preview Party before we all disperse for winter travels or hibernation. We hope that seeing the trees in the context of the Whaling Museum reminds every one of the legacy of creativity and spirit that is still a vibrant part of Nantucket today!”
The Festival of Trees is free for all current NHA members and children under 6, and $5 for Nantucket year-round residents. General admission is $20 per person and $18 for students and for seniors over sixty-five.
The 24th Annual Festival of Trees is made possible by the financial generosity of several local businesses, with Marine Home Center as the lead sponsor. Additional sponsors are: Cape Cod Five Cents Savings; Centre Pointe, James Lydon Sons & Daughters; Killen Real Estate; The Nantucket Hotel; Atlantic East Nantucket Real Estate; Botticelli & Pohl; BNY Mellon Wealth Management; Cape Air / Nantucket Airlines; Cheney Brothers Building & Remodeling; CMC Construction; Congdon & Coleman Insurance; David M. Handy Events; Don Allen Auto Center; Emeritus; Freeman’s of Nantucket; Hatch’s Package Store; Housefitters; Hy-Line Cruises; The Inquirer and Mirror; The Islander Package Store; Johnstons of Elgin; Jordan Real Estate; Nantucket Bank, a division of Blue Hills Bank; Nantucket Pharmacy; Nantucket Tents; Novation Media; Roastd General Store; and the Steamship Authority.
For more information about the Festival of Trees and other programs and events at the Nantucket Historical Association, please visit www.nha.org or call (508) 228-1894.
Event Information:
Festival of Trees Preview Party
Whaling Museum, 13 Broad Street
Thursday, November 30, 2017
6 P.M.–8 P.M.
24th Festival of Trees
Whaling Museum, 13 Broad Street
Friday, December 1, 2017
10 A.M.–8 P.M. (extended hours)
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, December 2–24, 2017
10 A.M.–5 P.M.
(closed for Christmas Day, Monday, December 25, 2017)
Tuesday–Sunday, December 26–31, 2017
10 A.M.–5 P.M.
(closed for New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, 2018)
FREE for current NHA members & children under 6
$5 for all Nantucket year-round residents (adults & youth 6-17)
$18 for Students/Seniors (65+)
$20 General Admission