So it’s raining on Christmas Stroll Saturday…it’s not windy; it’s not cold; and there’s plenty of fun and festive indoor activities during this Nantucket holiday. Here are 14 ideas on what you can do on a rainy Stroll Saturday:
1. Start the day with Eggs Benedict at Arno’s on Main Street or Finnan Haddie at Island Kitchen or a hearty omelette at Crosswinds.
2. Find a one-of-a-kind gift from a Nantucket craftsperson to put under the tree at the Christmas Stroll Craft Show, upstairs at 11 Centre Street. And say HI to Sarah Morneau while you’re there.
3. Learn the history of the Nantucket Lightship Baskets, watch weaving demonstrations, and enjoy refreshments at the Annual Basket Festival & Sale in the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum at 49 Union Street.
4. Enjoy a mid morning pick-me-up in the form of a Vanilla Latte from Nantucket Coffee Roasters or a Chai Charger from The Handlebar Cafe.
5. Stop into Sosebee Fine Art Studio & Gallery at 8 Washington Street for some Christmas treats, to meet artists Deb and Doug, and enter the raffle for a giclee.
6. Stroll down Old South Wharf and sign up for their raffle to win a basketful of prizes — everything you need for under the tree! While you’re there, buy this year’s Nantucket Christmas Stroll ornament from Made on Nantucket, see Pete’s fantastic and colorful fish prints, and buy a couple of hostess gifts for the holiday parties you’re about to attend from Abigail Fox.
7. Now do the same at Straight Wharf! These merchants are also hosting a raffle — you can sign up in every shop and enjoy refreshments along the way. One of our Must-Have Nantucket gifts is the Rainbow Pearl Bracelet from the Nantucket Pearl Company tucked inside the G.S. HIll Gallery. Be sure to buy this year’s warm and cozy Stroll Scarf from the Authentic Boat Basin shop before they run out. And if there is a little one in your life, then it would be a crime to miss a visit to The Toy Boat, where Loren sells unique and handcrafted toys for every age (so much better than the plastic garbage at Big Box stores).
8. Stop for a bite to eat at BACK-Yard BBQ on this last weekend of their season or head over to Easy Street Cantina for Bart’s amazing Lobster Newburg that he makes only for special holidays like Stroll!.
9. Wander over to the Appreciation Party being hosted in Hostetler Gallery, 42 Centre Street, and enjoy the sculpture of David Hostetler, live music by Robert Walder, and Bloody Marys “Susan Style.”
10. Stop by The Dreamland Theatre for their Open House and crafts for the kids, free hot chocolate, and special performances by the Nantucket Puppet Players, every hour on the half hour between 10:30am and 1:30pm. 17 South Water Street
11. Meet authors and get your books signed by Nancy Thayer, Peter Brace, Elin Hilderbrand, Nathaniel Philbrick, and more throughout the day at Mitchell’s Book Corner on Main Street. (for specific times visit http://nantucket.net/events/index.php
12. Meet jewelry designer Diana Kim England and find something sparkly for the special woman in your life (hint, hint) in The Jeweler’s Gallery, 21 Centre Street
13. Visit the Festival of Trees in the Nantucket Whaling Museum on Broad Street, where more than 90 adorned evergreens transform this world-class museum into a winter wonderland.
14. Stroll over to the Susan Lister Locke Gallery at 28 Easy Street for holiday cheer & wine and cheese.
And in between the raindrops, the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce (organizers of the Nantucket Christmas Stroll) have organized live entertainment on Main Street, an outdoor market in the downtown Stop-n-Shop parking lot, the arrival of Santa by boat along Straight Wharf at noon, and the Talking Tree at the top of Main Street from 1
For even more event listings for Nantucket Christmas Stroll weekend, visit http://nantucket.net/events/index.php and Happy Strolling!