Boo! It’s Halloween weekend on Nantucket and there’s a scary amount of fun things to do! Frightened that you won’t be able to pack it all in? Well, don’t fret: we’ve got all the tricks to make this spooky Saturday a real treat.
COSTUME
First up, you’ll need a costume. If there’s one thing Nantucketers do well, it’s dressing up. Swing by Island Treasures Consignment & Thrift or the Seconds Shop and piece together something original. Or if you’re looking for something easy and pre-packaged, head to Island Variety or Dan’s Pharmacy where mermaid and sailor costumes abound and there’s no shortage of wigs, glitter, and festive tattoos.
PUMPKIN
For those late to the jack-o-lantern game, there’s no better way to spend your Saturday afternoon than carving up one of the orange beauties from Bartlett’s Farm. Lay some newspaper down in your yard and enjoy the brisk, sunny weather and let the pumpkin seeds fly.
EVENT
Arguably the main event of the weekend is the town’s annual Halloween Parade. Starting at 4:30pm for the costume judging contest, downtown is the place to be. Store owners throw open their front doors as Nantucket’s youth gets first dibs on delicious treats. But you don’t have to be a small child or a parent to enjoy the collection of creative and over-the-top costumes, and maybe you’ll even be lucky enough to score a candy bar or two.
MUSIC
Next up? Cisco Brewers for their Boowery Bash! The Ethan Parker Band will be serving up blues meets folk meets Caribbean beach music. The likely-costumed staff at Cisco will be serving up all your favorites to get you in the spooky spirit.
DINNER
When 7pm rolls around, head out to Wauwinet for Toppers’ Trick-or-Treat dinner. Every table will enjoy a 30%, 40% or 50% discount on their meal just by putting their hand into the magic cauldron! A prize will be awarded for best costume, so leave the sport coat behind and opt for something a bit more festive.
PARTY
Your last stop of the night has to be The Chicken Box, where Green Line Inbound will play for a crowd of costumed ghosts and ghouls. Cash prizes will be doled out to the scariest, sexiest and most original.
BONUS
Feeling like you need a little hair of the dog on Sunday? Dust off your costume from the night before and get yourself to The Nautilus between 11am and 3pm for their All Hallows Day Costume Brunch! They’ll be closing up shop for a short 10-day vacation starting on the 2nd, so this is your last chance to get your fix for a bit.
