The Nantucket Daffodil Festival marks springtime on the island with thousands of blooms glowing an endorphin-boosting yellow. Now in its 48th year, the festival returns bigger and better than ever, with more activities and 4 full days of fun! The festival you get today is a merging of 2 incredibly historic events for the island.
Shortly after the Nantucket Garden Club hosted the first daffodil show, a “vintage motor car outing” was held and over 100 vehicles drove through the second motor show in 1981. Now the flower show, antique car parade, and many other spectacular events are all part of the entire Nantucket Daffodil Festival itinerary!
Daffodil Flower Show
The theme for the 48th Nantucket Garden Club Daffodil Flower Show is a “Sea of Daffodils,” especially fitting since the fields of flowers overlook the Atlantic coastline of the island. The free event invites the public to enjoy the waves of yellow and white daffodils at Bartlett’s Ocean View Farm.
Free shuttle buses from 10 Washington Street will run all day starting at 2 PM.
Where: 33 Bartlett Farm Road, Nantucket, MA
When: Saturday, April 27 from 2-5 PM; Sunday, April 28 from 10 AM- 3 PM
Antique Car Parade
This parade adds some flower power to your engines. Hundreds of antique cars and motorcycles dressed in a cascade of daffodils will ride down Main Street. The cars travel out to ‘Sconset where a tailgate picnic shortly follows the parade so you can admire the cars from up close.
Where: Main Street, Nantucket, MA
When: Saturday, April 27 from 9:30 AM- Noon
Daffodil Festival Tailgate Picnic
Swing by the tailgate picnic immediately following the parade at ‘Sconset (properly Siasconset for non-islanders)! The cars will line up on the gorgeous bluffs and the menu is BYOB (bring-your-own-basket!). You can pick up a cheeseboard in Beacon Hill to take to the island if you don’t feel like putting one together yourself.
Where: Siasconset, Nantucket, MA
When: Saturday, April 27 from 12:30 PM-3 PM
Daffy events for kids at Children’s Beach
The enclosed Nantucket Beach with a playground hosts a variety of fun kid-friendly options during the festival! Here you’ll find a daffodil hat parade, children’s parade, live entertainment, NiSHA Dog Parade, and plenty of giveaways! It’s a great photo-op to dress your kid or pup up in the most adorable flower hat.
Where: Children’s Beach, Nantucket, MA
When: Saturday, April 27 from 10:30 AM- 2:30 PM
Where to stay
You could always do a day trip to the Island, but since it is an island, it does require a ferry. The ferry ride itself is only about a 1-hour drive from the city, but then include boating across to the island and you’re looking at about a 3-hour trip.
For modern lodging on the island, check out The Brant (formerly Salt House Nantucket)- a hotel merging the island’s historic familiar New England charm with a wildly refreshing and modern feel. It’s centrally located to all things Daffodil Festival so you can easily walk (or grab a hotel bike) to Main Street and ‘Sconset!
Where to grab a daffy souvenir
Of course, you simply cannot just go to the Nantucket Daffodil festival. You must go dressed in your very best flower resembling uniform whether it take the form of a floppy and adorable flower hat or a printed shirt. Throughout the festival, retailers will feature Daffy themed items and offer several special promotions.
Beau & Ro
4 Federal Street
Charleston’s favorite boutique, Beau & Ro will open Daffy weekend. A jewel box destination for upbeat and effortless dressing, Beau & Ro features apparel, bags, accessories, and gifts. The boutique will showcase Beau & Ro’s apparel, an exclusive collection of unique designs created in the retailer’s own fair-trade factory, Olive Workshop.
Bodega
2 Candle Street
Opening Friday April 28th for the season, featuring a Spring selection of jewelry and accessories, pillows, and home décor.
Cavalier Ebanks Galleries
10 Federal Street
Visit all weekend and view an exhibition of works by Island favorites including Robert Stark, Stephen Pitliuk, Louis Guarnaccia, and Jan Pawlowski.
Erin Hielle
Zero Main Street
Shop and save 50-75% off sale racks. Plus, shop for new favorite styles from the new spring and summer inventory.
G.S. Hill’s Gallery/Nantucket Pearl Company
40 Straight Wharf
Shop exclusive Daffy custom jewelry pieces.
Nantucket Boat Basin Authentic Shop
33 Straight Wharf
Save 25-50% off all merchandise (except Daffy specific product). Plus, shop the exclusive Daffy weekend featured hoodie before they’re gone!
Nantucket Peddler
37 Straight Wharf
Shop Daffy specials all weekend long. Save up to 20-50% off. Exclusive long sleeve daffodil tee shirts and sweatshirts available.
Native Shoes
40 Straight Wharf
Native Shoes will be showcasing new seasonal fun prints perfect for Spring and the Daffodil festival including The Jefferson Raincoat SunSmile for adults and children. Plus, customers will receive a ‘Generation Do’ coloring book with any purchase of Robbie and Jefferson children’s shoes (while supplies last).
Oath Pizza
44 Straight Wharf
Open 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. each day. Salads will be 50% off all weekend. The menu will feature pizza specials, including the Green Monstah (basil pesto sauce, mozzarella, spinach, roasted garlic, Roma tomatoes, and feta) and the Luau (mozzarella, bacon, pineapple, scallions, and BBQ Sauce).
REMY
2 Old South Wharf
Open for Daffy weekend starting on Friday through Sunday with new inventory and exciting styles.
Summer Shades
The Courtyard at 16 Straight Wharf
30% off select sunglasses. Shoppers will receive a free tote with any Rayban purchase. Enter for a chance to win the Tom Ford Raffle, which includes a pair of sunglasses and a candle. Received entry with any sunglasses purchase.
Vanderbilt Gallery
18C Federal Street
Shop special Daffodil weekend sales.