July is one of the most magical months on Nantucket. Our beaches are alive with families, our skies are filled with stars, and our island welcomes visitors from around the world who come to experience its extraordinary beauty and sense of community.
This year, we have something truly special to celebrate.
From July 23–26, the Maria Mitchell Association is proud to present the inaugural Stargazer Circus, an unforgettable weekend of imagination, wonder, and community under the big top. Created in partnership with the acclaimed Venardos Circus, this event is so much more than a performance—it is a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and the joy of coming together.
For one remarkable weekend, children will experience the magic of the circus for the very first time, grandparents will share memories of circuses from years gone by, friends will gather under the tent, and visitors and year-round residents alike will create new traditions together. We hope the Stargazer Circus becomes one of those uniquely Nantucket experiences that families look forward to year after year.
Every ticket purchased helps support the Maria Mitchell Association's mission of connecting people to the wonders of science and nature through education, research, and exploration. Your attendance not only creates lasting memories—it helps inspire the next generation of scientists, environmental stewards, and lifelong learners.
This summer also invites us to reflect on another milestone. As our nation begins commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States, we are reminded that America's story has always been driven by people willing to ask questions, seek new knowledge, and imagine a better future. Maria Mitchell embodied those ideals. As America's first professional female astronomer, she challenged expectations, advanced scientific discovery, and believed that education and curiosity could change lives.
Those same values continue to guide the Maria Mitchell Association today. Whether we are studying Nantucket's marine ecosystems, inspiring young astronomers beneath our dark skies, mentoring college interns, or creating new spaces like our future Discovery Center and Aquarium, we are investing in the next 250 years of discovery.
Thank you for being part of this remarkable community and for believing in the power of curiosity to inspire, educate, and bring people together.
I hope to see you under the stars—and under the big top—this July.
This year's annual Stargazer Gala, welcomes Venardos Circus, a dazzling Broadway-style production under an intimate big-top tent and includes elevated bites, curated concessions, live and silent auctions, and musical entertainment post circus performance.
Be amazed by world-class acrobats, breathtaking aerialists, and dazzling jugglers as moments of humor, heart, and spectacle come together in a show-stopping performance for a night full of exploration, thrill, and wonder.
This event has limited tickets available and is expected to sell out. Don't miss your opportunity to support the MMA under the big top!
Host Joanna Roche of the Maria Mitchell Association sits down with Kevin Venardos, founder and ringmaster of the acclaimed Venardos Circus, to preview the MMA's Stargazer Gala: A Night at the Circus on Thursday, July 23. Kevin shares the story behind his Broadway-style production and what audiences can expect from an evening filled with world-class acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, and unforgettable entertainment. They also discuss how the event supports the MMA's mission of education and discovery, as well as six additional public performances on Nantucket from July 24-26.
Upcoming July Events!
Grandparent's Day
Saturday, July 11 | 9 - 11am
Join us at the MMA Aquarium for a generation appreciation. All grandparents accompanied by a grandchild of any generation will receive free general aquarium admission. Enjoy a morning of celebrating grandparents at the MMA aquarium with free admission, lemonade, and doughnut refreshments! Pre-registration is required - sign up for your timed admission spot today to guarantee admission for you and your grandchild!
🀄Opening Evening of the MMA Pop-Up Featuring Summer Games: Mahjong & Backgammon Tournament Presented by the Nantucket Mahjong Club: Monday, July 13 from 4 - 7pm
Whether you're a seasoned player or simply looking for a fun summer evening, enjoy an unforgettable experience featuring Château Sainte Marguerite wines, cocktails from Tinker's Bar, Shells Angels Raw Bar, Nantucket Crisps, Caviar Nantucket, entertainment by DJ Garrett Justice, and shopping.
100% of tournament proceeds will directly benefit the Discovery Center & Aquarium Project.
🛍️Curated Shopping by East Coast Vendors:
Tuesday, July 14 & Wednesday, July 15 | 10am - 4pm
Stop to shop from a wonderfully curated collection of East Coast vendors, featuring: Center & Spring, CJW, Classic and Curious, Dress More with Less, Haute Energy, Hibiscus Linens, Leigh Brown, Line in the Sand, Love All Tennis, Lulu Powers, Marfa Stance, MDVII, Michela Bruni Reichlin, Michele Flaster, Nantucket Nosh, Nantucket Mahjong Club, Neelah Cashmere, The Preppy Stitch, Those Carls Girls, and Wendy Loves This.
15% of all vendor sales support the Maria Mitchell Association.
Join the MMA for a FREE, fun filled and action packed celebration on Vestal Street to honor Maria Mitchell. The event will include live period inspired music by Susan Berman and Ray Saunders, refreshments, live animal displays, research demonstrations, astronomy and family activities for all ages.
The festivities include free admission to all Vestal Street sites. Come learn more about Maria Mitchell and celebrate with us!
Join us for a special evening of stargazing at the famed Loines Observatory. Our astronomers will lead an impressive tour of Nantucket’s night sky and guide you in viewing astronomical objects through our historic 8-inch Alvan Clark refractor and our modern 24-inch research telescope. Get a chance to view the Moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae, and even other galaxies!
Explore Nantucket’s birdy landscapes and hidden nooks with local bird guide and Inquirer & Mirror columnist, Ginger Andrews. With so many varied habitats so close together, the Island is a great place to look and listen for birds. Our location out at sea makes for a fascinating mix of migratory species and year-round residents. Dry humor—always useful in a foggy environment—natural and human history, unexpected rarities, and other stories fill out the picture.
Night-time has always had a mysterious appeal, which brings out a whole new cast of avian and other creatures. It requires patience, and a shift of consciousness from sight to hearing. Join the MMA's Field Ornithologist, Ginger Andrews, as we listen for calls of a variety of nocturnal animals and birds. We will watch for owls as they begin their nightly activity. While an owl sighting is not guaranteed, you will certainly be able to observe several fascinating nocturnal animal species.
Discover Nantucket’s shoreline through the eyes of a bird! Kids’ Bird Watching is a fun, hands-on coastal adventure where young explorers will learn how to spot, listen for, and identify local birds alongside the MMA Natural Science Museum staff. Using binoculars, field guides, and field notebooks, participants will track bird sightings while exploring the island’s coastal habitats.
Along the way, children will uncover how birds connect to Nantucket’s unique ecosystems—building curiosity, observation skills, and a deeper appreciation for nature. Designed for ages 7+, this program includes a short shoreline walk (about 0.5 miles each way). Adults and chaperones are welcome to join at no extra cost.
Join expert metal detectorist, Nikoline Bohr, for an exciting, hands-on adventure designed just for kids! This one-hour beachside program invites young explorers to learn the basics of metal detecting in a fun and engaging way. Participants will discover how to use a metal detector, all while searching for hidden treasures on the beautiful shores of Nantucket. Whether your child is curious about history, loves treasure hunting, or simply enjoys outdoor activities, this program provides a safe, educational, and enjoyable experience. Come uncover the secrets buried in the sand and experience the thrill of discovery!
Join expert metal detectorist, Nikoline Bohr, for an exciting afternoon on the beautiful shores of Nantucket! This hands-on introductory course is designed for adults eager to explore the world of metal detecting. Participants will learn the fundamentals of operating a metal detector, from basic techniques to uncovering hidden treasures buried beneath the sand. Whether you’re a beginner or just looking to refine your skills, this adventure offers a unique opportunity to connect with the thrill of discovery in a relaxed, enjoyable setting.
Experience an evening of creativity and inspiration during this special art program at the Maria Mitchell Association Natural Science Museum. Led by artist, Nikoline Bohr, participants will create a personalized work of art while learning foundational painting techniques through step-by-step instruction and live demonstrations.
This program will feature subjects inspired by Nantucket’s iconic lighthouses as well as select resident animal ambassadors from the Museum’s collection, offering participants a unique opportunity to explore art through both natural history and island culture. Whether you are picking up a paintbrush for the first time or already enjoy creating art, this relaxed and welcoming program encourages creativity, observation, and artistic expression at your own pace. Leave with a finished piece of art to take home and enjoy.
Step outside and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Nantucket with outdoor painting and drawing classes designed to help you capture the island's stunning landscapes in vibrant color. Led by Nikoline Bohr, this class will guide you through the techniques—creating art directly from nature.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist, you’ll learn how to observe, sketch, and paint the beauty of Nantucket’s beaches, gardens, and historic architecture. This hands-on experience will inspire your creativity and allow you to bring the island’s charm to life on canvas or paper. Join us for a relaxing and enriching session that combines the joys of art, nature, and the breathtaking scenery of Nantucket.
Join us at the MMA Aquarium for a generation appreciation. All grandparents accompanied by a grandchild of any generation will receive free general aquarium admission. Enjoy a morning of celebrating grandparents at the MMA aquarium with free admission, lemonade, and doughnut refreshments! Pre-registration is required - sign up for your timed admission spot today to guarantee admission for you and your grandchild!
Explore Nantucket’s shoreline with the MMA during this hands-on beach adventure! Join MMA Aquarium staff as we uncover the secrets of the coast through beachcombing, marine life discovery, and shoreline exploration. From shells and seaweed to rocks and hidden beach treasures, participants will learn how Nantucket’s beaches are shaped by ecology, geology, and ocean life. Along the way, you’ll discover fascinating coastal creatures, unique shoreline features, and the stories the tide leaves behind.
Have you ever wondered what it takes to care for reptiles, amphibians, fish, and other fascinating creatures? Become an animal keeper for a day and experience it firsthand! Participants will help prepare diets, feed members of our living collection, clean and refresh enclosures, and learn how we keep our animal ambassadors healthy and thriving with MMA Natural Science staff. Be ready to roll up your sleeves—animal care can be a messy (but exciting!) job.
Ruddy Turnstones, sometimes described as “looking like a slice of Marbled Rye,” return early in July. They are a swirl of black necklace, with black and white facial pattern, black and warm rusty wings above bright yellow legs. They actually do turn over stones and shells to look for the goodies beneath that other birds might have missed.
Although here it seems as if summer is just beginning to get under way, in the Arctic where many shorebirds nest, the angle of the sun has already begun to decline. The advantage to breeding so far north is that insects, a major food, also make haste to reproduce, and meltwater between tussocks of grass and sedge offers ideal insect breeding habitat. But as days shorten, birds take the hint.
Black-bellied Plovers are also early to make the return south. They are a favorite bird of novice birders: they are large; their name is actually descriptive; and their plumage offers vivid contrast. They can also be recognized by their typical plover ‘run-stop-look, run-stop-look-jab-the-sand’ feeding style.
Sanderlings are perhaps everyone’s favorite shorebird; rushing down after the waves, grabbing food and rushing back up, out of the incoming wash of the swash. By mid-July they return. Here they eat small mollusks, crustaceans, and polychaete worms, or horseshoe crab eggs. In probing the sand, they sometimes have to eject that as well as bits of shell. They do this by casting a pellet. If no animal food is available, they also eat plant material.
They are medium-sized. Some may retain reddish breeding plumage, others will already have assumed the demure grey and white of winter. They have lost 50% of their population in the last 50 years and have been declining faster recently. So, we should enjoy them now while we can.
Check out our own podcast, "The Nature of Nantucket," brought to you by 97.7 ACKFM. This program airs on 97.7 every Sunday at 7:40am. You can listen to full episodes on Apple or Spotify. While you're there, don't forget to check out our weekly "Star Report," written and presented by the MMA Astronomy Department.
Maria Mitchell's Attic
Learn more about Maria Mitchell and the MMA with “Maria Mitchell's Attic,” a blog written on a weekly basis by MMA Deputy Director and Curator, Jascin Leonardo Finger. Read here.
Summer Opportunities, Grades K - 12
MMA SummerHours
The MMA Administrative Offices will be closed Friday, July 3,
in observance of Independence Day.
All MMA facilities will be closed Saturday, July 4,
in observance of Independence Day.
Aquarium, Natural Science Museum, Gift Shop & Historic Mitchell House Monday–Friday: 10am–4pm Saturday: 10am–1pm
Vestal Street Observatory Monday–Saturday: 11am–1pm
Loines Observatory Stargazing Open Nights Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday. Times vary please view our calendar.
The Maria Mitchell Association creates opportunities for all to develop a life-long passion for science, through education, research, and first-hand exploration of the sky, land, and sea of Nantucket Island.
