Former President Joe Biden continued his long-standing Thanksgiving tradition in Nantucket this year, taking a relaxed stroll through the island’s historic downtown on Thursday alongside his children and grandchildren. The 83-year-old, who is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, appeared in good spirits as he browsed local shops and greeted passersby.
Biden was joined by his son Hunter, Hunter’s wife Melissa, his four grandchildren, and daughter Ashley. The family stopped briefly to listen to a street fiddler, with Biden dropping a $20 bill into the musician’s case before heading to Lemon Press, a popular local café.
Wearing a baseball cap, the former president acknowledged photographers with a thumbs-up, while First Lady Jill Biden was spotted separately shopping for flowers for the family’s holiday celebration.
Walking across the streets Joe meet with few people who were Ukrainians and he said that he’s “pushing as hard as [he] can” for U.S. support for Ukraine.
A Low-Key Arrival Compared to Previous Years
The Thanksgiving outing came just weeks after Biden completed a round of radiation treatment in late October, following his aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis made public in May.
The family arrived on the island last Saturday aboard a Cape Air Tecnam Traveller, a stark contrast from previous years when they traveled via Air Force One. A scaled-down motorcade of black SUVs escorted Biden from Nantucket Memorial Airport to the waterfront estate of billionaire David Rubenstein, where the Bidens have stayed many times over the past several decades.
A Nantucket police spokesperson confirmed Biden’s presence and noted that local officers have been coordinating with his security team. A source told The Inquirer and Mirror that Biden is accompanied by roughly 45 Secret Service agents—a significant presence, though much smaller than during his presidency. Residents were informed there would be no metal detectors, checkpoints, or barricades during the island’s annual tree-lighting ceremony this year.
A Holiday Tradition Spanning Nearly 50 Years
The Bidens have celebrated Thanksgiving on Nantucket almost every year since 1975, making the island a central part of their family history. For decades, their Thanksgiving meals were prepared by Faregrounds Restaurant, though they now reportedly rely on a private chef.
Last year, Joe and Jill Biden delivered pumpkin pies to local police officers and firefighters before taking part in downtown shopping and the Main Street tree-lighting ceremony.
Photos shared on social media over the weekend also showed the former president and his family waiting at Logan International Airport before boarding their flight to Nantucket.
Returning to Familiar Spots
On Sunday, Biden visited The Brotherhood of Thieves, one of his longtime favorite restaurants on Broad Street. There, he posed for photos with two local children—a moment locals shared warmly on social media.
His appearance followed his 83rd birthday on November 20, which Jill Biden acknowledged publicly in a social media post.
Open About His Health Struggles
Biden has spoken candidly about his health battles throughout the year. In addition to his prostate cancer diagnosis, he underwent Mohs surgery in August to remove skin cancer, appearing publicly afterward with a bandage on his head.
Earlier this month, during a speech at the Nebraska Democratic Party’s Ben Nelson Gala, Biden reflected on both his own cancer treatment and the loss of his eldest son, Beau Biden, who died of glioblastoma in 2015.
“Cancer hits every family. It’s hit my family hard,” he said, recalling Beau’s deployment to Iraq and the burn pit exposure linked to his illness.
He also shared his own experience with treatment, noting the emotional moment when he was able to ring the bell marking the end of a radiation cycle.
“Thank God for the doctors, the nurses, and the breakthroughs we’re making in cancer research,” Biden added.
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