Essex

Happy as a Clam 5k & Kid Fun Run

The Happy as a Clam Road Race invites children and families to race in Essex

The 15th Happy as a Clam 5k Race, Walk and Fun Dashes - powered by Great Marsh Brew Co, our exclusive Flagship Sponsor - is Friday, September 15, 2023!  This event is open to anyone who wants to support a community school and all the wonderful enrichment programs the students hope to enjoy throughout the year.  The 5K route meanders through the beautiful back roads of Essex.  The Kids' Fun Dashes are always a hit, with even the littlest ones smiling from start to finish.  Come out, lace up, and pound the pavement for the students of EES.  It's sure to be another fun race this year!

When: 
Friday, September 13, 2024 5pm

Annual Art in the Barn Exhibit and Sale

Art in the Barn is a fundraiser for the Essex County Greenbelt Association Essex Mass

Art in the Barn is recognized as one of the North Shore’s premier art events, featuring the most talented artists in the region. An annual event for over 30 years, the show normally takes place at Greenbelt's headquarters, Cox Reservation in Essex, and this year we will bring the fine art paintings, pottery, jewelry, sculpture and photography online. Artists generously donate 50% of their sales to support the land conservation mission of Essex County Greenbelt Association.

When: 
Friday, June 14, 2024 10am-3pm & 5-8:30pm
Saturday, June 15, 2024 10am-5pm
Location: 

Essex River Day

Essex River Day was created to celebrate one of our most valued resources - the Essex River Massachusetts

Postponed to Raindate June 21, 2023! Essex River Day was created to celebrate one of our most valued resources - the Essex River. This simple idea has grown into an annual event to kick-off the start of summer! Head down to Memorial Park at 24 Martin Street next to Essex Town Hall on Saturday, June 17th from 5pm-9pm (Rain Date: Sunday, June 18th) for live music by Brick House, games by Ipswich Family YMCA, 5 Star Phresh Phood truck, brews from our own Great Marsh Brewery and a bonfire lit at dusk. Special thanks to Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and Essex Lions Club for their event support.

When: 
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 5-9pm

Essex Arts & Culture Festival

Come join in this vibrant celebration of Essex Massachusetts' culture, heritage and artistic spirit.

Celebrate creativity at the Essex Arts and Culture Festival, brought to you by the Essex River Cultural District and hosted at the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum. Enjoy a day of art, culture and family fun! Come join in this vibrant celebration of Essex's culture, heritage and artistic spirit.

You'll find:

  • Artist Demos
  • Shipbuilding
  • Kid's Fun
  • Exhibitions
  • Food
  • Music
When: 
Saturday, June 22, 2024 11am-6pm

Essex Clam Fest 2024

Enjoy food, live music and all kinds of family fun at the Essex Clam Fest! Photo: An order of steamed clams from Woodman's of Essex

Join us for the 39th Annual Essex ClamFest and Arts & Crafts Festival, from 11 am to 4 pm in Shepard Memorial Park in Essex. Although the highlight of the day is the Chowder Tasting Competition (Come taste Cape Ann’s finest chowders from Noon to 1 pm and vote for your favorite!) there is also a great variety of family-friendly activities, including arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment, live reptile and kid's games, live Police K-9 Demo (11am) and plenty of food vendors on-site! 

When: 
Saturday, October 26, 2024 11am - 4pm
Chowder Tasting Noon-1pm

Phenomic Friends at TOHP Burnham Library

Phenomic Friends at the TOHP Burnham Public Library in Essex Massachusetts

TOHP Burnham Public Library hosts Phonemic Friends, an interactive pre-literacy program for caregivers with children.  Best for ages 3 to 5, but 2-years-olds may benefit from the program too.  Together, we will practice important early literacy, language and articulation skills through stories, songs and activities for young children and their caregivers to use together! Program will be provided by a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist. Siblings welcome!

When: 
Friday, March 15, 2024 10-10:30am

Bruins Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive

From February 1 through March 15, Cradles to Crayons®, the Boston Bruins, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and Wonderfund are coming together with organizations in your community to collect new pajamas for local children living in low-income and homeless situations. This years' goal is to collect 10,000 pairs of pajamas. By supporting us with a PJ Drive, you will directly supply new pajamas to the children who need them most so they can stay warm for a good night’s sleep. Register through our form below to get more information on hosting a PJ Drive with us.

When: 
February 1- March 15, 2024

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Adirondack Leadership Program at Gordon College’s La Vida Center

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 3:59 pm

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
10:00 am to 6:59 pm

Ipswich Homegrown Market

Ipswich Homegrown Market on the Middle Green in Ipswich Massachusetts.
Every Thursday through the Summer, you will find fresh local produce and other foods from local vendors at the Middle Green in Ipswich Massachusetts! Come enjoy this weekly community event featuring local growers, makers, artists, and dreamers.
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Evening Stroll at Maudslay

Enjoy and evening stroll with the park interpreter at Maudlsay State Park in Newburyport
Join the park interpreter for a moderately paced walk to view different areas of the park and experience the seasonal changes at Maudslay. 
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Friday, May 24

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Lil Kickers Soccer at North Shore Children's Museum

 Danvers Indoor Sports host a Lil Kickers soccer program for little ones at North Shore Children's Museum
Coach Lex from Danvers Indoor Sports Clinic will engage budding soccer players for a fun morning of active learning through sports! Warm up, run, and work on skill drills during our 9-12 play session.
9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
10:00 am to 3:59 pm

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
10:00 am to 6:59 pm

Music Together - Friday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
10:30 am to 11:15 am

Kidleidoscope

Kidleidoscope at Maudslay State Park is a chance for preschoolers to explore the park, enjoy a story and make a craft!
Maudslay State Park has created this program for their youngest crowd! For the young set that loves nature, the park interpreter will lead a three-part preschool aged program that includes a story, craft & walk that involves outdoor exploration. A different nature topic each week so come every...
11:00 am

Friday Family Farm Chores at Appleton Farms

Join The Trustees of Reservations at Appleton Farms for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
Every day has a full list of barnyard chores we need to accomplish to make sure our farmyard friends are happy and healthy. Let’s get to work! Join us for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays and Saturdays! Get on your muck boots – your whole family will get to be...
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Saturday, May 25

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Gold Star Run for Honor

Start Your Memorial day with a run/walk to honor a local Saugus Massachusetts veteran, Scott Procopio
The Gold Star Run for Honor is a 5k, 10k, kids fun run or 1 Mile Walk to honor the memory of a local Saugus veteran. Scott J. Procopio was on his second deployment as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, having previously served in Fallujah in 2005. He was killed in action as a result of a roadside...
7:30 am to 12:00 pm

Teen Naturalist Club at IRWS: Spring/Summer Series

Join Mass Audubon for their Teen Naturalist Club at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield Massachusetts!
Explore a variety of local ecosystems, learn more about a wide range of natural history topics, and do real wildlife data collection and conservation projects in this exciting club for teens!
8:00 am to 8:00 pm
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