Holiday

2023 Marblehead Gingerbread Festival

The Marblehead Gingerbread Festival is part of the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce's Christmas Walk, and the proceeds will go to benefit the Marblehead Family Fund and the Marblehead Historical Society.

Come see over 100 locally and professionally made gingerbread creations on display at the historic Jeremiah Lee Mansion in Marblehead, MA during this year's Marblehead Christmas Walk. Community members, businesses, and families are building and donating dozens of gingerbread houses, boats and local buildings that will be on display and available for raffle throughout the weekend. Days and times vary so check the times!

When: 
Friday, December 1, 2023 3-6pm
Saturday, December 2, 2023 10am-4 pm
Sunday, December 3, 2023 11am-3pm (Winners drawn at 2 pm)
Entry Drop Off: Thursday, November 30, 2023 10am-Noon & 3-6pm

Kiddos Culinary Workshop | Gingerbread Houses

Kids are invited  to construct and decorate festive gingerbread house at Appleton Farms in Ipswich, Massachusetts

Join Pastry Chef Sam Burns to construct and decorate festive gingerbread houses to celebrate the winter season. Construction material will include house-made gingerbread, frostings, and fondant. An array of nostalgic candies will provide the finishing details to our construction project. Suitable for ages 6+, the only requirements are imagination, patience and persistence with a piping bag. Homemade cocoa and sweets will be provided to fuel our project, and constructed gingerbread homes will be packed for safe transport home.

When: 
Sunday, December 17, 2023 11:30am-1pm
Location: 

Holiday Cookie Box Worskshop at Appleton Farms

Lean the logistics of Holiday Cooking baking in the kitchen at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts!

What better way to spread holiday cheer than making cookie boxes to share with those you love? A holiday tradition for many, the logistics of a cookie box can seem overwhelming at first. Learn some of our tips and tricks to putting together a low stress, diverse and delicious cookie box, including recipe selection to baking schedules. And what’s a cookie class without the cookies?! Help us bake and decorate a farmhouse favorite, with a few twists and a small box to take home to a loved one (or tell no one and polish it off on your car ride home…) BYOB

When: 
Saturday, December 16, 2023 10am-Noon
Location: 

Appleton Farms Winter Market

The Trustees of Reservations host the Appleton Farms Winter Farmer's Market in Ipswich Massachusetts

Join us in celebration of the holiday season at a special farmers market, featuring curated gift ideas, organic winter vegetables, & fresh baked goods from our own Farm Store along with a selection of other local edibles & gifts from area artisans, crafters, and producers of fine foods. There is no better way to knock some holiday to-do’s off your list with unique and memorable gifts, while simultaneously supporting small local businesses – and having a fun festive time while doing it!

When: 
Saturday, December 9, 2023 12-4PM
Location: 

Hamilton-Wenham Carol Sing & Tree Lighting

Hamilton-Wenham Community hosts a community carol sing and tree lighting in Massachusetts

The Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham invites children to bring their own flashlight or glowsticks for the tree and gazebo lighting and a Christmas Carol Sing for all ages! Join us for a jolly evening of carol singing and holiday cheer, featuring Brian Doser, Peter Stewart, and Stage 284 friends! Santa will be arriving by fire truck at about 7:30pm. Free to attend! We hope to see you there.

When: 
Friday, December 1, 2023 6:30pm

Essex Turkey Trot 5K Race & Fun Walk

The Essex Massachusetts Lions host their annual 5k Turkey Trot!

The Essex Lion's Club hosts the annual turkey trot in beautiful Essex Massachusetts! This year the race is a 5K and a 5k fun walk.  Race starts at 11:00am for runners and 10am for walkers.  Registration is at Woodman’s Restaurant (upstairs), 121 Main Street, Essex, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, or pre-register online.  

When: 
Sunday, November 19, 2023 10am
Location: 

Middle Street Walk Gingerbread Contest 2023

Middle Street Walk Gingerbread Contest entries can take any shape.

Everybody is invited to enter the Gingerbread Contest for the Middle Street Walk in Gloucester this year! Groups and individuals are encouraged to get creative and come up with entries that can take any shape.  All entries will be judged during the Middle Street walk with winners being announced at 1pm in Gloucester City Hall

When: 
Saturday, December 9, 2023 10am - 3pm

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Adirondack Leadership Program at Gordon College’s La Vida Center

Story Walk |This Is the Nest Robin Built

Kids will enjoy this self-guided story based tour of the Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts! Photo by Bill O'Connor
Enjoy a story, fresh air and exercise at Halibut Point State Park ! Join us on the grounds of the for a self-guided StoryWalk® featuring the children’s picture book This is the Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming. Follow the path to book pages posted along the route. A wonderful story awaits! For...
8:00 am to 4:00 pm

All Family Field Trip | Early Spring Walk in the Woods

Come explore the woods with Joppa Flats and see if you can find the signs of Spring in Newburyport Massachusetts
Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the north shore. Our engaging and experienced staff will introduce families to local beaches, forests, and wetlands to make observations in nature, identify wildlife, and enjoy hands on science activities outdoors....
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Friends of Abbot Library Moving/Book Sale

The Abbot Library is holding a moving & book sale in Marblehead Massachusetts! Image is AI generated
The Abbot Library is holding a moving & book sale in Marblehead Massachusetts! The Friends of Abbot Public Library will be having a moving sale from Monday, March 25 through Saturday, March 30! Stop by the Sail Away Book Shop located in the gym space at Abbot Public Library's interim location...
10:00 am to 4:00 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

Tabletop Gaming for Teens at APL

Abbott Library in Marblehead Massachusetts invites teens to an afternoon session of board gaming!
Need a break from your console? Hang out at the library for an hour of analog tabletop gaming to meet new friends and discover a favorite new thing to play. 
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Read to a Dog at APL

Kids are invited to read to a dog at Amesbury Massachusetts Public Library. Image generated with AI.
The Amesbury Public Library invites kids to come read to a dog at the Library! Gus, a mixed lab and certified reading partner dog, would love to hear you read aloud!
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Post Secondary School Fair at Landmark

Landmark School hosts a post secondary school fair for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities.
Meet representatives from college and university admissions and student support services, gap year programs, technical schools, and other non-traditional options. We have more exhibitors this year than ever before and we're very excited to welcome you to our high school campus!
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Felted Bunny Craft at Salisbury Library

The Salisbury Massachusetts Library hosts a crafting session featuring felted bunnies.
The Salisbury Library invites kids to join Rachelle for a fun craft night featuring fellted bunnies! Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. For kids aged 8 and older (we'll be using sewing needles). Sign-up is required and space is limited.
6:00 pm

Intermediate Sourdough Bread Workshop at Appleton Farms

Learn the ins and outs of sourdough bread at Appleton Farms in in Ipswich Massachusetts!
Have you taken the Sourdough Bread Baking class and want to learn more? Level up your bread baking skills with this workshop led by Culinary Manager Jess Porter. Participants will learn to make a variety of sourdough breads using one base dough. We’ll discuss how to incorporate whole grains,...
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Friday, April 19

A Whale of a Time at Maritime Gloucester

Kids will learn all about whales at this Maritime Gloucester April Vacation drop off program in Gloucester Massachusetts
Here in Massachusetts we are lucky enough to host some of the largest animals on earth - whales! Join us in learning more about these majestic mammals! Particitpants learn all about whale behaviors and observe their food source under our microscopes. Create your own unique whale tail design to take...
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Aleppo Shriners Circus

Aleppo Shriners Circus in Wilmington Massachusetts is a great time for the whole family!
Fun for the whole family! Let us help you make memories this April Vacation with a show they won't forget!The all-new Aleppo Shriners Circus thrills during April school vacation week. Enjoy elephant rides, clown photos, and all sorts of exciting acts - right up close.
10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Cape Ann Symphony Concert | Katy and the Big Snow

Sawyer Free Library hosts a family friendly concert based on Katy and the Big Snow in Gloucester Massachusetts
Vacation week free fun for families! Cape Ann Symphony, along with the Sawyer Free Library, presents Katy and the Big Snow. Enjoy the beloved story by Gloucester's own Virginia Lee Burton read aloud by local actress Heidi Dallin, and set to music for this ensemble performance. Musicians will also...
10:30 am to 11:15 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

Salisbury Beach Carousel - Free Friday Hours

Carousel at Salisbury Beach MA. Parties, Family Reunions, Weddings, Showers, Birthday Parties
Salisbury Beach Carousel Hours: Friday: 4 pm to 8 pm Saturday: 12 pm to 8 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 6 pm Hours of operation are to change.
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Saturday, April 20

Annual ECTA Equine Expo & Tack Sale

Essex County Trail Association is hosting the annual Equine EXPO at Topsfield Fairgrounds
Essex County Trail Association is hosting the 29th annual Equine Expo & Tack Sale to be held on Saturday, April 20, 2024 from 9-3 in the Arena Building at the Topsfield Fairgrounds on Route 1, Topsfield, MA.  Individuals, groups & businesses make up our booths offering new and used items...
9:00 am to 3:00 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

Aleppo Shriners Circus

Aleppo Shriners Circus in Wilmington Massachusetts is a great time for the whole family!
Fun for the whole family! Let us help you make memories this April Vacation with a show they won't forget!The all-new Aleppo Shriners Circus thrills during April school vacation week. Enjoy elephant rides, clown photos, and all sorts of exciting acts - right up close.
10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Salisbury Beach Carousel - Saturday Hours

Carousel at Salisbury Beach MA. Parties, Family Reunions, Weddings, Showers, Birthday Parties
Salisbury Beach Carousel Hours: Friday: 4 pm to 8 pm Saturday: 12 pm to 8 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 6 pm Hours of operation are to change.
12:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Sunday, April 21

Spring Birding Walk—Symphony of Bird Song!

You and your child can learn the basics of birding at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts
Stroll the trails of this seaside treasure while learning birding basics. Hear the symphony of spring bird song, watch for them in the woodland’s and at water’s edges. Learn about bird sounds, habits, and flight patterns. Enjoy extraordinary views. Bring binoculars if you have them!
8:00 am to 10:00 am
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