Rockport

Rock in the New Year with Rockport's annual New Year's Rockport Eve 2012! The Shalin Liu Performance Center comes alive with concerts from local favorites The Cape Ann Big Band, a cappella sensation Overboard, and Henri Smith New Orleans Friends & Flavours.

Celebrate the Holidays with the North Shore Christian Men's Choir as they perform a free Christmas concert celebrating the Rockport's 66th Annual Christmas Pageant. Special guests are Scott Clements on Trumpet and Colette Daniels on Hand Bells. A time of socialization and refreshments will follow.

Rockport's oldest Christmas tradition began back in the 1890's, when Rockport grocer Tim Sheehan invited the town's children to visit with Santa at his store. More than a century later, this event is still carried on by the Christmas Tree Committee.

Come top downtown Rockport Ma for a torch-lit reenactment of the Nativity. Starting at 5pm along Dock Square and Main Street, ending at the Congregational Church.  Each year hundreds of spectators gather to watch the live re-enactment of the story of baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the Bethlehem inn and the stable. The pageant begins with a torchlit procession which starts at Dock Square and proceeds up Main Street to the Congregational Church. Here the story of Jesus’ birth is brought to life through a live narration and Christmas songs sung by a full choir.

You can literally ring in the holidays with Rockport Music at the Shalin Liu Performance Center!  The New England Ringers will perform holiday concert where the only instruments are bells. This fifteen-member highly energetic ensemble plays advanced hand bell works with a blend of musical moods and styles—from classical transcriptions, familiar favorites, and original compositions, all with a touch of entertaining humor.

Enjoy festive holiday cheer with Rockport Music! After the Town of Rockport’s annual Christmas festivities, continue the celebration at the Shalin Liu Performance Center. Singing classic carols in our Holiday Sing-Along brings people together to share in the holidays through music and will feature the Rockport High School Madrigals! Hosted by Bill Hausman.

Firebird Ensemble has been described as “ambitious and eclectic” by the New York Times and has earned a reputation as one of the premier new music ensembles in the United States. Known for its virtuosic performances and wide audience appeal, Firebird Ensemble’s musical interpretations are drawn from diverse sources and genres. In this program, the Firebird Ensemble will present its own unique interpretation of the holiday classic A Christmas Carol.

Where else can you see Santa arrive by lobster boat? Santa will arrive at Rockport’s Bradley Wharf (the location of Motif No. One) on Bearskin Neck, following a brisk lobster boat ride across Sandy Bay. Then Santa will climb up onto a Rockport Forest Fire truck and proceed along Bearskin Neck to Dock Square, led by Rockport cub scouts and the strolling Cape Ann Jazz Band.

Donate your warm winter used clothing and other items in Rockport. Kids clothing and winter coats are in high demand this time of year, and your contribution can really make a big difference in somebody's life! Bring your donations to the Rockport Transfer Station or Smith Ace Hardware. 

Ever wonder how ribbon candy is made, or how candy canes get their stripes? Tuck's Candy Factory is having free candy making demonstrations of candy-cane, ribbon candy, and satin stick making. Visit, watch and sample! Bring the whole family for an old-fashioned holiday treat.