Festival

Essex Clam Fest 2022

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

The 38th Annual Essex ClamFest is back! Although the highlight of the day is the Chowder Tasting Competition - come taste Cape Ann’s finest chowders- there is a great variety of activities, including arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment and plenty of food vendors on-site! There is no fee to enter the Festival. There is a $10 fee to Taste the Chowders. Rain date: Sunday, October 23rd. For more info call 978-283-1601. Sponsored by the Essex Division of the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.

When:

Saturday, October 22, 2022 11am - 4pm

Chowder Tasting Noon-2pm

Location:

Memorial Park (Essex)

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Landmark 5k Road Race

Landmark School's annual 5K Road Race is a family fun event that helps support the mission of Landmark School.

Landmark School's 5K Road Race is part of their Homecoming & Fall Festival. It is one of the largest events of the academic year, bringing together students, parents, alumni, faculty, friends, and members of the broader North Shore community. This event is also part of the Landmark Cares fundraiser, which helps students who have dyslexia reach their full potential.Come run, walk, or stroller this scenic course during the beautiful New England fall season.

When:

Saturday, October 1, 2022 10:30am-Noon

Location:

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Ipswich Illumination

Come to Ipswich as points along the Ipswich River are illuminated!

Come to Ipswich MA for a night of lights, illumination and light inspired artistry! There will be live entertainment, bonfires and luminaries along the ipswich River, Interactive dance, art shows lasers and more!

When:

Friday-Sunday, October 14-16, 2022 6-9PM

Location:

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Beverly Harbor Fest

The 11^th annual Harbor Fest is a lively family celebration on the water hosted by Beverly Harbor Management Authority. Join us for games on the lawn, food trucks, music in the shell, and a beer garden at the Carriage House. Mark your calendar NOW and follow more specifics of the event on Facebook - #beverlyharborfest2022 or search “Beverly Harbor Fest 2022”. We hope to see you there to celebrate Beverly’s beautiful waterfront that we can all enjoy!

When:

Sunday, September 11, 2022 3-6pm

Location:

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Topsfield Fair

The Topsfield Fair is a perennial favorite for us. We love fruits and vegetables, and are always on the lookout for the winning 'biggest pumpkin'. Another favorite is checking out the pigs and other farm animals, as well as the interesting variety of guinea pigs and rabbits.

When:

Friday, September 30, 2022 4-10pm

Daily, October 1-10, 2022 10am-10pm

Location:

Topsfield Fairgrounds

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Topsfield Fair - Opening Day

Topsfield Fair opens the gates at 1pm Friday! Topsfield Fair is one of the longe

The Topsfield Fair is a perennial favorite for us. We're not the biggest fans of the midway, although it is always worth a walkthrough and a ride or two. We love fruits and vegetables, and are always on the lookout for the winning 'biggest pumpkin'. Another favorite is checking out the pigs and other farm animals, as well as the interesting variety of guinea pigs and rabbits.

When:

Friday, September 30, 2022 4-10pm

Daily, October 1-10, 2022 10am-10pm

Location:

Topsfield Fairgrounds

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Color the Sky Kite Festival at Salisbury Beach

The Kite Festival at Salisbury Beach is just one event of many for families during Salisbury Days

Salisbury Days Event. Grab your fanciest kite and let’s color the sky! Beginners to experts are invited and encouraged to attend.

When:

Saturday, September 17, 2022 11AM - 1PM

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Trails & Sails 2022

Explore the North Shore with over 150 Free Events in Essex National Heritage Area's Trails & Sails celebration.

Essex National Heritage Area sites will offer over 150 free family fun events from September 17-26, 2021 for the annual celebration of TRAILS & SAILS. Discover special places in your backyard and be guided through unique landscapes on land and sea, explore historic properties, and take in cultural experiences of all kinds. Find what makes Essex County like nowhere else during Trails & Sails! It’s all FREE and it’s all located within the 34 cities and towns of Essex County.

When:

Daily, September 16-25, 2022

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Lowell's Boat Shop: A Step Back in Time

Learn about Lowell's Boat Shop on this guided Trails and Sails Tour

Visit Lowell’s Boat Shop for a guided tour during Trails & Sails 2022! Founded in 1793, Lowell’s Boat Shop is the oldest continuously operating wooden boat shop in the United States. Now a National Historic Landmark, Lowell’s continues to build wooden boats in the traditional method, with a mission of passing that knowledge on to the next generation through the Apprentice Program. Located on the banks of the Merrimack River in Amesbury, Lowell’s Boat Shop welcomes guests to take a step back in time and learn about the unique history and craft of wooden boat building.

When:

Friday, September 23, 2022 10am-2pm

Location:

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Gloucester Harvest Music Festival

The GLOUCESTER HARVEST MUSIC FESTIVAL blends art and music in one of the country’s most unique and rich artist communities. We invite you to experience the beauty and friendliness of Gloucester through a day long festival showcasing music, arts and culture.To honor Cape Ann’s first responders, frontline medical personnel and emergency workers, this year’s Gloucester Harvest Music Festival will be free with donations requested. All proceeds will be donated to those whose dedication and sacrifice has kept us safe. Great music. Local Food & Drink. Fun for everyone!

When:

Saturday, September 10, 2022 11am-6pm

Location:

Gloucester Harbor Walk

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Sculpture at Maudslay

Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the 23rd Annual Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay Exhibit September 10 through October 2 featuring 50 site specific sculptures by local artists addressing this year’s theme, ‘Intersect’ within the magnificence of Maudslay State Park in Newburyport. Look for the...

Where: Maudslay State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School hosts the 13th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, MA. Once again, we will display more than 50 works by artists from as nearby as Hamilton and as far away as the state of Washington, including 18 works that are now in the school’s...

Where: Pingree School

8:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Crescent Farm Corn Maze

Imagine the biggest puzzle you’ve ever seen. Now imagine a day in the sunshine with your friends or family. Now add an adventure that takes teamwork and memory skills. All these things and more can be found at Crescent Farms Corn Maze. Crescent Farm Corn Maze trails cut into 9 acres of corn. Inside...

Where: Crescent Farm

9:00 am to 9:00 pm

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Corn MAiZE and Haunted Attractions at Connors Farm - Danvers

Come to Connors Farm to find your way through this year's maze, "The Music Maze"! Enjoy many family fun activities! After completing the maze, stay and have some fun around the farm. Children enjoy apple and pumpkin picking, hayrides, and most of all, visiting the barnyard animals.

Where: Connors Farm

9:00 am to 6:00 pm

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We Walk the Woods!

Walk the trails with a group at Harold Parker State Forest every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. – Meeting location varies weekly. Email trek.reef@mass.gov for location.

Where: Harold Parker State Forest

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Arts and Crafts for Little Ones with Colleen Apostolos

Certified Montessori teacher, artist and local mother, Colleen Apostolos-Marsh will guide your young artist in an exploration of color, shape, and texture. Using a variety of media, your child will be free to express their in a beautiful space while socializing and engaging in cooperative play....

10:15 am to 11:15 am

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Amesbury Farmers Market

The Amesbury Farmers' Market is a local community farmers’ and artisans’ market located in the heart of the historic mills of Amesbury, Massachusetts at BareWolf Brewing. We are a regularly scheduled community market supporting our local food system, small businesses and neighborhood community...

Where: Barewolf Brewing

3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

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Evening Stroll at Maudslay

Join the park interpreter for a moderately paced walk to view different areas of the park and experience the changes at Maudslay over the spring, summer and fall. Rain or shine. Rain cancels. For ages 6 and up. Wear walking shoes, bring water and bug spray is recommended.

Where: Maudslay State Park

6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

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Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

The Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night (weather permitting) starting at dusk or 7:30 pm, whichever is later. When special astronomical events of interest occur (total lunar eclipses, etc.) the Obs

Where: Mendel Observatory at Merrimack College

7:00 pm

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Thursday, September 29

Sculpture at Maudslay

Where: Maudslay State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Where: Pingree School

8:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Corn MAiZE and Haunted Attractions at Connors Farm - Danvers

Where: Connors Farm

9:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Crescent Farm Corn Maze

Where: Crescent Farm

9:00 am to 9:00 pm

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Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, and Thursday mornings at 10 a.m. 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, Brian...

Where: Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham

10:00 am to 10:45 am

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Arts and Crafts for Little Ones with Colleen Apostolos

10:15 am to 11:15 am

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Kidleidoscope at Bradley Palmer

Kids ages 3-6 are invited to join this fun, engaging activity session where they will learn about nature through stories, craft and outdoor activitiies. Topics vary by week, so come for them all! Meets at the Nature Center at 40 Asbury Street.

Where: Bradley Palmer State Park

10:30 am to 11:30 am

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Salem Farmers' Market

The Salem Farmers' Market brings fresh local produce and other foods from North Shore farms and other local resources to downtown Salem every Thursday at Bentley Academy Charter School! Due to COVID-19, the market has needed to make some adjustments please read their new COVID-19 guidelines and...

Where: Derby Square

3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

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