Holiday

Lowell's Boat Shop Holiday Open House

Visit Lowell’s Boat Shop during their Annual Holiday Open House is a two day family event during the first weekend in December. See the shop transformed with beautiful trees, an art show, silent auction, Nautical Gift Shop, Lowell’s gear to wear, books, glassware, and more. Make it a day! Live music, and lots of other treats in every part of the shop. Don’t miss this beautiful shindig, and be sure to tell your friends.

When:

December 7 & 8, 2024 11am-4pm

Santa Visits 12-1

Location:

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Beverly Tree Lighting

Beverly Massachusetts holiday tree lighting on the Common is a favorite community event!

Come to the Beverly Tree Lighting! Gather with your neighbors and enjoy cocoa, cookies, music and Santa, as we light the town Holiday Tree!

When:

Friday, November 28, 2025 7pm

Location:

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Greet Santa at the Hawthorne Hotel

Salem Main Streets, SalemMainStreets.org, Visit Salem MA for the holidays

Join Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem as we celebrate two of our most beloved annual traditions – Santa’s Arrival and the lighting of Salem’s Holiday Tree – all in one evening. Santa Claus will arrive at the top of the Hawthorne Hotel (18 Washington Square W) promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28, with assistance from the Salem Fire Department, of course. Organizers recommend arriving to the Salem Common by 5:45 p.m. to catch the arrival. Bring the whole family out for brass carols with Coventry Brass, festivities, and fun!

When:

Friday, November 28, 2025 5:45-8pm

Location:

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Wild Turkey 5 Mile Road Race

Run like a turkey through downtown Salem MA on Thanksgiving Day! Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem.

Join the fun for the annual Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run in downtown Salem Massachusetts Thanksgiving morning and raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem! This is the largest race on the North Shore, now in its 22^nd year, with 2,000 anticipated participants. The first 1600 entries will receive long sleeve shirts. We give out awards in 5-year age groups. The pre and post-race meeting place will be in the Peabody Essex Museum Atrium. The race benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem.

When:

Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025 8am

Location:

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Bevrec Toy Drive

Beverly Massachusetts Recreation Department hosts a holiday toy drive at Lynch Park!

The BevRec will be hosting a Holiday Toy Drive at Lynch Park to benefit the great work that Beverly Bootstraps does for our community. We’re collecting new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages to help make this season brighter for everyone in our community.

When:

Saturday, November 29, 2025 10am-1pm

Location:

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Cape Ann Symphony Holiday Pops

Celebrate the Holidays on Thanksgiving weekend with the Cape Ann Symphony conducted by Yoichi Udagawa. The annual Holiday Pops is a musical celebration of the season. The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus now under the direction of Brittany Betts will join the orchestra for a Holiday Pops series for the whole family. The ever popular audience sing-along concludes the performance.

When:

Saturday, November 29, 2025 2PM [Ipswich]

Saturday, November 29, 2025 7:30pm [Manchester]

Sunday, November 29, 2025 2pm [Manchester]

Location:

Ipswich High School

Manchester Essex Regional High School

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Swampscott Thanksgiving Farmer's Market

The Swampscott Farmers Market hosts a special Thanksgiving market in Massachusetts

The outdoor markets are done for the season but we will have one last indoor Thanksgiving Market on Sunday, November 19th at Swampscott High School Cafe. Stock up with fresh produce for your Thanksgiving table and get your Christmas shopping started early with our crafters!

When:

Sunday, November 23, 2025 10am-1pm

Location:

Swampscott High School

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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 23, 2025 10am

Location:

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Halloween Hoot & Howl at IRWS

At sundown this Halloween season, Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary will be transformed into a magical forest.

Bring the family for a nature-themed Halloween at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary this October. This charming, not-so-spooky event invites visitors to take a hoot-i-ful woodland walk and learn about nocturnal (costumed) animals that live at the sanctuary.

When:

Saturday, October 18, 2025 3:30-8pm

Location:

Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

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Witch City 5k

Run through the haunted streets of Salem with ghouls, ghosts and goblins in this community favorite 5K event that takes place during the most fun time in Salem...October’s Haunted Happenings!

When:

Saturday, October 4, 2025 9am

Location:

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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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Annual Pizza Taste Off

The Interact Club at Gloucester High School will be holding their annual pizza taste off at Cruiseport Gloucester! Come try different pizza from around Cape Ann, while helping to raise funds for the

Where: Cruiseport Gloucester

5:00 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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Sunday, April 19

CraneOutdoors: Castle Neck Hike in the Dunes

You may be familiar with Crane Beach, but have you ever visited the dune trails? The dunes of Castle Neck are a much less explored world unto themselves. They offer one of the most accessible dune landscapes in New England and trails that provide a firsthand look into the delicate and ever-changing...

Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

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Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children's Museum

Join in on Sundays at 2:30 for STEAM Club for ages 5-11. Each week participants will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math with our NSCM staff! Every STEAM club session will see your kids participating in hands-on activities while exploring a new topic. Space is limited, please...

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

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Monday, April 20

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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Tuesday, April 21

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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Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

Bring your little ones to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh story hour. We will read books about animals and nature, maybe sing a song or two, then head up to the carriage barn to visit our Nubian goats, Angora rabbits and see what other animals are out and about on the farm. We will engage in...

Where: Appleton Farms

10:30 am to 11:30 am

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