Holiday

Beverly Downtown Winter Market

Come to Beverly Massachusetts for two festive evenings of holiday cheer during Cabot Night (Friday, 12/13) and Rantoul Night (Saturday, 12/14)! Both nights are packed with activities for all ages, including local shopping, live music, and delicious treats. Don’t miss the Beverly Memory Tree lighting ceremony on Saturday at Odell Park, a heartwarming event to kick off the season. Families can enjoy special shopping deals, craft markets, and performances by local artists, including Victorian carolers and the North Atlantic Ballet’s Nutcracker youth cast. For parents looking for a night out, the First Baptist Church is offering free childcare with dinner and activities.

When:

Friday, December 13, 2024 4-8PM

Saturday, December 14, 2024 4-8PM

Location:

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Trustees Winterlights at Stevens Coolidge Place

The Trustees of Reservations Winterlights at the Stevents-Coolidge Place North Andover North Andover.

Winterlights is back! Join the Trustees for a magical outdoor experience at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, and see the gardens aglow with your favorite light installations as well as marveling at new components. Bring the whole family for a fun and safe outdoor experience. Winterlights runs Wednesday through Sunday each week from the Friday after Thanksgiving (11/24) through December 31st. Winter Lights are closed on December 24 & 25, but open on December 26th!

When:

Wednesdays - Sundays, November 29, 2024 - January 4, 2025 4:30-8:00pm

Closed Christmas Day and Christmas Eve

Location:

Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

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The Nutcracker by Greater Salem Ballet

The Greater Salem Ballet performs the Nutcracker at Lynn Auditorium featuring more than 100 children and adults from the North Shore!

Join Greater Salem Ballet Company for their annual performance of 'The Nutcracker' at the at Lynn Memorial Auditorium at Lynn City Hall! Follow Clara on her magical journey.

When:

Saturday December 14, 2024 12pm

Location:

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Ipswich Jingle Bell Walk

Join friends and family for a day of holiday festivities and cheer! Sing carols with Buddy the Elf while waiting for Santa’s arrival.

Greet Santa as he arrives at Town Wharf on East Street, at the north end end of Water Street, in Ipswich! Come sing carols with Buddy the Elf as we await Santa’s arrival. Jingle Bells will be available for purchase. Jingle your bells and follow our honored guest and Buddy the Elf on a festive “Jingle Bell Walk” along Water Street to the Ipswich Town Hall at 45 Green Street. Keep a sharp eye out for the “Grinch”!

When:

Saturday, December 14, 2024 11-1:30pm

Location:

Downtown Ipswich

South Village Green Ipswich

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Free Holiday Concert in Hamilton

The Musary performs A Charlie Brown Christmas at the The Community House in Hamilton Massachusetts

The Musary brings Charlie Brown's Christmas to The Community House! The Aidan Scrimgeour Trio will bring to life and perform a LIVE version of the Vince Guaraldi holiday masterpiece (John's favorite!). This year they will be joined by members of the HW Elementary School Chorus! The event is FREE, although we kindly encourage attendees to make a suggested donation of $25 to support The Musary. We warmly invite you to join us at the event! As space is limited, admission is on a first-come, first-served basis.

When:

Saturday, December 14, 2024 3pm

Location:

Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham

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Santa at the Phillips House

Join Santa for some traditional holiday fun at the Phillips House in Salem Massachusetts

Santa and Mrs. Claus are coming to Phillips House! Take a photo with Santa and see the elegant Chestnut Street mansion aglow with holiday cheer. Before or after meeting Santa, join us for stories with Mrs. Claus, cookies, cider, and a drop-in Christmas craft workshop, where you can make festive creations to take home and even write your letter to Santa! Craft activities are recommended for families with children ages 4 to 10. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive shortly after 12pm.

When:

Saturday, December 17, 2024 Noon-2pm

Location:

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Wreath Decorating Workshop

Annual Wreath Making Workshop at the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum

Join us at the Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum as Susie Talbot guides the group through decorating a 20" wreath. Susie is an extraordinarily talented individual who not only designed, but takes care of our front gardens. Amongst her many talents is decorating Holiday greens.

When:

Tuesday, December 3, 2024 5-7pm

Wednesday, December 4, 2024 5-7pm

Location:

Essex Shipbuilding Museum

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Children's Holiday Party with the Snow Sisters at IPL

Children's Holiday Party with the Snow Sisters at the Ipswich Public Library in Massachusetts!

Join IPL children’s librarians for a fun-filled morning to get you in the holiday spirit with a visit from the Snow Sisters along with crafts and refreshments!

When:

Saturday, December 7, 2024 10am-Noon

Location:

Ipswich Public Library

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Night Tree Celebration at Appleton Farms

Come to Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts to celebrate the holiday tradition of the Night Tree

Join the Trustees of Reservations at Appleton for this holiday tradition to feed the animals of the forest from your own handcrafted edible ornament. We will begin the night in our historic carriage barn where we will cozy in with hot cocoa and popcorn to read the holiday classic tale “Night Tree” by Eve Bunting alongside of our barnyard friends. After our story, you will make your own edible ornament and garland which will decorate our tree and feed our forest friends. We will walk a wintery lantern-lit path to our “Night Tree” to hang our ornaments and celebrate the season.

When:

Sunday, December 14, 2024 6-7:30pm

Location:

Trustees of Reservations

Celebration

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Holiday Market in the Shipyard

Shop Local and stuff your stockings with unique gifts from curated vendors at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum in Massachusetts

Head over to the Essex Shipbuilding Museum and the historic schoolhouse at 28 Main Street for unique local holiday gifts! Shop Local and stuff your stockings with unique gifts from curated vendors and our Museum Gift Shop.

When:

Saturday, December 7, 2024 11am-3pm

Location:

Essex Shipbuilding Museum

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Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.

Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

7:00 am to 7:00 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

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Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .

Where: Pingree School

8:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Newburyport Farmers' Market

The Newburyport Farmers Summer Market celebrates local fresh produce every Sunday morning rain or shine! Start your Sunday browsing fresh North Shore local produce, meats, cheeses, and seafood in an open air market atmosphere! Food and beverage vendors offer fresh hot coffee, breakfast treats and...

Where: Tannery Marketplace

9:00 am to 1:00 pm

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Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....

Where: Downtown Salem

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

Travel back in time to a castle filled with lush, opulent textures inspired by the great medieval and Renaissance castles of Europe. Wander through rooms adorned with White Birch and Christmas trees, sparkling fairy lights, hydrangea-lace garlands, and elegant bows, each space transformed with its...

Where: Hammond Castle Museum

10:00 am to 8:00 pm

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CraneOutdoors: Castle Neck Hike in the Dunes

While just about everybody on the North Shore has probably been to Crane Beach, the dunes of Castle Neck are a much less explored world unto themselves. Offering one of the most accessible dune ecosystems north of Cape Cod, Castle Neck has over six miles of trails, traversing the dunes, maritime...

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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Sunday, November 23

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Where: Downtown Salem

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Turkey Trot at Breakheart Reservation

Breakheart Reservation invites you to a Thanksgiving run/walk! Join us for the annual Breakheart Turkey Trot, a fun-filled event for runners and walkers of all ages! Lace up your sneakers and get ready to hit the scenic trails of Breakheart Reservation in Saugus, Massachusetts. Whether you're a...

Where: Breakheart Reservation

9:30 am to 12:00 pm

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Family & Friends CPR Course

It is only a matter of a few short minutes before it is too late to save a life … learning what to do provides you precious minutes and gives someone a chance to survive. The Family & Friends CPR Course teaches the lifesaving skills of child CPR with breaths, child AED use, infant CPR, and m

Where: Beverly Hospital

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Essex Turkey Trot 5K Race & Fun Walk

The Essex Lion's Club hosts the annual turkey trot in beautiful Essex Massachusetts!

Where: Downtown Essex

10:00 am to 1:00 pm

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Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

Where: Hammond Castle Museum

10:00 am to 8:00 pm

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Swampscott Thanksgiving Farmer's Market

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!

Where: Swampscott High School

10:00 am to 1:00 pm

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Sea Festival of Trees | Sundays

The Seacoast’s most magical holiday tradition is back! The 13th Annual SeaFestival of Trees opens Saturday, November 22 at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury, transforming the oceanfront venue into a sparkling winter wonderland of more than 145 themed trees, a giant sand sculpture, Santa’s...

Where: Blue Ocean Music Hall

11:00 am to 5:00 pm

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