Holiday

Winter Lights on Cape Ann

Celebrate the season with holiday light displays in Gloucester, Essex, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport.

The Annual Winter Lights on Cape Ann is a festive event celebrating the holiday season, running from late November through New Year's Day. Over 100 local businesses in Gloucester, Essex, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport are participating by decorating their storefronts with lights and creative displays. A decorating contest is back by popular demand, allowing visitors to vote for their favorite decorated business in each of the five communities.

When: 
Daily through New Years Day 2024

Cinderella in December | A TitO Panto

Come enjoy a Cinderella Panto performed by Theater in the Open at the Firehouse Center for the Arts!

Edward Speck and Joshua Shack bring back a favorite TITO Holiday Panto. We’ve updated our version of this classic fairy tale, added a holiday spin, plenty of adorable mice and even a few playful clowns to lead audiences on an enchanted adventure. It’s everything that you loved the first time you saw Cinderella, with some new surprises, just for fun!

When: 
Fridays & Saturdays, December 8-23, 2023 3pm or 7pm
Sundays, December 10 & 17, 2023 3 pm

Holiday Printmaking with IRWA

Ipswich River Watershed Association hosts a fish printing craft session during Ipswich Evergreen.

Ipswich River Watershed Association hosts a fish printing craft session during Ipswich Evergreen. Participants will be repurposing real fish (shad, originally used for scientific research) and making beautiful and unique prints which can be used for gifts, decorations, cards, or anything your heart desires!

When: 
Saturday, December 16, 2023 1-3pm

Danvers Library Holiday Open House

Join the Friends of the Peabody Instute Library for their Holiday Open House in Danvers Massachusetts!

Friends of the Peabody Institute Library - Danvers will be hosting their annual Holiday Open House from 2pm to 4pm on the ground floor of the library. Live music with the band Classic Groove, crafts for all ages, door prizes and refreshments galore! All ages are invited to drop by and enjoy some holiday cheer.

When: 
Sunday, December 9, 2023 2-4pm

Winter Wonder Neverland at the Firehouse

Winter Wonder Neverland by Joppa Dance Company at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport Massachusetts

Firehouse Center for the Arts hosts Joppa Dance Company for their performance of Winter Wonder Neverland! This dance-theater production follows Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinker Bell and friends as they try to rescue Christmas back from Captain Hook. It’s full of Pirates, Lost Boys and Fairies.

When: 
Friday, December 1, 2023 7:30pm
Saturday, December 2, 2023 2 & 7:30pm
Sunday, December 3, 2023 2pm

Danvers YMCA Holiday Gift Market

Northshore YMCA Danvers invites you to a Holiday Gift Market just in time for the Holiday Season.

Northshore YMCA Danvers invites you to a Holiday Gift Market just in time for the Holiday Season. You'll finda special collection of local crafters, jewelry designers, artists, & more! More than 30 vendors will be joining us for a holiday tradition of shopping, raffles, and holiday treats. Free entry- our special raffle this year supports Rosie's Place.

When: 
Saturday, December 2, 2023 10am-2pm

Newburyport Holiday House Tour

Newburyport Holiday House Tour hosted by the Newburyport PTO Kitchen Tour

Enjoy touring private residences and unique spaces throughout Greater Newburyport, all decorated in holiday style both inside and out. All proceeds benefit the Anna Jaques Hospital Aid Association and is sponsored by Gibson Sotheby’s. Tickets are $30 in advance/$35 day of. Visit www.nbptholidayhousetour.com for more information or to purchase tickets.

When: 
Saturday, December 9, 2023 10am-4pm

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Shore School in Beverly Massachusetts offers a host of Summer programs for kids aged 5-12

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts, offers a delightful self-guided walk that is perfect for families with children. The park's 480-acre expanse, once the Moseley Estate, is rich with historical charm and natural beauty. Families can embark on a self-guided tour through lush...
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Music Together - Wednesday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
9:30 am to 11:15 am

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
The Public Garden may be one of the most ideal picnicking locations in Boston. Well-groomed and overflowing with tulips, cherry-trees, with willows cascading over the duck pond, the Boston Public Garden is a great place to relax during Boston's most beautiful season.
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

Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

Mendel Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night
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
7:00 pm

Saturday, May 17

Birds, Bees & Butterflies | Family Nature Series at Cox Reservation

Essex County Greenbelt Association hosts an Exploration Workshop for families at Cox Reservation in Essex Massachusetts!
Essex County Greenbelt Association invites families to Cox Reservation for a fun session that's all about bees! This show-and-tell introduces children of all ages to the importance of bees and other pollinators.
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Gloucester Student Arts Festival

Gloucester Student Arts Festival showcases multiple forms of art created by the students of Gloucester Massachusetts
Arts Fest is an annual celebration of the arts in the Gloucester Public Schools, a day to enjoy creativity, connection, and celebrating our students’ talents as a Gloucester community. It is led by the Gloucester Education Foundation in partnership with the Gloucester Public Schools, Cape Ann...
11:00 am to 4:00 pm

TitO presents Petrushka & the Caterpillar

Theater in the Open presents Petrushka and the Catapillar at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
What happens when your favorite stories need a new ending? Everyone's favorite clown upends iconic fables and fairytales in our signature storytelling style – with tons of imagination, humor, and heart. Join Petrushka and the gang as they retell old stories for our times!
2:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Sunday, May 18

Todd Farm Market

Come to Todd Farm on Sunday - A classic New England Fleas Market in Rowley Massachusetts!
From early Spring to late Fall, Todd Farm is a great Sunday destination for families!  Head to the farm and explore the outdoor award-winning Market featuring up to 240 vendors from all over New England and New York!
5:00 am to 3:00 pm

Bluefin Blowout Family 5k to Benefit Alzheimer's Association

The Bluefin Blowout Family Fun Run in Gloucester Massachusetts raises funds to combat the diseases of Alzheimer's and all other dementias
On Sunday, May 18th, 2025, come to Stage Fort Park, Gloucester for the Bluefin Blowout Family Fun Run 5K, Presented by the Lyon-Waugh Auto Group - Benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association. Run, walk, or stroll from Stage Fort Park to Hammond Castle and back to Stage Fort Park for a 5K loop. Enjoy the...
7:00 am to 10:30 am

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts, offers a delightful self-guided walk that is perfect for families with children. The park's 480-acre expanse, once the Moseley Estate, is rich with historical charm and natural beauty. Families can embark on a self-guided tour through lush...
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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

Newburyport Farmers' Market

Newburyport Farmers find organic locally grown produce, meat, dairy Newburyport
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...
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Hill to Harbor 10k Road Race

North Shore Lynch Van Otterloo YMCA Hill to Harbor 10k Marblehead Massachusetts
Join North Shore YMCA and the Lynch van Otterloo YMCA for the 2025 Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA Hills to Harbor 10K Road Race on May 18th! Traverse the hills and shoreline of Marblehead and finish the 'Hill to Harbor 10K at the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA!
9:00 am
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