Gloucester

Fishtown Horribles Parade of Trees

Fishtown Horribles Parade Trees, a holiday fundraiser in Gloucester Massachusetts

Gloucester's Fishtown Parade of of Trees is a community holiday fundraiser for the annual Fishtown Horribles Parade in July! Take a stroll the the Parade of Trees and find your favorites! All trees are donated and decorated by community members, businesses and organizations.

When: 
Saturday, December 2, 2023 10am-8pm
Sunday, December 3, 2023 11am-5pm

Gloucester's Santa Parade & Tree Lighting

Santa will come to Gloucester to launch the Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting -

Gloucester's Holiday Parade is a great tradition to kick off the holidays! Come enjoy the parade, Santa, and the tree lighting at Kent Circle!  Volunteers will line up parade participants at the State Fish Pier on Parker Street at 2:00 PM and will guide them through downtown Gloucester and on to Kent Circle for the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.

When: 
Sunday, November 26, 2023 3pm
Parade participants line up at 2pm on the State Fish Pier

Family Fun Game Night at Hammond Castle Museum

Family Fun Game Night at Hammond Castle in Gloucester Massachusetts

Wondering what to do with your family the day after Thanksgiving? Game Night at the Castle, of course!  Join us for a night of tabletop gaming in the Great Hall!  We will have gamer favorites such as: Dixit, Risk, Fluxx, Munchkin, Chess (Lord of the Rings Edition), We Didn't Playtest This At All, Apples to Apples, Settlers of Catan and The Oregon Trail Card Game.

And, we'll have the recently debuted "Hammond Naval Warfare," game of naval strategy designed by our founder, inventor John Hays Hammond Jr! You can be one of the first to ever play it.

When: 
Friday, November 24, 2023 5-10pm
Location: 

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle in Gloucester Massachusetts

Come to Hammond Castle for the 5th annual Deck The Halls holiday celebration. Hammond Castle Museum will be dressed for the holidays inside and out. Delight in the enchanting ambiance of Christmas and White Birch trees, meticulously arranged garlands, festive wreaths, and the warm embrace of candlelight that will envelop you throughout your tour of the Hammond Castle Museum. Immerse yourself in a bygone era of opulent tranquility and holiday grandeur that promises to be unlike any other experience on the North Shore.

When: 
Friday-Sunday, November 17-December 3, 2023 10am-4pm
Daily, December 10-30, 2023 10am-4pm
Location: 

Cape Ann Makers Holiday Market

Cape Ann Makers Holiday Market held at Cruiseport in Gloucester Massachusetts.

Come to Cruiseport Gloucester to the Cape Ann Makers Holiday Market. Support your local economy and makers by shopping local.  Saturday, November 24, 2023, is Small Business Saturday.  When shopping local please come by to Cruiseport Gloucester for the Holiday Sip and Shop Market.

When: 
Saturday, November 25, 2023 10am-4pm

Santa at Sea Cruise

Sail with Santa aboard the Beauport Princess on the water of Gloucester Harbor in Massachusetts

Enjoy a holiday harbor cruise aboard Beauport Cruiselines with Santa! Take in the beautiful views of Gloucester Harbor, all while singing holiday carols with elves, enjoying hot cocoa and cookies, and listening to a reading of “The Night Before Christmas.” Plus, a visit from Santa himself! Tickets include hot cocoa, cookies, and a picture with Santa. A Cash bar will be available. Two 90 Minute cruises are offered.

When: 
Sunday, December 10, 2023 11am or 2pm

Deck the Docks at Maritime Gloucester

Deck the Docks at on the Gloucester Massachusetts Waterfront and join the holiday cheer!

Come to Maritime Gloucester for fun holiday happenings on the waterfront in Gloucester Massachusetts! Find unique maritime themed gifts and stick around for kids events including crafts, hot cocoa and treat with Cape Ann Art Haven, story time in the classroom and more during Gloucester's Middle Street Walk 2023.

When: 
Saturday, December 9, 2023 10am-7pm

Gloucester's So Salty 2023

Celebrate Gloucester Massachusetts recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions in the heart of downtown.

Celebrate the fish city’s recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions and businesses during the 2nd Annual Gloucester’s So Salty festival on January 21 and 22, 2023 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm! Over 800 people came out last year to share their salty pride while enjoying free ice sculptures and cultural activities around Downtown Gloucester. The Cape Ann Museum is partnering with several area cultural institutions and businesses to offer two full days of free programming in the coldest part of the year. Inspired by the annual Salem's So Sweet Festival , this two-day event will include ice sculptures, live music, salty treats, free kids’ art activities, and much more. 

When: 
Saturday, January 21, 2023 10am-5pm
Sunday, January 22, 2023 10am-5pm

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Sea Festival of Trees at Blue Ocean Event Center Salisbury MA

Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

Kids can meet the barnyard animals and hear a story at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts.
Barnyard stories really come alive when you get to see the main characters in real life! Bring the kids down to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh version of story time. Explore the farmstead, visit our learning garden, see our cows and rabbits, and find a spot to play under a shady tree in our...
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Salisbury Tree Lighting

Come to Salisbury Massachusetts for the Annual Tree lighting an lots of community holiday fun!
This year's Tree Lighting will celebrate all of the old traditions and has added some new just for YOU! The Tuesday after Thanksgiving will be jam packed with free activities for folks of ALL ages. Come join the fun for some long lasting holiday memories!
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm

Wednesday, November 29

Fiddleheads | Preschool Drop-Off Series

The Fiddlehead program at Appleton Farms encourages kids 3-5 to explore their environment in Ipswich Massachusetts
Fall is here and harvest is in full swing! It’s a great time for your preschooler to learn what our fields, barnyard, and forest have to offer. Join us on Wednesday mornings from 9:30-12:30 for a preschool drop-off series on farm animals, life cycles, plant parts, and farm fun!
9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Nature Playgroup at Appleton Farms

Come to Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts for a nature playgroup for toddlers
To encourage outdoor play and familiarity with the natural world, a nature-based toddler play group will be held at Appleton Farms every Wednesday. Come to one or all of the sessions, explore the fields and forest, and imagine hidden worlds beneath our feet and above our heads.
10:00 am to 11:00 am

MPL: Mother Goose Storytime

Manchester Public Library Storytime with Miss Audrey Manchester by the Sea Massachusetts
Join Miss Audrey for Storytime for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers! We'll share books, songs, and games. Registration is required each week as space is limited.
10:30 am

Cow Connection at Appleton Farms

Join The Trustees of Reservations at Appleton Farms for Cow Connection in Ipswich Massachusetts
Come and meet, cuddle, brush, scratch, talk, and sit with our hand-raised cows at Appleton Farms! The mild heart rate and warm body temperature of the cows induces a slowing of our own heart rate, as well as the release of Oxytocin, our social bonding hormone. Visit our scenic and historic dairy...
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

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...
4:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Wreath Making 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.
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

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

Thursday, November 30

Marblehead Christmas Walk

The Marblehead Christmas Walk is several days of local Holiday events in Marblehead Massachusetts
The Marblehead Chamber of Commerce invites you to Marblehead to enjoy several days of holiday festivities, family events and activities!  Come for one or all days with highlights that include Santa's arrival by lobster boat,Festive shopping, Tree Lightings, a holiday parade, Artisan Markets,...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Science Thursday at Essex Library

CFCE's Science Thursdays at the TOHP Library in Essex Massachusetts!
Please join Ms. Christine for some STEAM fun! Children ages 2-6yo and their adult will listen to stories, then explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math!
9:00 am to 10:00 am

Sea Festival of Trees in Salisbury

Experience the joy and excitement of Salisbury’s most popular holiday tradition with glittering trees, indoor ice skating, Santa visits and more,
Now entering its 11th year, SeaFestival of Trees is a popular seasonal event that attracts 25,000+ people annually. This annual holiday fundraiser presents a magnificent display of Christmas trees donated and decorated by regional businesses, individuals, student groups, families and organizations...
11:00 am to 8:00 pm
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