Create a Fabulous Dessert Table or Candy Buffet

Dessert Tables of the North Shore

The dessert buffet and candy bars are becoming a trend at weddings, baby showers, sweet sixteen, corporate events, galas, and many other social events and will to leave a lasting impression that will be forever remembered by your guests.

Dessert tables are so much fun to create, so I've listed a few tips and vendors to help get you started.

Set up your table the day before your event, so they day of the event, you just have to place the candy in the vessels and set out the desserts.

The backdrop was the most challenging part of the table for me. To create a nice backdrop for a wall behind your dessert table start by using foam board or the sturdier Gator board. Foam board is less expensive and is fine for a one-time event and Gator board can be used again and again. Attach wallpaper, custom designed paper, or fabric with spray mount to adhere paper to the board; stretch the paper or fabric even and taught, then pin it against the board. To give the backdrop a nice finished look, use ribbon as a border, especially a nice solid fabric. Pay close attention to the size of the backdrop as most fabrics come 54 inches wide. Let the fabric or paper dictate the measurements and plan to seam the fabric together if needed.

Listed are affordable candy vendors known for reliability, freshness and promptness. They properly package their shipments for hot or cold weather and remember that shipping does add up when heavy candy is being shipped, no matter where you buy from.
If you find great vendors or suppliers around Boston or north of Boston, please send me a note and I'll include them in the list.

Groovy Candies

Candy Warehouse

Turtle Alley

Chocolate Covered Company

A nice cookie company

Cake and Bake complete source for supplies

Fudge, Carmels, Candy Apples and more

Candy Buffet Vessels and Apothecary Jars

Candy Jars, Vessels and Candy Scoops

Oriental Trading

A large variety of picks and straws

Picks and Straws and loads of other dessert buffet supplies

Lanterns, lights, parasols, candle holders, decorations and many other supplies

Custom labels

Kate's Paperie

Treillage

Cake, candy, cookie, pie, baking products, and more than 30,000 of supplies

Brookwood School Summer Program for kids Pre-K through 9 in Manchester Massachusetts

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

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

Gloucester Gratis Days at Hammond Castle

Bring your kids to the Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts during April Vacation
In keeping with John Hays Hammond, Jr's original vision for his seaside castle-home to serve as a museum offering the Gloucester community access to ancient works of architectural art, Hammond Castle Museum will offer Gloucester residents free, self-guided tours each Tuesday throughout the regular...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Music Together - Tuesday in Marblehead

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® of Salem classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

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

Raptors Rule at NPL

Tailwinds Raptor Education will present Raptors Rule at the Newburyport Public Library in Massachusetts
Spring is in the air! Meet our amazing owl and raptor species up close while learning all about them. This program illuminates some of the many amazing adaptations that allow the animals here to not only survive but thrive!
6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Saturday, May 10

Tulip Festival at Cider Hill Farm

Come cut your own tulips at Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury Massachusetts
A gorgeous, fan-favorite variety of 100k tulips are scheduled to bloom in early May. Welcome spring with this multi-weekend festival featuring free live music, self-guided blooming orchard walks, outdoor hard cider bars, food trucks, fitness n' family activities and cut-your-tulips. General...
8:30 am to 4:30 pm

Annual Long Hill Plant Sale

The Trustees of Reservations Long Hill Plant Sale - a North Shore tradition in Beverly Massachusetts
The Trustees of Reservations invites you to Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens for their annual Long Hill Plant Sale. Enjoy this local tradition in it's 32nd year! Look through a wide selection of plants, from old favorites to rare and unusual species all grown here at Long Hill.
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Beverly Library Spring Book Sale

Beverly Library in Massachusetts hosts hosts their annual book sale and fundraiser. Image is AI generated.
Our annual Friends' Spring Book Sale takes place daily at the main library from Saturday, Saturday May 10 through May 17. The sale will be open daily during regular library hours: Mon.-Thurs., 9AM-9PM; Fri.
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Music Together - Saturday

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...
9:15 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

2025 Salem Living Green Expo

Salem Living Green Expo at Derby Square in Salem Massachusetts
The Salem Chamber of Commerce and City of Salem Department of Sustainability and Resiliency are collaborating to co-host a Living Green Expo downtown! Come explore the Living Green Expo at Old Town Hall on Sat, May 10th (10AM - 1PM)!! Lots of great North Shore businesses and community organizations...
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Newburyport Kitchen Tour

Newburyport Kitchen Tour is a a self-guided tour that benefits the Newburyport PTO
The Annual Newburyport Kitchen Tour is a a self-guided tour where historic design meets modern amenities with sweet & savory bites & spirits.You are invited to tour magnificent kitchens at the 23rd Annual Newburyport PTO Kitchen Tour & Taste of the Port on Saturday, May 10th, 2025 10-3...
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

CraneExplorer: Mother's Day Coastal Crafts

Make a Mother's Day gift from nature the Trustees of Reservations Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts!
This Mother’s day, give a gift from the sea! From seaweed pressings to shell collages, beach treasures make beautiful greetings and keepsakes. Join this workshop to make a gift for Mom, OR bring Mom along for a fun coastal art-making outing! This program will start with a beach walk to collect...
10:00 am to 12:30 pm

2nd & 4th Saturday at Lynn Museum

Lynn Museum in Massachusetts offers free admission on the second Saturday of each month.
Come to the Lynn Museum and Historical Society for FREE family fun. Join us on the second and fourth Saturday of each month for FREE admission to the Museum from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.! You can view our latest exhibitions, purchase Lynn-themed goods in our shop, check out books in our free library, and...
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

LEGO Club at Salem Public Library

Come to the Salem Massachusetts Public Library for an afternoon of LEGO and fun!
Salem Public Library hosts a morning session of LEGO fun! We provide the LEGO, you provide the imagination.  Stop by the library on Saturday mornings (every other Saturday) to play and build.
10:30 am to 11:30 am