Essex

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
Essex
Gloucester
Ipswich
Manchester
Rockport
Lights
Holiday Decorations
Holiday Lights
Holidays
Holiday
Shopping

Essex Firemen's Spaghetti Supper

Come to the Essex Massachusetts Fire Deaprtment for the annual spaghetti fundraiser!

The Annual Essex Fire Department Company Spaghetti Supper is A great night to enjoy a home-cooked meal with neighbors and friends while supporting a great cause! The town’s volunteer firefighters put out quite a spread of all-you-can-eat homemade spaghetti and meatballs accompanied by salad, beverage and dessert.  Everyone welcome! Donations accepted at the door. Winter boots and coats will be collected to help those in need. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated.

When: 
Saturday, November 18, 2023 4-7pm
Location: 
Essex Fire Department
Essex
Fundraiser
Dinner
Charity

Santa Comes to Essex

After Santa arrives in Essex, kids will have a chance discuss their wish list with him in person!

Kids of all ages are welcome to come down to Essex Town Landing for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Enjoy Woodman’s chowder and Dunkins’ cocoa and munchkins while we await the arrival, then let the kids take a turn sitting with the big red couple to plead their cases for gifts that breathe and/or are outside of any reasonable budget - you know, all the stuff they can only get from Santa. The arrival itself will happen at 5:00pm and visits will take place on the front porch of the Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum. Please bring a mask to sit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

When: 
Friday, December 1, 2023 4-6pm
Location: 
Downtown Essex
Essex Shipbuilding Museum
Essex
Holiday
Christmas
Santa
Pictures with Santa

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 19, 2023 10am
Location: 
Downtown Essex
Essex
Walk
Fair
Race
Health
Wellness
Run
Fun Run
5k
Holiday
Thanksgiving

ECGA Family Series - Spooky Animals

Essex County Greenbelt Association and North Shore Nature Programs team up for a hike in search of Spooky Animals!

Canceled - The Essex County Greenbelt Association and North Shore Nature Programs to meet some of our favorite critters! Some critters get a bad rap! But there is lots to love about the creepy, wiggly, and crawly creatures in our woods! We'll look for spiders, bugs, centipedes and millipedes, as well as signs of cool predators like owls, coyotes, and weasels.

When: 
Saturday, October 21, 2023 3-4:30pm
Location: 
Cox Reservation
Essex
Animals
Ecology
Walk
Hike
Natural History
ECGA

Fall Foliage Cider & Donut Cruises

Take a guided tour of the Essex Massachusetts Marshes with Essex River Cruises this Autumn

Essex River Cruises hosts a narrated sightseeing tour that winds down the beautiful Essex River aboard Essex River Queen, a pontoon boat. We’ll cruise up close to Hog/Choate Island to get a view of the area's magnificent dark spruce forest. See the leaves change into brilliant hues of yellow and orange. Enjoy complimentary hot cider and donuts from Russell Orchard of Ipswich. Don’t miss this magnificent opportunity to view some of New England’s most spectacular fall foliage.

When: 
Saturdays & Sundays through October 2023 1-3 pm
Location: 
Essex River Cruises & Charters
Essex
Tour
Boat Ride
Cruise
Foliage

Pages

Carousel at Salisbury Beach MA. Parties, Family Reunions, Weddings, Showers, Birthday Parties

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!
Where: Todd Farm Market
5:00 am to 3:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Beverly YMCA Rhino Run 10k
North Shore Beverly YMCA 'Rhino Run' 10k Beverly Massachusetts
Join North Shore YMCA and the Beverly YMCA host the 'Rhino Run 10k'. North Shore YMCA reinvests millions of dollars each year through financial assistance and scholarships to ensure thousands of families and individuals in the 25 communities we serve have access to programming, services and the...
Where: Lynch Park
9:00 am
♦ Read More →

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield
Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
Where: Topsfield Fairgrounds
10:00 am to 6:59 pm
♦ Read More →

Spring Blooms at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate
Spring Blooms at the Trustees Stevens Coolidge Estate in North Andover!
Join The Trustees of Reservations at our new entrance location showcasing contemporary gardens, historical gardens, and our Garden Gateway visitor orientation center at 153 Chickering Road, North Andover MA.
Where: Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Art in Bloom at MFA - Boston
Art in Bloom at MFA - Boston
Celebrate the return of spring with Art in Bloom, the Museum’s annual festival of fine art and flowers. Enjoy exquisite art from across the MFA’s collection paired with magnificent floral interpretations created by New England-area garden clubs. Professional designers delight with creative designs...
Where: Museum of Fine Arts
10:00 am to 3:45 pm
♦ Read More →

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.
Where: Boston Common and Boston Public Garden
10:00 am to 3:59 pm
♦ Read More →

Befriend the Barnyard
Befriend the Barnyard is a hands-on barnyard experience at the Trustees of Reservations' Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts
Discover our special barnyard animals! Our Angora rabbits Violet, Mabel, Oiver and Charles; Nubian goats Maeve, Morgana, and Mordred; dairy cows Gray, Jasmine, their calves Gigi and Joanie and our friendly flock of heritage chickens will take center stage as we learn about what makes them so unique...
Where: Appleton Farms
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Fairy Gnome Discovery Walk at Pettengill Farm
Pettengill Farm and Salisbury PTA in Salisbury is hosting a gnome and fairy discovery walk
Come to the eighth annual Fairy Gnome Discovery Walk at Pettengill Farm. The gems of the event are the 200+ Fairy and Gnome Homes peppered throughout a 1 mile wooded path that leads to the marsh and back. Homes are created by very talented professionals, families, school children, and local...
Where: Pettengill Farm
11:00 am to 3:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Salisbury Beach Carousel - Sunday Hours
Carousel at Salisbury Beach MA. Parties, Family Reunions, Weddings, Showers, Birthday Parties
Salisbury Beach Carousel Hours: Friday: 4 pm to 8 pm Saturday: 12 pm to 8 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 6 pm Hours of operation are to change.
Where: Salisbury Beach Carousel
12:00 pm to 6:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Salisbury Beach Carousel - Vacation Hours
Carousel at Salisbury Beach MA. Parties, Family Reunions, Weddings, Showers, Birthday Parties
Salisbury Beach Carousel Hours: Monday - Saturday 12 - 7:00 pm Sunday: 12 pm to 5:00 pm Hours of operation are to change.
Where: Salisbury Beach Carousel
12:00 pm to 7:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Family Portraits at the North Shore Children’s Museum
Portraits at the North Shore Children’s Museum
Capture the beauty of the season with a family photo session at the North Shore Children’s Museum in Peabody! This event features photography by Tracey Westgate Photography and a stunning backdrop and art installation by local artist Linda Mullen of Grace & Diggs, adding a touch of creativity...
Where: North Shore Children's Museum
1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
♦ Read More →

Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children's Museum
Visit Peabody MA, NorthShore, 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 and arts through hands-on projects and experiments. This program is free with admission to the play session.
Where: North Shore Children's Museum
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Wednesday, May 1

We Walk the Woods!
Walk the trails in a group at Harold Parker State Forest Every Wednesday at 10am
Walk the trails with a group at Harold Parker State Forest every Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. – Meeting location varies weekly. Email trek.reef@mass.gov for location.
Where: Harold Parker State Forest
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield
Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
Where: Topsfield Fairgrounds
10:00 am to 6:59 pm
♦ Read More →

Spring Blooms at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate
Spring Blooms at the Trustees Stevens Coolidge Estate in North Andover!
Join The Trustees of Reservations at our new entrance location showcasing contemporary gardens, historical gardens, and our Garden Gateway visitor orientation center at 153 Chickering Road, North Andover MA.
Where: Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Mini Movers at North Shore Children's Museum
Things to do for children in Peabody MA
Mini Movers is an engaging dance and movement class for young children at the North Shore Children's Museum. Led by experienced instructors, the program introduces young children to the world of dance in a safe and nurturing environment.
Where: North Shore Children's Museum
10:00 am to 11:00 am
♦ Read More →

STEM Club at MPL
Stem Club for kids in grades 3-6 at the public library in Manchester Public Library
This club is for grades 3-6 and meets every second Friday of the month from 3:45-4:45. Join Miss Audrey for some hands on science fun!
Where: Manchester Public Library
3:45 pm to 4:45 pm
♦ Read More →

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
Where: Mendel Observatory at Merrimack College
7:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Thursday, May 2

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.
Where: Boston Common and Boston Public Garden
10:00 am to 3:59 pm
♦ Read More →

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,...
Where: Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham
10:00 am to 10:45 am
♦ Read More →

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield
Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
Where: Topsfield Fairgrounds
10:00 am to 6:59 pm
♦ Read More →

Spring Blooms at the Stevens-Coolidge Estate
Spring Blooms at the Trustees Stevens Coolidge Estate in North Andover!
Join The Trustees of Reservations at our new entrance location showcasing contemporary gardens, historical gardens, and our Garden Gateway visitor orientation center at 153 Chickering Road, North Andover MA.
Where: Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens
10:00 am to 5:00 pm
♦ Read More →
Subscribe to Essex