Latest Stories, Events, Activities, Camps & Recipes

Shop downtown merchants, win prizes and have fun in Manchester Massachusetts!
Support Manchester Merchants, shop around town & collect stamps in your Holiday Passbook and you will have a chance to win some great prizes! Turn in your completed Passbook at Antique Table by 8:15 pm for a chance to win. This traditional passport shopping event will give participants an opportunity to see unique array of merchants in town, take advantage of holiday discounts, and maybe even win a great prize!
Location: Downtown Manchester-by-the-Sea
Friends of the Manchester Public Library Holiday Book Fair hosted by the Bookshop of Beverly Farms
Join the Friends of the Manchester Public Library to peruse the hottest new book titles from the Beverly Farms Bookstore! Adults’ and children's books, stocking stuffers, wrapping paper, cards, and more! Sponsored by Friends of the Manchester Public Library and the Bookshop of Beverly Farms. 20% of proceeds will go to the Manchester By The Sea Friends of the Library.
Location: First Parish Church
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.
Location: First Baptist Church of Gloucester
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, Gingerbread Festival, Entertainment & much more! There are all kinds of family events and activities sponsored by local merchants and organizations.
Location: Downtown Marblehead
The Christmas Walk parade in Marblehead Massachusetts is a a holiday tradition for the entire town!
The Marblehead Christmas Walk Parade takes place after Santa Arrives in Marblehead. The Parade begins at 11:45 and the route takes approximately one hour, traveling from Front St., State St., Washington St., Five Corners, Atlantic Ave. Gerry Street, down Pleasant St. and concluding at the National Grand Bank parking lot. Participants need to line up and be ready to roll at 11:30am.
Location: Downtown Marblehead
Meet the conductor of the Polar Express at a Christmas Party at the Ipswich Public Library!
The Ipswich Public Library Children’s Room invites you to a Polar Express-themed family holiday party on Saturday, December 2 from 10 a.m. to noon. No registration is required. Refreshments will be served.
Location: Ipswich Public Library
Gingerbread Graham Cracker House buildingat the Manchester Massachusetts Public Library
Families are invited to the library to come make their own gingerbread house out of graham crackers. Design your own candy wonderland! Registration is required. 
Location: Manchester Public Library
Carousel at Salisbury Beach MA. Parties, Family Reunions, Weddings, Showers, Birthday Parties
KRIS KRINGLE IS COMING TO THE SALISBURY BEACH CAROUSEL Families are Invited to Join Santa for Pictures and More at the Historic Coastal Carousel. Since opening on June 30, 2023 the Salisbury Beach Carousel has welcomed close to 25,000 riders, most of them children, and Kris Kringle, AKA Santa, has asked the Salisbury Beach Partnership, the non-profit organization that brought the historic carousel back to Salisbury, if he could pay the good children a visit and share in the magic. In honor of Mr. Kringle’s visit to the Carousel, the Partnership is hosting its first annual holiday celebration on Saturday, December 9 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Pavilion located at 7 Broadway, Salisbury Beach
Location: Salisbury Beach Carousel
Visit Lowell's Boat Shop in Amesbury Massachusetts for their annual holiday open house!
Visit Lowell’s Boat Shop during their Annual Holiday Open House is a two day family event during the first weekend in December. Festivities include old time music by violinist Gus La Casse and banjo player Mathias Kamin III; a children’s workshop with arts and crafts projects; visits from Santa (12 to 1 p.m. each day); a Silent Auction featuring boats, a stay at Mohonk Mountain House, sails on pinky schooner Ardelle, jewelry, and numerous gift certificates and items donated by generous area restaurants and shops. 
Location: Lowell’s Boat Shop
Join Salem Sound Coastwatch for a for a birding session at Winter Island in Salem Massachusetts
Join Salem Sound Coastwatch for this opportunity to view and learn about the many interesting waterfowl, ducks, and geese that winter over in Salem Sound’s coastal waters. Experienced birders will set up spotting scopes, help you identify the birds, and answer questions.
Location: Winter Island Maritime Park

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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