Latest Stories, Events, Activities, Camps & Recipes

Enjoy a movie with freinds and families under the stars at DCR's Salisbury Beach Reservation!
Pack up a blanket, lawn chair and picnic for FREE movies under the stars at DCR’s Salisbury Beach on Saturdays. All movies begin at dusk. All events subject to weather conditions. Please call park number above for update.
Location: Salisbury Beach State Reservation
Public Safety Cookout at Palmer Cove Park in Salem Massachusetts as part of Heritage Days
Come enjoy a hamburger, a hot dog and some ice cream with members of our Police Departments. This is being put on by the Community Impact Unit. It is welcome to all. Come say hello!
Location: Palmer Cove Park and Playground
Beantown Swing brings Big Band music to the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts
Looking for a fun family outing on the North Shore of Massachusetts? Don't miss the Thursday Night Picnic Concerts at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich! These concerts offer a perfect opportunity to enjoy quality time with your loved ones in a beautiful and exclusive setting on the North Shore. Pack a picnic dinner, bring your kids, and get ready to dance the night away under the stars on the Grand Allée. While you're there, explore the stunning landscaped grounds and have fun with the family-friendly "Eye Spy" game. It's an evening filled with music, laughter, and unforgettable memories for the whole family! Advance ticket reservations are recommended but not required.
Location: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
Enjoy an evening of fun, art & Music at the Salem Willows to wrap up Salem Heritage Days!
Wrap up Heritage Days with music in the park! S.C.E.N.E Annual Sunset Hang at Salem Willows is an event combining the skills of local vj's, dj's & live electronic musicians. The extravaganza’s purpose is: “to showcase talent right here in Salem, the North Shore & Boston Massachusetts. To give a stage for new music that might otherwise be overlooked by the mainstream." Help us celebrate our 14th Year!
Location: Salem Willows Park
Touch a Truck at the Salem Willows - part of Salem Heritage Days in Massachusetts
Youngsters get a chance to climb and explore the insides of all kinds of big trucks and emergency vehicles.  There will be give-a-ways and activities on site for little tikes.
Location: Salem Willows Park
What could be better on a hot summer night than an Ice Cream tasting!  Come to S
Salem’s Ice Scream Bowl is back! It’s time to sample some of the best ice cream in the North Shore from some of the many ice cream shops the area has to offer. Salem’s Ice Scream Bowl event will be held on Wednesday, August 7 on the Salem Common from 6:00-7:30 p.m., rain or shine. A Heritage Days favorite, this annual event is a chance to taste some classic flavors and new combinations from the area’s premier ice cream shops.
Location: Salem Common
Salem Heritage Festival Annual Phillips House Antique and Vintage Car Meet Salem Massachusetts
Join Historic New England and the North Shore Old Car Club for the Annual Car Meet, where vintage and antique vehicles are displayed on historic Chestnut Street in Salem Massachusetts. stroll down historic Chestnut Street to see vintage and antique vehicles, including Phillips House’s own Model A Ford. Enjoy the first floor of Phillips House and the Carriage House, featuring two Pierce-Arrows and historic carriages free of charge.
Location: Phillips House
Amesbury Market Daze happens every Sunday indoors at Barewolf Brewing in Amesbury, Massachusetts.
Welcome to Amesbury Market Daze at BareWolf Brewing, a vendor market where local surrounding Amesbury talent and community spirit converge. We take pride in curating a consistent marketplace that showcases local art and food from talented local artisans, chefs, farmers, creators and curators of surrounding Amesbury, Massachusetts. Join us on select Thursdays throughout the Summer to curate and foster a community atmosphere, where vendors and customers alike connect on a personal level, creating lasting relationships and get a taste of locally produced foods and other goods.
Location: Barewolf Brewing
Blueberry & Flower Festival at Cider Hill farm in Amesbury Massachusetts
Come to Cider hill Farm for our Blueberry and Flower Festival and get your seasonal fill of this wonderful superfood! Calling all blueberry and flower lovers! Enjoy live music, hard cider, family-friendly activities, hayrides, blueberry goods, cut-your-own bouquets and PYO blueberries. Purchase pick-your-own tickets ahead (48 hrs in advance) or upon arrival at the farm. The multi-weekend event will feature free live music, hard cider bars, family-friendly activities, hayrides, food truck, blueberry treats, pop-ups & cut-your-own flowers and PYO blueberries!
Location: Cider Hill Farm
Owls & Ice Cream at the Public Library in Amesbury Massachusetts with Eyes On Owls
Come celebrate summer! Everyone is welcome! Families and kids of all ages! Enjoy free ice cream sundaes from Hodgie's Ice Cream (served by your Library Trustees and funded by the Friends of the Amesbury Library) Enter a raffle to win our summer creature! Play lawn games! Get a free book! AND watch an amazing LIVE owl show with Eyes on Owls! Learn about this birds, how they live, and how we can protect them! No registration required! This program is outdoors so bring a chair or blanket to sit on! If the weather is bad, this will be postponed!
Location: Manchester Public Library

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Northeast Massachusetts Youth Orchestras Summer Sessions

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

“Summer’s Flight, Pollen’s Delight,” by Flora C. Caputo storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
“Summer’s Flight, Pollen’s Delight,” by Flora C. Caputo is the subject of this STORYWALK Series. Enjoy this preschool storywalk at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time outside in nature!
7:00 am to 8:00 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

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Salem Heritage Days Festival

Salem Heritage Days is a week long celebration of Salem's history and tradition.
Celebrate the past and the present with neighbors, friends and visitors at the Annual Salem Heritage Days Festival. Events are scheduled around Salem throughout the week, kicking off with the annual Salem Maritime Festival and concluding with the Essex Street Fair, produced by the Salem Chamber of...
7:00 am to 9:00 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

Explore the Pond at Bradley Palmer

Join the park interpreter exploringt he ponds of Bradley Palmer State Park in Massachusetts!
What kinds of fascinating creatures live in or visit the ponds? Come and explore with the Park Interpreter to see if any creatures are stirring, and if any plants are flowering. For all ages. This is a great family activity!
8:30 am to 10:30 am

Marblehead Farmers' Market

Find fresh local produce and other foods at the Marblehead Farmer's Market!
The Marblehead Farmer's Market boasts 15+ local farms, and booths with an educational spin nutrition, vendors and farms selling homemade prepared goods and craft vendors that are switched up in a rotation basis week to week. Additionally there are entertainers and exhibits by environmentally...
9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Rockport Farmers' Market

The Rockport Farmers' Market runs every Saturday at Rockport Music in Downtown Rockport!
The Rockport Farmers Market offers a variety of locally-grown produce, hand-crafted products, baked goods, and live music. It provides a community space to support local farmers and artisans.
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Andover Farmers' Market

Find Fresh Local Produce at the Andover Massachusetts Farmers Market North of Boston
The Andover Farmers Market is a vibrant hub connecting local farmers, artisans and the community through the joy of local food. Whether you come for carrots or conversation, it is a place to nourish the body, mind and spirit.
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Beverly Homecoming Dog Party

Join fellow animal lovers at the Beverly Homecoming Dog Party in Massachusetts
Come join fellow pet lovers at a fun-filled morning at the Beverly Dog Park on Saturday, August 10th, from 9-11 AM as part of Beverly Homecoming! Bring your furry friends for a delightful time featuring exciting raffles, adorable on site painted pet portraits ($), and more.
9:00 am to 11:00 am

Crane Outdoors: Kayak Adventure on the Castle Neck River

Take a guided kayak paddle adventure on the Castle Neck River with the Trustees of Reservations!
One of the best was to enjoy the natural beauty of the Massachusetts North Shore is kayaking the placid waters of the Great Marsh—the largest continuous stretch of salt marsh in New England, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. The Castle Neck peninsula on the Crane Estate is a vast barrier...
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Haverhill Farmers' Market

Haverhill Farmers Market, North Shore Farmers Market, Cape Ann Farmers Marke
The vibrant, colorful Haverhill Farmers Market is where local farmers and food producers meet to sell directly to the community. Established in 1978, the Haverhill Farmers Market mission is to provide access to farm-fresh products and promote local agriculture, as well as serve as a social...
9:00 am to 1:00 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

Second Saturdays at Cape Ann Museum

Second Saturdays mean free admission for local Families at Cape Ann Museum!
The Museum is free all day for Cape Ann residents* on the second Saturday of every month in 2021! The second Saturday of every month is free for Cape Ann families. Pre-registration and timed tickets are required.
10:00 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 3:59 pm

Second Saturday at Lynn Museum

Lynn Museum in Massachusetts offers free admission on the second Saturday of each month.
Join the Lynn Museum and Historical Society for FREE family fun. Join us the second Saturday of each month from 10 am – 2 pm for free admission to the Museum! View our latest exhibitions, grab a take-home art kit for the family, enjoy special activities, and purchase one-of-a-kind Lynn merchandise...
10:00 am to 2:00 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

Family Fun Day at Clay Dreaming Pottery Studios

Family Fun day at clay dreaming studios.  Part of Beverly Massachusetts Homecoming
Looking for an indoor Homecoming activity? In the spirit of Beverly Homecoming you can enjoy 1/2 price Studio Fees for Paint Your Own Pottery - all day at Clay Dreaming, 186 Cabot Street. Tour the studio and gallery. Pottery for sale. For more information contact the studio at 978-927-1414.
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Cat's Meow at the Crane Estate

Kids will have a blast exploring the Trustees of Reservations Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts!
Our imagination is one of our greatest assets. Imagine living in 1929 and visiting the Crane family at their summer home in Ipswich. The house is so big and Mrs. Crane’s kitty, Ptolemy, has gone missing just before the party! Can you help a family servant find our mischievous Siamese? Once he’s...
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Kids Sail Free on the Schooner Lannon

Kids ride free on the 10:30am an Noon Saturday Cruise on the Schooner Lannon through Summer
Schooner Thomas E. Lannon is a fixture on the Gloucester Harbor vista throughout the day in the warm months, but to really experience the Lannon, you need to come aboard and go for a cruise!  Sail and see lighthouses, castles, scenic beaches, and magnificent waterfront homes.
10:30 am to 12:00 pm

Rockport Illumination & Fireworks

Rockport Massachusetts lights up the night with a mid-Summer fireworks show!
Come to Rockport Massachusetts for a day of family fun! After a day of events including a lobster dinner fundraiser, childrens activities, live music, art demos, printmaking and an art walk, a fireworks display will light up the sky over Rockport Massachusetts! The Show begins at 9pm, and will be...
11:00 am to 10:00 pm

Guided Tour | When Granite Was King!

Find out the story behind the history of granite quarrying at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport!
Halibut Point State Park is also a granite quarry with a history that goes back billions of years! Over one hundred years ago, the Rockport Granite Company quarried granite stone here.
11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Boat Tour to Misery Island

Journey on Essex Heritage’s landing craft Naumkeag to Great Misery Island in Salem Sound Massachusetts
Journey on Essex Heritage’s landing craft Naumkeag to Great Misery Island in Salem Sound. Along the way, hear stories about the rich history of the harbor and how the Misery Islands acquired their unique name. When you arrive, you’ll have 2 hours to explore the trails, open meadows, rocky shoreline...
11:00 am to 2:00 pm

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...
11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works House Tours

Free Ranger guided tours of the Saugus Iron Works House in Massachusetts
Join National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a 30-minute tour of The Iron Works House.
11:00 am

Long Hill Garden Tours

Tour the Gardens at the Trustees of Reservations Long Hill Gardens in Beverly, Massachusetts!
The Trustees of Reservations invite you to join our expert guides for a tour around Long Hill’s stunning Sedgwick Gardens and learn more about the special plants it’s most known for. In addition to learning about what plants are in bloom as well as the rare and unique species in our collection, you...
11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Snakes of New England and the World with Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team!

Albino Milk Snake being held by a child at Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team Booth
Come to Sawyer Free Library's presentation of 'Snakes of New England and the World'*. Summer is here and it's time to welcome Rick Roth and the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team! Come learn about, meet & handle (if you'd like!) many types of snakes, some of which are from our local area! Rick and his...
11:15 am

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
Essex Hertiage invites you to learn the true causes and events behind the Salem Witch Trials in our documentary film, then discover the myths during our walking tour. The Salem Witch Trials happened over 300 years ago, and it has been dramatized in books, documentaries, movies, and even TV shows....
11:45 am to 3:00 pm

Garden Tours at Stevens Coolidge Estate

Come enjoy the fantastic flower display in the gardens at the Trustees of Reservations Stevens-Coolidge Place in North Andover!
Enter a world of early 20th-century country elegance and contemporary garden design all in bloom at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens. These expansive manicured gardens boast both plentiful European-inspired flower beds as designed in the 1920s, as well as newly installed gardens featuring...
12:00 pm

Homecoming Bocce Tournament | Waring School

Beverlyy Homecoming Bocce Torunament at Waring School in Beverly Massachusetts
The 1st Annual Homecoming Bocce Tournament will take place on the campus of The Waring School, 35 Standley Street, Beverly, at 1:00 PM on Saturday, August 10. Teams of 2, 3, or 4 players can enter.
1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Off the Beaten Path Hike

Off the Beaten Path Hike at Bradley Palmer State Park in Hamilton Massachusetts
Come for a stroll with the Park Interpreter along various trails throughout the park, with special interest points noted. Hike is of moderate difficulty, about 2 miles. This is best for ages 8 years and up. Meet at the Main Parking Lot, 40 Asbury St., Topsfield.
1:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Drop-in Open House at the Nature Center

Drop-in Open House at the Bradley Palmer State Park Nature Center in Hamilton Ipswich Massachusetts
Explore the Nature Center at your leisure. The Park Interpreter will be on hand to demonstrate and answer questions. Come see and touch animal furs, replica skulls, animal models, and other natural history materials. For little artists, coloring pages and washable markers will be on hand.
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

CraneOutdoors: Choate Island Kayak and Hiking Adventure

Take a guided kayak paddle and hike to Choate Island with the Trustees of Reservations!
Join The Trustees of Reservations for a paddle and a hike – what better way to spend an afternoon?  Circumnavigating an island is one of the great rewards of kayaking and reaching the summit of a hill that offers a great view is one of the payoffs of a good hike. This adventure in the Crane...
1:00 pm to 4:30 pm

Tiny Tots Day at Beverly Homecoming

Kids will enjoy an afternoon of fun activities at Beverly Homecoming Tiny Tots Day.
Join the Beverly Recreation Department at Lynch Park for Tiny Tots Day 2024, a fun and free family event organized by the Bev Rec Staff. Play in the splash pad, decorate a delicious cookie and get your face painted…hey, why not try to do all three at the same time?
Where: Lynch Park
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works Tours

Free Ranger guided tours at Saugus Iron Works Colonial Industrial Site in Massachusetts
Join the National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a tour of the colonial industrial site. On select days, you may be able to stick around and witness pop-up molten iron pour, blacksmithing, waterwheel demonstrations, and take part in hands-on river stewardship activities.
2:00 pm

Rockport Lobstafest for the Fireworks

Enjoy lobster at in Rockport Massachusetts to help fund the annual fireworks show!
What could be better than enjoying a lobster dinner in downtown Rockport with your family while helping a worthy cause? Rockport Lobstafest is a great way to get a taste of the freshest lobster possible while helping raise funds for the Annual Rockport Fireworks Show!
4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Downtown Gloucester Block Party

Food, music, live entertainment, dance, craft and fun come together for a great
Main Street, Downtown Gloucester Massachusetts comes alive when the Street is closed off to allow live music, street performers, kid activities, non-profits, food vendors and more! Many of shops and businesses on Main Street will be open for business and will welcome partygoers. Other Gloucester...
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Fireworks and Beach Concerts at Salisbury Beach

Fourth of July Fireworks at Salisbury Beach include a campfire and marshmallow roast on the beach.
Join us at Salisbury Beach for an unforgettable family night out! Every Saturday through the summer, enjoy spectacular fireworks (weather permitting) that light up the sky. Before the fireworks, there's a live concert starting at 7:30 PM on the Salisbury Oceanfront Stage, perfect for families with...
10:15 pm

Friday, August 16

Creature of the Week at Maritime Gloucester

Come to Maritime Gloucester for a Creature of the Week Session on Cape Ann Massachusetts! Photo ©Bill O'Connor
Every week, we will highlight a different ocean animal that lives in our aquarium and can be found in and around Gloucester. Learn some interesting fun facts about the creature as you get up and close and personal through a meet and greet and a take-home craft. For kids aged 4-8.
10:30 am to 3:00 pm

Music Together - Friday

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...
10:30 am to 11:15 am

Kidleidoscope

Kidleidoscope at Maudslay State Park is a chance for preschoolers to explore the park, enjoy a story and make a craft!
Maudslay State Park has created this program for their youngest crowd! For the young set that loves nature, the park interpreter will lead a three-part preschool aged program that includes a story, craft & walk that involves outdoor exploration. A different nature topic each week so come every...
11:00 am

Saugus Iron Works House Tours

Free Ranger guided tours of the Saugus Iron Works House in Massachusetts
Join National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a 30-minute tour of The Iron Works House.
11:00 am

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
Essex Hertiage invites you to learn the true causes and events behind the Salem Witch Trials in our documentary film, then discover the myths during our walking tour. The Salem Witch Trials happened over 300 years ago, and it has been dramatized in books, documentaries, movies, and even TV shows....
11:45 am to 3:00 pm

Drop-in Open House at the Nature Center

Drop-in Open House at the Bradley Palmer State Park Nature Center in Hamilton Ipswich Massachusetts
Explore the Nature Center at your leisure. The Park Interpreter will be on hand to demonstrate and answer questions. Come see and touch animal furs, replica skulls, animal models, and other natural history materials. For little artists, coloring pages and washable markers will be on hand.
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works Tours

Free Ranger guided tours at Saugus Iron Works Colonial Industrial Site in Massachusetts
Join the National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a tour of the colonial industrial site. On select days, you may be able to stick around and witness pop-up molten iron pour, blacksmithing, waterwheel demonstrations, and take part in hands-on river stewardship activities.
2:00 pm

Friday Family Farm Chores at Appleton Farms

Join The Trustees of Reservations at Appleton Farms for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
Every day has a full list of barnyard chores we need to accomplish to make sure our farmyard friends are happy and healthy. Let’s get to work! Join us for our special, hands-on Family Farm Chores program held on Fridays and Saturdays! Get on your muck boots – your whole family will get to be...
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

DJ Beach Party at Salisbury Beach

Salisbury Beach Summer Beach Party every Friday through the Summer.
Get ready for family fun every Friday night all summer long at Salisbury Beach! Starting at 7:15 PM on the Salisbury Beach stage, enjoy a full evening of summer tunes and excitement. DJ Ralphie B will be spinning your favorite hits, while hosting kid-friendly activities that will keep everyone...
7:15 pm to 10:00 pm

Saturday, August 17

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

“Summer’s Flight, Pollen’s Delight,” by Flora C. Caputo storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
“Summer’s Flight, Pollen’s Delight,” by Flora C. Caputo is the subject of this STORYWALK Series. Enjoy this preschool storywalk at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time outside in nature!
7:00 am to 8:00 pm