Latest Stories, Events, Activities, Camps & Recipes

Come enjoy a Nutcracker Panto performed by Theater in the Open at the Firehouse Center for the Arts!
Theater in the Open is happy to be back at the Firehouse for our production of A Nutcracker Panto, written by Edward F. Speck and adapted from the classic holiday ballet. Presented in the traditional British panto style, this holiday send-up is a family friendly romp through Clara’s adventure with the Nutcracker, the battle with the Rat King, and more than likely a Tik Tok dance trend. Holiday Pantos with Theater in the Open are a tradition in Newburyport, and we are excited to bring this incredible joy to our community. Join us!
Location: Firehouse Center for the Arts
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The Musary performs A Charlie Brown Christmas at the The Community House in Hamilton Massachusetts
The Musary brings Charlie Brown's Christmas to The Community House! We are absolutely thrilled to welcome you back to one of our most cherished traditions— Charlie Brown Christmas! Join for a magical concert featuring the Aidan Scrimgeour Trio as they Vince Guaraldi’s beloved holiday soundtrack to life (it’s John’s favorite!).
Location: Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham
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Landmark Skills Plus Summer Executive Function Course at Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts
Skills+ Summer Executive Function Course July 20–July 31, 2026 Grades 6-12 Half-Day 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Skills+ is a two-week course for middle and high school students who need to improve their organizational, time management, and other executive function skills. Students will develop strong study habits and boost academic achievement—all in a small, low-pressure setting.
Location: Landmark School
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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.
Location: Downtown Gloucester
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Cape Ann Makers Holiday Market held at Cruiseport in Gloucester Massachusetts.
Cruiseport Gloucester hosts the Cape Ann Makers Holiday Market. Come get your Christmas and Holiday shopping done while you sip a beverage, listen to music and buy from over 55 local vendors – food gifts, soaps, lotions, artwork, jewelry, home goods, all unique handcrafted items – something for everyone on your list!
Location: Cruiseport Gloucester
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The lighting of the Lobster Trap Tree is part of Middle Street Walk's finale in Gloucester Massachusetts.
The Annual Middle Street Walk is a great way to experience Gloucester's Historic District and waterfront while having Holiday fun with the family. An updated schedule of this years walk will is available for download at this link.
Location: Downtown Gloucester
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The Tree Jubilee hosted by Marini Farm in Ipswich Massachusetts is a fun and unique charity event!
Come to Marini Farm for the Tree Jubilee fundraiser to benefit The Ipswich Humane Group.  Tour the gallery of uniquely decorated trees and wreaths donated by local organizations, families, and businesses then choose the ones you want a chance to win! OVER 100 spectacularly decorated trees and wreaths will be raffled off (decorations and all!) at the end of the Jubilee. You never know what our donors will decorate their trees with! Proceeds benefit the Ipswich Humane Group to support the animals at the Ipswich Animal Shelter.
Location: Marini Farm
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ECGA's Thanks for the Trails 5k Race on the Friday after Thanksgiving in Patton Park
ECTA is holding its 8th Annual Thanks for the Trails 5k and Kids Fun Run the Saturday after Thanksgiving at Patton Park in Hamilton (November 29, 2025).  The Kids' Run will begin at 9:30AM and the 5k will start at 10AM.  Using a scenic and challenging course and offering great prizes, this will be an event for all!  Super prizes for top finishers, and many other terrific prizes.
Location: Patton Park
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Burn some calories before the Thanksgiving Feast at Ipswich's Run for the Pies!
Start your turkey day by burning off some calories with a run or walk along the Ipswich River! Every 10th adult finisher receives a large Russell Orchards pie; every child Fun Run finisher receives a 4" Table Talk pie. and you'll have a chance to win a ready-to-bake pie! Racers, runners, walkers or stroller pushers are invited to the Ipswich Town Hall bright and early on Thanksgiving Day for a 2.8 mile riverside run along Turkey Shore Drive and Labor in Vain Road.  The 1.2 mile Kids Fun Run run starts at 8am.
Location: Ipswich Town Hall
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Browse our maze of festively decorated trees and enjoy a little holiday sparkleat the SeaFestival of Trees in Salisbury Massachusetts
The Seacoast’s most magical holiday tradition is back! The 13th Annual SeaFestival of Trees opens Saturday, November 22 at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury, transforming the oceanfront venue into a sparkling winter wonderland of more than 145 themed trees, a giant sand sculpture, Santa’s Workshop, and an indoor skating rink. The festival runs weekends through December 7, with additional special event nights throughout the season.
Location: Blue Ocean Music Hall
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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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
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Owl Prowl Hike at Appleton Farms
Learn all about owls at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts for kids older than 12
Join us for a very special evening hike to see the owls who might be out and about in the dark winter woods and fields of Appleton Farms. This hike will take place along the trails of Appleton, known to have multiple species of owls. Before our hike, you’ll learn about wintertime nocturnal animals...
Where: Appleton Farms
4:15 pm to 5:45 pm
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Friday, January 23

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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
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Winter Family Field Trip: Terrific Animal Tracking
Families will learn about identifying animal tracks at Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport Massachusetts!
Mammals such as squirrels, rabbits and deer leave many signs that they are active in winter. Learn how to interpret the tracks and signs or clues of active animals in winter. Stay active and warm with a group challenge about hibernation. Conduct an experiment about snow insulation.
Where: Joppa Flats Education Center
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
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Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation
Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Where: Breakheart Reservation
10:30 am to 11:30 am
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Unraveling Winters Wild Tales - Animal Tracking for Families

Kids will learn about tracks and signs and how they can tell a story at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield Massachusetts!
Welcome to the wild world of animal tracking! Participants will learn how to identify animal tracks by focusing on key details such as number of toes, toenail impressions, and overall size of the print.
Where: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
3:00 pm to 4:30 pm
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Saturday, January 24

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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
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Nice n' Easy Hike at Breakheart Reservation
Nice and Easy winter hike at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
Join the Park Interpreter for this weekly guided hike! Each trip will highlight natural and historic features unique to Breakheart. Hikes are moderately paced and range from 2-3 miles over sometimes uneven and rocky terrain. Best for ages 8 years and up. Meet at the Visitor Center.
Where: Breakheart Reservation
9:30 am to 11:30 am
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CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike
CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts
Come explore the lesser-visited corners of Castle Hill and its surroundings with us this season. This hike is a CraneOutdoors guide favorite because it’s got a little bit of all the things that make the Crane Estate such a special place…
Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
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Gloucester's So Salty 2026
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 5th Annual Gloucester’s So Salty festival sponsored by the Cape Ann Museum in partnership with Discover Gloucester! This annual event brings over 2,000 people to the downtown area each...
Where: Downtown Gloucester, Where: Cape Ann Museum, Where: Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church , Where: Sawyer Free Library Temporary Space, Where: Local Colors
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
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Native Seed Sowing at Long Hill
Seed Sowing Workshop at The Trustess of Reservations' Long Hill Gardens in Beverly Massachusetts
Join Cole Campbell, production horticulturist at Native Plant Trust, for this native seed-sowing workshop at Long Hill Public Garden in Beverly, MA. Learn about our native plant seeds, and then get your hands in the soil to sow some seeds that you can take home with you.
Where: Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens
11:00 am to 12:30 pm
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Sunday, January 25

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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
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