Exploration

Full Moon Hike at Patton Homestead

Hike at the Patton Homestead in Hamilton Massachusetts with your family and Essex County Greenbelt under the Full Moon in Hamilton Massachusetts!

Join Hamilton-Wenham Recreation to enjoy the “Wolf" Full Moon with guided walks, treats, fire-pits and a craft for kids! Hike one or both routes, or just come out to enjoy a warm drink by the fire in the light of the full moon. Fire-pits, warm drinks, light snacks and a “wolf moon” inspired craft are included in the registration fee.

When: 
Thursday, January 25, 2024 5-7:30pm
Location: 

Parker River NWR | Sowing Native Seeds Workshop

Milkweed is a plant native to the Parker River NWR habitat in Newburyport Massachusetts!

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge invites teens to join refuge staff and members of West Newbury Wild & Native for a workshop on the importance of collecting and sowing native seeds. Learn about local native plants and seed collecting, then rotate through stations to create 3-4 pots of different seed mixes to take home!

When: 
Monday, January 15, 2024 10am-Noon

Farmer for a Day | Winter Break Week

Appleton Farm's Farmer for a Day program is geared to children aged 6-9 in Ipswich Massachusetts

Ever wanted to know what a farmer’s life is like? Find out at Appleton Farms for one or more of our “Farmer for a Day” drop-off programs! In the holiday week before New Years, kids ages 5-11 can experience a farmer’s life through authentic barnyard chores, fun-filled farm adventures, and traditional crafts. On one day, your child may learn about dairy farming through hands-on games and a tour of the milking barn. On another, they’ll discover the process of making clothes by collecting fibers from our Angora rabbits and creating yarn of their own. Every day, they’ll explore the forests and fields of Appleton, enjoy a craft and a story, and get their hands dirty with animal chores!

When: 
Tuesday-Friday, December 27-29, 2023 9am-Noon
Location: 

Otters, Beavers, and Muskrats, Oh My!

Join us as we look for elusive river mammals at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Photo: American Beaver ©Scott Santino

Wetlands are home to many fascinating creatures, including some unique mammals. While visiting the numerous wetlands on the sanctuary, we will explore active and abandoned beaver lodges, scan the marshes for signs of muskrats, and search for signs of otter activity. With a little luck, we may see some of these mammals making their final preparations for winter.

When: 
Saturday, December 2, 2023 10-11:30am
Saturday, December 9, 2023 10-11:30am
Saturday, December 16, 2023 10-11:30am

S'mores & More at Ipswich River

Enjoy a winter night hike, campfire and s'more at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield Massachusetts

Come enjoy a hike at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary in Topsfield, one of Mass Audubon's largest sanctuaries. Make lanterns that will light the way for our evening hike as we look and listen for local owls and other nighttime wildlife. Spend time warming up around the campfire as you roast marshmallows and make smores, learn about winter adaptations, and watch the moon rise. Two Sessions: 2-3:30 or 4-5:30

When: 
Saturday, January 20, 2024 2-5:30

All Family Field Trip: Gather, Gorge & Store!

Visit Maudslay State PArk in Newburyport Massachusetts to learn about how animals prepare for the winter

Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the north shore with Joppa Flats Education Center . Our engaging and experienced staff will introduce families to local beaches, forests, and wetlands to make observations in nature, identify wildlife, and enjoy hands on science activities outdoors. Sign up for one, some, or all!

When: 
Friday, December 15, 2023 10am-Noon

All Family Field Trips: Mushroom Hunting

Join the hunt for mushrooms with Massachusetts Audubon in Gloucester Massachusetts

Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the North Shore. Joppa Flats' engaging and experienced staff will introduce families to local beaches, forests, and wetlands to make observations in nature, identify wildlife, and enjoy hands on science activities outdoors. Sign up for one, some, or all!

When: 
Friday, November 10, 2023 10am-Noon

Pages

Browse our maze of festively decorated trees and enjoy a little holiday sparkleat the SeaFestival of Trees in Salisbury Massachusetts

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

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

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

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a self guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Tree Jubilee at Marini Farm

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...
10:00 am

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Travel back in time to a castle filled with lush, opulent textures inspired by the great medieval and Renaissance castles of Europe. Wander through rooms adorned with White Birch and Christmas trees, sparkling fairy lights, hydrangea-lace garlands, and elegant bows, each space transformed with its...
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Christmas at Castle Hill | A Nod to Nature

Christmas at Castle Hill | A Nod to Nature is a weekend of festivities hosted by the Trustees of Reservations at Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s event celebrating the beauty of the natural world. You’ll see birds, flowers, snowflakes, and more as you view 18 spaces decorated for the holidays.
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

SeaFestival of Trees in Salisbury | Saturdays

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...
11:00 am to 8:00 pm

SeaFestival of Trees in Salisbury

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...
11:00 am to 8:00 pm

Take a Trolley Ride with Scrooge!

Salem Trolley Christmas Carol, Fun Holiday Events north of Boston, Trolley Ride with Scrooge
Join Scrooge on the Salem Trolley as you ride through Salem Massachusetts in this rolling production performed by the Griffen Theater . Now entering into it's 39th Season, this humorous & whimsical interactive performance reanimates Dickens’ timeless seasonal holiday classic. Experience...
2:00 pm to 9:30 pm

Tree Lighting in Marblehead

Marblehead's tree lighting is always a festive occasion to kick off the holidays
The Tree Lighting will take place at the new National Grand Bank Parking Lot on Pleasant Street in Downtown Marblehead this year!  Enjoy the festive atmosphere and live music as the town lights the yearly Christmas tree! Festivities begin at 5:30pm with the tree lighting at 7pm.
5:30 pm to 7:00 pm

SeaFestival of Trees | Blades Night

Celebrate with holiday with the Bruins Mascot at the SeaFestival of Trees in Salisbury Massachusetts
Come tho the SeaFestival of Tree for a special Bruins themed night! Wear your Bruins apparel, meet the Bruins mascot and skate on the Seaaside Ice indoor rink! Enjoy a scavenger hunt through a maze of sparkling trees, visit Santa, and enjoy the candy cane forest. Skate rentals available. 
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Hamilton-Wenham Carol Sing & Tree Lighting

Hamilton-Wenham Community hosts a community carol sing and tree lighting in Massachusetts
The Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham invites children to join us for a jolly evening of carol singing and holiday cheer, led by Kimberly Robertson, Music Director for Stage 284! Santa will be arriving in style at about 7:15pm. Free to attend!
6:30 pm

Saturday, December 13

Boot Camp For Birth Support & Beyond

Boot Camp For Birth Support & Beyond for caregivers at Beverly Hospital in Massachusetts
Most education surrounding childbirth focuses on the person carrying the child, as it rightly should. Those in the role of supporting childbirth (spouses, significant others, couples using a surrogate, etc) should be equally as prepared for the joys and challenges in store. In this class you’ll...
9:00 am to 11:00 am

Newburyport Holiday House Tour 2025

Newburyport Holiday House Tour hosted by the Newburyport PTO Kitchen Tour
Enjoy touring private residences and unique spaces throughout Greater Newburyport, all decorated in holiday style both inside and out. Your self-guide tour will lead you through each of our homes all decked out both inside and out in holiday style reflecting the homeowner’s individual celebrations...
9:30 am to 4:00 pm

Christmas at Castle Hill | A Nod to Nature

Christmas at Castle Hill | A Nod to Nature is a weekend of festivities hosted by the Trustees of Reservations at Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s event celebrating the beauty of the natural world. You’ll see birds, flowers, snowflakes, and more as you view 18 spaces decorated for the holidays.
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Middle Street Walk Gingerbread Contest 2025

Middle Street Walk Gingerbread Contest entries can take any shape.
Everybody is invited to enter the Gingerbread Contest for the Middle Street Walk in Gloucester this year! Groups and individuals are encouraged to get creative and come up with entries that can take any shape.  All entries will be judged prior to the start of the Middle Street at 10am. 
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Travel back in time to a castle filled with lush, opulent textures inspired by the great medieval and Renaissance castles of Europe. Wander through rooms adorned with White Birch and Christmas trees, sparkling fairy lights, hydrangea-lace garlands, and elegant bows, each space transformed with its...
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Discover Saturdays at Cape Ann Museum

Discover Saturdays for Families at Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Enjoy a FREE guided activity (ages 4+) in the gallery. Learn about Cape Ann’s Granite Industry, try a fun art making activity, and join in gallery tour designed for kids and their caregivers, led by a CAM Educator. Afterwards grab a scavenger hunt to explore the property and enjoy the lawn.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

CraneExplorer: Coastal Holiday Crafts

Make holiday gifts with beach treasures from the Crane Wildlife Refuge in Ipswich Massachusetts
This holiday season, give a gift from the sea! Beach treasures make beautiful holiday ornaments, jewelry, and keepsakes. Join this workshop to take a beach walk to collect coastal treasures and then make some coastal crafts with our educators. Bring your own shells and beach treasures and we will...
10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Santa's Workshop

Santa's Workshop in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Visit Newburyport MA during the holidays
Newburyport is a favorite local town to shop - especially during the holidays. Bring the family to Newburyport to visit Santa in his traditional workshop, share your wish list, and snap a photo with Mr. Claus!
11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Ipswich Jingle Bell Walk

Join friends and family for a day of holiday festivities and cheer! Sing carols with Buddy the Elf while waiting for Santa’s arrival.
Get ready for a day full of holiday magic and cheer! Join us at the Ipswich Town Wharf to welcome Santa as he makes his grand entrance. Sing along to festive carols with Buddy the Elf while we wait for the big moment! You can even buy your own jingle bells to ring as we follow Santa and Buddy on a...
11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Take a Trolley Ride with Scrooge!

Salem Trolley Christmas Carol, Fun Holiday Events north of Boston, Trolley Ride with Scrooge
Join Scrooge on the Salem Trolley as you ride through Salem Massachusetts in this rolling production performed by the Griffen Theater . Now entering into it's 39th Season, this humorous & whimsical interactive performance reanimates Dickens’ timeless seasonal holiday classic. Experience...
2:00 pm to 9:30 pm
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