Festival

The Merrimack River Eagle Festival

Come celebrate the return of the Eagles to the Merrimack Estuary! Photo: Eagle on Ice by Bill O'Connor

When winter returns to the lower Merrimack Valley, so do Bald Eagles and Snowy Owls and other exciting winter wildlife. Every year Mass Audubon hosts a grand event marking their return. Come to Newburyport on Saturday, February 14, 2026, for a full day of fun indoor and outdoor activities that celebrate the return of the Bald Eagles! Learn about these magnificent eagles and other amazing raptors, and why our local habitat is so important to them.

When:

Saturday, February 14, 2026 9am-4pm

Location:

Joppa Flats Education Center

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

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Winterfest Weekend in Amesbury

Winterfest is a 4 day family celebration in the heart of downtown Amesbury Massachusetts!

For Five Days in February, Amesbury's beautiful and historic Downtown, Market Square and Upper Millyard will be the center of a winter celebration! Enjoy crafting, cocoa, kid's cookie decorating, a winter obstacle course, a Valentine Makers Market, a dance party, live music, a winter market and a hike to Po Hill to celebrate Winter! Don't let the colder weather keep you cooped up inside, join us for some winter fun for everyone!

When:

Wednesday-Sunday, January 29-February 1, 2026

Location:

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Salem's So Sweet Festival

Salem Massachusetts' retailers have some sweet surprises in store during the Salem's So Sweet Weekend Festival

Salem Main Streets and the Salem Chamber of Commerce invite you to come enjoy the annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival – a decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping! Now in its 24th year, Salem’s So Sweet has become one of the most popular winter events on the North Shore.

When:

Friday, February 6 - Sunday, February 8, 2026

Location:

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SeaFestival of Trees | Sundays

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.

When:

Saturdays, November 22-December 6, 2025 11am-8pm

Sundays, November 23-December 7, 2025 11am-5pm

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 5-8pm

Fridays, November 28 & December 5, 2025 11am-8pm

Thursday, December 4, 2025 5-8pm

Location:

Blue Ocean Music Hall

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SeaFestival of Trees in Salisbury | Saturdays

When:

Saturdays, November 22-December 6, 2025 11am-8pm

Sundays, November 23-December 7, 2025 11am-5pm

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 5-8pm

Fridays, November 28 & December 5, 2025 11am-8pm

Thursday, December 4, 2025 5-8pm

Location:

Blue Ocean Music Hall

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SeaFestival of Trees in Salisbury

When:

Saturdays, November 22-December 6, 2025 11am-8pm

Sundays, November 23-December 7, 2025 11am-5pm

Tuesday, November 25, 2025 5-8pm

Fridays, November 28 & December 5, 2025 11am-8pm

Thursday, December 4, 2025 5-8pm

Location:

Blue Ocean Music Hall

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SeaFestival of Trees | Elf Day

Experience the joy and excitement of Salisbury’s most popular holiday tradition with glittering trees, Elves, Santa, Candy Canes and more!

Don’t be a cotton headed ninny muggins! Spread some Christmas cheer with Buddy the Elf, have a snowball fight, make paper snowflakes, test toys at Santa’s Workshop and more! FREE with admission.

When:

Sunday, November 30, 2025 12-2pm

Location:

Blue Ocean Music Hall

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SeaFestival of Trees | Santa & Grinch Brunch

Brunch with Santa and the Grinch at the Sea Festival of Trees in Salisbury Massachusetts

Red Suit. Green Suit. Jolly one. Mean one. Who’s your fave? Santa or The Grinch. Come join the holiday fun in Beach-Ville! Here’s what’s happening:

When:

Saturday, December 6, 2025 10am-Noon

Sunday, December 7, 2025 10am-Noon

Location:

Blue Ocean Music Hall

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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.

When:

Friday, December 5, 2025 6-8pm

Location:

Blue Ocean Music Hall

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Ipswich Illumination

Come to Ipswich Massachusetts as points along the Ipswich River are illuminated!

The Town of Ipswich, Massachusetts, proudly presents 2025 Ipswich Illumination. This year we are celebrating harvest, hearth, & home, and our maritime history, heritage & culture.

When:

Friday, October 17, 2025 5:30-9:30pm

Saturday, October 18, 2025 11am-9:30pm

Sunday, October 19, 2025 2-5pm

Saturdays, November 1, 2025 2:30am-9pm

Sunday, November 2, 2025 9-10:15am

Location:

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

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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Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

The Boston Bruins will be hosting their 19th annual PJ Drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of pajamas from February 1st - March 15th, 2026. The drive will benefit Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund MA, two non-profits that ensure positive living conditions for children. Local businesses...

7:00 am to 9:00 pm

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Wonderful Winter Birding

Halibut Point State Park, along the Atlantic migratory path, is an excellent locale for winter birding species you rarely see anywhere else.Winter brings birds and ducks from frozen ponds up north to our seashore. See Harlequin ducks and loons among the winter visitors at this rocky coastal water’s...

Where: Halibut Point State Park

8:00 am to 10:00 am

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LEGO World: Wonderealms

This all-new experience invites visitors to explore an extraordinary LEGO world where creativity knows no bounds. From enchanted forests and futuristic skylines to pirate coves and steam-powered frontiers, each realm is packed with intricate details, playful surprises, and clever touches you won’t...

Where: Wenham Museum

9:00 am to 4:00 pm

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Quarry Quest Treasure Hunt

Enjoy an outdoor treasure hunt at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations during February Vacation! Halibut Point State Park invites kids and families to follow clues then unscramble to find a treasure box!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

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StoryWalk at Halibut Point

Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! StoryWalk®! Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming. Self-guided reading pages posted along a lovely Park trail near the visitor center. Connect with nature and each other while enjoying the...

Where: Maudslay State Park

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

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February Vacation at MIT Museum

Come on your own, with friends, or bring the whole family to the museum for a special week of programming. The museum has a number of activities planned for the week of February 14-22, including extended Maker Hub and Learning Lab hours, tours, gallery cart demos and family workshops. With the...

Where: MIT Museum

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Watching the Coastal Edge at Halibut Point

Meet at the Halibut Point State Park visitors center to learn about the role Halibut Point has played in America’s military history. One day after the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, U.S.

Where: Halibut Point State Park

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

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CraneOutdoors: Family Winter Wildlife Walk

A CraneOutdoors Family Winter Wildlife Walk will take you on a stroll through the Crane Beach dunes while learning about the plants and animals that call this special place home. You may be familiar with Crane Beach, but have you ever visited the dune trails? The dunes of Castle Neck are a much...

Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

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Sunday STEAM Club at 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, technology, engineering, art, and math with our NSCM staff! Every STEAM club session will see your kids participating in hands-on activities while exploring a new topic. Space is limited, please...

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

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Monday, February 16

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

7:00 am to 9:00 pm

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

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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February Vacation Programs for Kids at Danvers YMCA

Looking for fun plans during February vacation week? The Danvers YMCA is hosting Vacation Break Adventures from February 16–20, offering a full week of engaging, hands-on activities for kids. There are themed days full of arts & crafts, science fun, gym games, swimming, and more. Highlights...

Where: Danvers Community YMCA

9:00 am to 4:00 pm

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February Vacation Week at Appleton Farms

In the winter, many people hunker down to stay indoors, but at Appleton Farms, we make the most of the cold, quiet season. There is no better place to spend winter farm days than in exploring in the snow and learning to love the outdoors in all seasons! This program is for kids who are looking to...

Where: Appleton Farms

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

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