Food

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 23^rd year, the signature elements of the festival include a Friday night kickoff party, 30 ice sculptures sprinkled around the downtown, two nights of illuminated sculptures, a “Chocolate Hearts” game with prizes, live music, and sweet specials and promotions at local shops and restaurants throughout the city. It is Salem's sweetest time of year!

When:

Friday, February 7 - Sunday, February 9, 2025

Location:

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Gloucester's So Salty 2025

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 4th Annual Gloucester’s So Salty festival on January 25 and 26, 2025 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm! Over 1,800 people came out last year to share their salty pride while enjoying free ice sculptures and cultural activities around Downtown Gloucester.

When:

Saturday, January 25, 2025 10am-5pm

Sunday, January 26, 2025 10am-5pm

Location:

Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church

Maritime Gloucester

Sawyer Free Library Temporary Space

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Old Newbury Day Open House & ChipFest

Come to Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm for an open house and Christams Tree Chipping Festival in Newbury Massachusetts!

Come to Spencer Peirce Little Farm to celebrate the end of the holiday season with our Christmas Tree Chipfest! This year, we’re introducing a new event that highlights environmental sustainability.

When:

Saturday, January 11, 2025 11am-3pm

Location:

Spencer Peirce Little Farm

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Rockport New Year's Eve 2024

Family Friendly New Year's Eve celebration for kids and families in Rockport Massachusetts.

Rockport New Year’s Eve (RNYE) is a family-friendly year-end celebration of the arts held in downtown Rockport, Massachusetts annually since 1996. Halls, churches, town offices, and some streets are taken over by happy revelers celebrating the New Year.

When:

Tuesday, December 31, 2024 4pm-Midnight

Location:

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Middle Street Walk 2024

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 be available for download on December 1, 2024 at this link.

When:

Saturday, December 14, 2024 9am - 5pm

Location:

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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.

Greet Santa as he arrives at Town Wharf on East Street, at the north end end of Water Street, in Ipswich! Come sing carols with Buddy the Elf as we await Santa’s arrival. Jingle Bells will be available for purchase. Jingle your bells and follow our honored guest and Buddy the Elf on a festive “Jingle Bell Walk” along Water Street to the Ipswich Town Hall at 45 Green Street. Keep a sharp eye out for the “Grinch”!

When:

Saturday, December 14, 2024 11-1:30pm

Location:

Downtown Ipswich

South Village Green Ipswich

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Middle Street Walk Gingerbread Contest 2024

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 during the Middle Street walk with winners being announced at 1pm in Gloucester City Hall.

When:

Saturday, December 14, 2024 10am - 3pm

Location:

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Holiday Market in the Shipyard

Shop Local and stuff your stockings with unique gifts from curated vendors at the Essex Shipbuilding Museum in Massachusetts

Head over to the Essex Shipbuilding Museum and the historic schoolhouse at 28 Main Street for unique local holiday gifts! Shop Local and stuff your stockings with unique gifts from curated vendors and our Museum Gift Shop.

When:

Saturday, December 7, 2024 11am-3pm

Location:

Essex Shipbuilding Museum

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Christmas Tea at Long Hill

Take a pause from the hustle and bustle this holiday season with a tea at Long Hill Estate in Beverly Massachusetts

The Trustees of Reservations invites you to take a pause from the hustle and bustle this holiday season and join us for a Christmas Afternoon Tea inside the decorated historic Sedgwick house at Long Hill. Enjoy seasonal flavors and Christmas ambiance with teas, savories, and sweets with friends and family. We are excited to partner with Vintage Tea & Cake Co. who will be serving their holiday menu for this exclusive offering! Tables seat up to 4 people.

When:

Sunday, December 8, 2024 2-4pm

Location:

Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens

Trustees of Reservations

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Appleton Farms Winter Night Market

The Trustees of Reservations host the Appleton Farms Winter Farmer's Market in Ipswich Massachusetts

Join The Trustees in celebration of the holiday season at a special farmers market, featuring curated gift ideas, organic winter vegetables, & fresh baked goods from our own Farm Store along with a selection of other local edibles & gifts from area artisans, crafters, and producers of fine foods. There is no better way to knock some holiday to-do’s off your list with unique and memorable gifts, while simultaneously supporting small local businesses – and having a fun festive time while doing it!

When:

Friday, December 6, 2024 5-9PM

Location:

Trustees of Reservations

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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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Music Together - Tuesday in Marblehead

Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® of Salem classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45...

Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead

10:00 am to 10:45 am

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Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

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...

Where: Appleton Farms

10:30 am to 11:30 am

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Chess Club at Salem Public Library

Salem Public Library the library is hosting weekly chess nights where players of all ages can play and learn from each other. Whether you're new to the game or a veteran player, all skill levels welcome, and basic instruction

Where: Salem Public Library

6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

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Saturday, April 19

Family Open House: Caring for the Coast

To celebrate Earth Month, our Family Open House will focus on ocean and coastal conservation and what we are doing to protect beaches and wetlands. Drop in to see our tide pool touch tank and meet some moon snails, hermit crabs and sea stars! Learn about shorebird protection and find out what lives...

Where: Joppa Flats Education Center

10:00 am to 3:00 pm

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Tortoise & Hare 10k/5k Race & Color Run

Come celebrate the arrival of Spring at the Tortoise and the Hare 5K & 10K and Color Run!! The color run is not timed, but sure to be fun! The event continues to fundraise for the Salisbury Parks and Recreation.

10:00 am to 1:00 pm

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Sunday, April 20

Todd Farm Market

From early Spring to late Fall, Todd Farm is a great Sunday destination for families! Head to the farm and explore the outdoor award-winning Market featuring up to 240 vendors from all over New England and New York!

Where: Todd Farm Market

5:00 am to 3:00 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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Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

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.

Where: Boston Common and Boston Public Garden

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

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Monday, April 21

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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April Vacation at Cape Ann Art Haven

Cape Ann Art Haven has a week full of fun activities planned for kids during April Vacation week. There are programs for kids k-5th grade that will appeal to many styles of artistic expression with morning classes from 9am to Noon or 9am to 3pm. Scholarships are available. Open to elementary...

Where: Cape Ann Art Haven

9:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Where: Boston Common and Boston Public Garden

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

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April 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 and pop-up surprises planned for the week of April 17-23. See our week-at-glance calendar to view the extended hours and additions for our drop-in...

Where: MIT Museum

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

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