Christmas

Gardens Aglow

Heritage Museums and Gardens Gardens Aglow

Gardens Aglow

The grounds will be transformed by more than ten miles of holiday lights into a twinkling wonderland with holiday displays, family-friendly activities including a marshmallow-roast, a reindeer scavenger hunt, live performances, a visit with Santa Claus in the Model T, and children can get up close to baby animals, take carousel rides, and more.

When: 
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from November 25 - December 18, 2016, from 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm

The Polar Express in 4D!

Enjoy the Polar Express 4D Experience at the Muserum of Science Boston this holiday season

Go on an extraordinary 4-D adventure this holiday season on THE POLAR EXPRESS! When a doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. THE POLAR EXPRESS 4-D Experience is based on the inspiring and beloved Caldecott Medal children's book by Chris Van Allsburg. Featured in digital 3-D and brought to life with 4-D multisensory effects, this is an immersive experience for the whole family to enjoy!

When: 
Multiple shows daily through January 3, 2016

Home for Christmas at the Gables

Christmas at the House of Seven Gables in Salem Massachusetts. Holidays

The House of Seven Gables welcomes you to an afternoon of holiday fun! Make a creative craft, enjoy a cup of cider and a sweet treat, and support our Settlement programs by purchasing a decoration from the Settlement Tree. The Living History Lab will be open and offering hands-on history programs. Enjoy holiday shopping in our festive gift shop or give the gift of membership to the history enthusiast in your life.

When: 
Sunday, December 13, 2015 2-4pm

A Charlie Brown Christmas in Rockport

The Heather Pierson Quartet, December 12 performs A Charlie Brown Christmas at the Old Sloop Coffee House in Rockport Ma

The Heather Pierson Quartet will perform the entirety of the Charlie Brown Christmas album as recorded by the Vince Guaraldi Trio, as well as other well known and popular Christmas tunes.  Pierson is an award-winning pianist, multi-genre singer/songwriter, arranger, bandleader, and performer.  Her quartet also includes Joe Aliperti on alto and tenor sax, Shawn Nadeau on bass, and Matty Bowman on drums.

When: 
Saturday, December 12, 2015 7:30pm

Tarts, Three Ways

Learn all about tarts from a master baker at the Trustees Appleton Farms in Ipsw

Jackie King, co-owner of A&J King Artisan Bakers in Salem, will show you the basics of tart production and assembly using three distinct methods. Based on the recipes and techniques outlined in her new book, Baking by Hand, participants will create three tarts from start to finish—to bring home or eat right away! This class is perfect for the aspiring pastry chef, sweet lover, or home cook. Join us for this inspiring workshop, then stop by the Appleton Farms Dairy Store to pick up your own copy of Baking by Hand.

When: 
Sunday, February 2, 2014 1-4 PM
Location: 

Holiday Harvest Dinner at Appleton Farms

Learn to cook some holiday favorites like a pro from a pro at Appleton Farms!

The holidays are just around the corner, and soon you’ll be planning your family’s holiday feasts. Join us and learn how to serve up a hearty holiday dinner that your family with want you to recreate year after year! Some possible offerings include: Curried Pumpkin Soup, Crown Roast of Pork with Sausage Walnut Stuffing & Bacon-Laced Gravy, Sautéed Apple Slices with Spiced Sweet Potato Purée, and Raspberry Almond Torte.

When: 
Saturday, November 16, 2013 12-3 PM
Location: 

The Boston Pops on Christmas Eve!

BSO's Holiday Pops makes a great Christmas Tradition.

What could be better on Christmas Eve than a concert of classic Christmas and holiday music, topped by a visit with Santa! Join the Boston Pops (and Santa) as they perform one of their last Holiday Pops shows of the season. Historic Symphony Hall is transformed into a magical place for all ages as the Boston Pops perform the most beloved holiday music. Join together with the millions of other New Englanders and Bostonians to continue your family’s tradition or start a new one.

When: 
Friday, December 22, 2012 11 a.m.
Saturday, December 23, 2012 11 a.m.
Sunday, December 24, 2012 11 a.m.

Christmas Tours by Lantern Light

Tour the House of Seven Gables by lantern light through December.

See the great House of Seven Gables aglow as Nathaniel Hawthorne saw it in his time! This year, we are reintroducing Lantern Tours, and visitors can learn about New England’s Christmas traditions while viewing the rooms subtly illuminated, as they were in Hawthorne’s day. Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve excluded. Admission for Christmas & Lantern Tours is: adults $12.50, seniors 65 and older or AAA Members $11.50, children age 5-12 $7.50, children under five free, and member discount $2.00/ticket.

When: 
Daily through December 2011 3:30pm - 7:00pm

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Appleton Farms offers great farm-based Vacation Week Programs for kids ages 5-11

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

Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

Kids can meet the barnyard animals and hear a story at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts.
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...
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Saturday, February 21

Low-Sensory Play at North Shore Children's Museum

Low-Sensory Play at NorthShore Children's Museum in Peabody Massachusetts
Join us for a low-sensory play session. For some children, visiting places like NSCM can be over-stimulating. This special play session will have reduced noise, crowds, and stimulation. While medical diagnosis is not required, we encourage that these limited tickets be used for families with a...
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Sunday, February 22

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

Quarry Quest Treasure Hunt

Kids will enjoy this treasure hunt at the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry in Rockport Massachusetts
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!
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

StoryWalk at Halibut Point

StoryWalk®! Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming - a self guided reading tour at Halibut Point in Rockport Massachusetts
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...
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

February Vacation at MIT Museum

Kids will have a blast at the MIT Museum in Cambridge Massachusetts during February Vacation Week!
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

Watching the Coastal Edge at Halibut Point

Tour the WWII era observation tower at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts.
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.
11:00 am to 12:30 pm

CraneOutdoors: Family Winter Wildlife Walk

Come explore the dunes on Castle Neck and Crane Beach in Ipswich Massachusetts to learn about winter wildlife.
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...
1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children's Museum

Visit Peabody MA, NorthShore, 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...
2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

Monday, February 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!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Tuesday, February 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!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
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