Holiday

Brooksby Farm Holiday Open House

Brooksby Farm in Peabody Massachusetts hosts a Holiday open house for the whole family!

Stop by and enjoy the wonders of the season at Brooksby Farm! Precut trees, wreaths, kissing balls, baskets and greens, sampling throughout the store, toys, unique gifts, jams, honey, maple, candles, campfire with s’mores, photo spots, barn yard animals, hot soups, letters to santa and more!

When: 
Saturday, December 7, 2019 Noon-3pm
Sunday, December 8, 2019 Noon-3pm
Location: 

Gingerbread Decorating Workshop at Marini Farm

Kids will learn how to decorate gingerbrad houses at Marini Farm in Ipswich MA!

Celebrate the season with us, friends and gingerbread fun. Decorate your very own gingerbread house and take it home to eat or display as a centerpiece during your holiday celebrations. Enjoy endless decorating options, from frosted roofs, gum drop fences and cookie christmas trees.

When: 
Fridays, November 29 - December 13, 2019 4-5pm
Saturdays & Sundays, November 30 - December 15, 2019 4pm or 7pm
Saturday, December 21, 2019 11am or 2pm
Location: 

Zoo Lights at the Stone Zoo - Stoneham

Stone Zoo for Northshore children and families

ZooLights will shine brightly beginning on Friday, November 22, 2019, Beloved holiday tradition returns to Stone Zoo.

ZooLights is set to once again dazzle visitors of all ages when it opens for the holiday season on Friday, November 22. This winter wonderland attracts thousands of visitors each year who get into the holiday spirit by strolling along tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights. Stroll through the beautifully lit Yukon Creek and see black bears, a bald eagle, Canada lynx, arctic foxes, and even reindeer! Enjoy more festive fun by warming up by the fire pits and toasting marshmallows for s’mores (available for purchase).

When: 
November 22, 2019 through January 4, 2020
Closed November 28, 2019
Closed December 25, 2019
Jolly Old St. Nick will be available for photos through December 24.
On December 4, 11, 18 and 24, guests can also meet Mrs. Claus, who will be greeting visitors and spreading holiday cheer throughout the Zoo from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: 

Festival of Trees - Saturday & Sunday

The Aleppo Shriners will be holding its Festival of Trees on Friday, November 22; Saturday, November 23; and Sunday, November 24, at the Shriners Auditorium (99 Fordham Road).

This event features a large number of beautiful trees with lots of presents to raffle. The event also features Pictures with Santa, Scavenger hunt around the trees, a raffle table, and live music.

When: 
Friday, November 22, 2019 from 4pm to 8pm
Saturday, November 23, 2019 from 9am to 8pm
Sunday, November 24, 2019 from 9am to 6pm

Festival of Trees - Friday

Aleppo Shriners Festival of Trees

The Aleppo Shriners will be holding its Festival of Trees on Friday, November 22; Saturday, November 23; and Sunday, November 24; at the Shriners Auditorium (99 Fordham Road).

This event features a large number of beautiful trees with lots of presents to raffle. The event also features Pictures with Santa, Scavenger hunt around the trees, a raffle table, and live music.

When: 
Friday, November 22, 2019 from 4pm to 8pm
Saturday, November 23, 2019 from 9am to 8pm
Sunday, November 24, 2019 from 9am to 6pm

Caring Santa Photo Session

Caring Santa Photo Sessions at North Shore Shopping Center in Peabody

Children with special needs and their families are invited to a special photo session with Caring Santa in an environment set up to support the sensory, physical and other developmental needs of children with all abilities. The photo session will take place in the Lower Level of the Nordstrom wing.

When: 
Sunday, December 1, 2019 from 8:30 to 10 a.m.
Sunday, December 8, 2019 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.
Location: 

Boo at the Zoo - Stone Zoo

Stone Zoo, Zoo New England events for north shore children and families

Boo at the Stone Zoo features Halloween themed crafts and games, along with a haunted maze. Visitors to the Zoo will also have the chance to learn about enrichment as many of the animals receive pumpkins!

Children throughout New England are invited to trick-or-treat among the animals. Thrills, chills and animals lurk around every corner on the Trick-or-Treat Trail! Throughout the day, guests will learn about the importance of enrichment, as they watch as many of the animals receive pumpkins.

When: 
Saturday, October 19, 2019, from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 20, 2019, from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Location: 

Pages

A Landmark Summer Experience at Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts prepare students for success in the fall and beyond.

Trails & Sails

Explore the North Shore with over 150 Free Events in Essex National Heritage Area's Trails & Sails celebration in Massachusetts.
Essex National Heritage Area sites will offer over 150 free family fun events from September 14-29, 2024 for the annual celebration of TRAILS & SAILS. Discover special places in your backyard and be guided through unique landscapes on land and sea, explore historic properties, and take in...
7:00 am to 10:00 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

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

Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay | Thread

Artists will install their sculptures at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts for public viewing!
Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the 25th Annual Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay Exhibit September 8-29 featuring 50 site specific sculptures by local artists addressing this year’s theme, ‘Thread' within the magnificence of Maudslay State Park in Newburyport. Look for the large green trail head...
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 15th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, MA. Pingree . The exhibit will open in early September with more than 50 temporary works on display in addition to the 20 pieces in the permanent collection of Pingree School. The exhibit ...
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Gloucester Gratis Days at Hammond Castle

Bring your kids to the Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts during April Vacation
In keeping with John Hays Hammond, Jr's original vision for his seaside castle-home to serve as a museum offering the Gloucester community access to ancient works of architectural art, Hammond Castle Museum will offer Gloucester residents free, self-guided tours each Tuesday throughout the regular...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Music Together - Tuesday in Marblehead

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
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...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Self-guided Tours at Hammond Castle Museum

Take a self-guided tour of Hammond Castle in Gloucester as part of Trails and Sails!
Hammond Castle Museum was built in the 1920s by inventor John Hays Hammond, Jr. as a home for his extensive collection of medieval artifacts and his research laboratory.Guests may explore the breathtaking building and grounds of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester and take a SELF-GUIDED tour...
10:00 am to 3:00 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

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
Essex Hertiage invites you to learn the true causes and events behind the Salem Witch Trials in our documentary film, then discover the myths during our walking tour. The Salem Witch Trials happened over 300 years ago, and it has been dramatized in books, documentaries, movies, and even TV shows....
11:45 am to 3:00 pm

Board Game Club at Ipswich Library

Join the Ipswich Public Library for a fun day of boards games! All ages Welcome. Trails & Sails 2023
Do you love playing board games with other people who like playing board games?  Join the board game club!  every month we will have snacks and play a new game together! Show off your board game strategies, make some friends and have some fun!
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Sunday, September 22

Vintage BaseBall at Spencer-Peirce Little Farm

Come see how baseball used to be played at Spencer Pierce Little Farm. Photo: Matthew Muise Photography
It’s Base Ball, 1864 style at Spencer Peirce Little Farm! These fun, historically accurate games feature underhand pitching and no gloves are allowed. A ball bounced once and caught is an out! Snacks, baseballs, and cards are available for purchase. Come and see for yourself how this game was...
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Touch a Truck Salisbury

Kids (and adults) can get up close and personal with all kinds of trucks in Salisbury Massachusetts
The Salisbury Historic Society will host a 'Touch-a-Truck' Event to celebrate Salisbury Days! Kids (and adults) can get up close and personal with all kinds of trucks in Salisbury Massachusetts.
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Drop-in Open House at the Nature Center

Drop-in Open House at the Bradley Palmer State Park Nature Center in Hamilton Ipswich Massachusetts
Explore the Nature Center at your leisure. The Park Interpreter will be on hand to demonstrate and answer questions. Come see and touch animal furs, replica skulls, animal models, and other natural history materials. For little artists, coloring pages and washable markers will be on hand.
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Brocklebank Museum Open House

Explore the Brocklebank Museum in Georgetown Massachusetts as part of Trails and Sails!
Visit the Brocklebank Museum, built in the late 1600s, with ties to the abolitionist movement and the famous Beecher family.
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Fireman's Muster in Salisbury

Join the fun of the Fireman's Muster in the heart of Salisbury Massachusetts as part of Salisbury Days
The Town of Salisbury hosts a fireman's muster as part of Salisbury Days! Come join the fun with your family and watch the teamwork involved in this New England Tradition! As Part of Salisbury Days Celebration, on Sunday, in addition to the Muster event attendees can enjoy:
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Step Aboard the Friendship of Salem

Permission to come aboard the Friendship of Salem is granted at Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!
Explore the FRIENDSHIP OF SALEM, a replica tall ship based on a 1796 Salem vessel at Salem Maritime National Historic Site.
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Powow Scenic Vista Hike

Take a Trails & Sails hike to the top of Powow Hill in Amesbury Massachusetts!
Come join the Lake Gardener Improvement Association for a guided up Powow Hill. We will hike to the top of Powow Hill, the highest point on the Essex County seacoast! Hike through hundreds of acres of unspoiled greenspace to reach the summit vista, from which you can see three states and the...
2:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works Tours

Free Ranger guided tours at Saugus Iron Works Colonial Industrial Site in Massachusetts
Join the National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a tour of the colonial industrial site. On select days, you may be able to stick around and witness pop-up molten iron pour, blacksmithing, waterwheel demonstrations, and take part in hands-on river stewardship activities.
2:00 pm

Monday, September 23

Trails & Sails

Explore the North Shore with over 150 Free Events in Essex National Heritage Area's Trails & Sails celebration in Massachusetts.
Essex National Heritage Area sites will offer over 150 free family fun events from September 14-29, 2024 for the annual celebration of TRAILS & SAILS. Discover special places in your backyard and be guided through unique landscapes on land and sea, explore historic properties, and take in...
7:00 am to 10:00 pm

Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay | Thread

Artists will install their sculptures at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts for public viewing!
Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the 25th Annual Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay Exhibit September 8-29 featuring 50 site specific sculptures by local artists addressing this year’s theme, ‘Thread' within the magnificence of Maudslay State Park in Newburyport. Look for the large green trail head...
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
Subscribe to Holiday