Rockport's oldest Christmas tradition began back in the 1890's, when Rockport grocer Tim Sheehan invited the town's children to visit with Santa at his store. More than a century later, this event is still carried on by the Christmas Tree Committee.
Join the Friends of the Manchester Public Library to peruse the hottest new book titles from the Beverly Farms Bookstore! Adults’ and children's books, stocking stuffers, wrapping paper, cards, and more! Sponsored by Friends of the Manchester Public Library and the Bookshop of Beverly Farms. 20% of proceeds will go to the Manchester By The Sea Friends of the Library.
The Ipswich Public Library Children’s Room invites you to a Polar Express-themed family holiday party on Saturday, December 2 from 10 a.m. to noon. No registration is required. Refreshments will be served.
Visit Lowell’s Boat Shop during their Annual Holiday Open House is a two day family event during the first weekend in December. Festivities include old time music by violinist Gus La Casse and banjo player Mathias Kamin III; a children’s workshop with arts and crafts projects; visits from Santa (12 to 1 p.m. each day); a Silent Auction featuring boats, a stay at Mohonk Mountain House, sails on pinky schooner Ardelle, jewelry, and numerous gift certificates and items donated by generous area restaurants and shops.
What is a Cookie Walk? This is a fundraiser where we sell homemade cookies by the tin. We ask enthusiastic bakers donate batches of their favorite Holiday cookies (about 3 dozen) to donate for the walk. The day of the cookie walk a festively decorated community room at the library awaits you with large platters of donated cookies. Shoppers choose one of two decorative tins (3 inches tall for $15, 4 inches tall for $20) and walk around the tables and fill their cookie tins. Get a huge variety of holiday cookies without baking them all yourself!
You and your family are invited to share in a Winter Holidays celebration at our Open House on Friday, December 1 from 5pm – 9pm. During this free event we invite you to explore our latest exhibits, enjoy refreshments and live music from the Newburyport Choral Society and the Great Port Sound!, In addition, there will be an online wreath auction. Bid on specially decorated wreaths representing many winter holiday traditions. Check out the wreaths here: auctria.com/auction/CHMMWinterHolidays. Online bidding ends on December 1st at 9 pm.
Firehouse Center for the Arts hosts Joppa Dance Company for their performance of Winter Wonder Neverland! This dance-theater production follows Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinker Bell and friends as they try to rescue Christmas back from Captain Hook. It’s full of Pirates, Lost Boys and Fairies.
Enjoy a holiday harbor cruise aboard Beauport Cruiselines with Santa! Take in the beautiful views of Gloucester Harbor, all while singing holiday carols with elves, enjoying hot cocoa and cookies, and listening to a reading of “The Night Before Christmas.” Plus, a visit from Santa himself! Tickets include hot cocoa, cookies, and a picture with Santa. A Cash bar will be available. Two 90 Minute cruises are offered.
Kids of all ages are welcome to come down to Essex Town Landing for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Enjoy Woodman’s chowder and Dunkins’ cocoa and munchkins while we await the arrival, then let the kids take a turn sitting with the big red couple to plead their cases for gifts that breathe and/or are outside of any reasonable budget - you know, all the stuff they can only get from Santa. The arrival itself will happen at 5:00pm and visits will take place on the front porch of the Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum. Please bring a mask to sit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Holiday Love. Shop Smart. Shop Small. Join us and dozens of artisans, crafters, growers, and culinary artists extraordinaire to get your holiday shopping done! Handcrafted. Homegrown. Scratchmade.
