The Annual Middle Street Walk is a great way to experience Gloucester's Historic District while having fun with the family. The Festivities begin at 10am and go all the way through to the lighting of the lobster pot tree in downtown Gloucester! Pick up a Schedule of Events and get your walk on! A whole day of FREE activities, shows and events await for all the members of the family.
Winter on Crane Beach offers us a unique opportunity to go where we've never gone before - on the sand! Join us on a fun and educational oversand adventure as we explore the winter landscape of Castle Neck and Crane Beach. You will learn all about the natural history of the barrier beach as we keep a look out for winter wildlife including snowy owls!
Throughout time, people have come together to celebrate the shortest day of the year and welcome the lengthening days ahead. Sanctuary staff and volunteers invite you to join us for this beautiful candlelit event.
Lantern making begins at 4:00 pm, followed by some solstice stories and folklore. With lanterns in hand, we will stroll the trails to light up the night. We will serve hot cider and cocoa at the bonfire on our return.
As the sun begins to set, join us for a stroll into the woodland trails of Halibut Point State Park on this darkest day of the year. We will wonder about changes happening, what animals are doing for winter, and we will share tales centuries old cultural traditions. Celebrate the seasonal changes as we warm up by the fire with S’mores! For all ages. Heavy rain cancels.
Santa's Reindeer have done their job and now their relaxing in the Appleton Grass Rides! Grab your snow shoes, hiking boots or cross country skiis and get the family outside between Christmas and New Years to seek out our elusive herd of wooden reindeer on our reindeer quest.
The Essex Lion's Club hosts the annual turkey trot in beautiful Essex Massachusetts! This year the race has changed format to a 5K, and a fun walk. Race starts at 1:00 p.m. Registration is at Woodman’s Restaurant (upstairs), 121 Main Street, Essex, from 10:30 to 12:00. This race is sanctioned by U.S. Track and Field and timed by Granite State Race Services. Gauranteed T-shirt for only those that preregister.
If you don't eat too much pie on Thanskgiving, you're not doing it right. Work off your feast and spend time together outside with a brisk hike through the dunes trails behind Crane Beach. The cool air, stark beauty, and natural stillness are a much better way to spend your day than braving the lines at the mall!
Celebrating the winter solstice goes back 5,000 years. Join us as we light up the night with a Solstice stroll and celebration at Ward Reservation. Participants will meet in the parking lot for a guided candlelit walk through the woods that will include presented passages from the story "The Shortest Day" by Wendy Pfeffer.
Join The Trustees of Reservations as they celebrate December's Long Nights Moon! Bring your kids out for a family full moon adventure in the dunes of the Crane Wildlife refuge, ending with a fun sparkler dance party! This is an earlier, shorter, slower full moon hike experience, perfect for both younger and older participants. We will stick to a short dunes loop with stops for fun dunes facts, enjoy the sunset on the beach, and play in the twilight with sparklers.
After School STEM in Nature is a weekly after school drop-off program on early release Thursdays for elementary-aged children (grades 1-5). Drop-off for the program is between 2:15-2:30 and pick-up between 4:15-4:30 at Castle Hill (290 Argilla Road).
