Gloucester

Gloucester Schooner Festival 2024

The Gloucester Schooner Festival is a wonderful celebration of Gloucester's fishing and maritime history during labor day weekend. This year's festival, hosted by Maritime Gloucester, is Gloucester’s major marine event, with participating vessels coming from ports along the Eastern seaboard and beyond. There will be both large and small vessels—ranging from 19 feet to over 100 feet in length. You will see new boats and old boats, from newly built (Ardelle - launched 2011) to over 100 years old!

When:

Labor Day Weekend, August 28-September 1, 2024

Location:

Downtown Gloucester

Gloucester Harbor

Gloucester Harbor Walk

Gloucester Schooner Festival

Schooner

Read more about Gloucester Schooner Festival 2024

CoastSweep: Stage Fort Park

Damaged and lost fishing gear is a major source of coastal trash, like this lobster pot washed onto the shore by a storm. CoastSweep Cleanup Gloucester Massachusetts

As part of COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup, volunteers are encouraged to come to Stage Fort Park to help in the statewide effort to keep our coastline clean along the shore in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Trash collected will be measured and analyzed, and the data will be sent to Washington DC to aid the government in creating legislation to minimize trash in our oceans!

When:

Sunday, September 15, 2024 10am-2pm

Location:

Read more about CoastSweep: Stage Fort Park

Schooner Festival Fireworks

The Gloucester Schooner Festival will light up Gloucester Harbor with Fireworks!

Following the Gloucester Schooner Festival's Parade of lights in Gloucester Harbor, A fireworks display will light up the sky over Gloucester Harbor to celebrate a great day of maritime history and tradition. Good vantage points for viewing fireworks include Gloucester's Boulevard, Stage Fort Park, Pavilion Beach and the

When:

Saturday, August 31, 2024 9:15pm

Location:

Gloucester Harbor

Gloucester

Fireworks

Gloucester Schooner Festival

Read more about Schooner Festival Fireworks

Heritage Day in Gloucester

Maritime Gloucester & Ocean Alliance hosts a day of free exciting demonstrations and interactive fun for all ages in Gloucester Massachusetts.

Maritime Gloucester is hosting their annual Heritage Day in honor of the Gloucester Schooner Festival 2024. Step aboard a schooner, learn about traditional shipbuilding and fitting out, watch America’s oldest marine railway in action, or explore the unique biology that makes our oceans so amazing. You can find it all at Maritime Heritage Day! Maritime Gloucester will be hosting a variety of local community organizations with an exciting array of demonstrations and interactive options for all ages.

When:

Saturday, August 31, 2024 10am-4pm

Location:

Maritime Gloucester

Gloucester Harbor Walk

Gloucester Schooner Festival

Activity

Crafts

Heritage

Read more about Heritage Day in Gloucester

Creature of the Week at Maritime Gloucester

Come to Maritime Gloucester for a Creature of the Week Session on Cape Ann Massachusetts! Photo ©Bill O'Connor

Every week, we will highlight a different ocean animal that lives in our aquarium and can be found in and around Gloucester. Learn some interesting fun facts about the creature as you get up and close and personal through a meet and greet and a take-home craft. For kids aged 4-8.

When:

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays 10:30-11:30am or 2-3pm

Location:

Experiential Learning

Live Animals

Read more about Creature of the Week at Maritime Gloucester

Farmers Markets on the North Shore

The North Shore of Massachusetts, renowned for its fertile soil, is home to farms that produce an abundance of fresh, delicious foods. These can be purchased directly from the farms or at the local farmer's markets, where the experience is more than just shopping—it's about community. On a sunny Saturday morning, families can explore these vibrant markets, filled with colorful produce, homemade jams, fresh bread, and artisanal crafts.

Read more about Farmers Markets on the North Shore

Schooner Ardelle Date Night

Schooner Ardelle turns into the love boat for date night sailing out of Gloucester Massachusetts!

Maritime Gloucester and Schooner Ardelle have teamed up to create Date Night! Schooner Ardelle becomes the 'Love Boat' for moms and dads, while kids (ages 5-11) enjoy the care of the staff at Maritime Gloucester, the aquarium and lots of fun activities. You'll have a nice romantic sail around Gloucester with a cocktail, and can rest easy knowing that your child is happy and engaged with a trusted team of professionals!

When:

Friday, June 21, 2024 6-8pm

Friday, July 26, 2024 6-8pm

Friday, August 23, 2024 6-8pm

Location:

Read more about Schooner Ardelle Date Night

Plankton Safari

Come to Maritime Gloucester and discover what lives near the bottom of the oceanic food chain using digital microscopes! Join Maritime Gloucester’s education and aquarium staff as we take a deep dive into some of the ocean’s smallest, yet most important, organisms. Learn about plankton’s vital role in the marine ecosystem, and look under our microscopes to see what local species you can identify!. Recommended for ages 7 and up.

When:

Tuesdays & Thursdays through August 22, 2024 10:30-3:30pm

Location:

Read more about Plankton Safari

Gloucester Waterfront Festival

Come to Stage Fort Park in Gloucester for the 42nd Annual Waterfront Festival.

Join the Fun at Gloucester's Waterfront Festival! A Perfect Day Out for Families Looking for a fun and colorful weekend outing with the family? Look no further! Historic Stage Fort Park in Gloucester is transforming into a vibrant celebration of art, music, and delicious food at the 43rd Annual Gloucester Waterfront Festival. This is the perfect event to make lasting memories with your loved ones!

When:

Saturday, August 17, 2024 9am-6pm

Sunday, August 18, 2024 9am-5pm

Location:

Read more about Gloucester Waterfront Festival

Kids Sail Free on the Schooner Lannon

Kids ride free on the 10:30am an Noon Saturday Cruise on the Schooner Lannon through Summer

Schooner Thomas E. Lannon is a fixture on the Gloucester Harbor vista throughout the day in the warm months, but to really experience the Lannon, you need to come aboard and go for a cruise! Sail and see lighthouses, castles, scenic beaches, and magnificent waterfront homes.

When:

Saturdays through July and August 2023, 10:30am or Noon

Location:

Schooner Thomas E. Lannon

Read more about Kids Sail Free on the Schooner Lannon

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts, offers a delightful self-guided walk that is perfect for families with children. The park's 480-acre expanse, once the Moseley Estate, is rich with historical charm and natural beauty. Families can embark on a self-guided tour through lush...

Where: Maudslay State Park

7:00 am to 7:00 pm

♦ Read More →

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! “Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser is featured in this StoryWalk Series. Younger kids will love this gentle, richly illustrated children’s nonfiction book aimed at preschool–third grade...

Where: Maudslay State Park

7:00 am to 8:00 pm

♦ Read More →

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

♦ Read More →

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.

Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

7:00 am to 7:00 pm

♦ Read More →

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

♦ Read More →

Saugus Iron Works House Tours

Join National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a 30-minute tour of The Iron Works House.

Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

11:00 am

♦ Read More →

Saugus Iron Works Tours

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.

Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site

2:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Salem Farmers' Market

The Salem Farmers' Market brings fresh local produce and other foods from North Shore farms and other local resources to downtown Salem every Thursday at Bentley Academy Charter School!

Where: Derby Square

3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Salisbury Farmers' Market

The Salisbury Farmers' Market offers a vibrant community experience with a variety of fresh, locally sourced produce, unprocessed honey, farm-fresh eggs, and maple syrup. Enjoy music, local market creations, and engage with local farmers. The market also features monthly craft markets, cooking...

Where: Salisbury Town Common

5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Summer Concert Series at Lynch Park

Enjoy free concerts this Summer at Lynch Park in Beverly, Massachusetts! Families are encourages to grab a chair and a blank and head to the park for a free concert at Lynch Park's ampitheater.

Where: Lynch Park

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Castle Hill Picnic Concert - Soul City

Looking for a fun family outing on the North Shore of Massachusetts? Don't miss the Thursday Night Picnic Concerts at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich! These concerts offer a perfect opportunity to enjoy quality time with your loved ones in a beautiful and exclusive setting on the North...

Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

♦ Read More →

Sunday, July 27

Sunday STEAM Club at 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...

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Sundays in Patton Park

Come enjoy community and music each Sunday in Patton Park! Dust off your lawn chairs and bring your picnic down to the park on Sunday evenings. We have a fantastic line up of bands this summer ---presented by Institution for Savings Bank and sponsored by The Community House, Town of Hamilton, HW...

Where: Patton Park

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Summer Concert Series at Lynch Park

Enjoy free concerts this Summer at Lynch Park in Beverly, Massachusetts! Families are encourages to grab a chair and a blank and head to the park for a free concert at Lynch Park's ampitheater.

Where: Lynch Park

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Summer Concert Series at Stage Fort Park

Come enjoy a Summer evening sea-side concert at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester Massachusetts! The Cape Ann Community Band under the direction of David Benjamin, plays their annual summer concerts Sundays at the at the Antonio Gentile Bandstand, Stage Fort Park, Hough Avenue, Gloucester MA.

Where: Stage Fort Park

6:30 pm

♦ Read More →

Waterfront Concert: Scenes

The Yankee Homecoming Waterfront Concert Series invites you to enjoy a varierty of music with Cold Spring Harbor at Cashman Park. Scenes, formerly knwon as Cold Spring Harbor, is New England's premier tribute to Billy Joel, featuring a two-hour, hit filled show featuring classic hits such as "...

Where: Waterfront Park

7:30 pm to 9:00 pm

♦ Read More →