Newburyport

The Nutcracker Panto

Come enjoy a Nutcracker Panto performed by Theater in the Open at the Firehouse Center for the Arts!

Theater in the Open is happy to be back at the Firehouse for our production of A Nutcracker Panto, written by Edward F. Speck and adapted from the classic holiday ballet. Presented in the traditional British panto style, this holiday send-up is a family friendly romp through Clara’s adventure with the Nutcracker, the battle with the Rat King, and more than likely a Tik Tok dance trend. Holiday Pantos with Theater in the Open are a tradition in Newburyport, and we are excited to bring this incredible joy to our community. Join us!

When: 
Fridays, December 12 & 19, 2025 7pm
Saturdays, December 13 & 20, 2025 7pm

The Nutcracker Panto - Matinee

Come enjoy a Nutcracker Panto performed by Theater in the Open at the Firehouse Center for the Arts!

The tree is lit up and the stockings are hung and Clara’s Christmas is perfect…except for her Uncle Drosselmeyer sitting up on that clock and the sudden rat infestation…sounds like panto time!Edward Speck and Joshua Shack return to direct another cracking holiday panto, this time seizing on Tchaikovsky’s classic holiday tale to do what panto does best: make a favorite old story new and particular to our place and time again. What does Clara’s magical journey have to teach us? How many nuts would a nutcracker crack if a nutcracker could crack nuts? Let’s find out! Come with us as panto and ballet collide in a delicious mix of sugar plums and pies-in-the-face, dance and comedy, fairies and snowballs, in A Nutcracker Panto!

When: 
Saturdays & Sundays, December 13-21, 2025 3 pm

Newburyport Santa Parade & Tree Lighting

Come celebrate Santa's arriival in Newburyport and stay for the Tree Lighting.

As the holiday season approaches, Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive in the most fitting way for this seaport town... by US Coast Guard boat! Welcome Santa on the Sunday after Thanksgiving as he and Mrs. Claus dock at the boardwalk and begin to parade through downtown Newburyport, then gather in Market Square for the annual Christmas tree lighting and carols.

When: 
Sunday, November 30, 2025 3-5pm

Maudslay is Haunted

'Maudslay is Haunted' is an annual fundraiser for Theater in the Open at Maudsla

Maudslay is Haunted is a North Shore Kid favorite! Theater in the Open’s notorious annual haunting of Maudslay invites you to join a cast of all ages for a one-hour walk through eerie vignettes, spooky sketches and haunting scenes, all in the autumn grandeur of Maudslay State Park in Newburyport. Bring the whole family for a variety of tricks and treats, this family event is intended for all ages.

When: 
Saturday, October 18, 2024 1:30-4pm
Sunday, October 19, 2024 1:30-4pm
Rain Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025 1:30-4pm

Farmers Markets on the North Shore

You'll find locally grown food and much more at farmers markets on the North Shore, north of Boston Massachusetts.

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.

Newburyport's Fall Festival

The Newburyport Fall Festival is a tradition filled with family fun on the waterfront in Massachusetts

Come to downtown Newburyport's Annual Fall Festival hosted by the Newburyport Chamber of Commerce! Enjoy great food, live music, and family fun while celebrating autumn's arrival on the waterfront in downtown Newburyport Massachusetts. Explore downtown shops as well as craft vendor booths from artisans all over New England!

When: 
Saturday & Sunday, October 11 & 12, 2025 10am-4pm

Newburyport Chocolate Tour

The Newburyport Chocolate Tour is a chance for chocolate lover to experience the best treats of Newburyport Massachusetts!

A sweet stroll with a purpose— The Chocolate Tour is a community-driven tasting experience through the charming streets of downtown Amesbury and Newburyport. Local shops serve up chocolate delights while you explore, shop, and support amazing causes.
Even sweeter? Every ticket helps fund local nonprofits—so while you indulge, you're also giving back to the community.

When: 
Saturday, October 4, 2025 5-7pm

Walk Against Domestic Violence

Jeanne Geiger Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence in Newburyport Massachusetts

The Walk Against Domestic Violence is hosted by Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center in Newburyport, Massachusetts. We walk because it could be your best friend, your younger sister, the man who works in the office next to you, your child's best friend, or the teenage girl who works in the local coffee shop. We walk because domestic violence doesn't have a face, because it could happen to anyone, at any time. Walk with us as we advocate for change and raise awareness for domestic violence.

When: 
Sunday, October 5, 2025 9-12pm

Pages

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

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ Drive.
The Boston Bruins will be hosting their 19th annual PJ Drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of pajamas from February 1st - March 15th, 2026. The drive will benefit Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund MA, two non-profits that ensure positive living conditions for children. Local businesses...
7:00 am to 9:00 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

Wonderful Winter Birding

Beginning winter birding is held on the 3rd Sunday of each Winter month at Halibut Point State Park in Rockport Massachusetts
Halibut Point State Park, along the Atlantic migratory path, is an excellent locale for winter birding species you rarely see anywhere else.Winter brings birds and ducks from frozen ponds up north to our seashore. See Harlequin ducks and loons among the winter visitors at this rocky coastal water’s...
8:00 am to 10:00 am

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

Boston Children's Chorus at Shalin Liu

Boston Children's Chorus will perform live at the Shalin Liu Center for the Performing Arts in Rockport Massachusetts
This season, Boston Children’s Chorus honors the unheralded voices who shaped history from the shadows. Their courage fueled the fires of justice. Through powerful music and storytelling, our singers shine a light on local and national activists, who stood for dignity, equality, and hope. Their...
3:00 pm

Saturday, March 21

Maple Sugaring Saturday at IRWS

Sugaring Off tours are a fun and tasty way to learn about maple sugaring at IRWS
Experience the age-old tradition of maple sugaring at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary! The warm days of late winter awaken the flow of sap in the maples resulting in sweet-smelling, billowing clouds of steam rising from the sugarhouse. On a naturalist-guided walk, learn how to identify a sugar...
10:30 am to 3:30 pm

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, March 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

Gloucester Education Foundation's Power of Play Festival

Gloucester Education Foundation is proud to host Power of Play Festival, a day of play for Gloucester Massachusetts families and kids of all ages. Gloucester Education Foundation's Power of Play Festival
Gloucester Education Foundation hosts the annual Power of Play Festival in Gloucester Massachusetts. GEF’s annual “Day of Play” is back for an 8th year on Sunday, March 22! This FREE community event draws hundreds of Gloucester families to the GHS Field House to participate in dozens of fun...
11:00 am to 2:00 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

Symphony by the Sea | Winter Dreams

Symphony by the Sea: Winter Dreams at the Cabot Theater in Beverly Massachusetts!
Symphony by the Sea performs a special Winter Concert inspired by Slavic fairytales and the beauty of the Russian landscape, our program explores the rich synthesis of Western musical tradition and Russian folk melodies. Tchaikovsky’s energetic and tuneful Serenade, Arensky’s touching tribute to...
Where: The Cabot
3:00 pm

Monday, March 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, March 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

Wednesday, March 25

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
Subscribe to Newburyport