Outdoor Activity

Owl Prowl at Appleton Farms

Learn all about owls at Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts

Join Appleton Farms Educators for a special family focused evening with the owls. This interactive program will meet in the barn and kick off with an owl pellet dissection. After we discover what owls eat for dinner, we will head outside in search of Great-Horned, Eastern Screech, Barred, and Northern Saw-Whet Owls. After the walk, we will warm up with hot cocoa and read the story “Owl Moon” by Jane Yolen.

When: 
Saturday, January 13, 2024 4-6PM
Location: 

Ipswich Evergreen

Celebrate the onset of Winter with Ipswich Massachusetts' community-centered events!

Ipswich Evergreen is a Holiday festival and civic celebration at the  Ipswich Visitor Center , and Ipswich's Old South Meetinghouse Green. Ipswich has great cause for merriment and jubilation! With the new year in sight, let us gather as a community to reflect on what makes living in Ipswich the year round most wonderful with a make and take wreath session. Celebrate the solstice, make and take an evergreen wreath, and join the community celebration!

When: 
Saturday, December 16, 2023 1-3pm

Preschool Winter Solstice Lantern Walk

Come celebrate the Winter solstice at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary with a night time walk using lanterns!

Celebrate the shortest day of the year and welcome the lengthening days ahead with a candlelit evening walk on the trails of the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Sanctuary naturalists will share solstice stories and folklore outdoors by bonfire then, with candles in hand, we'll light up the night with a stroll through the forest and perhaps catch sights or sounds of animals active during the winter season.

When: 
Saturday, January 13, 2023 4:30-6pm

A Winter Solstice Celebration at Harold Parker

Come celebrate the longest night - Winter Solstice - at Harold Parker State Forest

Come celebrate the longest night and shortest day of the year at Harold Parker State Forest! What causes the winter solstice, and what does it mean for us? Come to Harold Parker State Forest and discover this most important day of the year to ancient peoples and also to ourselves. Join us for a cup of hot chocolate! We will celebrate the solstice at sunset at exactly 4:14 pm and usher out the shortest day of the year. Dress warmly and wear hiking footwear, bring water with you. We will be taking a short hike prior to the solstice sunset ritual.  

When: 
Thursday, December 21, 2023 3-5pm

CraneOutdoors: Winter Solstice Hike in the Dunes

Hiking the Dunes at the Crane Wildlife Refuge with the Trustees of Reservations.

Join us for a beautiful dune hike to celebrate the solstice! Winter at the Crane Estate has much to offer, and while just about everybody on the North Shore has probably been to Crane Beach, the dunes of Castle Neck are a much less-explored world unto themselves. Offering one of the most accessible dune ecosystems north of Cape Cod, Castle Neck has over six miles of trails, traversing the dunes, maritime scrub forest, and beautiful beaches on both the Ipswich Bay and Essex/Castle Neck River estuary sides of the peninsula. These trails take you through Pitch Pine forests, up huge dunes offering stunning views of Choate Island, and by the varied landscapes of Castle Neck, including naturally occurring cranberry bogs.

When: 
Thursday, December 21, 2023 2-4pm

CraneOutdoors: Winter Solstice Hike in the Dunes

Hiking the Dunes at the Crane Wildlife Refuge with the Trustees of Reservations.

Join us for a beautiful dune hike to celebrate the solstice! Winter at the Crane Estate has much to offer, and while just about everybody on the North Shore has probably been to Crane Beach, the dunes of Castle Neck are a much less-explored world unto themselves. Offering one of the most accessible dune ecosystems north of Cape Cod, Castle Neck has over six miles of trails, traversing the dunes, maritime scrub forest, and beautiful beaches on both the Ipswich Bay and Essex/Castle Neck River estuary sides of the peninsula. These trails take you through Pitch Pine forests, up huge dunes offering stunning views of Choate Island, and by the varied landscapes of Castle Neck, including naturally occurring cranberry bogs.

When: 
Thursday, December 21, 2023 2-4pm

Holidays on the Hill

The Trustees host a celebration of Winter and the Holiday Season at Long Hill Sedgewick Gardens in Beverly Massachusetts

The Trustees of Reservations invite you to tour* the gardens at Long Hill Gardens in Beverly, Massachusetts to celebrate the Holidays! The first three weekends of December, join us for our annual Holidays on the Hill event! This festive celebration with music and cheer is sure to get the whole family in the holiday spirit.

When: 
Weekends, December 2-17, 2023 11am-3pm

DCR First Day Hikes on the North Shore

Explore a nearby state park on New Year's Day for a great start to the year!

First Day Hikes take place at nearby State Parks nationwide on New Year's Day. The annual hike originated more than 20 years ago at the Blue Hills Reservation in Massachusetts. The program was launched to promote both healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year-round recreation at state parks. On the North Shore, there will be First Day hikes at Halibut Point State Park.

When: 
Tuesday, January 1, 2024

All Family Field Trip: Gather, Gorge & Store!

Visit Maudslay State PArk in Newburyport Massachusetts to learn about how animals prepare for the winter

Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the north shore with Joppa Flats Education Center . Our engaging and experienced staff will introduce families to local beaches, forests, and wetlands to make observations in nature, identify wildlife, and enjoy hands on science activities outdoors. Sign up for one, some, or all!

When: 
Friday, December 15, 2023 10am-Noon

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Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a day of remembrance that occurs on the last Monday of May in the United States. Photo ©2023 Bill O'Connor
Memorial Day is a day of remembrance that occurs on the last Monday of May in the United States
12:01 am to 11:59 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

Marblehead Memorial Day Parade

Glover's Regimment Fires a Salute on Memorial Day in Marblehead Massachusetts. Photo: Eyal Oren, Wednesdays in Marblehead
Marblehead's Memorial Day activities start at at Old Town House, starting at 8 a.m. An hour later at 9 a.m., the main parade will begin at Pleasant Street, continuing on to Memorial Park before turning left on Spring to Elm Street. The parade will then take a left off of Elm Street to Cressey, and...
8:00 am

Rockport Memorial Day Parade

Rockport Massachusetts Memorial Day.  Photo: Tina Ketchopolos
Memorial Day starts with a small ceremony at American Legion Lot at 8:45 Locust Grove Cemetery Lanesville. The parade leaves at 10:00am sharp from American Legion Hall Beach st. to Beech Grove cemetery, the parade will reform and proceed down Pleasant Street to Mount Pleasant St.
8:45 am

Hamilton Memorial Day Parade

Veterans en route to a Memorial Day Ceremony in Hamilton, Massachusetts.
Hamilton’s American Legion A.P. Gardner Post 194 host the annual parade.
9:00 am

Amesbury Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies

Memorial Day parade and ceremonies in Amesbury Massachusetts. Photo: ©2023 Bill O'Connor
The Amesbury Memorial Day Ceremonies is organized by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2016 and will start at 9:00 AM at Alliance Park where a wreath will be thrown into the Merrimac River in memory of deceased Marines and Sailors. From there veterans will gather and place wreaths at the VFW Cemetery...
9:00 am to 11:00 am

Crane Outdoors: Kayak Adventure on the Castle Neck River

Take a guided kayak paddle adventure on the Castle Neck River with the Trustees of Reservations!
One of the best was to enjoy the natural beauty of the Massachusetts North Shore is kayaking the placid waters of the Great Marsh—the largest continuous stretch of salt marsh in New England, extending from Cape Ann to New Hampshire. The Castle Neck peninsula on the Crane Estate is a vast barrier...
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Middleton Memorial Day Ceremony

2024 Memorial Day Events in Middleton Massachusetts
Join the Patriotic Observances Committee, Augustus P. Gardner American Legion Post 227, and the Town of Middleton for the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony. Parade steps off at 9:00 am from Howe-Manning Elementary School, 26 Central Street. Parade will proceed to Memorial Stones on Flint Public...
9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Danvers Memorial Day Parade

Memorial Day in Danvers Massachsuetts. Photo: All Saints Episcopal Church of the North Shore
The Danvers Memorial Day parade begins at Town Hall at 9 a.m. sharp, and will follow the traditional route of previous years - down Sylvan Street, through downtown and back to Town Hall. Traditional stops and placement of wreaths will occur at the Danvers Square Memorial Flagpole, the Town Hall...
9:00 am to 11:00 am

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
10:00 am to 6:59 pm

Memorial Day Open House: Museum of Fine Arts - Boston

Museum of Fine Arts in Boston Massachusetts Open House free admission event for North Shore and  families
The Museum of Fine Arts will honor Memorial Day with an Open House and will waive all admission fees. Visitors can enjoy complimentary admission to the MFA's galleries, family activities and performances. This year, the MFA offers free admission - including access to the special exhibition “Hokusai...
10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
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.
10:00 am to 3:59 pm

Andover's Memorial Day Parade

MCV Fife and Drum will be one of the bands performing in the Andover Memorial Day Parade in 2022.
Andover's annual Memorial Day Parade will be on Monday, May 27th. The parade will begin at 10:00 AM at the intersection of Elm Street and Florence Street. The parade can be observed from portions of Elm Street, Main Street, Punchard Ave., and Bartlet Street. Civic, patriotic or fraternal...
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Newburyport Memorial Day Ceremonies

Newburyport celebrates Memorial Day with a parade, a memorial service at city hall and waterfront ceremony for fallen Coastgaurdsmen.
Newburyport celebrates Memorial Day with a parade, a memorial service at city hall and waterfront ceremony for fallen Coastgaurdsmen. Marchers in the parade are asked to assemble at the CVS on pond Street at 10:15am.  The parade will then head to City Hall for a ceremony at 11am.
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Wenham Memorial Day Parade

Wenham Massachusetts Memorial Day Services Parades and Ceremonies
Wenham Massachusetts Memorial Day Services commence with and a Decoration of the Cheeseman Memorial in Pingree Park. The Wenham Memorial Day Parade kicks off at the American Legion building.The parade forms at American Legion building (Wenham COA and Buker School) starting at 12:30 p.m. Parade...
10:15 am to 1:00 pm

Ipswich Memorial Day

Ipswich Massachusetts Memorial Day ceremonies. Photo: Nancy Gallant
The Veterans Posts of Ipswich will host a ceremony at the Veterans Memorial on Monday, May 27, 2024 in honor of Memorial Day. This event is in lieu of the traditional parade as our members are increasingly unable to participate due to age and infirmity.
10:30 am

Rowley Memorial Day Parade

The Rowley Town Cannon - "Old Nancy".  Photo: Rowley Fire Department
Rowley Veterans Committee again this year will be hosting the parade. The parade will muster at 10:15 a.m. in the parking lot of the Pine Grove School and at 11:00 a.m. will kick off and march down Main Street to the Town Common. There will be a short program at the flag pole and at noon we will...
11:00 am

Essex Memorial Day Parade

Memorial Day parades, ceremonies and events in Essex in Massachusetts. Photo ©2023 Bill O'Connor
Head down to Shepard Memorial Park on Monday morning, May 27th at 11am (rain or shine) for the Essex Memorial Day service. Tribute will be paid to those who gave their lives in military service to their country. You may even learn something “new” about Essex!
11:00 am to 12:00 pm

Salem Memorial Day Parade

Salem Massachusetts Memorial Day Ceremonies and Parade.
The Salem MA Memorial Day Schedule is as follows:
11:00 am

Peabody Memorial Day Parade & Services

Peabody Massachusetts Memorial Day Ceremonies
The Peabody Memorial Day Parade will begin at 11 a.m. at Washington Street and Allens Lane. The route heads east on Washington Street, then west on Main Street to City Hall. Washington, Main, and parts of Lowell Street will be closed to traffic.
11:00 am

Monday, June 3

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
10:00 am to 6:59 pm

Tuesday, June 4

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

Swan Boat Rides in Boston Public Garden

Swan Boat Boston North Shore Parent, North Shore Parents Summer Activities Guide
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.
10:00 am to 3:59 pm

Home & Food Truck Show | Topsfield

Home and Food Truck show at the Topfield Fairground in Massachusetts
April 20th & 21st. FREE admission and FREE parking. All INDOORS & Enjoy the Food Trucks outside. Speak to leading home industry professionals to plan your spring home projects.
10:00 am to 6:59 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

Tabletop Club at Newburyport Library

Kids are invited to come to Newburyport Public Library to play board games.
Are you a fan of... Board games? Dungeons and Dragons? Magic the Gathering? Then the Tabletop Club is for you! Once a month we set up a space for you to get your game on!
3:30 pm to 4:45 pm

Wednesday, June 5

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

Fiddleheads | Preschool Drop-Off Series

The Fiddlehead program at Appleton Farms encourages kids 3-5 to explore their environment in Ipswich Massachusetts
Spring has sprung! It is an excellent time of year for exploring and learning on the farm. We will be planting and harvesting in our garden, taking care of our animals and finding all the signs of spring that nature divulges. Join us on Wednesday mornings from 9:30AM to 12:30PM for a preschool drop...
9:30 am to 12:30 pm

Music Together - Wednesday

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® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
9:30 am to 11:15 am
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