Salem Maritime Festival

Celebrate 400+ Years of Maritime History at Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!

Presented by the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, the annual Salem Maritime Festival in August hosts an exciting array of free family fun festivities, including live music, traditional craft demonstrations and seaport trade exhibits, story-telling, and family fun! Each year, music, demonstrations, exhibits, and children's activities are available throughout the park and on Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!

The day will kick off the Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta. Teams of two will test their engineering, ingenuity, and artistry by building homemade boats constructed on cardboard and duct tape. Launching from Derby Beach in a series of heats, teams will race to paddle their cardboard boats in the Salem Sound.

Schedule of Events

  • 11:00 am - 1:00 pm: The Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta (races and award ceremony)
  • 12:00 noon - 6:00 pm: Demonstrators, exhibits, and activities
  • 12:45 pm - 6:30 pm: Live music and entertainment
  • 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Free kayak and paddleboat rentals
  • 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Reopening of the Salem Custom House

The Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta

Join Salem Maritime National Historic Site for Salem's favorite cardbord-themed event! Taking place during the Maritime Festival, local teams will race their homemade cardboard boats in Salem Harbor. Spectators are encouraged to line Derby Wharf and cheer on the racers.

If you would like to learn more about competing in the Cardboard Boat Regatta, please follow this link (https://www.nps.gov/sama/planyourvisit/cardboard-boatregatta.htm) to review the rules and submit an application.

Live Music and Entertainment

12:45 pm - 2:15 pm – Squeezebox Stompers – Cajun, New Orleans Mardi Gras Music
2:30 pm - 3:15 pm – Evan The Magician
3:30 pm - 4:45 pm - Sweet Soul Sounds – Motown
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm – Luna Latin Jazz Group – Latin Jazz, Salsa
Tony Toledo - Master of Ceremonies

  • Squeezebox Stompers

    • The Squeezebox Stompers are a Boston area Americana Roots band. They have performed Cajun, Zydeco, Blues, Folk, and originals all over New England for the past 15 years. Members of the band have received Boston Music Awards and Songwriting Awards. They are noted for their step-lively up-beat music inspiring audiences to get up and dance.
  • Evan the Magician

    • Evan Northup has 10 years of musical theater, 15 years of musical perfomance, and 20 years of dance experience. All of these skills are brought together in his magic performances. For Evan, magic remains the perfect balance of creative outlet and challenging work.
  • Sweet Soul Sounds

    • This Salem, Massachusetts-based cover band centers the Motown tradition in its fun, dance friendly performances. Greg Coles and Nicole Harris, Vocals. Grant Clark, Percussion. Rory McKenzie, Bass. Alton Hollister, Saxophone.

Vessels

Schooner Adventure

Visit the 1926 dory-fishing Schooner Adventure. The National Historic Landmark Schooner Adventure is one of the last surviving Grand Banks dory-fishing schooners. She is a national treasure that sails as an icon of the American fisheries and as a floating classroom celebrating maritime history. The schooner is operated at sea along the New England coast, as a living monument to Massachusetts’ fishing heritage. Schooner Adventure will be open from 12 noon - 6 pm.

Friendship of Salem

Friendship will be open for deck tours from 11 am - 6 pm. Due to the ongoing construction project onboard, tours will be in small groups of 6 people at a time throughout the day.

About Friendship of Salem: The original Friendship, a two-decked, three-masted, square-rigged, 342-ton vessel was built from 1796-1797. The Friendship made 15 international voyages before being captured during the War of 1812. The replica tall ship, Friendship of Salem, is docked at Derby Wharf and was designed to present the appearance an original 1797 Salem-built vessel. The keel was laid in Scarano Shipyard in Albany, New York in 1996 and uses modern technology and materials to meet today’s safety and accessibility requirements.

Jolly Boat - BOB

The jolly boat will available for viewing from 11 am - 6 pm at the wharf behind Pedrick Store House.

The Friendship of Salem jolly boat was built, and is still maintained, by the ship's volunteers. Traditionally, a jolly boat was used to bring people and small amounts of supplies between the ship and shore when anchored in port. The Friendship of Salem's jolly boat is named "BOB." This is not a historic name, but rather one given to it due to the large number of volunteers involved in building it who were named Bob. In the summer months, you can often see "BOB" being rowed through Salem Harbor by our volunteers

Kayaks and Paddleboards

Free paddleboard and kayak rentals will be available to use off of Central Wharf from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. An instructor will be onsite for anyone who needs a lesson. Safety equipment will be available.

Exhibitors

Explore the stories of Salem and beyond with local exhibitors and community organizations. Visit the exhibitor tents from 12 noon to 6 pm.

  • Acadia Sailors
  • Andy Volpe - Copper Plate Engraver
  • Bill Wasson - Rope Making
  • Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook Abenaki People
  • Environment for the Americas
  • Essex National Heritage Area
  • Geraldine Brancato - Spinning Wheel
  • House of the Seven Gables
  • Mary Ellen Smiley - Basket Weaving
  • Mary Mangan - Ipswich Lace Maker
  • Norumbega - Canoe Makers
  • North Shore CDC
  • Peabody Essex Museum
  • Rogue's Armada
  • Ron Raiseles - Cooper
  • Salem Sound Coast Watch
  • Salem United
  • U.S.S. Constitution Modelers

Reopening the Custom House

After a major repair and preservation project, the Custom House will be reopened to the public. Step inside the historic structure, built in 1819, that housed offices for the officers of the U.S. Customs Service, as well as an attached warehouse, the Public Stores, used for the storage of bonded and impounded cargo. Park staff and volunteers will offer interpretive talks as you explore the historic building and exhibits.

These significant repairs helped correct years of deterioration of the historic structure and protect these important pieces of American history. The project included extensive repairs to exterior and interior features of the building, including the portico, railings, shutters, cupola, snow and ice rail, roof, chimneys and plaster walls. All wood and metal on the exterior of the building, and interior surfaces, was painted.

When: 
Saturday, August 3, 2024 11am-6:30pm
Phone: 
978.740.1650
Art Academy Summer Program at Montserrat College of Art in Beverly MA

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

“Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser Storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
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...
7:00 am to 8:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 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

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
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...
7:00 am to 7:00 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 4:00 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

Manchester by the Sea Summer Concert Series

Summer Concerts happen at Masconomo Park in Manchester by the Sea every Tuesday through the Summer!
Come to Manchester Tuesday nights all summer for the annual Music in Masconomo Summer Concert Series. Each week from 6:00 - 8:00 pm a variety of Oldies, Swing, Rhythm & Blues & Classic Rock music will fill the air! Bring your family and friends, blankets and chairs, and dinner to enjoy a...
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays

Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays includes great dining live music, dancing & extended shopping hours for shopping Downtown Ipswich Massachusetts Tuesday evenings!
Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays includes great dining, live music, dancing at the Take-Out Terrace Stage on the Riverwalk  & extended shopping hours for shopping Downtown Ipswich Tuesday evenings!  Each week will feature live entertainment on the Riverwalk, making for a fun evening out for the whole...
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

The North Shore Concert Band at Salem Willows

Kids enjoy the North Shore Concert Band performance at Salem Willows Park in Massachusetts
The North Shore Concert Band will perform its annual Summer Series of free outdoor concerts at the Robert Hayes Bandshell at Salem Willows Park beginning Tuesday, June 25th. 
7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Wednesday, July 9

StoryWalk Series at Maudslay

“Magnificent Monarchs” by Linda Glaser Storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
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...
7:00 am to 8:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
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...
7:00 am to 7:00 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

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 4:00 pm

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

Saugus Iron Works House Tours

Free Ranger guided tours of the Saugus Iron Works House in Massachusetts
Join National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a 30-minute tour of The Iron Works House.
11:00 am

Saugus Iron Works Tours

Free Ranger guided tours at Saugus Iron Works Colonial Industrial Site in Massachusetts
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.
2:00 pm

The Backyard Growcery

Join Backyard Growers at Burnham's Field in Gloucester Massachusetts for a weekly Farmer's Market
Stop by Gloucester’s new weekly farmers market, the Backyard Growcery, managed by Backyard Growers. The Backyard Growcery is located at Burnham's Field, an urban park near Gloucester’s thriving waterfront, and features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, a seafood vendor, an artisanal pizza...
2:30 pm to 6:30 pm

Topsfield HomeGrown Market

Come to Topsfield Massachusetts Common for a homegrown market on the Wednesdays through July
The mission of the HomeGrown Market is to provide the Topsfield community with a series of family-friendly events that emphasize supporting local and offer the opportunity for Topsfield and surrounding North Shore farmers, gardeners, artisans, creators, performers, musicians, nonprofits, young...
4:00 pm to 7:00 pm