The Merrimack River Eagle Festival

Come celebrate the return of the Eagles to the Merrimack Estuary! Photo: Eagle on Ice by Bill O'Connor

When winter returns to the lower Merrimack Valley, so do Bald Eagles and Snowy Owls and other exciting winter wildlife. Every year Mass Audubon hosts a grand event marking their return.

This year,Join the celebration in Newburyport, Amesbury and Salisbury on Saturday, February 17, 2024, for a full day of fun indoor and outdoor activities celebrating the return of the Bald Eagles! Learn more about these magnificent birds, as well as other amazing raptors, and why our local habitat is so important to them. 

Activities

Discover the best eagle viewing locations! Our naturalist guides will be available to inspire and educate you about these magnificent birds of prey. Eagle Festival brochures, location maps, and lots of raptor information and activities are available at Joppa Flats Education Center, Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters, and Newburyport City Hall.  

Open to all ages. Registration not required for viewing locations and on-site activities, however we have registration-only outdoor programming for families and adults. These additional programs may have a fee per program, and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please consider carpooling, parking is limited. Appropriate footwear and clothing are advised, some sites may be snowy or icy.

At Joppa Flats Education Center you'll find family activities, arts, and crafts, information on Bald Eagles and other raptors.. At Parker River National Wildlife Refuge find free family activities and more all day.

Events geared for kids and teens:

*Please note that some events are geared for adult audiences and not intended for children.

Photo By: 

©Bill O'Connor

When: 
Saturday, February 17, 2024 9am-4pm
Prices: 
Prices Vary
Phone: 
978.462.9998
Brookwood School Summer Program for kids Pre-K through 9 in Manchester Massachusetts

Teddy Bear Story Time at NTL

Teddy Bear Storytime at the Newbury Town library in Massachusetts. Photo is AI generated
The Newbury Town Library hosts a Teddy Bear Story time! Recommended for ages 0-5, with siblings always welcome!
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Music Together - Friday

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...
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Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

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Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Trustees Winterlights at Stevens Coolidge Place

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4:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Saturday, January 4

Music Together - Saturday

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...
9:15 am to 11:15 am

Befriend the Barnyard

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Discover our special barnyard animals! Our Angora rabbits Violet, Mabel, Oiver and Charles; Nubian goats Maeve, Morgana, and Mordred; dairy cows Gray, Jasmine, their calves Gigi and Joanie and our friendly flock of heritage chickens will take center stage as we learn about what makes them so unique...
11:00 am to 1:00 pm

Trustees Winterlights at Stevens Coolidge Place

The Trustees of Reservations Winterlights at the Stevents-Coolidge Place North Andover North Andover.
Winterlights is back! Join the Trustees for a magical outdoor experience at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, and see the gardens aglow with your favorite light installations as well as marveling at new components. Bring the whole family for a fun and safe outdoor experience. Winterlights runs...
4:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Nice n' Easy Hike at Breakheart Reservation

Nice and Easy winter hike at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
Join the Park Interpreter for this weekly guided hike! Each trip will highlight natural and historic features unique to Breakheart. Hikes are moderately paced and range from 2-3 miles over sometimes uneven and rocky terrain. Best for ages 8 years and up. Meet at the Visitor Center.
9:30 pm to 11:30 pm

Monday, January 6

Lego Time at MPL

Children in grades 2 and up are invited to come to the Manchester Massachusetts Library's Lego Club
Drop-in, unstructured Lego building fun! Come with friends or come to make new ones, this program is for kids ages six and up. 
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Chess Instruction at Abbot Library

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6:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Tuesday, January 7

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

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11:00 am to 12:30 pm

Wednesday, January 8

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

Thursday, January 9

LEGO Club at Danvers Library

LEGO club at Danvers Library Massachusetts
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3:30 pm to 4:30 pm