Holiday

Winter Lights on Cape Ann

The Annual Winter Lights on Cape Ann is a festive event celebrating the holiday season, running from late November through New Year's Day. Over 100 local businesses in Gloucester, Essex, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport are participating by decorating their storefronts with lights and creative displays. A decorating contest is back by popular demand, allowing visitors to vote for their favorite decorated business in each of the five communities.

When:

Daily through New Years Day 2024

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Cinderella in December | A TitO Panto

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

Edward Speck and Joshua Shack bring back a favorite TITO Holiday Panto. We’ve updated our version of this classic fairy tale, added a holiday spin, plenty of adorable mice and even a few playful clowns to lead audiences on an enchanted adventure. It’s everything that you loved the first time you saw Cinderella, with some new surprises, just for fun!

When:

Fridays & Saturdays, December 8-23, 2023 3pm or 7pm

Sundays, December 10 & 17, 2023 3 pm

Location:

Firehouse Center for the Arts

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Holiday Printmaking with IRWA

Ipswich River Watershed Association hosts a fish printing craft session during Ipswich Evergreen. Participants will be repurposing real fish (shad, originally used for scientific research) and making beautiful and unique prints which can be used for gifts, decorations, cards, or anything your heart desires!

When:

Saturday, December 16, 2023 1-3pm

Location:

Ipswich Middle Green

Ipswich Visitor Center

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Evergreen Gnome Workshop

Make evergreen gnome decorations at this workshop at Endicott Park in Danvers Massachusetts

Join Danvers Recreation/Endicott Park Staff for a super fun holiday workshop! We will use fresh evergreen boughs to make an adorable evergreen gnome decoration for your garden or front steps this winter!

When:

Wednesday, December 13, 2023 6:30-7:30pm

Location:

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Salem Children's Charity Holiday Party

Come enjoy the holidays with the Salem Children's Charity as we raise money for Salem kids. We will kick off our silent auction, as well as have a live auction. We are excited to see each other again as we help Salem students of all ages.

When:

Tuesday, December 12, 2023 6-9pm

Location:

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Danvers Library Holiday Open House

Join the Friends of the Peabody Instute Library for their Holiday Open House in Danvers Massachusetts!

Friends of the Peabody Institute Library - Danvers will be hosting their annual Holiday Open House from 2pm to 4pm on the ground floor of the library. Live music with the band Classic Groove, crafts for all ages, door prizes and refreshments galore! All ages are invited to drop by and enjoy some holiday cheer.

When:

Sunday, December 9, 2023 2-4pm

Location:

Peabody Institute Library - Danvers

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Winter Wonder Neverland at the Firehouse

Winter Wonder Neverland by Joppa Dance Company at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport Massachusetts

Firehouse Center for the Arts hosts Joppa Dance Company for their performance of Winter Wonder Neverland! This dance-theater production follows Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinker Bell and friends as they try to rescue Christmas back from Captain Hook. It’s full of Pirates, Lost Boys and Fairies.

When:

Friday, December 1, 2023 7:30pm

Saturday, December 2, 2023 2 & 7:30pm

Sunday, December 3, 2023 2pm

Location:

Firehouse Center for the Arts

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Danvers YMCA Holiday Gift Market

Northshore YMCA Danvers invites you to a Holiday Gift Market just in time for the Holiday Season. You'll finda special collection of local crafters, jewelry designers, artists, & more! More than 30 vendors will be joining us for a holiday tradition of shopping, raffles, and holiday treats. Free entry- our special raffle this year supports Rosie's Place.

When:

Saturday, December 2, 2023 10am-2pm

Location:

Danvers Community YMCA

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Newburyport Holiday House Tour

Enjoy touring private residences and unique spaces throughout Greater Newburyport, all decorated in holiday style both inside and out. All proceeds benefit the Anna Jaques Hospital Aid Association and is sponsored by Gibson Sotheby’s. Tickets are $30 in advance/$35 day of. Visit www.nbptholidayhousetour.com for more information or to purchase tickets.

When:

Saturday, December 9, 2023 10am-4pm

Location:

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Friends of the Manchester Public Library Holiday Book Fair

Join the Friends of the Manchester Public Library to peruse the hottest new book titles from the Beverly Farms Bookstore! Adults’ and children's books, stocking stuffers, wrapping paper, cards, and more! Sponsored by Friends of the Manchester Public Library and the Bookshop of Beverly Farms. 20% of proceeds will go to the Manchester By The Sea Friends of the Library.

When:

Friday, December 1, 2023 4-8pm

Location:

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Bruins Pajama Drive

From February 1 through March 15, Cradles to Crayons®, the Boston Bruins, Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, and Wonderfund are coming together with organizations in your community to collect new pajamas for local children living in low-income and homeless situations. Together, we are...

7:00 am to 9:00 pm

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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

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Music Together - Wednesday

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...

Where: St. John's Episcopal Church in Beverly Farms

9:30 am to 11:15 am

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Mini Movers at North Shore Children's Museum

Mini Movers is an engaging dance and movement class for young children at the North Shore Children's Museum. Led by experienced instructors, the program introduces young children to the world of dance in a safe and nurturing environment.

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

10:00 am to 11:00 am

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Tuesday, February 18

February School Vacation at Bradley Palmer

Bradley Palmer State Park is located at 40 Asbury St. in Topsfield. All programs are free and open to the public. Reasonable accommodations upon request. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Events outside may include rough, uneven trails that contain ice and snow, warm clothing and...

Where: Bradley Palmer State Park

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

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Music Together - Tuesday in Marblehead

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...

Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead

10:00 am to 10:45 am

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Guided Tour | When Granite Was King!

Halibut Point State Park is also a granite quarry with a history that goes back billions of years! Over one hundred years ago, the Rockport Granite Company quarried granite stone here.

Where: Halibut Point State Park

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

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Chess Club at Salem Public Library

Salem Public Library the library is hosting weekly chess nights where players of all ages can play and learn from each other. Whether you're new to the game or a veteran player, all skill levels welcome, and basic instruction

Where: Salem Public Library

6:30 pm to 7:30 pm

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Wednesday, February 19

Bruins Pajama Drive

7:00 am to 9:00 pm

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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

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Quarry Quest Treasure Hunt

Enjoy an outdoor treasure hunt at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations during February Vacation! Halibut Point State Park invites kids and families to follow clues then unscramble to find a treasure box!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Hike & Seek: Magic in the Winter Forest

Have you ever wondered what happens in nature during the winter months? Do you have questions like, “where do certain animals go” or “why does it snow”? Join us this February school vacation for this self-guided winter themed family-friendly bundle for use along the Stevens-to-Stevens trail in...

Where: Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Appleton Farms | February Vacation Week Camps

In the winter, many people hunker down to stay indoors, but at Appleton Farms, we make the most of the cold, quiet season. There is no better place to spend winter farm days than in exploring in the snow and learning to love the outdoors in all seasons! This program is for kids who are looking to...

Where: Appleton Farms

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

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