Holiday

Family & Friends Sweetheart Ball

Children ages 3 to 12 are invited to dance the night away with their favorite grown-up at The Family and Friends Sweetheart Ball in Hamilton Massachusetts

The Community House presents The Family and Friends Sweetheart Ball! Children ages 3 to 12 are invited to dance the night away with their favorite grown-up. Formerly the Father Daughter Dance and the Mother Son Knight Out, The Sweetheart Ball combines the two to make one, inclusive and festive event. Music provided by a local DJ, dancing, pizza, and an ice cream sundae bar included. Portraits provided by a professional photographer.

When: 
Saturday, February 10th, 2024 6-8pm

CAM Kids: Be Mine Valentine

CAM Valentine Workshop for kids at Sawyer Free Library  in Gloucester Massachusetts

Drop into the Teen Room at the Sawyer Free Library for a Valentine’s Day card-making activity inspired by the Folly Cove Designers. Members of the Cape Ann Museum’s CAM Teen Council will be there to guide you in this hands‑on activity, where you can learn about the Designers’ beautiful artwork inspired by life on Cape Ann and try your own block‑printing using foam shapes and a pencil. Create unique, handmade cards just in time for Valentine’s Day!

When: 
Saturday, February 14, 2026 10:30am-1pm
Location: 

Christmas at Castle Hill | A Nod to Nature

Christmas at Castle Hill | A Nod to Nature is a weekend of festivities hosted by the Trustees of Reservations at Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts

Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s event celebrating the beauty of the natural world. You’ll see birds, flowers, snowflakes, and more as you view 18 spaces decorated for the holidays. Go at your own pace and learn from interpreters stationed in rooms.

Enjoy freshly baked cookies and hot chocolate, try the Crane holiday eye spy, and shop in the Castle Hill Gift Shop during your visit.

When: 
Fridays, December 5-26, 2025 2024 4-8pm
Saturdays through December 6-27, 2025 10am-4pm
Sundays, December 7-28, 2025 10am-4pm

Gloucester's So Salty 2026

Celebrate Gloucester Massachusetts recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions in the heart of downtown.

Celebrate the fish city’s recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions and businesses during the 5th Annual Gloucester’s So Salty festival sponsored by the Cape Ann Museum in partnership with Discover Gloucester! This annual event brings over 2,000 people to the downtown area each January to shop at local stores, enjoy family friendly activities, visit the Museum Courtyard, and find each of the ice sculptures sponsored by local cultural institutions and businesses.

When: 
Saturday, January 24, 2026 10am-4pm
Sunday, January 25, 2026 10am-4pm

CraneExplorer: Valentine's Coastal Craft

Make Valentines crafts from materials that we find along the shore at the Trustees of Reservations Crane Estate in Ipswich, Massachusetts

The Trustees of Reservations invites ages 12 and up to a valentine craft making workshop! This Valentine’s Day, give a gift from the sea! From seaweed pressings to shell collages, beach treasures make beautiful greetings and keepsakes. Join this workshop to learn fun craft ideas and make marine art with our coastal educators. This program will start with a 30-45 minute beach walk to collect coastal treasures, and then we will head inside for crafting. You may choose to skip the beach walk and just join for the crafting portion. Materials and inspiration provided.

When: 
Sunday, February 7, 2026 10am-12:30pm

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, Downtown Essex & Harold Parker State Forest.

When: 
Wednesday, January 1, 2026 10am

Launch! Salem

Celebrate New Years Eve at Salem Massachusetts' Town Hall with your family!

Come ring in the New Year with us!  Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem are teaming up to throw LAUNCH!, our family-friendly New Year’s Eve party, on Wednesday, Dec. 31 from 4:30 pm to 6 pm on Artists’ Row. There will be an early countdown just before 6 pm.

When: 
New Year's Eve 4:30-6pm
Location: 

Rockport New Year's Eve 2025

Family Friendly New Year's Eve celebration for kids and families in Rockport Massachusetts.

Rockport New Year’s Eve (RNYE) is a family-friendly year-end celebration of the arts held in downtown Rockport, Massachusetts annually since 1996. Halls, churches, town offices, and some streets are taken over by happy revelers celebrating the New Year.

When: 
Wenesday, December 31, 2025 4pm-Midnight

Santa's Workshop

Santa's Workshop in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Visit Newburyport MA during the holidays

Newburyport is a favorite local town to shop - especially during the holidays. Bring the family to Newburyport to visit Santa in his traditional workshop, share your wish list, and snap a photo with Mr. Claus! Then enjoy strolling around beautiful downtown Newburyport which will be decorated for the holiday season.

When: 
Saturdays, December 6-20, 2025 11am-2pm
Sundays, December 7-21, 2025 11am-2pm
Location: 

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Landmark Summer Program at Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts

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

LEGO Club at Danvers Library

LEGO club at Danvers Library Massachusetts
Peabody Institute Library - Danvers invites kids to an afternoon of building and fun! Activities will include free build, themes and instructional design. All structures will remain on display in the Children’s Room till the following weeks's session
3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Friday, February 13

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

Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
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

Saturday, February 14

Valentine's Day

12:00 am to 11:59 pm

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

LEGO World: Wonderealms

Drop in at LEGO World: Wonderrealms at Wenham Museum in Wenham Massachusetts
This all-new experience invites visitors to explore an extraordinary LEGO world where creativity knows no bounds. From enchanted forests and futuristic skylines to pirate coves and steam-powered frontiers, each realm is packed with intricate details, playful surprises, and clever touches you won’t...
9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Discover Saturdays at Cape Ann Museum

Discover Saturdays for Families at Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
Enjoy a FREE guided activity (ages 4+) in the gallery. Learn about Cape Ann’s Granite Industry, try a fun art making activity, and join in gallery tour designed for kids and their caregivers, led by a CAM Educator. Afterwards grab a scavenger hunt to explore the property and enjoy the lawn.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike

CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts
Come explore the lesser-visited corners of Castle Hill and its surroundings with us this season. This hike is a CraneOutdoors guide favorite because it’s got a little bit of all the things that make the Crane Estate such a special place…
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Quarry Quest Treasure Hunt

Kids will enjoy this treasure hunt at the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry in Rockport Massachusetts
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!
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
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