Holiday

Santa by Boat in the Shipyard

After Santa arrives in Essex, kids will have a chance discuss their wish list with him in person!

Kids of all ages are welcome to come down to Essex Town Landing for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus! Enjoy Woodman’s chowder and cocoa while we await the arrival, then let the kids take a turn sitting with the big red couple to plead their cases for gifts that breathe and/or are outside of any reasonable budget - you know, all the stuff they can only get from Santa. The arrival itself will happen at 5:00pm and visits will take place on the front porch of the Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum.

When: 
Friday, December 6, 2024 4-6pm

Mehtuen Ballet's Nutcracker

The Nutcracker performed by the Methuen Ballet is a perrenial favorite at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury Massachusetts

Long a traditional favorite, Methuen Ballet Ensemble brings the holiday classic, "The Nutcracker" to Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury, Massachusetts. Join us for this very special production of Methuen Ballet Ensemble's The Nutcracker.  Sugar Plum Fairies in the Land of Sweets By the Sea and a visit with Santa. Savor our Holiday Nutcracker Ballet Event!

When: 
Sunday, December 15, 2024 1pm

Gingerbread Contest at Wenham Museum

Wenham Museum Gingerbread Contest is free to enter and open to all!

Everyone's invited to enter Wenham Museum’s gingerbread contest! Individuals, families, groups, teams–all are encouraged to create a Gingerbread House for this friendly community competition. Visit the 2024 Gingerbread House Contest page for contest details, rules and registration.  There is no fee to participate.

When: 
Tuesday-Saturday, December 8-21, 2024
Sunday, December 3, 2023 12-4pm
Location: 

Christmas in Salem House Tour

Tour some of Salem Massachusetts' historic houses all done up for the Holiday and raise funds for a worthy local cause

Historic Salem, Inc. hosts its annual holiday house tour in downtown Salem Massachusetts! Few communities have the rich legacy of historic houses that Salem, Massachusetts boasts. These homes, spanning four centuries, help define the character as well as the appearance of the city.  Every year Christmas In Salem focuses on a different neighborhood, and some of the homeowners invite visitors into their homes fully decked out in holiday regalia, and to explore a series of unique histories and architectural tales.

When: 
Saturday, December 7, 2024 10:30am–4:00pm
Sunday, December 8, 2024 11:30am–4:00pm

Lowell's Boat Shop Holiday Open House

Visit Lowell's Boat Shop in Amesbury Massachusetts for their annual holiday open house!

Visit Lowell’s Boat Shop during their Annual Holiday Open House is a two day family event during the first weekend in December. See the shop transformed with beautiful trees, an art show, silent auction, Nautical Gift Shop, Lowell’s gear to wear, books, glassware, and more. Make it a day! Live music, and lots of other treats in every part of the shop. Don’t miss this beautiful shindig, and be sure to tell your friends.

When: 
December 7 & 8, 2024 11am-4pm
Santa Visits 12-1

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Landmark Summer Experience at Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts

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

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

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

Marblehead Festival of the Arts

There's plenty to see and do for kids and families at the Marblehead Festival of the Arts in Massachusetts!
Marblehead, Massachusetts has a long-standing tradition of hosting an annual summer arts festival during the week of July 4th. This highly esteemed festival showcases a diverse range of artistic expressions that include: painting, drawing, sculpture, mixed media, printmaking, photography, crafts,...
9:00 am to 9:00 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

Model Boat Building and Regatta

Kids can build a model boat and race it in a regatta on Redd's Pond in Marblehead
BRING THE KIDS - BRING YOUR FOLKS - BUILD & SAIL YOUR VERY OWN BOAT! This popular event begins with a workshop where participants construct model boats from provided kits at the Lee Mansion Gardens and ends with a competitive regatta at Redd's Pond. These small treasures are more than just toys...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

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

Waterfront Concerts @ Crocker Park in Marblehead

Marblehead Festival of Arts hosts live music performances throughout Fourth of July weekend at Crocker Park
The Marblehead Festival of the Arts hosts its  58th Performing Arts Program featuring 16 acts over 4 nights and 3 days. As always, we thank the Town of Marblehead for the opportunity to present our program in the beautiful natural concert venue that is Crocker Park and to you, for your generous...
12:00 pm to 10:30 pm

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

Salem Farmers' Market

The Salem Farmer's Market bring the goodness of local farm to downtown Salem!
The Salem Farmers' Market brings fresh local produce and other foods from North Shore farms and other local resources to downtown Salem every Thursday at  Bentley Academy Charter School!
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Salisbury Farmers' Market

Salisbury Farmers Market is a great source of local produce.
The Salisbury Farmers' Market offers a vibrant community experience with a variety of fresh, locally sourced produce, unprocessed honey, farm-fresh eggs, and maple syrup. Enjoy music, local market creations, and engage with local farmers. The market also features monthly craft markets, cooking...
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Gloucester Waterfront Concert & Fireworks 2025

The FREE Annual Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza Concert on Gloucester Harbor Fourth of July
Gloucester is gearing up for an exciting Independence Day celebration. Experience the beauty of Gloucester’s skyline with a mesmerizing fireworks display. Watch the night sky light up with vibrant colors over popular locations around Gloucester.  
5:30 pm to 10:00 pm

Gloucester Horribles Parade and Fireworks

Gloucester Massachusetts hosts an annual Horribles Parade to celebrate Independence Day every year on July 3rd.
Gloucester hosts their annual Horribles Parade followed by a concert and fireworks over Gloucester Harbor! The parade will follow its traditional route out Centennial Avenue, left on Western Avenue to Washington Street at Tally’s Corner, right down Washington and left onto Rogers Street, left on...
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

4th of July Celebration at Salisbury Beach

Fourth of July Fireworks at Salisbury Beach include a campfire and marshmallow roast on the beach.
Get ready for four fantastic days of family fun at Salisbury Beach! From patriotic pet parades and live music to Independence Day fireworks, here’s what’s in store:
6:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Summer Concert Series at Lynch Park

Free Summer Concerts hosted by Bev Rec at Lynch Park in Beverly Massachusetts
Enjoy free concerts this Summer at Lynch Park in Beverly, Massachusetts!  Families are encourages to grab a chair and a blank and head to the park for a free concert at Lynch Park's ampitheater.
Where: Lynch Park
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

July 4th Fireworks in Lynn Massachusetts

Independence Day Fireworks and concert in Lynn, Massachusetts, July 3
Lynn's Fireworks Display Begins at 9 PM from Red Rock Park. Prior to the Fireworks, there will be a live music perform starting at 7pm. Lynn Shore Drive and Surrounding Streets Will begin at 6PM and remain closed until after the show. Parking restrictions go into effect at 3PM. The best viewing  is...
7:00 pm to 9:30 pm

Thursday, July 10

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

Salem Farmers' Market

The Salem Farmer's Market bring the goodness of local farm to downtown Salem!
The Salem Farmers' Market brings fresh local produce and other foods from North Shore farms and other local resources to downtown Salem every Thursday at  Bentley Academy Charter School!
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Salisbury Farmers' Market

Salisbury Farmers Market is a great source of local produce.
The Salisbury Farmers' Market offers a vibrant community experience with a variety of fresh, locally sourced produce, unprocessed honey, farm-fresh eggs, and maple syrup. Enjoy music, local market creations, and engage with local farmers. The market also features monthly craft markets, cooking...
5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Summer Concert Series at Lynch Park

Free Summer Concerts hosted by Bev Rec at Lynch Park in Beverly Massachusetts
Enjoy free concerts this Summer at Lynch Park in Beverly, Massachusetts!  Families are encourages to grab a chair and a blank and head to the park for a free concert at Lynch Park's ampitheater.
Where: Lynch Park
6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Castle Hill Picnic Concert - Entrain

Entrain brings rock funk jam music to the Crane Estate in this Thursday evening
Looking for a fun family outing on the North Shore of Massachusetts? Don't miss the Thursday Night Picnic Concerts at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich! These concerts offer a perfect opportunity to enjoy quality time with your loved ones in a beautiful and exclusive setting on the North...
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm

Friday, July 11

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
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