Performance

Cape Ann Symphony Holiday Pops

Celebrate the Holidays on Thanksgiving weekend with the Cape Ann Symphony conducted by Yoichi Udagawa. The annual Holiday Pops is a musical celebration of the season. The Cape Ann Symphony Chorus now under the direction of Brittany Betts will join the orchestra for a Holiday Pops series for the whole family. The ever popular audience sing-along concludes the performance.

When:

Saturday, November 29, 2025 2PM [Ipswich]

Saturday, November 29, 2025 7:30pm [Manchester]

Sunday, November 29, 2025 2pm [Manchester]

Location:

Ipswich High School

Manchester Essex Regional High School

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Renaissance Faire Day

Return to the Renaissance on the oceanside lawn at Hammond Castle in Gloucester Massachusetts

Step into the world of medieval and Renaissance culture at Hammond Castle Museum, where the castle itself provides a uniquely dramatic backdrop for a magical day steeped in history and fantasy in a stunning setting.

When:

Saturday, November 8, 2025 9am-5pm

Location:

Hammond Castle Museum

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Maudslay is Haunted

Maudslay is Haunted is a North Shore Kid favorite! Theater in the Open’s notorious annual haunting of Maudslay invites you to join a cast of all ages for a one-hour walk through eerie vignettes, spooky sketches and haunting scenes, all in the autumn grandeur of Maudslay State Park in Newburyport. Bring the whole family for a variety of tricks and treats, this family event is intended for all ages.

When:

Saturday, October 18, 2024 1:30-4pm

Sunday, October 19, 2024 1:30-4pm

Rain Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025 1:30-4pm

Location:

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Topsfield Fair

The Topsfield Fair is a perennial favorite for us. We're not the biggest fans of the midway, although it is always worth a walkthrough and a ride or two. We love fruits and vegetables, and are always on the lookout for the winning 'biggest pumpkin'. Another favorite is checking out the pigs and other farm animals, as well as the interesting variety of guinea pigs and rabbits.

When:

Friday, October 4, 2024 4-10pm

Daily, September 5-14, 2024 10am-10pm

Location:

Topsfield Fairgrounds

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GNOCA 5K Run/Walk

GNOCA's 5K Run/Walk in Honor of Jackie Poor & Paula Holm is a 5k Run or Family Friendly Stroll through Scenic Newburyport starting & ending at Michael's Harborside. Tee Shirts will be given to the First 100 Registrants. All participating runners will be assigned numbers and timed. Great Prizes for Age Category Winners!

When:

Sunday, September 28, 2025 8AM-1PM

Location:

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North Shore Concert Band Maritime Concert

Travel the high seas musically with the North Shore Concert Band at Salem Visitors Center in Massachusetts

The North Shore Concert Band will play a Family Concert “Sea Music” featuring music “from and about” the sea in the historic St. Peter’s Sanctuary. The band narrator will give short intros to the varied selections helping all to better understand the program. Before the music begins, a St. Peter’s Historian will give a brief historical timeline of the founding of this 1733 church and its history up to its service to our community today—the oldest church in Salem still worshipping on the site in which it was founded.

When:

Saturday, September 13, 2025 1-2:30pm

Location:

Salem Maritime National Historic Visitor Center

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“The Ghosts We Work With” Exhibit Opening and Ghost Story Open Mic

An evening of local ghost stories in Historic Salem Massachusetts. “The Ghosts We Work With: Preservation in the Historic Witch City”

Join Salem Maritime National Historical Park at the Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center for an evening of local ghost stories to celebrate the opening of our newest exhibit, “The Ghosts We Work With: Preservation in the Historic Witch City”. The new photography exhibit is a celebration of the historic places that make Salem unique and the people that help preserve them.

When:

Friday, September 19, 2025 6:30-8:30pm

Location:

Salem Maritime National Historic Visitor Center

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Gloucester Schooner Festival 2025

The Gloucester Schooner Festival celebrates maritime, sailing and fishing heritage of Cape Ann Massachusetts

The Gloucester Schooner Festival is a wonderful celebration of Gloucester's fishing and maritime history during labor day weekend. This year's festival, hosted by Maritime Gloucester, is Gloucester’s major marine event, with participating vessels coming from ports along the Eastern seaboard and beyond. There will be both large and small vessels—ranging from 19 feet to over 100 feet in length. You will see new boats and old boats, from newly built (Ardelle - launched 2011) to over 100 years old!

When:

Labor Day Weekend, August 27-31, 2025

Location:

Downtown Gloucester

Gloucester Harbor

Gloucester Harbor Walk

Gloucester Schooner Festival

Schooner

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Friday Night Party at Salisbury Beach

Salisbury Beach Summer Beach Party every Friday through the Summer.

Get ready for family fun every Friday night all summer long at Salisbury Beach! Starting at 7:15 PM on the Salisbury Beach stage, enjoy a full evening of summer tunes and excitement. DJ Ralphie B will be spinning your favorite hits, while hosting kid-friendly activities that will keep everyone entertained.

When:

Fridays, June 27-August 29, 2025 7:15-10pm

Location:

Salisbury Beach Stage

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Downtown Gloucester Block Party

Food, music, live entertainment, dance, craft and fun come together for a great

Main Street, Downtown Gloucester Massachusetts comes alive when the Street is closed off to allow live music, street performers, kid activities, non-profits, food vendors and more! Many of shops and businesses on Main Street will be open for business and will welcome partygoers. Other Gloucester businesses and non-profits will be represented on the Street as well. come for a night full of Live music, great food, and fun activities with lots of local flavor!

When:

Saturday, July 12, 2025 6-10pm

Saturday, August 9, 2025 6-10pm

Friday, August 29, 2025 6-10pm

Location:

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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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Nice n' Easy Hike at Breakheart Reservation

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.

Where: Breakheart Reservation

9:30 am to 11:30 am

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CraneOutdoors: The Castle Hill Hike

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…

Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Gloucester's So Salty 2026

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...

Where: Downtown Gloucester, Where: Cape Ann Museum, Where: Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church , Where: Sawyer Free Library Temporary Space, Where: Local Colors

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

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Native Seed Sowing at Long Hill

Join Cole Campbell, production horticulturist at Native Plant Trust, for this native seed-sowing workshop at Long Hill Public Garden in Beverly, MA. Learn about our native plant seeds, and then get your hands in the soil to sow some seeds that you can take home with you.

Where: Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

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Tuesday, January 27

Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

Barnyard stories really come alive when you get to see the main characters in real life! Bring the kids down to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh version of story time. Explore the farmstead, visit our learning garden, see our cows and rabbits, and find a spot to play under a shady tree in our...

Where: Appleton Farms

10:30 am to 11:30 am

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Wednesday, January 28

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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Thursday, January 29

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

♦ Read More →

Friday, January 30

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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Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

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.

Where: Breakheart Reservation

10:30 am to 11:30 am

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Unraveling Winters Wild Tales - Animal Tracking for Families

Welcome to the wild world of animal tracking! Participants will learn how to identify animal tracks by focusing on key details such as number of toes, toenail impressions, and overall size of the print.

Where: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

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Saturday, January 31

Superbowl of Birding 2026

The Superbowl of Birding is a unique competition conducted in Rockingham County, NH, and Essex County, MA. During a 12-hour period, teams of birders of all ages and abilities seek to amass the greatest number of avian species, to earn the most points based on the rarity of the birds recorded. Teams...

Where: Joppa Flats Education Center

5:00 am to 5:00 pm

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