All Ages

COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup

CoastSweep encourages families to volunteer and help preserve some of the nicest coastal properties on the planet!

Living on the North Shore has a lot of benefits, and one of the best is our proximity to the beach.  Wherever you might be living or visiting on the North Shore, you are never more than a half-hour car ride from the nearest spot to bury your toes in the sand.  We have miles and miles of beautiful beach available to us, and it's our obligation to help keep it clean. Each September through November, thousands of volunteers throughout Massachusetts turn out for COASTSWEEP—the statewide coastal cleanup sponsored by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM). Our list of 2023 North Shore Coastsweep Cleanups 

All Ages
Volunteer
Environment
Ecology
Living Green
CoastSweep

Drop in Station | Explore the Pond at Bradley Palmer

Here is your chance to go inside the Willowdale Mansion (willowdaleestate.com) for a unique guided tour. Now an event and wedding venue, this over 100 years-old Arts and Crafts style home has been beautifully restored. The second floor is not accessible. Best for ages 8 years & up.

What kinds of fascinating creatures live in or visit the ponds? Come and visit with the Park Interpreter to see if any creatures are stirring, and if any plants are flowering. Best for ages pre-K and up. This is a great family activity. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

When: 
Fridays through October 6, 2023 9-11am
Location: 
Bradley Palmer State Park
Ipswich
Topsfield
Party
Outdoor Activity
Wildlife
Live Animals
Exploration
Discovery

CoastSweep: Dane Street Beach

Come help Salem Sound Coastwatch with the Coastsweep cleanup of Dane Street Beach in Beverly, Massachusetts!

As part of COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup, volunteers are encouraged to come to Dane Street Beach to help in the statewide effort to keep our coastline clean along the shore in Salem Massachusetts. Trash collected will be measured and analyzed, and the data will be sent to Washington DC to aid the government in creating legislation to minimize trash in our oceans! This specific cleanup is coordinated by Salem Sound Coastwatch.  For a complete updated listed for a Coastsweep volunteer opportunities in your region, visit https://www.mass.gov/service-details/coastsweep-cleanup-list

When: 
Saturday, September 11, 2021 4:30-6pm
Location: 
Dane Street Beach
Beverly
Volunteer
Ecology
Environment
Green
CoastSweep 2021

Gloucester Schooner Festival 2023

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 31-September 4, 2023
Location: 
Downtown Gloucester
Gloucester Harbor
Gloucester Harbor Walk
Ocean Alliance
Gloucester
Concert
Fireworks
Parade
Outdoor Activity
Festival
History
Sailing
Gloucester Schooner Festival
Schooner

Topsfield Fair

Topsfield Fair is one of the longest running annual fairs in the United States

The Topsfield Fair is a perennial favorite for us.  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, September 29, 2023 4-10pm
Daily, September 30-October 9, 2023 10am-10pm
Location: 
Topsfield Fairgrounds
Topsfield
Food
Concert
Fair
Race
Live Performance
Live Animals
Presentation
Contest
Competition
Festival
Farmers Market
Crafts
Games
Rides
Show

Schooner Festival Fireworks

The Gloucester Schooner Festival will light up Gloucester Harbor with Fireworks!

Following the Gloucester Schooner Festival's Parade of lights in Gloucester Harbor, A fireworks display will light up the sky over Gloucester Harbor to celebrate a great day of maritime history and tradition.  Good vantage points for viewing fireworks include Gloucester's Boulevard, Stage Fort Park, Pavilion Beach

When: 
Saturday, September 2, 2023 9:15pm
Location: 
Gloucester Harbor
Gloucester
Fireworks
Gloucester Schooner Festival

Fairy House Festival at Veasey Park

Fairy House Festival at Veasey Park Groveland Massachusetts Trails and Sails 2023

Walk the trails to see the handcrafted houses at this year’s enchanted Fairy House Festival. Cast your People’s Choice Award vote for your favorite Fairy House. Stay awhile for magical fun, arts and crafts, food, raffles, live music, and more. Rain or shine. Anyone is welcome to submit a house. Donations collected at the Festival are reinvested back into the Park.

When: 
Saturday, September 16, 2023 10am – 4pm
Sunday, September 17, 2023 10am – 4pm
Location: 
Veasey Park
Groveland
Walk
Hike
Outdoor Activity
Crafts
Art
Fairy House
Fairy
Trails & Sails 2023

Plumfest 2023

Plumfest is an annual celebration of music and community on Plum Island in Newburyport

PlumFest is a non-profit volunteer-run organization incorporated as a Charitable Foundation to bring local musicians, island residents and visitors together to showcase the natural beauty and artistry that make Plum Island such a special place. As an early participant in the “porch-fest” movement that is gaining popularity nation-wide, PlumFest brings our own unique flavor to the mix, with an event that is sure to please.

When: 
Saturday, September 18, 2021 12-6pm
Newburyport
Music
Live Music
Community
Festival
Charity
Fundraiser
Trails & Sails 2023

Paddle the Great Marsh

Paddle the waters of the Parker River Wildlife Refuge on this ranger guided tour.

 What’s the secret to exploring the magic of the Great Marsh? Getting out on the water! Join park rangers from the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge and paddling guides along the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge water trail to experience this unique habitat and the species that call it home. This program is free and all gear will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own equipment!

When: 
Saturday, September 16, 2023 Noon-2:30pm
Location: 
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Newburyport
Tour
Kayaking
Paddle
Outdoor Activity
Trails & Sails 2023

Pages

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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
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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.
Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
7:00 am to 7:00 pm
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StoryWalk Series at Maudslay
“Summer’s Flight, Pollen’s Delight,” by Flora C. Caputo storywalk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts
“Summer’s Flight, Pollen’s Delight,” by Flora C. Caputo is the subject of this STORYWALK Series. Enjoy this preschool storywalk at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time outside in nature!
Where: Maudslay State Park
7:00 am to 8:00 pm
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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...
Where: Maudslay State Park
7:00 am to 7:00 pm
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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.
Where: Boston Common and Boston Public Garden
10:00 am to 3:59 pm
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Growing Wild for Pollinators
Come to Bradley Palmer State Park in Hamilton Massachusetts to learn all about pollinators
Discover the wild world of pollinators and what they do for the natural world around us. Learn how important is it to protect our pollinators for the health of humans, plants, and the environment. Best for ages 6 years and up.
Where: Bradley Palmer State Park
10:00 am to 11:00 am
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Sing & Dance with the Music Man
Sing & Dance with the Music Man Brian Doser in Hamilton visit Massachusetts
Come join the fun at Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham Monday, Thursday and Saturday mornings at 10am for 30 - 45 minutes of great music with Brian Doser! Sing and dance with the Music Man during a family concert, featuring familiar and original tunes, performed by local dad and musician,...
Where: Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham
10:00 am to 10:45 am
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Willowdale Mansion Tour
Tanke a tour of the Willowdale Mansion at Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield MA
The historic tour of Willowdale Estate covers historic background, context and conversation about the Arts & Crafts style mansion. Here is your chance to go inside the Willowdale  Mansion (willowdaleestate.com) for a unique guided tour. Now an event and wedding venue, this over 100 years-old...
Where: Willowdale Estate
10:30 am to 11:30 am
♦ Read More →

Creature of the Week at Maritime Gloucester
Come to Maritime Gloucester for a Creature of the Week Session on Cape Ann Massachusetts! Photo ©Bill O'Connor
Every week, we will highlight a different ocean animal that lives in our aquarium and can be found in and around Gloucester. Learn some interesting fun facts about the creature as you get up and close and personal through a meet and greet and a take-home craft. For kids aged 4-8.
Where: Maritime Gloucester
10:30 am to 3:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour
Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
Essex Hertiage invites you to learn the true causes and events behind the Salem Witch Trials in our documentary film, then discover the myths during our walking tour. The Salem Witch Trials happened over 300 years ago, and it has been dramatized in books, documentaries, movies, and even TV shows....
Where: Downtown Salem
11:45 am to 3:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Drop-in Open House at the Nature Center
Drop-in Open House at the Bradley Palmer State Park Nature Center in Hamilton Ipswich Massachusetts
Explore the Nature Center at your leisure. The Park Interpreter will be on hand to demonstrate and answer questions. Come see and touch animal furs, replica skulls, animal models, and other natural history materials. For little artists, coloring pages and washable markers will be on hand.
Where: Bradley Palmer State Park
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Beverly Farmers' Market
Get fresh local produce at the Beverly Farmers Market in downtown Beverly Massac
The Beverly Farmers’ Market supports local agriculture while making healthy food available to all members of the Beverly community at affordable prices; the market promotes sustainable living practices and fosters community connections through our vendors, free activities and events. The market...
Where: Odell Park
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Sunday, August 25

Long Hill Garden Tours
Tour the Gardens at the Trustees of Reservations Long Hill Gardens in Beverly, Massachusetts!
The Trustees of Reservations invite you to join our expert guides for a tour around Long Hill’s stunning Sedgwick Gardens and learn more about the special plants it’s most known for. In addition to learning about what plants are in bloom as well as the rare and unique species in our collection, you...
Where: Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens
11:00 am to 12:00 pm
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Befriend the Barnyard
Befriend the Barnyard is a hands-on barnyard experience at the Trustees of Reservations' Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts
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...
Where: Appleton Farms
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
♦ Read More →

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.
Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
11:00 am
♦ Read More →

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour
Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
Essex Hertiage invites you to learn the true causes and events behind the Salem Witch Trials in our documentary film, then discover the myths during our walking tour. The Salem Witch Trials happened over 300 years ago, and it has been dramatized in books, documentaries, movies, and even TV shows....
Where: Downtown Salem
11:45 am to 3:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Drop-in Open House at the Nature Center
Drop-in Open House at the Bradley Palmer State Park Nature Center in Hamilton Ipswich Massachusetts
Explore the Nature Center at your leisure. The Park Interpreter will be on hand to demonstrate and answer questions. Come see and touch animal furs, replica skulls, animal models, and other natural history materials. For little artists, coloring pages and washable markers will be on hand.
Where: Bradley Palmer State Park
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
♦ Read More →

CraneOutdoors: Choate Island Kayak and Hiking Adventure
Take a guided kayak paddle and hike to Choate Island with the Trustees of Reservations!
Join The Trustees of Reservations for a paddle and a hike – what better way to spend an afternoon?  Circumnavigating an island is one of the great rewards of kayaking and reaching the summit of a hill that offers a great view is one of the payoffs of a good hike. This adventure in the Crane...
Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate
1:00 pm to 4:30 pm
♦ Read More →

Essex Heritage Boat Tours to Bakers Island Lighthouse - Salem
Boat and Light Station Tour Bakers Island Tour out of Salem Massachusetts
Climb aboard Naumkeag, Essex Heritage’s landing craft for a trip to Bakers Island Light Station. Enjoy a 30-minute cruise from Salem past rugged coastline, harbor islands, and five lighthouses to Bakers Island. The light station is a 10-acre property that has been in use aiding in maritime...
Where: Salem Ferry Terminal
1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
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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.
Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
2:00 pm
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Sundays in Patton Park
North Shore Free Concerts for North Shore Families at Patton Park in Hamilton Massachusetts
Come enjoy community and music each Sunday in Patton Park! Dust off your lawn chairs and bring your picnic down to the park on Sunday evenings. We have a fantastic line up of bands this summer ---presented by Institution for Savings Bank and sponsored by The Community House, Town of Hamilton, HW...
Where: Patton Park
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
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Summer Concert Series at Stage Fort Park
Compaq Big Band is just one of the perfromers in the Summer Concert Series at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester Massachusetts!
Come enjoy a Summer evening sea-side concert at Stage Fort Park in Gloucester Massachusetts! The Cape Ann Community Band under the direction of David Benjamin, plays their annual summer concerts Sundays at the at the Antonio Gentile Bandstand, Stage Fort Park, Hough Avenue, Gloucester MA.
Where: Stage Fort Park
6:30 pm
♦ Read More →
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