Celebrate the fish city’s recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions and businesses during the 3rd Annual Gloucester’s So Salty festival on January 20 and 21, 2024 from 10:00 am – 5:00 pm! Over 1,800 people came out last year to share their salty pride while enjoying free ice sculptures and cultural activities around Downtown Gloucester.
To encourage outdoor play and familiarity with the natural world, a nature-based toddler play group will be held at Appleton Farms every Wednesday. Come to one or all of the sessions, explore the fields and forest, and imagine hidden worlds beneath our feet and above our heads. Children and their caregivers will peek under rocks, inspect tree bark for hiding bugs, jump in puddles, and have fun together in the fields, forests, and ponds. Recommended for ages 2-5; babies in backpacks are welcome.
Visit Lowell’s Boat Shop during their Annual Holiday Open House is a two day family event during the first weekend in December. Festivities include old time music by violinist Gus La Casse and banjo player Mathias Kamin III; a children’s workshop with arts and crafts projects; visits from Santa (12 to 1 p.m. each day); a Silent Auction featuring boats, a stay at Mohonk Mountain House, sails on pinky schooner Ardelle, jewelry, and numerous gift certificates and items donated by generous area restaurants and shops.
What is a Cookie Walk? This is a fundraiser where we sell homemade cookies by the tin. We ask enthusiastic bakers donate batches of their favorite Holiday cookies (about 3 dozen) to donate for the walk. The day of the cookie walk a festively decorated community room at the library awaits you with large platters of donated cookies. Shoppers choose one of two decorative tins (3 inches tall for $15, 4 inches tall for $20) and walk around the tables and fill their cookie tins. Get a huge variety of holiday cookies without baking them all yourself!
Join the Newburyport Education Foundation for their Lighthouse Auction to raise funds that will go to enhance the quality of public education in the Newburyport School District. This auction is the biggest fundraiser of the year for NEF, raising over $100,000! This years' auction proceeds will go to the District-Wide STEM Initiative (Phase 2 &3) at the Molin Upper Elementary, Nock Middle School, and Newburyport High School
Come see over 100 locally and professionally made gingerbread creations on display at the historic Jeremiah Lee Mansion in Marblehead, MA during this year's Marblehead Christmas Walk. Community members, businesses, and families are building and donating dozens of gingerbread houses, boats and local buildings that will be on display and available for raffle throughout the weekend. Days and times vary so check the times!
Join us in celebration of the holiday season at a special farmers market, featuring curated gift ideas, organic winter vegetables, & fresh baked goods from our own Farm Store along with a selection of other local edibles & gifts from area artisans, crafters, and producers of fine foods. There is no better way to knock some holiday to-do’s off your list with unique and memorable gifts, while simultaneously supporting small local businesses – and having a fun festive time while doing it!
Head over to the Essex Shipbuilding Museum for unique local holiday gifts! Shop Local and stuff your stockings with unique gifts from curated vendors and our Museum Gift Shop.
Join us in celebration of the harvest season at a special farmers market, featuring a bounty of Appleton organic produce along with a selection of other local edibles & gifts from area artisans, crafters, and producers of fine foods. The Appleton culinary team will have sweet & savory treats for purchase to keep you fueled while you shop!
Everybody is invited to enter the Gingerbread Contest for the Middle Street Walk in Gloucester this year! Groups and individuals are encouraged to get creative and come up with entries that can take any shape. All entries will be judged during the Middle Street walk with winners being announced at 1pm in Gloucester City Hall.
