Salem

Wild Turkey 5 Mile Road Race

Join the fun for the annual Wild Turkey 5 Mile Run in downtown Salem Massachusetts Thanksgiving morning and raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem! This is the largest race on the North Shore, now in its 22^nd year, with 2,000 anticipated participants. The first 1600 entries will receive long sleeve shirts. We give out awards in 5-year age groups. The pre and post-race meeting place will be in the Peabody Essex Museum Atrium. The race benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Salem.

When:

Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025 8am

Location:

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CraneExplorer: Owls Up Close!

Trustees of Reservations features live owl demonstration with Eyes on Owls at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts

Join us for a special event with Marcia and Mark Wilson from Eyes on Owls, to meet 6 live owls up close and personal! By sharing photos, stories, and live owl demonstrations, the Wilsons highlight our local owls’ unique adaptations, habitats and behaviors in the wild, while sharing tips on how you can look and listen for owls yourself. And everyone gets to practice the owls’ calls during the hooting lessons!

When:

Saturday, November 1, 2025 1-2pm or 4-5:15pm

Location:

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Trustees of Reservations

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Salem Witches' Magic Circle

Join the Witches of Salem on the Salem Common to celebrate the Magic Circle - a Halloween tradition!

Halloween is the night when the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead thins and magicla things happen! Join Christian Day and Brian Cain with drumming by the Dragon Ritual Drummers as Witches from around the globe gather for the sacred and magical ritual of Halloween! This event is free and open to all who wish to attend with an open heart and a love for their dead. There is also no limit on the number of participants.

When:

Friday, October 31, 2025 5-8pm

Location:

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Halloween Finale Drone Show

Celebrate the end of another fantastic Salem Haunted Happenings festival with a drone show over the North River

After your trick or treating is over, head over to Salem for the free fireworks show over the North River that will close out another great October of Halloween fun brought to you by Haunted Happenings!

When:

Thursday, October 31, 2025 9:30-10:30pm

Location:

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Wicked Wednesdays at the Phillips House

Wicked Wednesdays at Historic New England's Phillips House in Salem Massachsuetts part of Haunted Happenings

Join Historic New England for Wicked Wednesdays! Get wicked at Phillips House as part of Haunted Happenings family-friendly events. Ticket includes historic games, fall crafts, and a family- themed tour of the house. Coxstumes Welcome! This is a drop-in event. Tours are offered every half-hour. Last tour departs at 5:00 p.m.

When:

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 3-6pm

Location:

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Kids Fun Fest on Salem Common

Salem Common Neighborhood Association invites families to the Common for an afternoon of fun for the whole family!

A tradition on Salem Common, the Fun Fest has lots of great family activities for kids of all ages, including slides, rides, games, and fun! There's nothing like October in Salem and the Salem Common Neighborhood Association is thrilled to host two weekends of our annual Kids Fun Fest on the Common including rides, face painting, slides and family fun! There is no admission fee to enter the Fun Fest. Ticket purchase proceeds benefit the Salem Common Neighborhood Association.

When:

Weekends, October 18-26, 2025 10am-5pm

Location:

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Howl-o-ween Pet Costume Parade | Salem MA

Howl-o-ween Pet Costume Parade, Haunted Halloween Salem Haunted Happenings

Salem is going to the dogs (and cats and lizards and bunnies), and we couldn’t be happier about it! Salem Main Streets is pleased to announce the return of the annual Howl-o-ween Pet Parade! The pet parade will return to Derby Wharf on Saturday, Oct. 14th at 11 am, with the usual fun, costumes, and contest with prizes.

When:

Saturday, October 11, 2025 11am

Location:

Salem Maritime National Historic Site

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Georgia Made This: Scavenger Coin Hunt

Georgia Wrenn was born and is being raised in the Witch City of Salem, Massachusetts, where Halloween is celebrated 365 days a year.

Georgia's seventh annual Salem Gold Coin Hunt returns this October, courtesy of the Peabody Essex Museum! Each Saturday and Sunday throughout October, Georgia will release special clues at 12 noon through her Instagram page and the PEM's Instagram story. Those clues will help coin hunters narrow down where to search for one of Salem's most exclusive collectibles!

When:

Weekends in October 2025 Clues at Noon

Location:

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Haunted Happenings Marketplace

The Haunted Happenings Merchant Marketplace is coming this October! Get ready for a one-of-a-kind shopping extravaganza throughout Historic (and some say haunted) Downtown Salem!

When:

Weekends, September 27-October 26, 2025 10am-6pm

Halloween: October 31, 2025 10am-9:45pm

No Market on Salem Common October 4 & 5

Location:

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Farmers Markets on the North Shore

The North Shore of Massachusetts, renowned for its fertile soil, is home to farms that produce an abundance of fresh, delicious foods. These can be purchased directly from the farms or at the local farmer's markets, where the experience is more than just shopping—it's about community. On a sunny Saturday morning, families can explore these vibrant markets, filled with colorful produce, homemade jams, fresh bread, and artisanal crafts.

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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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Annual Pizza Taste Off

The Interact Club at Gloucester High School will be holding their annual pizza taste off at Cruiseport Gloucester! Come try different pizza from around Cape Ann, while helping to raise funds for the

Where: Cruiseport Gloucester

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

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Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

The Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night (weather permitting) starting at dusk or 7:30 pm, whichever is later. When special astronomical events of interest occur (total lunar eclipses, etc.) the Obs

Where: Mendel Observatory at Merrimack College

7:00 pm

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Sunday, April 12

Todd Farm Market

From early Spring to late Fall, Todd Farm is a great Sunday destination for families! Head to the farm and explore the outdoor award-winning Market featuring up to 240 vendors from all over New England and New York!

Where: Todd Farm Market

5:00 am to 3:00 pm

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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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The Legacies of Long Hill: House & Garden Tour

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. Step inside the beauty and layered history of Long Hill with a guided tour of its breathtaking gardens and historic house. Once the...

Where: Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens

10:30 am to 12:00 pm

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CraneOutdoors: Castle Neck Hike in the Dunes

You may be familiar with Crane Beach, but have you ever visited the dune trails? The dunes of Castle Neck are a much less explored world unto themselves. They offer one of the most accessible dune landscapes in New England and trails that provide a firsthand look into the delicate and ever-changing...

Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

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Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children's Museum

Join in on Sundays at 2:30 for STEAM Club for ages 5-11. Each week participants will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math with our NSCM staff! Every STEAM club session will see your kids participating in hands-on activities while exploring a new topic. Space is limited, please...

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

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Monday, April 13

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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Tuesday, April 14

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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Barnyard Story Hour at Appleton Farms

Bring your little ones to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh story hour. We will read books about animals and nature, maybe sing a song or two, then head up to the carriage barn to visit our Nubian goats, Angora rabbits and see what other animals are out and about on the farm. We will engage in...

Where: Appleton Farms

10:30 am to 11:30 am

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Crane Beach Star Party

Celebrate International Dark Sky Week, April 13-20, and join us for a star party with the North Shore Astronomy Club on Tuesday, April 14 (back-up weather date, April 16). Club members will bring telescopes and their expertise to help us explore and view the dark sky from the Crane Beach parking...

Where: Hamilton-Wenham Public Library

7:30 pm to 9:30 pm

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