Outdoor Activity

CraneExplorer: Family Full Moon Hike in the Dunes

Walk through the Crane Wildlife Refuge in Ipswich Massachusetts with the Trustees under the full moon.

There is almost nothing more peaceful than a evening walk at the Crane Estate, and we would like to invite your family to join us for a unique hiking experience. With the full moon rising over the Atlantic, we’ll start with a sunset stroll along Crane Beach admiring this spectacle before heading into the dunes to explore it’s trails under the light of the full moon. This is a great opportunity to get the kids outside, share the joys of nature at twillight, and bond with your family.

When:

Thursday, October 17, 2024 5-7:30pm

Location:

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Trustees of Reservations

Read more about CraneExplorer: Family Full Moon Hike in the Dunes

Halloween on the Hill

The Trustees host a celebration of Autumn and Halloween at Long Hill Sedgewick Gardens in Beverly Massachusetts

The Trustees of Reservations invite you to tour the gardens at Long Hill Gardens in Beverly, Massachusetts to celebrate Autumn and Halloween! Long Hill is excited to bring back our annual Halloween on the Hill event! Come explore our beautiful property as we transform the Long Hill gardens into a celebration of autumn and the Halloween season. As always, there are a few new surprises and of course many more pumpkins this year. Follow our seasonal-themed trail that will feature over 1,500 jack-o'-lanterns, hundreds of mums, elaborate Halloween decorations, light displays, music, and more. This is the perfect Halloween event for the whole family!

When:

Wednesdays-Sundays, September 27 - October 27, 2024 5:30-8:30pm

Location:

Long Hill and Sedgwick Gardens

Trustees of Reservations

Halloween

Haunted Happenings

Read more about Halloween on the Hill

Todd Farm Market

Come to Todd Farm on Sunday - A classic New England Fleas Market in Rowley Massachusetts!

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! It's a fun outdoor activity, your kids will learn a little history from the objects they observe and you may just find a wonderful treasure to bring home!

When:

Sundays, Spring through Fall 5am-3pm

Location:

Read more about Todd Farm Market

Vintage BaseBall at Spencer-Peirce Little Farm

Come see how baseball used to be played at Spencer Pierce Little Farm. Photo: Matthew Muise Photography

It’s Base Ball, 1864 style at Spencer Peirce Little Farm! These fun, historically accurate games feature underhand pitching and no gloves are allowed. A ball bounced once and caught is an out! Snacks, baseballs, and cards are available for purchase. Come and see for yourself how this game was played in the 1860's. The teams playing represent actual teams that played in New England during the 19th Century!

When:

Sundays, September 10-October 1, 2023 Starting at Noon

Location:

Spencer Peirce Little Farm

Read more about Vintage BaseBall at Spencer-Peirce Little Farm

COASTSWEEP Cleanup | Short Beach Nahant

CoastSweep shoreline beach cleanup at Short Beach in Nahant, Massachusetts!

As part of COASTSWEEP Beach Cleanup, volunteers are encouraged to come to Short Beach, Nahant (located opposite the corner of Nahant Road and Castle Road) to help in the statewide effort to keep our coastline clean along the shore in Lynn and Nahant Massachusetts. Special two hour permits will be given out at our tables at the Lowlands Parking Lot on Ward Road to avoid parking tickets.

When:

Sunday, October 6, 2024 11am

Location:

Read more about COASTSWEEP Cleanup | Short Beach Nahant

Pet Rock Annual Animal Welfare Fundraiser

Pet Rock by the Sea benefit concert for the North Shore Animal Shelter at Winter Island Salem Massachusetts

Pet Rock by the Sea is a fun afternoon in one of Salem MA's beautiful historic parks - Winter Island. Enjoy an open air Pavillion with food from local favorites Lulu's Bakery, shop clothing and accessories, meet a local author, learn about local shelters and enjoy music from great local musicians. Plus raffles, prizes and a silent auction - all to benefit a great cause, The Northeast Animal Shelter.

When:

Saturday, September 15, 2024 12-6pm

Location:

Winter Island Maritime Park

Read more about Pet Rock Annual Animal Welfare Fundraiser

Mission of Hope Fall Fest

Join a Fall Fest Fundraiser for Hope for Haiti in Marblehead at the Clifton Lutheran Church

Join Clifton Lutheran Church for a fall-filled outdoor community event and bring the whole family! Enjoy gourmet sausages from the Mr. Sausage food truck, apple cider donuts, Haitian beer, music, yard games, and crafts for kids.

When:

Sunday, September 29, 2024 1-4pm

Location:

Clifton Lutheran Church

healthcare food truck

Music

yard games

Festival

Read more about Mission of Hope Fall Fest

Lanterns in the Village

Come celebrate the the spooky feeling of October at Pioneer Village in Salem Massachusetts!

Come stroll through historic Pioneer Village for this 6th annual family-friendly event. You will be enchanted by the soft light of jack-o-lanterns while listening to spooky tales (Flashlights Optional). This Lanterns in the Village fundraiser supports all positive events for the students of Collins Middle School located in Salem. 100% of the proceeds will support our school!

When:

Friday, October 4, 2024 6:30-9:30pm

Location:

Read more about Lanterns in the Village

Trails & Sails

Essex National Heritage Area sites will offer over 150 free family fun events from September 14-29, 2024 for the annual celebration of TRAILS & SAILS. Discover special places in your backyard and be guided through unique landscapes on land and sea, explore historic properties, and take in cultural experiences of all kinds. Find what makes Essex County like nowhere else during Trails & Sails! It’s all FREE and it’s all located within the 34 cities and towns of Essex County.

When:

Daily, September 14-29, 2024

Read more about Trails & Sails

Powow Scenic Vista Hike

Take a Trails & Sails hike to the top of Powow Hill in Amesbury Massachusetts!

Come join the Lake Gardener Improvement Association for a guided up Powow Hill. We will hike to the top of Powow Hill, the highest point on the Essex County seacoast! Hike through hundreds of acres of unspoiled greenspace to reach the summit vista, from which you can see three states and the Atlantic! The approximately hour-long hike will bring you from the beach at Lake Gardner to the summit. And the summit is within easy walking distance of the restaurants, brewpubs, and shops of downtown Amesbury!

When:

Saturday, September 22, 2024 2-3:30pm

Location:

Read more about Powow Scenic Vista Hike

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

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

♦ Read More →

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 →

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

Come to Hammond Castle for the 6th annual Deck The Halls holiday celebration. Hammond Castle Museum will be dressed for the holidays inside and out. Delight in the enchanting ambiance of Christmas and White Birch trees, meticulously arranged garlands, festive wreaths, and the warm embrace of...

Where: Hammond Castle Museum

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Sing & Dance with the Music Man

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

♦ Read More →

Lego Time at MPL

Drop-in, unstructured Lego building fun! Come with friends or come to make new ones, this program is for kids ages six and up.

Where: Manchester Public Library

3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

♦ Read More →

Chess Night at Beverly Library

You do not have access to view this node and BevRec are teaming up to offer Chess Nights in the Barnett Gallery in the main Library at 32 Essex St, Beverly. The first Monday of each month through May, come and play the world’s greatest game (if you don’t count Pac Man) with your neighbors. This is...

5:30 pm to 7:30 pm

♦ Read More →

Wednesday, December 4

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

Where: Hammond Castle Museum

10:00 am to 4:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Mini Movers at North Shore Children's Museum

Mini Movers is an engaging dance and movement class for young children at the North Shore Children's Museum. Led by experienced instructors, the program introduces young children to the world of dance in a safe and nurturing environment.

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

10:00 am to 11:00 am

♦ Read More →

Trustees Winterlights at Stevens Coolidge Place

Winterlights is back! Join the Trustees for a magical outdoor experience at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens, and see the gardens aglow with your favorite light installations as well as marveling at new components. Bring the whole family for a fun and safe outdoor experience. Winterlights runs...

Where: Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

4:30 pm to 8:00 pm

♦ Read More →

Wreath Decorating Workshop

Join us at the Essex Historical Society & Shipbuilding Museum as Susie Talbot guides the group through decorating a 20" wreath. Susie is an extraordinarily talented individual who not only designed, but takes care of our front gardens. Amongst her many talents is decorating Holiday greens.

Where: Essex Shipbuilding Museum

5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

♦ Read More →

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

♦ Read More →

Thursday, December 5

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

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

♦ Read More →

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 →

Marblehead Christmas Walk

The Marblehead Chamber of Commerce invites you to Marblehead to enjoy several days of holiday festivities, family events and activities! Come for one or all days with highlights that include Santa's arrival by lobster boat,Festive shopping, Tree Lightings, a holiday parade, Artisan Markets,...

Where: Downtown Marblehead

9:00 am to 9:00 pm

♦ Read More →