Outdoor Activity

All Family Field Trip: Birds of the Salt Marsh

Families are invited to explore the Marsh habitat with the Joppa Flats Education Center!

Come explore what nature has in store at some of our most amazing wild places on the north shore. Our engaging and experienced staff will introduce families to local beaches, forests, and wetlands to make observations in nature, identify wildlife, and enjoy hands on science activities outdoors. Sign up for one, some, or all!

When: 
Thursday, June 20, 2024 10am-Noon

Meet Beach Creatures and More!

Discover and explore the facts of the creatures you find at the beach at Joppa Flats Education Center Newburyport

Come to Joppa Flats this summer to enjoy some live animal encounters both outdoors in our riverside yard and indoors in our air conditioned lobby! You'll rotate through different live animal stations at your own pace and stay as long as you like!

When: 
Fridays, June 28 - July 26, 2024 10am-3pm

Sand Sculpture Competition

Marblehead FoA Sand Sculpture Competition on Devereaux Beach in Marblehead

Come to the beach for a fun family activity where you can build a castle or sculpture together! It's free and open to all ages. Just bring your own buckets, shovels, and building tools. There will be extras if you need them. Local children will judge the entries, with prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, plus a Spirit Award. Families and beachgoers can vote for their favorite sculpture by donating. The entry with the most donations wins the "Sandy Dollar Award" to help fund future Marblehead Festival of Arts.

When: 
Friday July 5, 2024 1-3:30pm
Location: 

Art on the Avenue

Marblehead Festival of the Arts Art on the Avenue July 4th weekend in Marblehead MA

Young in Age or Young at Heart - All ages welcomed to Art on The Avenue located on Atlantic Avenue part of the Marblehead Festival of Arts. ​ Paint your own pottery with Hestia Creations, make jewelry with EOS studio, learn about plants from Marblehead Garden Center or connecting with mini horses. ​ Face painting and other arts booths will be available up and down Atlantic Avenue. Enjoy the arts, shopping, and dining in another one of our favorite parts of town!

When: 
Saturday, July 6, 2024 2-5pm

Castle Hill Picnic Concert - Orville Giddings Band

Orville Giddings brings boogie blues music to Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in this Thursday evening concert. Photo ©David Stone

Looking for a fun family outing on the North Shore of Massachusetts? Don't miss the Thursday Night Picnic Concerts at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich! These concerts offer a perfect opportunity to enjoy quality time with your loved ones in a beautiful and exclusive setting on the North Shore. Pack a picnic dinner, bring your kids, and get ready to dance the night away under the stars on the Grand Allée. While you're there, explore the stunning landscaped grounds and have fun with the family-friendly "Eye Spy" game. It's an evening filled with music, laughter, and unforgettable memories for the whole family! Advance ticket reservations are recommended but not required.

When: 
Thursday, August 29, 2024 6:30-8:30pm

Castle Hill Picnic Concert - Soul Rebel Project

Soul Rebel Project brings reggae jams to Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts!

Looking for a fun family outing on the North Shore of Massachusetts? Don't miss the Thursday Night Picnic Concerts at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich! These concerts offer a perfect opportunity to enjoy quality time with your loved ones in a beautiful and exclusive setting on the North Shore. Pack a picnic dinner, bring your kids, and get ready to dance the night away under the stars on the Grand Allée. While you're there, explore the stunning landscaped grounds and have fun with the family-friendly "Eye Spy" game. It's an evening filled with music, laughter, and unforgettable memories for the whole family! Advance ticket reservations are recommended but not required.

When: 
Thursday, August 1, 2024 6:30-8:30pm

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.

When: 
Sundays, July 7-August 25, 2024 6:30pm
Saturday, August 17, 2024 6:30pm
Location: 

Annual Art in the Barn Exhibit and Sale

Art in the Barn is a fundraiser for the Essex County Greenbelt Association Essex Mass

Art in the Barn is recognized as one of the North Shore’s premier art events, featuring the most talented artists in the region. An annual event for over 30 years, the show normally takes place at Greenbelt's headquarters, Cox Reservation in Essex, and this year we will bring the fine art paintings, pottery, jewelry, sculpture and photography online. Artists generously donate 50% of their sales to support the land conservation mission of Essex County Greenbelt Association.

When: 
Friday, June 14, 2024 10am-3pm & 5-8:30pm
Saturday, June 15, 2024 10am-5pm
Location: 

Speed at Lynch Park

Come to a free showing of Speed at Lynch Park in Beverly, Massachusetts.

When a young Los Angeles police department, Special Weapons and Tactics (S.W.A.T.) officer called Jack Traven angers retired Atlanta police department bomb squad member Howard Payne, by foiling his attempt at taking hostages stuck in an elevator with a bomb, Payne in retaliation arms a bus with a bomb that will explode if it drops below 50 miles per hour.

When: 
Sunday, August 4, 2024 8-10pm
Location: 

Butterfly Walk at Ward Reservation

Learn all about butterflies on this FREE guided hike at The Trustees of Reservations' Ward Reservation!

Join butterfly expert, Howard Hoople, on a walk through the trails of Ward Reservation’s forests and fields in search of the butterflies and moths that make this special place home. Even if the butterflies/moths are scarce, you will learn a lot about why they like this beautiful property.

When: 
Saturday, June 8, 2024 1-3pm
Location: 

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A Landmark Summer Experience at Landmark School in Beverly Massachusetts prepare students for success in the fall and beyond.

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!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
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...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

A Colorful Christmas at Castle Hill

A Colorful Christmas by the Sea is a weekend of festivities hosted by the Trustees of Reservations at Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s Travels with the Cranes. Each room in our 1920s mansion is decorated for the holidays drawing inspiration from Crane travels around the world, including Paris, Japan, Egypt, and New York.
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

CraneOutdoors: King Tide Hike

Come learn about how the moon isonly part of the king tide puzzle at the Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts
This high tide is royalty! Here’s your chance to see the king….tide that is. Join us for a hike to learn about extreme high tides, known as king tides, which are happening more often due to environmental change. These extreme tides have a variety of impacts on coastal infrastructure, including...
10:00 am to 1:00 pm

Mehtuen Ballet's Nutcracker

The Nutcracker performed by the Methuen Ballet is a perrenial favorite at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury Massachusetts
Long a traditional favorite, Methuen Ballet Ensemble brings the holiday classic, "The Nutcracker" to Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury, Massachusetts. Join us for this very special production of Methuen Ballet Ensemble's The Nutcracker.  Sugar Plum Fairies in the Land of Sweets By the Sea and a...
10:30 am

Santa at Sea Cruise

Sail with Santa aboard the Beauport Princess on the water of Gloucester Harbor in Massachusetts
Enjoy a holiday harbor cruise aboard Beauport Cruiselines with Santa! Take in the beautiful views of Gloucester Harbor, all while singing holiday carols with elves, enjoying hot cocoa and cookies, and listening to a reading of “The Night Before Christmas.” Plus, a visit from Santa himself! Tickets...
11:00 am to 3:30 pm

Santa's Workshop

Santa's Workshop in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Visit Newburyport MA during the holidays
Newburyport is a favorite local town to shop - especially during the holidays. The fantastic lights downtown, the tree in Market Square, all the beautifully decorated window boxes and of course, Santa's Workshop, where the kids can whisper their wishes to Santa.
11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Amesbury Market Daze

Amesbury Market Daze happens every Sunday indoors at Barewolf Brewing in Amesbury, Massachusetts.
Welcome to Amesbury Market Daze at BareWolf Brewing, a vendor market where local surrounding Amesbury talent and community spirit converge.
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm

CraneOutdoors: Sunday Family Snowy Owl Prowl

Join the Trustees of Reservations at dlife Refuge in Ipswich Massachusetts in search of the Snowy Owl!
Wide-open coastal sites are the location of choice for wintering Snowy Owls; common perches are dunes and salt hay staddles. In winters past, these owls have been frequent visitors to the Crane Wildlife Refuge.
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Back Bay Ringers at Shalin Liu

Ring in the Holidays at the Shalin Liu Center in Rockport Massachusetts with the Back Bay Ringers!
Get in the holiday spirit with the Boston-based Back Bay Ringers! Under the direction of Griff Gall, BBR has quickly developed a reputation for excellence, regularly performing at Boston-area landmarks such as Faneuil Hall, Symphony Hall, the Boston Children’s Museum and the Prudential Center.
2:00 pm to 7:00 pm

NMYO: An Afternoon of Winter Concerts

Northeast Massachusetts Youth Orchestras Winter Concerts in Ipswich
Northeast Massachusetts Youth Orchestras presents An Afternoon of Winter Concerts at the Dolan Performing Arts Center at Ipswich High School in Ipswich, MA. The 2 pm concert features the NMYO Prelude and Overture String Ensembles and Intermezzo Orchestra. The 4:00 pm concert features NMYO’s...
2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

A Christmas Carol Panto

Theater in the Open celebrates the holidays with their interpretation of Dickens' Christmas Carol at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport!
Bah, humbug! Theater in the Open celebrates the holiday season with this Dickens classic, presented in true TITO style. So be prepared for anything to happen!  
3:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Trustees Winterlights at Stevens Coolidge Place

The Trustees of Reservations Winterlights at the Stevents-Coolidge Place North Andover North Andover.
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...
4:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Thursday, December 26

A Colorful Christmas at Castle Hill

A Colorful Christmas by the Sea is a weekend of festivities hosted by the Trustees of Reservations at Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s Travels with the Cranes. Each room in our 1920s mansion is decorated for the holidays drawing inspiration from Crane travels around the world, including Paris, Japan, Egypt, and New York.
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

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,...
10:00 am to 10:45 am

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
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...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Trustees Winterlights at Stevens Coolidge Place

The Trustees of Reservations Winterlights at the Stevents-Coolidge Place North Andover North Andover.
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...
4:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Friday, December 27

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.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

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!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

A Colorful Christmas at Castle Hill

A Colorful Christmas by the Sea is a weekend of festivities hosted by the Trustees of Reservations at Castle Hill in Ipswich Massachusetts
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s Travels with the Cranes. Each room in our 1920s mansion is decorated for the holidays drawing inspiration from Crane travels around the world, including Paris, Japan, Egypt, and New York.
10:00 am to 8:00 pm

Deck The Halls: Hammond Castle

A holiday themed tour of Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester Massachusetts
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...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

CraneOutdoors: Family Snowy Owl Prowl

Join the Trustees of Reservations at the Crane Wildlife Refuge in Ipswich Massachusetts in search of the Snowy Owl!
Wide-open coastal sites are the location of choice for wintering Snowy Owls; common perches are dunes and salt hay staddles. In winters past, these owls have been frequent visitors to the Crane Wildlife Refuge.
10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Music Together - Friday

Marblehead, Beverly Farms, Hamilton, Salem, Peabody Music Together
Music Together® is a research-based music & movement program for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and the grown-ups who love them. Music Together® classes make it easy for parents/primary caregivers to play a crucial role in activating their child's music development. Classes are 45 minutes...
10:30 am to 11:15 am
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