Dance

Gloucester's So Salty 2026

Celebrate Gloucester Massachusetts recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions in the heart of downtown.

Celebrate the fish city’s recognizably salty character with local cultural institutions and businesses during the 5th Annual Gloucester’s So Salty festival sponsored by the Cape Ann Museum in partnership with Discover Gloucester! This annual event brings over 2,000 people to the downtown area each January to shop at local stores, enjoy family friendly activities, visit the Museum Courtyard, and find each of the ice sculptures sponsored by local cultural institutions and businesses.

When:

Saturday, January 24, 2026 10am-4pm

Sunday, January 25, 2026 10am-4pm

Location:

Downtown Gloucester

Cape Ann Museum

Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church

Sawyer Free Library Temporary Space

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Rockport New Year's Eve 2025

Family Friendly New Year's Eve celebration for kids and families in Rockport Massachusetts.

Rockport New Year’s Eve (RNYE) is a family-friendly year-end celebration of the arts held in downtown Rockport, Massachusetts annually since 1996. Halls, churches, town offices, and some streets are taken over by happy revelers celebrating the New Year.

When:

Wenesday, December 31, 2025 4pm-Midnight

Location:

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Christmas at Castle Hill | A Nod to Nature

Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition. Don’t miss this year’s event celebrating the beauty of the natural world. You’ll see birds, flowers, snowflakes, and more as you view 18 spaces decorated for the holidays. Go at your own pace and learn from interpreters stationed in rooms.

Enjoy freshly baked cookies and hot chocolate, try the Crane holiday eye spy, and shop in the Castle Hill Gift Shop during your visit.

When:

Fridays, December 5-26, 2025 2024 4-8pm

Saturdays through December 6-27, 2025 10am-4pm

Sundays, December 7-28, 2025 10am-4pm

Location:

Castle Hill on the Crane Estate

Trustees of Reservations

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Middle Street Walk 2025

The lighting of the Lobster Trap Tree is part of Middle Street Walk's finale in Gloucester Massachusetts.

The Annual Middle Street Walk is a great way to experience Gloucester's Historic District and waterfront while having Holiday fun with the family. An updated schedule of this years walk will is available for download at this link.

When:

Saturday, December 13, 2025 9am - 5pm

Location:

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Friday Night Party at Salisbury Beach

Salisbury Beach Summer Beach Party every Friday through the Summer.

Get ready for family fun every Friday night all summer long at Salisbury Beach! Starting at 7:15 PM on the Salisbury Beach stage, enjoy a full evening of summer tunes and excitement. DJ Ralphie B will be spinning your favorite hits, while hosting kid-friendly activities that will keep everyone entertained.

When:

Fridays, June 27-August 29, 2025 7:15-10pm

Location:

Salisbury Beach Stage

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Downtown Gloucester Block Party

Food, music, live entertainment, dance, craft and fun come together for a great

Main Street, Downtown Gloucester Massachusetts comes alive when the Street is closed off to allow live music, street performers, kid activities, non-profits, food vendors and more! Many of shops and businesses on Main Street will be open for business and will welcome partygoers. Other Gloucester businesses and non-profits will be represented on the Street as well. come for a night full of Live music, great food, and fun activities with lots of local flavor!

When:

Saturday, July 12, 2025 6-10pm

Saturday, August 9, 2025 6-10pm

Friday, August 29, 2025 6-10pm

Location:

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Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays

Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays includes great dining, live music, dancing at the Take-Out Terrace Stage on the Riverwalk & extended shopping hours for shopping Downtown Ipswich Tuesday evenings! Each week will feature live entertainment on the Riverwalk, making for a fun evening out for the whole family!

When:

Tuesdays, July 1 - August 26, 2025 6-8PM

Location:

Read more about Ipswich Downtown Tuesdays

Tuesdays are for Everyone at Salisbury Beach

Tuesdays are for everyone special events and activities at Salisbury Beach in Massachusetts

Come to Salisbury Beach every Tuesday, July through August for FREE seaside, family friendly activities! Starting July 11th, every Tuesday, thorugh August 22 there will be free family friendly programing at the Salisbury Beach Center.

When:

Tuesdays, July 8 - August 19, 2025 10am-8pm

Location:

Salisbury Beach Carousel

Salisbury Beach Center | Broadway Mall

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Newburyport Kids' Talent Show

Children ages 6-18 are invited to enter the Newburyport Yankee Homecoming Kid's Talent Showcase in Massachusetts.

Get ready to cheer on the incredible youth of our community at the 2025 Yankee Homecoming Kids Talent Show! This beloved family-friendly event returns to the Newburyport waterfront stage on Monday, July 28th, from 11 AM to 1 PM, bringing an exciting showcase of music, dance, magic, poetry, and more.

When:

Monday, July 28, 2025 11am-2pm

Location:

Newburyport Yankee Homecoming

Entertainment

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Ipswich Greek Festival

Come to Ipswich Massachusetts for the Annual Greek Festival: A 75-Year Tradition in Greater Boston and the North Shore! Experience one of the longest-running and most cherished traditions in Greater Boston, MA, and the North Shore area—the Greek Festival! For over 75 years, this event has been a beloved tradition for families and friends, both within the local Greek communities and beyond.

When:

Saturday, July 12, 2025 12:30-10:30pm

Sunday, July 13, 2025 12-6pm

Location:

Read more about Ipswich Greek Festival

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, January 20

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

Barnyard stories really come alive when you get to see the main characters in real life! Bring the kids down to Appleton Farms for our farm-fresh version of story time. Explore the farmstead, visit our learning garden, see our cows and rabbits, and find a spot to play under a shady tree in our...

Where: Appleton Farms

10:30 am to 11:30 am

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Wednesday, January 21

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 →

Thursday, January 22

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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Owl Prowl Hike at Appleton Farms

Join us for a very special evening hike to see the owls who might be out and about in the dark winter woods and fields of Appleton Farms. This hike will take place along the trails of Appleton, known to have multiple species of owls. Before our hike, you’ll learn about wintertime nocturnal animals...

Where: Appleton Farms

4:15 pm to 5:45 pm

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Friday, January 23

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 →

Winter Family Field Trip: Terrific Animal Tracking

Mammals such as squirrels, rabbits and deer leave many signs that they are active in winter. Learn how to interpret the tracks and signs or clues of active animals in winter. Stay active and warm with a group challenge about hibernation. Conduct an experiment about snow insulation.

Where: Joppa Flats Education Center

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

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Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Where: Breakheart Reservation

10:30 am to 11:30 am

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Unraveling Winters Wild Tales - Animal Tracking for Families

Welcome to the wild world of animal tracking! Participants will learn how to identify animal tracks by focusing on key details such as number of toes, toenail impressions, and overall size of the print.

Where: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary

3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

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