All Ages

Santa-by-the-Sea!

Santa will arrive at Masconomo Park by lobster boat at 1 pm on December 2, 2017

Come to the the annual Jingle Bell Walk in Manchester! Santa will arrive at Masconomo Park by boat and lead the children in a parade around the park and then be available for pictures. There will also be a petting zoo, crafts, face painting, a candy cane hunt, refreshments and a visit from Mrs. Claus! Sponsored by the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, Manchester Community Center, Manchester Mothers' Club and the Parks and Recreation Department.

When:

Saturday, December 2, 2023 1-3pm

Location:

Downtown Manchester-by-the-Sea

Manchester Community Center

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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, Gingerbread Festival, Entertainment & much more! There are all kinds of family events and activities sponsored by local merchants and organizations.

When:

Thursday, November 30 - Sunday, December 3, 2023

Location:

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Gloucester's So Salty 2024

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 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.

When:

Saturday, January 20, 2024 10am-5pm

Sunday, January 21, 2024 10am-5pm

Location:

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Christmas Tea at the Phillips House

Celebrate the season with a Holiday Tea at the Phillips House in Salem Massachusetts

Celebrate the season with the return of Christmas Tea at Phillips House! Enjoy a festive tea with tea sandwiches and sweet treats in beautiful Samuel McIntire-designed rooms.

When:

Saturday, December 9, 2023 11am-1pm or 2-4pm

Sunday, December 10, 2023 11am-1pm or 2-4pm

Location:

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Solstice Family Fun: Folklore & the Farm Nisse

You may run in to the Nisee at The Trsutees' Appleton Farms this time of year!

Celebrate the Solstice with your family at the farm! We are excited to celebrate the Scandinavian solstice tradition of welcoming the Nisse elf to the farm to bless our animals, fields and farmers.

When:

Sunday, December 17, 2023 1-4pm

Location:

Trustees of Reservations

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Nature Playgroup at Appleton Farms

Come to Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massachusetts for a nature playgroup for toddlers

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.

When:

Wednesday through December 20, 2023 10-11am

Location:

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Ipswich Memory Tree Lighting

Come remember family and friends at the Ipswich Massachusetts Memory Tree Lighting

An annual community event to remember family and friends. Participants buy a star in memory of late friends and loved ones and place the stars on the tree as their loved one's name is read. To add a star please contact Kim Porter via email or phone.

When:

Friday, December 1, 2023 6:30pm

Location:

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Give the Gift of Membership

Giving the gift of membership to one of your favorite organizations is a perfect way to tell somebody that you want them to share your interests and spend some time together. It's extending a hand of friendship and inviting the recipient to join you in a common experience - not just at the time of giving the gift, but throughout the year and beyond.

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Santa's Christmas Day Visit in Rockport

Santa comes to Rockport Ma on Christmas Day as part of a 100 year old tradition

Rockport's oldest Christmas tradition began back in the 1890's, when Rockport grocer Tim Sheehan invited the town's children to visit with Santa at his store. More than a century later, this event is still carried on by the Christmas Tree Committee.

When:

Monday, December 25, 2023 12:30pm

Sunday, December 24, 2023 5-7pm

Location:

Christmas in Rockport

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Santa’s Arrival & Tree Lighting in Rockport

Santa comes to Rockport Ma by lobster boat to kick off the Holiday season in Rockport Massachusetts!

Where else can you see Santa arrive by lobster boat? Santa will arrive at Rockport’s T-Wharf on Rockport Harbor following a brisk lobster boat ride across Sandy Bay. Then Santa will climb up onto a Rockport Forest Fire truck and proceed along T-Wharf and Broadway to the First Baptist Church, led by Rockport cub scouts.

When:

Saturday, December 3, 2022 12:30-5PM

Location:

Christmas in Rockport

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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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Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay | Thread

Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of the 25th Annual Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay Exhibit September 8-29 featuring 50 site specific sculptures by local artists addressing this year’s theme, ‘Thread' within the magnificence of Maudslay State Park in Newburyport. Look for the large green trail head...

Where: Maudslay State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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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

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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

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Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Essex Hertiage invites you to learn the true causes and events behind the Salem Witch Trials in our documentary film, then discover the myths during our walking tour. The Salem Witch Trials happened over 300 years ago, and it has been dramatized in books, documentaries, movies, and even TV shows....

Where: Downtown Salem

11:45 am to 3:00 pm

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Drop-in Open House at the Nature Center

Explore the Nature Center at your leisure. The Park Interpreter will be on hand to demonstrate and answer questions. Come see and touch animal furs, replica skulls, animal models, and other natural history materials. For little artists, coloring pages and washable markers will be on hand.

Where: Bradley Palmer State Park

1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

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Beverly Farmers' Market

The Beverly Farmers’ Market supports local agriculture while making healthy food available to all members of the Beverly community at affordable prices; the market promotes sustainable living practices and fosters community connections through our vendors, free activities and events. The market...

Where: Odell Park

3:00 pm to 7:00 pm

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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

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Monday, September 16

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...

7:00 am to 10:00 pm

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Outdoor Sculpture at Maudslay | Thread

Where: Maudslay State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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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 →

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School hosts the 15th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, MA. Pingree . The exhibit will open in early September with more than 50 temporary works on display in addition to the 20 pieces in the permanent collection of Pingree School. The exhibit ...

Where: Pingree School

8:00 am to 6:00 pm

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