All Ages

Trails & Sails

Explore the North Shore with over 150 Free Events in Essex National Heritage Area's Trails & Sails celebration in Massachusetts.

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
Hike
Walk
Exploration
Museum
Festival
Discovery
Sailing
Outdoor Activity
Boat
Sail
Activity
Trails & Sails 2024

The Backyard Growcery

Join Backyard Growers at Burnham's Field in Gloucester Massachusetts for a weekly Farmer's Market

Stop by Gloucester’s new weekly farmers market, the Backyard Growcery, managed by Backyard Growers. The Backyard Growcery is located at Burnham's Field, an urban park near Gloucester’s thriving waterfront, and features small-scale North Shore farmers, bakers, a seafood vendor, an artisanal pizza maker, and more, throughout the season.

When: 
Thursdays through June 19 - October 16, 2024 2:30-6pm
Location: 
Burnham's Field
Gloucester
Farmers Market
Cape Ann
Cuisine
Health
Food
Backyard Growers

Topsfield Fair

Topsfield Fair is one of the longest running annual fairs in the United States

The Topsfield Fair is a perennial favorite for us.  We're not the biggest fans of the midway, although it is always worth a walkthrough and a ride or two.  We love fruits and vegetables, and are always on the lookout for the winning 'biggest pumpkin'.  Another favorite is checking out the pigs and other farm animals, as well as the interesting variety of guinea pigs and rabbits.

When: 
Friday, October 4, 2024 4-10pm
Daily, September 5-14, 2024 10am-10pm
Location: 
Topsfield Fairgrounds
Topsfield
Food
Concert
Fair
Race
Live Performance
Live Animals
Presentation
Contest
Competition
Festival
Farmers Market
Crafts
Games
Rides
Show

Apple Picking on the North Shore

Pick your own apple orchards and places to buy fresh local apples on Massachusetts' North Shore

We've assembled a list of some of our favorite apple orchards north of Boston. Many offer pick-your-own apples and apples that are available for purchase by the pound. In addition to apple picking, many of the orchards offer trail walks, farm stands, baked goods, petting farms, country stores, hay rides and other child-friendly activities.

All Ages
Fall
Children
Families
Nature
Outdoor Activities
Preschoolers
Kids
Tweens
Teens
North Shore
Cape Ann
Pick Your Own
apples (pyo)
Farm

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 & Brian Cainwith 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: 
Thursday, October 31, 2024 5-8pm
Location: 
Salem Common
Salem
Halloween
Haunted Happenings
Ceremony

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 16, 2024 3-6pm
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 3-6pm
Wednesday, October 30, 2024 3-6pm
Location: 
Phillips House
Salem
Halloween
Haunted Happenings
Historic NE
Historic House

Haunted Happenings Grand Parade

Haunted Happenings kicks off a month of spooktacular fun with the Grand Parade!

Come join or watch this Salem tradition to kick off Haunted Happenings that is filled with pageantry, music, and the enthusiasm of thousands of Salem’s students from kindergarten to college. The theme for this year’s Parade is “Our Time on Earth”, inspired by the 2024 exhibition that was previously on view at the Peabody Essex Museum, which should give parade participants a wide array of costumes and stories to tell!

When: 
Thursday, October 3, 2024 6:30-8pm
Location: 
Downtown Salem
Shetland Park
Salem Common
Salem
Haunted Happenings
Parade
Sea Festival of Trees family fun by the beach at Blue Ocean Event Center Salisbury Massachusetts

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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
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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.
Where: Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
7:00 am to 7:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
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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Turkey Trot at Breakheart Reservation
Come to Breakheart Reservation for a pre-Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in Saugus Massachusetts!
Breakheart Reservation invites you to a Thanksgiving run/walk! Join us for the annual Breakheart Turkey Trot, a fun-filled event for runners and walkers of all ages! Lace up your sneakers and get ready to hit the scenic trails of Breakheart Reservation in Saugus, MA, USA. Whether you're a seasoned...
Where: Breakheart Reservation
9:30 am to 12:00 pm
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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...
Where: Hammond Castle Museum
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Swampscott Thanksgiving Farmer's Market
The Swampscott Farmers Market hosts a special Thanksgiving market in Massachusetts
The outdoor markets are done for the season but we will have one last indoor Thanksgiving Market on Sunday, November 19th at Swampscott High School Cafe. Stock up with fresh produce for your Thanksgiving table and get your Christmas shopping started early with our crafters!
Where: Swampscott High School
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
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Essex Turkey Trot 5K Race & Fun Walk
The Essex Massachusetts Lions host their annual 5k Turkey Trot!
The Essex Lion's Club hosts the annual turkey trot in beautiful Essex Massachusetts!
Where: Downtown Essex
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
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Cat's Meow at the Crane Estate
Kids will have a blast exploring the Trustees of Reservations Crane Estate in Ipswich Massachusetts!
Our imagination is one of our greatest assets. Imagine living in 1929 and visiting the Crane family at their summer home in Ipswich. The house is so big and Mrs. Crane’s kitty, Ptolemy, has gone missing just before the party! Can you help a family servant find our mischievous Siamese? Once he’s...
Where: Castle Hill on the Crane Estate
10:30 am to 11:30 am
♦ Read More →

Sea Festival of Trees | Sundays
Experience the joy and excitement of Salisbury’s most popular holiday tradition with glittering trees, indoor ice skating, Santa visits and more - Massachusetts
As one of New England’s must-see holiday traditions, the 12th Annual SeaFestival of Trees fundraiser opens Saturday, November 23, at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury, MA. With over 135 extravagantly themed trees, a full-size indoor skating rink, a spectacular giant sand sculpture, and Santa...
Where: Blue Ocean Music Hall
11:00 am to 5:00 pm
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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.
Where: Barewolf Brewing
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
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Sunday, December 1

STEM Club at MPL
Stem Club for kids in grades 3-6 at the public library in Manchester Public Library
Have some fun and learn a little science too at STEM Club! This group meets every third Thursday from 4-5 and is for grades 4-6. 
Where: Manchester Public Library
4:00 pm to 5:00 pm
♦ Read More →

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...
Where: Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens
4:30 pm to 8:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Monday, December 2

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.
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
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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
♦ Read More →

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,...
Where: Community House Of Hamilton & Wenham
10:00 am to 10:45 am
♦ Read More →

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...
Where: Hammond Castle Museum
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
♦ Read More →

Lego Time at MPL
Children in grades 2 and up are invited to come to the Manchester Massachusetts Library's Lego Club
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
BevRec and the Beverly Public Library are teaming up to offer Chess Nights in the Beverly Massachusetts 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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Tuesday, December 3

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.
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
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!
Where: Halibut Point State Park
7:00 am to 6:00 pm
♦ Read More →
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