August Amusements and Activities All Month Long!

As we welcome the vibrant month of August, the North of Boston region comes alive with a myriad of exciting activities and events that promise unforgettable experiences for all. Whether you’re looking to bask in the summer sun on our beautiful beaches, explore the rich history of our charming towns, or indulge in local culinary delights, there’s something for everyone.

This month, don’t miss the annual Gloucester Schooner Festival, where maritime history and wonder converge by the scenic harbor. For music enthusiasts, the Rockport Chamber Music Festival continues to enchant with world-class performances. Join us in celebrating the best of summer as we explore the unique charm and diverse offerings of the North of Boston region! Here’s a round up of some of the featured events happening to help you make the most of this exciting season.

July 27–August 4th: Yankee Homecoming Continues!

Yankee Homecoming is an annual 9-day festival that originated in 1958 in 29 New England towns and continues to thrive as a cherished tradition for the Newburyport community as well as visitors from near and far. Featuring a broad range of events and exciting things to do, including a concert series, marketplace, golf tournament, parade, fireworks, and more, this annual celebration promises to create long-lasting memories that will keep you smiling until next year. Descend upon this beautiful city and enjoy performers, artists, vendors, and more!

August 1,8, 15, 22, 29: Castle Hill Picnic Concerts

Each Thursday through August 29 (no concert July 4), will feature a different family-friendly band performing on Castle Hill’s Grand Allee overlooking Crane Beach.

Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair and set up on the lawn. While here, explore the gardens, walk the 1/2-mile-long Grand Allee, try a landscape-themed eye spy, picnic, and dance on the grass. Line up includes: Soul Rebel Project (Roots Rock Reggae) on Aug., Studio Two (Beatles Tribute Band) on Aug. 8, Entrain (World Music) on Aug. 15, Soul City (Soul and Motown) on Aug. 22 and Orville Giddings Band (Boggie Blues) on Aug. 29.

August 2 & 3: Janie Brendel & Dancers, Windhover Center For The Performing Arts

Starting in early August, come be dazzled by two renowned professional modern dance companies coming from New York and from Montreal. The first weekend in August welcomes Janie Brendel and her 6 other dancers to Windhover’s outdoor stage for the first time. This full evening of dances choreographed to music by Johannes Brahms, promises to elevate the senses and lull you into the sweet dream world which the characters of Midsummer Night’s Dream had occupied. Performances are Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3 at 7:30PM

August 4: Roaring Twenties Lawn Party, The Crane Estate

Don’t miss the event of the summer! Come for an afternoon of roaring twenties fun at Castle Hill’s historic seaside estate. You’ll find 1920s and 30s jazz on 2 stages, antique autos, a vintage fair, flappers and dandies, suffragists, and contests. Explore the formal gardens, learn about the social inequities of the 1920s, take a dance lesson, and enjoy a drink at the Bootlegger’s Garden featuring Mill River Winery.

August 3: Salem Maritime Festival, Salem

Join the National Park Service and Essex Heritage for the return of the annual Salem Merry-time Fest at Salem Maritime National Historic Site on Derby Street. This event is free and open to the public. Salem Maritime Festival will feature musicians, a magician, visiting vessels, historic craft demonstrators, and hands-on activities. The day will kick off the Great Salem Maritime Cardboard Boat Regatta.

August 6–11: Beverly Homecoming

Break out the lawn chairs, dust off your dancing shoes, and locate the lobster crackers. Beverly Homecoming is back! Annual favorites such as LobsterFest and the culminating Homecoming Fireworks Display are just the beginning. With live music, family-friendly movies, lawn games, a road race, and a full slate of fun events over the course of six days, Beverly is the place to be August 6-11, for the 59th Annual Beverly Homecoming.

August 7: Ice Scream Bowl, Salem Common

The Salem Ice Scream Bowl is a chance to taste some classic favorite flavors, as well as a few new ones, from the area’s best ice cream shops, and is a great time for children as well as adults. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children, CASH ONLY. Spoons and napkins will be supplied with purchase of a ticket. Tickets are purchased on site on the day of the event.

August 7, 14 & 21: $1 Summer Movie Series, The Cabot

Affordable family entertainment can be expensive and The Cabot is happy to partner with local businesses to bring the gift of entertainment to our community. The Cabot screens much loved movies for just $1 every Wednesday in through August as a way for families to get together for a fun night out. August’s lineup includes Sing 2 on August 7, The Sandlot on August 14, and West Side Story on August 21.

August 9–23: Into the Woods, Firehouse Center for the Arts

James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone’s favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece… and a rare modern classic. The Tony Award-winning book and score are both enchanting and touching. The story follows a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King’s Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch’s curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone’s wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results.

August 11: Rockport Acoustic Music Festival, Millbrook Meadow
A free, family-friendly event featuring live music, art, food, and kids’ activities! This year’s festival will include both local performers and artists from the Boston scene and beyond and will include folk, jazz, reggae and more. Join us in the exquisite Millbrook Meadow park for a summer afternoon of music and community!

August 11: 22nd Annual Phillips House Car Meet

Join Historic New England and the North Shore Old Car Club for the 22nd Annual Car Meet! On Sunday, August 11th from noon to 3 pm, stroll down historic Chestnut Street to see vintage and antique vehicles, including Phillips House’s own Model A Ford. Enjoy the first floor of Phillips House and the Carriage House free of charge. Enjoy live music and refreshments for purchase. Car registration is first come, first serve on the day with a suggested $10 donation.

August 11 & 25: Rockport Chamber Music Festival, Shalin Liu Performance Center

The Rockport Chamber Music Festival continues with Artistic Director Barry Shiffman and some of the most exciting artists of this new generation along with established, world-renowned chamber musicians. August 11 brings internationally-acclaimed pianist Charles Richard-Hamelin and on August 25th enjoy the music of the Borromeo Quartet, dubbed “simply the best” by the Boston

Globe, and joined by pianist David Deveau.

August 13–25: Tootsie, North Shore Music Theatre

The most uproarious new musical in years! TOOTSIE is the laugh-out-loud love letter to the theatre telling the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime. Featuring a hilarious Tony®-winning book and an outrageously clever score TOOTSIE is a joyful delight so packed with punchlines, it should be called a “jokebox” musical!

August 15: Cruisin’ Acoustic Dinner Cruise, Beauport Cruiselines

Join Beauport Cruiselines on Thursday, August 15th from 6-9pm for an experience like no other with the Lisa Love Experience! Soak in the sparkling sunset views over the Gloucester Harbor while enjoying a decadent dinner buffet, refreshing seasonal cocktails, and live music by Lisa Love Experience. What better way to spend a warm summer evening?

August 16: Celine Dion Tribute, Blue Ocean Music Hall

Celebrating Celine with Jenene Caramielo is a premier musical tribute to Celine Dion. Be amazed as Jenene effortlessly recreates Celine’s iconic power ballads such as “My Heart Will Go On,” “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now,” “Because You Loved Me” and many more. This show is a fundraiser presented by the non-profit organization, Foster Kids of the Merrimack Valley. They are dedicated to serving the needs of foster children in the Merrimack Valley with a goal to bring a positive influence into their lives and provide programs that support the children as they grow.

August 17: Salem Jazz and Soul Festival, Salem Willows
The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival will return to the Salem Willows for its 18th season! Let the rhythm move you! The free, all-day, community-run concert will feature talented musicians from around the region, an education tent and a curated vendor’s fair.

August 17: Ronnie Earl, Rockport Music

Legendary Blues guitarist Ronnie Earl, a four-time Guitar Player of the Year at the Blues Music Awards, returns to Rockport hot on the heels of his latest release, the critically acclaimed Mercy Me. He’ll be bringing along his crack blues band, The Broadcasters, with whom he just celebrated their 35th anniversary.

August 17: North Andover Witchcraft History Tours 2024, Old Burial Ground

You have likely heard of the 1692 Salem Witchcraft Trials but you may not realize that they were named as such because Salem is where the court was located and those who were found guilty were executed. Andover had 45 accusations of witchcraft, which was more than any other community. Witchcraft trials expert Richard Hite, author of In The Shadow of Salem, and Carol Majahad, former director/educator of the North Andover Historical Society, will host a tour of North Andover locations that were involved in the witchcraft trials. Attendees will see and learn about the Parson Barnard House, the Old Burial Ground, Rev. Francis Dane and his home, and the location of the meeting house. 11 am–2 pm

August 17 & 18: Gloucester Waterfront Festival, Stage Fort Park, Gloucester

The historic Stage Fort Park along Gloucester Harbor will blossom into color, flavor and music for the 43rd Annual Gloucester Waterfront Festival. This vibrant seaside festival features over 200 juried booths of exceptional arts, crafts, specialty foods, authors, musicians, food trucks, antique cars, craft demonstrations and more! Come hungry and sample an array of gourmet delights and feast from the food court! Free admission, rain or shine.

August 24: Riverfest Salisbury Beach, Salisbury Broadway Boardwalk
Riverfest Salisbury Beach returns for the 22nd year as a free show open to the public offering a day of family fun and great live music including performances by Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls, appearing with Matt Pond Pa, Ali McGuirk, and Zola Simone. Because of the popularity of this event, attendees are encouraged to get there early with blankets and chairs to claim their spot.

August 29–September 1: Gloucester Schooner Festival, Maritime Gloucester

This year marks the 40th Annual Gloucester Schooner Festival. This capstone to the summer is steeped in history and jam-packed with events and opportunities to get up-close and personal with these beautiful ships. The Gloucester Schooner Festival has become a Labor Day weekend tradition for thousands of people every year and a community wide celebration of the age of sail in Gloucester Harbor. Every year schooners from all over travel to Gloucester to race and to show off their beauty and grace both under sail and as a dock-side attraction.

August 31: Maritime Heritage Day, Maritime Gloucester

America’s oldest seaport, and Gloucester’s beloved working waterfront come alive for Maritime Heritage Day! A signature part of Gloucester Schooner Festival, Maritime Heritage Day is when Maritime Gloucester hosts exciting demonstrations and interactive fun for all ages. This is an exciting day with something for everyone from the budding marine biologist to the maritime history enthusiast. Enjoy the biggest spectacle of Gloucester Schooner Festival with a day of heritage, and breathtaking schooner sails on Gloucester Harbor.