Embracing the Richness of Autumn: North of Boston November Happenings & Events
October 30, 2023It’s hard to believe it’s already November. Leaves crunch beneath our feet as the sun sets earlier, and talks of Holiday happenings fill the air. We’re gearing up for ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ while still soaking in all the festive fun of fall too.
The days may be getting shorter but the list of things to do is getting longer all over again! See what great experiences await you these next several weeks here in North of Boston.
Brunch Every Saturday and Sunday, Burtons, Lynnfield
Celebrate the change in seasons over brunch at Burtons Grill & Bar! Burtons in Lynnfield will be serving brunch every Saturday & Sunday from 10:30am to 3pm beginning October 28th! Enjoy dishes for every taste: House-Made Biscuits & Gravy or Short Rib Hash for heartier entrées, or Cast Iron French Toast or Eggs Benedict for brunch classics (just to name a few). It’s the perfect way to spend a lazy weekend – so pop the bubbly with Mimosas for Four! And don’t miss their Brunch Burger! Our brunch menu is expansive and includes favorites from our everyday menu, too.
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Nov. 2–5: Fall Jazz Weekend, Rockport Music’s Shalin Liu Performance Center
This November at Rockport Music’s Shalin Liu Performance Center hosts a dynamic weekend of azz! Friday brings Christian McBride’s New Jawn with their recently released sophomore album, Prime. On Saturday enjoy the sounds of the Steven Feifke Trio, fresh off his 2023 Grammy win for Best Large Jazz Ensemble (along with Bijon Watson). The weekend continues with jazz pianist Harold López-Nussa on Sunday, November 5 at 5 p.m. with a brand-new album Timba a la Americana.
Nov. 3–5: Crane Estate Art Show & Sale
The 20th annual Crane Estate Art Show & Sale: Celebrating the Past, Present, and Future will feature more than 200 works of original artwork with proceeds benefiting the artists and The Trustees. Special activities during the weekend will include People’s Choice Award voting, an art eye spy, and shopping in the Castle Hill Gift Shop. The Art Show will open on the evening Friday, November 3rd with the Crane Estate Art Show Soiree. This ticketed event ($72-$90) includes live music, catered hors d’oeuvres, an open bar, and a chance to meet the artists.
Nov. 11: The Rink at MarketStreet Lynnfield Returns
Holidays on ice! Skate into the season with one of the North Shore region’s most beloved outdoor winter destinations and traditions! The Rink will open for its 10th season at MarketStreet Lynnfield on Saturday, Nov. 11! Ice skaters and guests alike will once again be treated to a spectacle of twinkling lights at MarketStreet Lynnfield as they illuminate the ice and various areas of the property while a rotating playlist of musical hits and seasonal favorites will get skaters and shoppers moving and grooving.
Also save the date for MarketStreet’s Holiday Stroll on November 19th and kick off the Holiday Season with amazing shopping opportunities, scrumptious food sampling, interactive holiday decor, live entertainment, wintery activities, and photos with Mr. Claus himself.
Nov. 12: Beauport Boutique Sip & Shop, Beauport Hotel
The holidays are on their way, and we all could enjoy some cheer! Join the Beauport Hotel for a holiday shopping event at Beauport Boutique, featuring a fresh collection of holiday merchandise and gifts for your loved ones. Bring your shopping companions to browse an array of new seasonal home decor, cashmere, accessories, jewelry, Beauport branded apparel, and more from top brands including Mitchie’s of Montreal, Alashan Cashmere, Linda Richards of New York, Julie Vos, Colby Davis, Vineyard Vines, Lilly Pulitzer, Mariposa, and ChappyWrap. Light sips and bites will be provided, with additional food and beverage available for purchase at 1606 Restaurant & Oyster Bar.
Nov. 14: Harvest Market at Appleton Farms
Join Appleton Farms in celebration of the harvest season at a special farmers market, featuring a bounty of Appleton organic produce along with a selection of other local edibles & gifts from area artisans, crafters, and producers of fine foods. The Appleton culinary team will have sweet & savory treats for purchase to keep you fueled while you shop!
Nov. 18: The Battle for Pigeon Cove Harbor, Cape Ann Community Cinema
“The Battle For Pigeon Cove Harbor” was a musical staged at The Windhover Center for the Performing Arts in 1997, about Rockport and Pigeon Cove’s fishing and lobstering communities’ long and bitter 1991 fight to keep developers from taking over their fishing port to build condominiums and luxury boat slips. View a screening of the film version of this production this season! Authors Ina Hahn and Richard Earle, along with the talents of composer Joe Mulholland, have crafted a show packed with compelling songs and dramatic scenes that mirrored history.
Nov. 18: Downtown Lynn Open Studios
Join Lynn Museum/LynnArts for Downtown Lynn Open Studios on Saturday, November 18th, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. in partnership with Lydia Pinkham Labs! Head to LynnArts to view artist studio spaces and purchase locally made artwork and handmade goods at the Galleries at LynnArts art fair. Be sure to visit the Lynn Museum to view our latest exhibitions, purchase Lynn-themed goods in our shop, and enjoy art-making activities. We’ll also have the Brickyard Collaborative here for a maker pop-up and showcase of their boatbuilding program.
Nov. 18: SeaFestival of Trees at Blue Ocean Event Center
Experience the joy and excitement of the Seacoast’s most popular holiday tradition with glittering trees, seaside indoor ice skating, Santa workshop, toy testing station, and more at the 11th annual SeaFestival of Trees! This beloved event begins November 18 and happens weekends through December 3 at Blue Ocean Event Center on Salisbury Beach. Be sure to ride the new Salisbury Beach carousel while you’re there!
Nov. 18: Holiday Celebration & Illumination, Hammond Castle
Hammond Castle Museum will host their Holiday Celebration and Illumination with the Jambalaya Horns on Saturday, November 18th! With holiday lights cast upon the majestic castle and romantic arches, starting at the stairs leading down to the Museum, the museum will create a magical holiday scene. Local favorite, Jambalaya Horns, will begin their Twelve Days of Christmas Caroling tour and start the season off with holiday favorites and joyous second-lines. Reserve your free tickets!
November 24: Santa’s Arrival and the Lighting of Salem’s Holiday Tree, Hawthorne Hotel
Join Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem in celebrating Santa’s Arrival and the lighting of Salem’s Holiday Tree. Santa Claus will arrive at the top of the Hawthorne Hotel promptly at 6:00 with assistance from the Salem Fire Department. Bring the whole family out for carols, festivities, and fun! Santa’s arrival will be followed by a procession down Essex Street to Lappin Park where participants will join Santa for the Holiday Tree Lighting.
Nov. 25–Dec. 23: Salem Trolley & The Gallows Hill Theatre’s “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens
Now entering into its 37th season, this humorous & whimsical interactive performance reanimates Dickens’ timeless seasonal holiday classic. Experience Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol with a twist. Ride along with Ebenezer Scrooge on the Salem Trolley as the classic tale is brought to life in a completely unexpected way. Shows sell out quickly and seats are limited!
Nov. 25: Salem Arts Association Holiday Artists Market
Salem Arts Association invites you to their Holiday Artists’ Market At Salem Old Town Hall! Enjoy a festive market with live music and a holiday theme. Featuring a variety of local artisans and crafters offering original fine art, unique gifts, and hand-made housewares to delight yourself or gift to others.
Nov. 25: Holiday Marketplace, Sea Level & Finz Seafood, Salem
The 6th annual Holiday Marketplace returns to Finz Seafood and Grill & Sea Level Oyster Bar on Saturday, November 25. They will be hosting 23 vendors featuring handcrafted items. It’s a perfect way to start your holiday shopping. Free admission.
Nov. 26: A Joyful Christmas, Rockport Music
Piano sensation Jim Brickman returns to Rockport this season with his brand-new holiday show A Joyful Christmas. Brickman’s captivating Christmas concert experience dazzles audiences with his signature piano style and soothing vocals. A heartwarming evening of music and laughter fill the air with the sounds of Yuletide carols, holiday classics and all of Brickman’s biggest hits. Come celebrate the spirit of the season with faith, love, and togetherness be part of the fun with Jim Brickman’s A Joyful Christmas. Tickets: $50-$72
November 25–26 & December 2–3: Story Time with Mrs. Claus, Cider Hill Farm
Mrs. Claus and a few elves are flying into the farm to spread holiday cheer! Mrs. Claus will ring in the season reading a few short holiday stories leaving plenty of time to take photos with each child/family. Each session is 45 minutes and limited to 35 children. Write letters to Santa while you wait your turn to snap pics with Mrs. Claus! Sip cocoa and snack on kettle corn on your way out! Plus, take a family picture on the wooden sleigh in front of the farm store! Tis’ the season for simple joys on the farm!
Celebrate the spirit of the season on Cape Ann! Pack up the car and come enjoy the 4th Annual Winter Lights on Cape Ann. Local businesses throughout Gloucester, Essex, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Rockport are getting into the festive spirit by decorating their storefronts with twinkling lights and creative window displays! Over 100 lighted locations will help bring joy to all those who visit from Saturday, November 25 through New Years Day! Visit discovergloucester.com for a digital brochure coming soon.
November 26: Santa Parade & Tree Lighting, Downtown Newburyport
As the holiday season approaches, Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive in the most fitting way for this seaport town… by US Coast Guard Boat! Welcome Santa on the Sunday after Thanksgiving as he and Mrs. Claus dock at the boardwalk and begin to parade through downtown Newburyport, then gather in Market Square for the annual Christmas tree lighting and carols.
November 30: Festival of Lights Tree & Menorah Lighting, Central Square, Lynn
The Greater Lynn Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lynn are partnering to host the fifth annual Festival of Lights event in Central Square! Join them from 4 to 6 pm for an evening of holiday cheer with a Tree & Menorah lighting at 5:45 pm. Hot chocolate and coffee will be available courtesy of the Salvation Army.
November 30–December 3: Marblehead Christmas Walk
Celebrate the 52nd Annual Marblehead Christmas Walk & Holiday Stroll! Well known as one of the finest holiday happenings in New England, Marblehead Christmas Walk is a signature event that captures the warmth of the holiday season throughout the entire town. This is a time when Marblehead’s historic charm shines bright, and the festive spirit of the holidays provide a truly enchanting experience. Join the Marblehead Chamber of Commerce Thursday, November 30th through Sunday, December 3rd for a festive weekend including Thursday Night Preview Shopping, the Friday Tree Lighting, Saturday’s Santa’s Arrival by lobsterboat and Parade, the Artisan’s Markets, Gingerbread festival, music and so much more!
