Fourth of July Events and More Happenings this Month

We can hardly believe that the July 4th holiday is nearing! Time to cue the music and pack up the kids to head out and enjoy our local parades and firework displays–there’s so much festive fun to be had! Here’s a round-up of early July events including local Fourth of July celebrations. May you revel in the traditions of this beloved holiday in our charming region of Massachusetts. Stay tuned for another round-up on our blog for events happening later in the month too!

July 1: Newburyport Maritime Days, Custom House Maritime Museum
This year the Custom House Maritime Museum welcomes the Nao Trinidad Tall Ship replica to Newburyport harbor. The original Trinidad, built in the 1500s, was commanded by Fernando de Magallanes who was captain of the expedition that completed the first circumnavigation of the world. Enjoy historical exhibit tours led by Nao Trinidad’s bilingual crew beginning July.

July 1: Stories on Deck, Schooner Adventure
The Schooner Adventure and Gloucester400+ Stories Project presents a series of summer storytelling events featuring local writers, poets, and big personalities! Their first event is scheduled for July 1 and will feature Daisy Nell, Cindy Hendrickson, and their Stories Project Leader, Terry Weber Mangos. This event will be held on the Schooner Adventure, dockside. It is a great opportunity to hear stories, mingle, and learn about the Schooner Adventure. https://www.gloucesterma400.org/event/stories-on-deck/

July 1 – July 4: Marblehead Festival of Arts
Founded in 1962, the Marblehead Festival of Arts has a rich history of producing a premier summer arts festival that has become a forum for artistic expression over its 50+ years of operation. The July Festival hosts a wide range of art exhibits, outdoor music concerts overlooking Marblehead Harbor, Film Festival, Street Festival, Children’s Festival, Artisans Marketplace, and many other cultural activities designed to provide a fun and enriching experience for the entire family.
https://www.marbleheadfestival.org/

July 1–24: Mr. Fullerton, Between the Sheets at the Gloucester Stage Company
Celebrated novelist Edith Wharton (House of Mirth, The Age of Innocence, Ethan Frome) has just outsold every other writer at the turn of the century, when she falls for the handsome charms of Morton Fullerton, fellow-writer, bon-vivant and Don Juan. Wharton’s dinner parties are the talk of society, and her maid, Posy, will fill you in on all the details. Based on recently-discovered diaries, Mr Fullerton, Between the Sheets reveals the surprising passion of Wharton’s mid-life love affair and sexual discovery in early 20th Century Paris. Performances at the Gloucester Stage Company Wednesday – Saturday, 7:30 pm and Saturday + Sunday, 3:00 pm.
https://gloucesterstage.com/between-the-sheets/

July 1–4: Manchester By The Sea Fourth of July Events
Manchester’s annual salute to America is a wonderful tradition, complete with stirring music, precision marching bands, imaginative homemade floats, antique cars, and just about everything else that represents the pride and patriotism we all share for our country. Simply stated, Manchester’s Fourth of July Celebration is small-town America at its very best!
https://www.manchester.ma.us/389/July-4th-Committee

July 2: The Firebird Pops Orchestra: Sea to Shining Sea, Hammond Castle
Get ready to be swept away by a patriotic musical extravaganza as the Firebird Pops returns to Hammond Castle Museum for an unforgettable seaside concert celebrating the essence of America. Artistic Director and Conductor, Brendan J. Kenney will lead the Pops’ powerful strings and brass ensembles as in inspiring renditions of beloved classics like “America the Beautiful” and “Eternal Father, Strong to Save.” The performance is at 7:30 pm, doors open at 7:00 pm.
https://hammondcastle.ticketing.veevartapp.com/tickets/view/list/the-firebird-pops-orchestra-sea-to-shining-sea

July 3: Fireworks Cruise, Cape Ann Cruises
Looking for an unforgettable way to celebrate Independence Day? Hop aboard the legendary Cape Ann Cruises WEJACK for the 3rd of July fireworks cruise! Cruise around Gloucester Harbor’s scenic waterfront and savor the breathtaking views as the sun sets and anticipation builds. Watch the night sky come alive with vibrant bursts of color, and best yet, you’ll have front-row seats to a mesmerizing fireworks spectacle!
https://www.capeanncruises.com/events/3rd-of-july-gloucester-harbor-fireworks-cruise

July 3: Frederick Douglass’ Fourth of July Address, Lynn
Join North Shore Juneteenth Association, Inc. at Frederick Douglass Park on Monday, July 3, 2023, at 11 am for the public reading of Frederick Douglass’ Fourth of July Address. This annual event invites community members to gather and group read Douglass’ “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” The event will also feature local vendors, music, and more.
https://lynnmuseum.org/events/frederick-douglass-reading-together-2023/

July 3: Fireworks Sail with Schooner Adventure
Reserve your front-row seats to watch Gloucester’s 2023 Fireworks display; a special local tradition. The Schooner Adventure will anchor in Gloucester Harbor to provide the perfect platform to view this annual event. BYOPicnic and beverages.
https://schooner-adventure.starboardsuite.com/e/special-event-480

July 3: Night Charter with 7 Seas Whale Watch
Join 7 Seas Whale Watch for a Fourth of July Fireworks Cruise on Gloucester Harbor! The cruise leaves at 8 and we will return after the fireworks display ends (roughly 10pm). Cost is $22 per person.
https://www.7seaswhalewatch.com/trip-schedule/

July 3rd: Fireworks Cruise, Beauport Cruiselines
Celebrate Independence Day the Beauport way! Come aboard Beauport Cruiselines for an evening of fun, dinner, and a gorgeous display of the fireworks! 7–10 pm.
https://beauportcruiselines.com/cruise-schedule/

July 4: July Fourth Celebration in Downtown Rockport
Rockport’s annual Independence Day celebration includes the Firemen’s Parade beginning at 6 pm, a Legion Band concert at 8 pm, and Rockport’s version of a finale – a towering bonfire at Back Beach which is sparked off around dusk, at approximately 9 pm. The parade route starts at the school complex on Jerden’s Lane and continues down South Street to Dock Square, goes up Main Street to Beach Street, and ends at the American Legion bandstand near Back Beach. The traditional bonfire, built of stacked wooden pallets, will be held at Back Beach after the end of the parade. https://northshorekid.com/event/independence-day-celebration-rockport

July 4: Salem Celebrates the 4th
Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. with the opening of food tents, free children’s patriotic craft give-a-ways, and pre-concert entertainment on the Main Stage. Opening ceremonies begin at 7:15 p.m. followed by a two hour ‘POPS’ concert by the Hillyer Festival Orchestra, a forty-piece ensemble with vocal soloists performing opera to Broadway favorites. At 9:15 p.m. a magnificent fireworks display launched from Derby Wharf. https://www.salemma.gov/home/events/355086

July 4: Joppa Flatts Oceanfront 4th of July Concert + Fireworks Show, Salisbury
Grab your chairs and blankets and enjoy some fun summer tunes, Saturdays at 7:30PM on the Salisbury Oceanfront Stage. Benches and picnic tables available and plenty of dancing room for everyone! Enjoy takeout from local restaurants, beach pizza, ice cream and more, while you listen to live music from one of the region’s hottest bands! Tuesday, July 4th, we welcome Joppa Flatts to the Salisbury Oceanfront stage. Stick around for more summer fun and enjoy a fantastic 4th of July!
https://business.newburyportchamber.org/events/details/joppa-flatts-oceanfront-4th-of-july-concert-112323

North of Boston Firework Displays
Enjoy spectacular fireworks displays across North of Boston! Here’s a round-up of dates, times and locations.

Andover: July 3, 9:20 PM. (Raindate: July 5), Andover High School, 80 Shawsheen Road

Haverhill: July 7, 9:15 PM (Raindate: July 5), Riverside Park 163 Lincoln Avenue

Beverly: July 4, 9:15 PM, West Beach in Beverly Farms – 121 West Road

Gloucester: July 3, 9:30 PM (Raindate: July 8), Fort Area, Stage Fort Park, 1 Hough Ave.

Ipswich: June 30, 9:35 PM (Raindate: July 7), Turner Hill Golf Club – 251 Topsfield Road

Lynn: July 3, 9:00 PM (Raindate: July 5), Barge near Red Rock – 76 Marine Street

Marblehead: July 4, 9:15 PM (Raindate: July 5), Barge in Marblehead Harbor, Commercial St. Wharf (Illumination / Fireworks)

Nahant: July 8, 9:00 PM (Raindate: July 9), Bailey’s Hill Park, Bass Point Road

Salem: July 4, 9:00 PM (Raindate: August 12), Salem Maritime Historic Site, Derby Wharf

July 6: Culture Splash Kick-Off, Gloucester
Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Gloucester as Culture Splash gears up for its third year. The event series is set to kick off on Thursday, July 6th, adding an exciting blend of new offerings to its already impressive roster. Home to two of Massachusetts’ designated cultural districts, Rocky Neck and Harbortown, Gloucester has a unique blend of history, fine arts, creativity, maritime tradition, and diverse cultures. Culture Splash brings these elements together for a vibrant, city-wide celebration every Thursday evening in July and August from 4:00 to 7:00pm.
https://discovergloucester.com/culture-splash/

July 6: Cape Ann Museum Courtyard Concerts Kick-Off
Enjoy free concerts in the Cape Ann Museum Courtyard every Thursday in July and August from 5:30-7:00 pm. CAM’s Courtyard Concerts feature local and regional musicians whose music ranges from Latin tunes to pop reinventions, acoustic folk to rock music, and chamber music to bluegrass. The Museum will be open with free admission during the concerts, although there will be no admission to Edward Hopper & Cape Ann. The concerts will be cancelled if there is rain. Limited outdoor seating will be provided by the Museum, come early to reserve your seat or bring your own lawn chair to ensure a spot!
https://discovergloucester.com/event/cam-courtyard-concerts-jambalaya-horns/

July 6: Castle Hill Picnic Concert: Entrain
Each Thursday through August 31, Crane Estate welcomes a different family-friendly band performing on Castle Hill’s Grand Allee overlooking Crane Beach. On July 6 Entrain will be performing. Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair and set up on the lawn. While there, explore the gardens, walk the 1/2-mile-long Grand Allee, try a landscape-themed eye spy, picnic, and dance on the grass!

https://thetrustees.org/event/84945/

July 6: Movies on the Seaside Lawn, Hammond Castle

Join Hammond Castle Museum’s annual Movie Nights on the Lawn series!

Every Thursday evening in July, Hammond Castle Museum is  hosting a movie night on the seaside lawn. Hammond Castle Museum proclaim’s this the “Summer of Spielberg!”

* July 6: Jaws

* July 13: Close Encounters of the Third Kind

* July 20: Hook

* July 27: E.T.
https://www.hammondcastle.org/event/movies-on-the-lawn/2023-07-06/

July 6-9: The Gloucester Maritime Rendezvous
The Gloucester Maritime Rendezvous celebrates the combined heritage of two great fishing towns and their connection to the sea. Gloucester, Massachusetts and Luneburg, Nova Scotia. In this annual tradition, once more the Gloucester International Dory Racing Committee hosts the Canadian Dory Rowing Association from Nova Scotia to compete against the best dory rowers from Gloucester, going head-to-head on Gloucester’s historic harbor.
https://www.hammondcastle.org/event/movies-on-the-lawn/2023-07-06/

July 6: A Far Cry, Rockport Chamber Music Festival, Shalin Liu
The Rockport Chamber Music Festival is underway! Catch a series of performances through July 9 and again on July 25 and August 12. On July 6 enjoy the sounds of A Far Cry. Named by The New Yorker as one of the “Imagination-Grabbing, Trailblazing Artists of 2014,” the Grammy-nominated A Far Cry brings a rich and diverse program of works by Dvorák, Golijov, Montgomery, as well as a new commission by Juantio Becenti.
https://rockportmusic.org/rcmf23/

Photo credits: hero image – courtesy of Discover Gloucester / Melissa Stacey; Trinidad Ship courtesy of Custom House Maritime Museum; Frederick Douglas courtesy of Lynn Museum/Lynn Arts; Outdoor Concerts courtesy of Cape Ann Museum; Crane Estate Picnic Concert courtesy of The Trustees.