Marching into a New Month North of Boston

While cold temperatures remain and winter wear is still in style, we are reveling in the wonders of winter while eagerly anticipating spring. March is generally a month that straddles these two satisfying seasons, offering the best of both. Some may wish for snow to keep falling, hungry to soak up as many ski days as possible, and others are counting down to the spring solstice (March 19th), yearning for longer days and warmer weather.

Whatever side you subscribe to, we’re here to help you make the most of March and beyond North of Boston! As we gear up for another action-packed season we continue to relish in the hidden gems and decadent delights that make our region a captivating destination this time of year as well.

We’re here to help you explore all there is to offer in our glorious region as we march into another month of enrichment North of Boston!

Through March 31: Rocky Neck Art Colony’s Annual Member Show
ROCKY NECK NOW 2024, the highly anticipated annual members show, is now underway at the Rocky Neck Art Colony! This year, works by 79 artist members will be on display, giving a broad overview of RNAC members’ talents and passion. Rocky Neck Now is open to all members and offers each the opportunity to show one recent work. The exhibition showcases a wide range of artistic vision, with representational, abstract, and expressive styles in all media.

Weekends in March: Easter Activities at Smolak Farms

March means Easter fun at Smolak Farms! Each weekend the farm hosts their popular Alice in Wonderland egg hunts which include an Easter Bunny bag craft, goodie bag, donut, bag of animal feed, hayride, visit with the Easter bunny and more! And on Saturdays through March starting March 9th families can enjoy Breakfast with the Easter bunny too. Tickets and reservations required for all activities.

March 1: First Friday Lecture Series, Custom House Maritime Museum
On Friday, March 1, join guest speaker Dr. Timothy Kendall, Archaeologist and Historian of Ancient Egypt and Sudan, for The Story of the Ship Huguenot: a painting lost, found, and presented to the Custom House Maritime Museum. On June 12, 1846, 23-year-old Capt. Alexander Graves of Newburyport found himself in the mid-Atlantic, just two weeks after being promoted to Master of the ship Huguenot, fighting a fire on board his vessel caused by a lightning strike on the mainmast. Dr. Kendall takes us on the fascinating journey of how a burning ship and the heroic efforts of Capt. Graves to save the smoldering vessel led to the creation of the painting of the Huguenot and its winding path to Custom House Maritime Museum.

March 2: Our Time on Earth Climate Activations, Peabody Essex Museum
Engage in pop-up conversations with climate advocates, researchers, and community leaders inside the exhibition in the “Be the Change” zone of PEM’s Our Time on Earth exhibit, now on display through June 9. Conversation-style events will take place on select Saturdays including March 2, March 30, and April 27. Ask questions and hear about local and regional efforts to address climate change.

March 2: Sunset Hike to Cedar Point with Firepits, Crane Estate
There’s no better excuse to explore Cedar Point—the western-most part of the Crane Estate—than a hike at sunset. This two-hour adventure in a lesser-known part of the property has it all including a stroll through the gardens of the Great House, a hike down to Steep Hill Beach, a hike through sand dunes overlooking the mouth of the Ipswich River and the southern tip of Plum Island, and more! Best of all, you’ll wrap up your adventure with a hike along the Cedar Point Trail at sunset, ending your journey next to a glowing firepit, overlooking the tidal estuary of Fox Creek as it meanders through a supremely beautiful stretch of The Great Marsh—New England’s largest salt marsh. If you can’t make it on March 2nd, save the date for March 16th!

March 6: Amelia Earhart Lecture, Amesbury Carriage Museum
See Sheryl Faye portray Amelia’s indomitable spirit and passion for flying in a multi-media, one-woman show. Wednesday, March 6 from 6:30 to 8pm, Industrial History Center, Mill 2, Upper Millyard.

March 7: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, North Shore Music Theatre
Shakespeare & Company presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the North Shore Music Theatre! Athenians mix it up with the forest fairies in this raucous romp that features magical meddling, romantic tangles, and a play within a play for good measure. One of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, A Midsummer Night’s Dream has been described by scholars as carnivalesque: pushing the plot forward through humor and chaos.

March 7: Masters of Illusion, The Cabot
Starring the world’s greatest award-winning magicians, this 21st century magic show is unlike anything you have seen before – filled with modern illusions and arts of deception, performed live on stage. Watch closely as you experience things that just can’t be done……or can they? Audiences will be held at the edge of their seats by the jaw-dropping grand illusions and laugh out loud at the hysterical comedy magic as performers from around the world combine fantasy, fervor and flair with magic created in front of their very eyes.

March 8: Blarney Bash, Blue Ocean Music Hall
What better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day week than by listening to a band that captures the look, feel, and sound of one of the world’s most popular rock bands that hails from Dublin, Ireland! Join in the fun at Blue Ocean Music Hall’s Blarney Bash featuring Joshua Tree performing the U2 Experience. Show proceeds benefit the Salisbury Beach Partnership’s free summer beachfront concerts and fireworks series!

March 13: Game Dinner, Sea Level Oyster Bar, Salem

The Sea Level Game Dinner is a five-course meal where land “meats” sea. Five delicious and creative courses of food, paired with your choice of house-inspired cocktails or specialty wines. Sea Level has taken wild seafood and responsibly raised game and added their Sea Level twist! Tickets are available now for $100.

March 15: Fish Tales, Gloucester Stage Company
Since its first iteration in 2013, the Gloucester Writers Center’s “Moth”-like storytelling showcase has grown from a cozy evening among friends to one of the city’s most-loved events, featuring storytellers from Gloucester and beyond. The event benefits Gloucester Writer Center’s free and low-cost programs and Gloucester Stage. Join them this month for Fish Tales: Awry & Amok, hosted by Sharron & Nathan Cohen.

March 21–24: Salem Film Fest
Since 2007, Salem Film Fest (SFF) has brought the world’s best independent documentaries and their makers to Boston’s North Shore. Now the largest international documentary film festival in Massachusetts, the event annually presents features, shorts and special events to a loyal audience of thousands. The festival is mostly run by volunteers through a non-profit entity, Salem Community Arts Center, Inc. The 17th edition of our fest will take place March 21-24, 2024 and is returning to an all in-person screening format, with filmmaker Q&As as well as parties and other special events.

March 22: Sing & Swing: Jazz at Lincon Center Presents Featuring Bria Skonberg & Benny Benack III, Shalin Liu Performance Center

Jazz at Lincoln Center returns to Rockport, this time with a Sing & Swing program featuring two of the rising stars in the genre, both dual threats on trumpet and vocals; Bria Skonberg and Benny Benack III. This will be an evening of classics of the American Songbook…George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, all interpreted by New York’s best and brightest.

March 23: Family Tea, Firehouse Center for the Arts
Usher in Spring at Firehouse Center for the Arts second annual Family Tea! Create spring crafts, get your face painted, dance with the Easter Bunny, join in the egg hunt, and so much more fun! This very special Family Event sold out last year so don’t wait to get your tickets!

March 30: Rockport Community Easter Egg Hunt, Milbrook Meadow
For pre-schoolers through grade one, free participation. *Face Painting & Bubble Station starting at 1 PM!! Candy and prizes, bring a basket!
https://visit.rockportusa.com/events/details/rockport-community-easter-egg-hunt-2024-30146

March 31: Easter Dinner & Brunch, Davio’s, Lynnfield

Join Davio’s for Easter Brunch from 10 am to 1:30 pm or enjoy their Easter Dinner menu from 10 am to 10 pm. Brunch includes delicious offerings including Tiramisu French Toast, Beef Tenderloin Benedict, Lump Crab Omelet. Scrumptious dinner entrees include Veal Tenderloin, Braised Beef Short Ribs, Hand-Rolled Potato Gnocchi, and more! Make your reservations today!