Things to Do North of Boston This February
February 9, 2024Hero Image: Salem’s So Sweet ice sculpture by John Andrews/Creative Collective
From Valentine’s Day, to the return of Salem’s So Sweet, and some exciting February school vacation offerings, we are welcoming another exciting month in our area. Here’s some winter inspiration to keep you staying warm moving out and about North of Boston in February.
February 7–11: Amesbury Winterfest
Amesbury Chamber of Commerce presents another weekend of winter fun in downtown Amesbury from February 7th through the 11th. The five-day winter-themed event includes fun for the whole family, with crafting, a cocoa bar, makers market, guided walk, Mardi Gras party, and more! Don’t let the colder weather keep you cooped up inside, head out for some winter fun for everyone!
February 9–11: Salem’s So Sweet
Salem Main Streets and the Salem Chamber of Commerce invite you to participate in the annual Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival – a decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine’s Day shopping! Now in its 22nd year, the event includes ice sculptures around town, a ticketed Kick Off Party, a QR code scavenger hunt, sweet treats and deals at local shops and eateries, and more!
February 9 & 10: Food, Friends, and Flowers, Smolak Farm
Grab your Galentine and Smolak Farms for a fun-filled night out on the farm! Each ticket includes: a pasta dinner, glass of wine, dessert, DIY flower arrangement, and a vase for your flower bouquet. Doors open at 6:30, dinner at 7 pm, 21+ event.
February 10: Lunar New Year Festival, Peabody Essex Museum (PEM)
The PEM invites you to welcome the Year of the Dragon with a vibrant festival heralding new beginnings and the coming of spring. Join them as they continue their celebrations for the 20th anniversary of Yin Yu Tang: A Chinese Home at PEM. Enjoy performances, storytelling, and art making and explore Yin Yu Tang.
February 10 & 11: First Annual Rocky Neck Winter Fest 2024
Indulge in a vibrant celebration of art and community on February 10th and 11th with the Rocky Neck Art Colony (RNAC)! Immerse yourself in creative activities for the heart, spirit, and soul! Browse “The Love Show” an RNAC Member Pop-Up at Cove Gallery, sit for a live portrait drawing at the Cultural Center, crate your own Valentine with artist Leslie Heffron at the Salted Cod Arthouse and more!
February 10–March 17: Maple Madness Pizza Pop-Up Weekends, Appleton Farms
Celebrate the Maple Season at Appleton Farm’s Maple Madness Pizza Pop-Up Weekend Events! In addition to all of their property-wide maple programming including tours, Sugar Shack demonstrations, and maple-inspired retail goodies, Appleton will light up their wood-fired oven and serve their famous pies with a maple-inspired twist. Maple Pop-Ups will run every Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting from February 10th through March 17th.
February 10: Long Live the King, Elvis Tribute, Firehouse Center for the Arts
The celebration will feature live performances by Rick Anthony, a local award-winning Elvis Tribute artist backed by his live band “Flaming Star” in addition to “The Blue Moon Brass” & “Pure Gold Vocal Band”. This production will provide great entertainment and offer New England residents a unique way to celebrate Elvis’ legacy and style from his 23-year career.
February 10 & 11: Valentine’s Day Cookie Decorating, Smolak Farms
Join Smolak Farms for a Valentine’s Day-themed Cookie Decorating Event! Tickets are $15 (per child and one adult) and include a small hot chocolate, some animal food, 4 sugar cookies, and all of the supplies you’ll need to decorate them!
February 14–17: Happy Valentine’s with Davio’s, MarketStreet Lynnfield
Share the love of great food at Davio’s at MarketStreet Lynnfield this Valentine’s Day. From Wednesday through Saturday enjoy a three-course pre-fixe menu featuring options like Tuna Tartare, Truffle Ricotta Tortelloni, Atlantic Halibut, Filet Mignon, and a variety of scrumptious cakes!
February 16: 14th Annual New England Winter Blues Festival, Blue Ocean Music Hall
Warm up with a lively evening of blues featuring Popa Chubby with Albert Castiglia, Monster Mike Welch, and The Wicked Lo-Down.
Beginning February 17: Our Time on Earth, Peabody Essex Museum (PEM)
The PEM invites you on a transformative journey to reimagine your connection with the living planet. Our Time on Earth, a large-scale exhibition organized by the Barbican Centre in London with guest curators FranklinTill and presented as part of PEM’s Climate + Environment Initiative, illuminates a path towards a more sustainable future through innovative artworks and immersive experiences. Making its United States debut at PEM, Our Time on Earth opens February 17 with a whole weekend dedicated to celebrating the power of global creativity. Then, a series of programs on February 19, 22, and 23 invite participants of all ages to explore practical ways to tackle climate change. Meet live animals, discover art-making activities and learn about biodiversity on the North Shore.
February 22: Charlotte’s Little Salem, Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center
Join Salem’s own abolitionist, writer, and educator, Charlotte Forten, for a special craft time at the Salem Armory Regional Visitor Center, a production of History Alive, Inc. With clay, wood, and coloring materials, kids and their caregivers will contribute to building a 3D miniature city of gratitude for the freedoms and comforts long fought for during Charlotte’s lifetime. Participants will be inspired by the writings dear to Charlotte as she grew from a schoolgirl to a schoolteacher — the first Black woman to teach in an integrated classroom!
February 24: Last Day to Lace Up at the MarketStreet Lynnfield Rink
Don’t miss your chance to skate the night (or day) away at Marketstreet Lynnfield before it closes for the season! Visiting on Sunday? Kids eat free with the purchase of an entree at Alchemy. At La Gallina, kids eat free from the kids’ menu all week long with the purchase of an entree. Just show off your wristband from The Rink to redeem these delicious deals. Visit during February school vacation week and enjoy extended hours, Monday to Friday from 10 am to 8 pm, February 19th to the 23rd.
February 25: Israeli Chamber Project, Shalin Lui
The Israeli Chamber Project brings a dynamic program of chamber works by Schumann, Mozart, Martinu, and more. Based in both Israel and New York, the Israeli Chamber Project brings together some of today’s most distinguished musicians for chamber music concerts around the world including Assaff Weisman on piano, Itamar Zorman on violin, Guy Ben-Ziony on viola, and Tibi Cziger on clarinet.
February 27: Espresso Martini Competition, Finz, Salem
Join Finz for an electrifying evening of cocktail magic at the Espresso Martini Competition! Grab your friends and enjoy a night filled with caffeine-infused concoctions and fierce competition. Get ready to witness some of the most talented mixologists in town battle it out to create the perfect espresso martini. Whether you’re a seasoned espresso martini aficionado or simply curious about this iconic drink, this event is not to be missed!
