North of Boston

5th Annual Gloucester's So Salty Event
2026-01-25 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | MA
Join us in celebrating the fish city’s recognizably salty character with the 5th Annual Gloucester’s So Salty, a festival sponsored by the Cape Ann Museum in partnership with Discover Gloucester.

This annual event brings over 2,000 people to the downtown area each January to shop at local stores, enjoy family friendly activities, visit the Museum, and find each of the ice sculptures sponsored by local cultural institutions and businesses.
Gloucester’s So Salty will take place on Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25, 2026 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm!

Free and open to the public. More information coming soon!

GOING VIRAL by Katie Oberlander presented by Katie Oberlander
2026-03-20 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-03-21 13:00 - 15:00 | Gloucester Stage Company, East Main Street 267, Gloucester, M, 01930, United States
Going Viral is a fast-paced, funny, and surprisingly heartfelt play set at the ultimate influencer convention, ViralCon, where creators, superfans, and branded products collide. As livestreams, fan challenges, and brand deals swirl around them, a group of teens must decide what really matters: fame, followers, or friendship. When one rising star is tempted to trade authenticity for instant popularity, the pressure to “go viral” threatens to turn the entire event upside down. Packed with humor, relatable characters, and timely commentary on internet culture, Going Viral explores the cost of chasing trends, and the courage it takes to stay true to yourself.
Join Harborlight Montessori for this fun family play Friday March 20th at 7pm and Saturday March 21st at 1pm at The Natti-Willsky Performance Center: Home of Gloucester Stage Company, 267 E Main Street, Gloucester MA. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children under 18 y/o. Reserved Seating.
Harborlight Experience weeks are hands-on, Montessori learning opportunities and an opportunity for students to research questions, think critically, communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and master core academic content. By moving beyond the walls of the classroom to local institutions and landscapes of the North Shore students gain new, more in-depth ways to investigate, understand and learn. Gloucester Stage is a proud education partner.

Shrek the Musical KIDS presented by Beeman Memorial Elementary
2026-03-26 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-27 18:00 - 19:00 | Gloucester Stage Company, East Main Street 267, Gloucester, M, 01930, United States
Beauty is in the eye of the ogre in Shrek The Musical KIDS, based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and fantastic Broadway musical. It’s a “big bright beautiful world” as everyone’s favorite ogre, Shrek, leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess and find true acceptance. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek KIDS is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.
Once upon a time, in a far away swamp, there lived an ogre named Shrek. One day, Shrek finds his swamp invaded by banished fairytale misfits who have been cast off by Lord Farquaad, a tiny terror with big ambitions. When Shrek sets off with a wisecracking donkey to confront Farquaad, he’s handed a task — if he rescues feisty princess Fiona, his swamp will be righted. Shrek tries to win Fiona’s love and vanquish Lord Farquaad, but a fairytale wouldn’t be complete without a few twists and turns along the way.
With abundant opportunities for imaginative sets and costumes, and a host of over-the-top roles for an expandable cast, there’s a part for everyone in this dazzling adventure story.
Shrek KIDS plays Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27 at 7:00pm. Runtime 30 minutes, no intermission. All performances at the Natti-Willsky Performance Center: Home of Gloucester Stage Company at 267 E Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930. Perfect for families with children ages 6+.

Black Excellence 5k
2026-05-16 09:00 - 12:00 | Grace Methodist Church, 374 Broadway, Lynn, MA, 01904, United States
🎉 Black Excellence 5K – Registration Now Open! 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏿‍♂️
📅 Saturday, May 16, 2026
Day of Registration will begin at 9 am
⏰ Race starts at 10:00 AM
📍 Grace Methodist Church • 374 Broadway, Lynn, MA 01904
Join us for the Black Excellence 5K — a powerful celebration of health, community, and Black excellence! Whether you walk or run, this event brings people of all ages together for an uplifting experience supporting the North Shore Juneteenth Association.
👟 Event Highlights:
✨ Scenic, flat 3.1-mile course through Lynn — perfect for runners and walkers of all levels.
✨ Awards for the top 3 male and female finishers (18+) and top 3 finishers under 18.
✨ A chance to connect with community and uplift one another.
✨ Virtual 5K option available if you want to participate from anywhere!
💥 Registration Info:
• In-person 5K Run/Walk – $25 ($35 after March 1)
• Virtual 5K – $35 (opens March 1)
Come celebrate strength, community, and Black excellence with us! Lace up your sneakers — we can’t wait to see you at the starting line! 🖤✨
🔗 Register Now:
https://events.elitefeats.com/26blackexcellence
📱 Follow us on IG & FB: @nsjuneteenth

New England Equine Rescue's Spring Open House
2026-05-16 11:00 - 14:00 | New England Equine Rescue North, 52 Ash Street, West Newbury, MA, 01985, United States
Please join us for our Annual Spring Open House at the New England Equine Rescue in West Newbury from 11-2 on Saturday, May 16th.
Come visit our donkeys, mini horses and horses for this family friendly event! We will have training demonstrations in the arena, farm tours, food for purchase (including @fatbellybbq), family activities including crafts for the kids and the Mass State Mounted unit will be here too! The NEER North Used Tack Shop will be open for all your horsey needs.
Drawing items:
2 Red Sox Tickets
Hotel stay at Aloft in Seaport, Boston
Ezra Adam Group tickets at House of Blues 6/20
Barn starter kit basket
Cocoa Gift Baskets
Trail Max Saddle Bag
More to come!
Hope to see you there!

Cape Ann Museum hosts free community event to celebrate Pride Month
2026-06-06 10:30 - 13:30 | Cape Ann Museum Green, 13 Poplar Street, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
To celebrate Pride Month, the Cape Ann Museum will host a Pride Family Picnic on the Cape Ann Museum Green (CAM Green) on Saturday, June 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This free, family-friendly event will feature music, art activities, books, and lawn games in a welcoming outdoor setting for all ages.
Families are encouraged to bring blankets and enjoy live music from Jammin’ With You, hands-on art activities, and games across the CAM Green campus, located at 13 Poplar Street in Gloucester, just off Grant Circle. Community partners participating in the event include the Cape Ann Pride Coalition, YOUnity, Dogtown Books, Gloucester Bookstore, and Sawyer Free Library. No registration is required. For more information, visit capeannmuseum.org/events.

47th Annual Old Newbury Garden Tour
2026-06-13 10:00 - 16:00, 2026-06-14 10:00 - 16:00 | Museum of Old Newbury, 98 High Street, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Enjoy two days of exclusive access to stunning gardens in greater Newburyport and Amesbury.
The Museum of Old Newbury invites you to enjoy this year’s Garden Tour on Saturday and Sunday, June 13 & 14, 2026. This year’s theme is 250 Years of Growth, an homage to the originality and innovation of American gardens, and our featured gardens in particular. You’ll enjoy access to the best we have to offer, from urban pocket gardens to larger, more formal landscapes.
The 47th Old Newbury Garden Tour occurs rain or shine. It is an inspiration for those ranging from professionals seriously interested in garden design and horticulture to enthusiasts who simply love beautiful gardens.
Tickets are $25 members, $40 non-members; your ticket is good for one or both days.

6th Annual Gloucester Juneteenth Celebration
2026-06-19 09:00 - 11:00 | Gloucester City Hall, 9 Dale Ave, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Join the Cape Ann Museum at Gloucester City Hall to celebrate Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
9:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Flag raising with comments from city officials and CAM staff outside City Hall.
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Community reading of Frederick Douglass’s What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? Following the reading the public is invited to stay for a facilitated discussion to discuss the speech and their experience reading it. Kyrouz Auditorium, Gloucester City Hall
We hope that you can join us for this community gathering to reflect on important history and the work that still needs to be done.

Juneteenth Celebration
2026-06-20 14:00 - 18:00 | Lynn Common, 111 North Common St., Lynn, MA, 01902, United States
Join the North Shore Juneteenth Association for a powerful and joyful Juneteenth Celebration on
Saturday, June 20th
from 2–6 PM
at The Lynn Common!
This community-centered event brings the North Shore together in recognition of Black American freedom, resilience, culture, and joy. Enjoy an afternoon filled with live music, delicious food, local vendors, and meaningful connection as we honor the legacy and impact of Juneteenth.
Come celebrate with us—bring your family, invite your friends, and be part of a day rooted in love, unity, and community pride. All are welcome!

Bubbles & Books Storytime
2026-07-01 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-08 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-15 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-22 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-07-29 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-08-05 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-08-12 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-08-19 10:00 - 11:30 | Hammond Castle Museum, 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Join us every Wednesday morning in July & August for Bubbles and Books on our seaside lawn!
Bubbles and Books is so much more than just storytime. It’s a seaside bubble party featuring stories, music, crafts, a light snack & even an outdoor scavenger hunt.
Doors open at 10:00 am, with bubbles and a craft, then the story & snacks begin about 10:20 am. We recommend you bring a cozy blanket for your little one to cuddle on while we enjoy the storybooks on the lawn. After storytime, enjoy more bubbles and end the morning with a kid-friendly scavenger hunt in front of the Museum.
Don’t forget sunscreen, and we encourage little ones to come dressed in their favorite crown, cape, or whatever makes them feel magical!
Tickets for this event are $10 for ages 8 to adults, and kids ages 7 and under are only $5. Hammond Castle Museum Member savings apply.
We recommend that you arrive 15 minutes early to allow enough time for the walk from the parking lot down to the Museum, then for the check-in process and the walk to the lawn. There are many stairs throughout the campus and inside the Museum. Strollers are not allowed in the Museum or on the Museum Grounds, and oversized baby carriers are not permitted in the Museum due to the many narrow passageways.
This ticket grants you access to the Bubbles & Books program, which will be held on the ocean-facing lawn. If you wish to tour the Museum after this program, ticket holders may purchase Self-Guided Tour tickets in the Museum Shop at a 20% discount. Little ones 4 and under enjoy FREE admission to guided and self-guided tours!
Rain or Shine. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. All proceeds from this program will support the restoration and preservation of the Museum.

Fireworks Cruise in Gloucester Harbor aboard the Wejack
2026-07-03 20:00 - 22:00 | Cape Ann Cruises, 63 ROGERS STREET, Gloucester, M, 01930, United States
Looking for an unforgettable way to celebrate Independence Day? Hop aboard the legendary 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. We offer the perfect blend of relaxation and excitement, with spacious decks for mingling, a fully stocked bar, and a friendly crew to ensure your comfort. Don’t miss this opportunity to create magical memories while celebrating Independence Day. Book your fireworks cruise today!
Return times are approximate
Limited Seating

Reading Frederick Douglass Together
2026-07-08 18:00 - 19:30 | Rocky Hill Meeting House, 4 Old Portsmouth Road, Amesbury, MA, 01913, United States
Each year, we come together to read and talk about Frederick Douglass’ influential address, “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” Join us at the Historic Rocky Hill Meeting House for an evening of community and reflection.

Culture Splash Returns to Rocky Neck for Its Sixth Season of Summer Arts Celebration
2026-07-09 16:00 - 19:00, 2026-07-16 16:00 - 19:00, 2026-07-23 16:00 - 19:00, 2026-07-30 16:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-06 16:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-13 16:00 - 19:00 | Rocky Neck
Gloucester, MA – Thursday nights come alive on Rocky Neck as Culture Splash returns for its sixth season, transforming Gloucester’s historic waterfront into a vibrant celebration of art, music, creativity, and community.
Running every Thursday evening from July 9 through August 27, Culture Splash invites residents and visitors alike to experience the Rocky Neck Cultural District in its most festive form. Galleries throw open their doors, artists welcome visitors into their studios, musicians fill the harbor air with live performances, and creative energy spills onto the streets along Gloucester’s iconic working waterfront.
Recognized as one of Cape Ann’s signature summer traditions, Culture Splash offers something for everyone. Visitors can enjoy gallery openings, artist demonstrations, poetry readings, live music, signature cocktails, waterfront dining, and opportunities to meet the artists who make Rocky Neck one of New England’s most celebrated creative communities.
Adding to the experience, a free water shuttle will once again connect stops at Solomon’s Landing and St. Peter’s Square to Rocky Neck, delivering guests directly to the heart of the festivities at 51 Rocky Neck Restaurant.
“Culture Splash captures everything that makes Rocky Neck special,” said Elizabeth Carey, Executive Director of Rocky Neck Art Colony. “It’s an evening where art, music, food, history, and community come together against the backdrop of Gloucester Harbor. Whether you’re a longtime local or visiting for the first time, it’s one of the most memorable ways to spend a summer evening in America’s Oldest Seaport.”
Presented by Rocky Neck Cultural District and its many community partners, Culture Splash continues to celebrate the rich artistic heritage of Rocky Neck while welcoming new audiences to explore galleries, discover local artists, and experience the unique character of Gloucester’s waterfront arts district.
Some highlights include: Ocean Alliance Drive-in Movie night July 2; Ristuben Jazz Trio on July 16 at Rocky Neck Cultural Center; Betrayal by Harold Pinter at Gloucester Stage Company on July 23; Coco Haze at Gallery RAG on July 30; Kevin Gallagher on August 6 at Gloucester Writers Center and Susan Lynn Demo at North Shore Art Association on August 20.
For a complete schedule of events, participating venues, featured artists, and shuttle information, visit the rockyneckartcolony.org or discovergloucester.com.

Black Picnic
2026-07-18 | Salem Willows Bandstand, 165 Fort Avenue, Robert Hayes Band Stand at Salem Willows, M, 01970, United States
Please join us for the 2026 Annual Historic Black Picnic. Full day of music and fun, cookout kid games and tournaments.. DJs and live performances.

Yankee Homecoming Kick Off Party
2026-07-25 17:00 - 21:00 | Cashman Park, Sally Snyder Way, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Yankee Homecoming Kick Off Party is our rebranded brewfest. Held Saturday July 25th from 5pm – 9pm this event is now family friendly and better then ever. Live music, food booths, kid games and over 20 sampling booths of beer, cider and malt beverages for our 21+ attendees
