North of Boston

Sawyer Free Library Launches Monthly Artist Program with Volume One Exhibition
2025-12-03 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-02 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-01 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-11-29 10:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | MA

Hammers on Stone: The Granite Industry on Cape Ann
2025-12-03 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-11-30 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-11-29 10:00 - 17:00 | Cape Ann Museum Green, 13 Poplar Street, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
For over a century, the granite industry played a vital role in Cape Ann’s economy, providing work for men from across New England and around the world, generating profits for those fortunate enough to share in ownership of the region’s many quarries, and contributing to the unique and authentic sense of place that characterizes Cape Ann today. On a broader scale, the industry contributed significantly to building and transportation projects across our nation during a sustained period of growth and expansion.
Drawing on the Cape Ann Museum’s extensive holdings of objects and archival materials related to the industry, most of which were gifted to the Cape Ann Museum by historian Barbara Erkkila (1918-2013), Hammers on Stone will explore the history of the granite trade and its impact on the community. The exhibition will examine methods of harvesting, cutting, and finishing stone, as well as how granite was transported from quarry to wharf and further afield. The exhibit will also explore the lives of those involved in quarrying and consider how the industry helped shape Cape Ann’s artistic landscape, inspiring generations of artists to the present day.
Image: Samuel Lewis Pullman (1900-1961), Quarryman Joe Boston, 1930, oil on canvas. Collection of the Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester, MA. Gift of Abner and Miriam (Pullman) Diamond, 1994. (1994.036.001).

Deck the Halls at Hammond Castle Museum
2025-12-03 09:00 - 15:30, 2025-12-02 09:00 - 15:30, 2025-12-01 09:00 - 15:30, 2025-11-30 09:00 - 15:30, 2025-11-29 09:00 - 15:30 | Hammond Castle Museum, 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Join us for the 2025 Holiday Season as we proudly present our 7th annual “Deck The Halls” holiday celebration!
Travel back in time to a castle filled with lush, opulent textures inspired by the great medieval and Renaissance castles of Europe. Wander through rooms adorned with White Birch and Christmas trees, sparkling fairy lights, hydrangea-lace garlands, and elegant bows, each space transformed with its own unique holiday theme. From nature’s bounty of fruits and greenery to the warm glow of candlelight, every detail creates a true feast for the senses. Along the way, you will encounter a royal guard of nutcrackers standing watch over a gingerbread house replica of the castle. Keep an eye out for playful elves and gnomes who are up to mischief—great fun for little ones! This year, the celebration will also shine with the glow of two menorahs on display, honoring the traditions of Hanukkah within the Museum’s holiday splendor.
For the first time, we are pleased to feature design elements created in partnership with Elaine Quinn Interiors, a boutique residential interior design firm based in Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, bringing fresh inspiration and artistry to this year’s holiday presentation.
In addition to the holiday installation, guests will also have the opportunity to experience the Hammond in Italy temporary exhibition, which highlights John Hays Hammond Jr.’s time abroad and the profound influence Italian art and architecture had on his vision for the castle.
For an even more enchanting experience, join us for Deck the Halls by Candlelight on Thursday evenings throughout December. These extended-hour tours invite guests to explore the Museum after dark, when the holiday décor glows with flickering candlelight and twinkling lights, creating a truly magical atmosphere.
Guests should plan for approximately 60 minutes in total to take in the full holiday grandeur.

First Wednesdays at Wenham Museum
2025-12-03 08:00 - 17:00 | Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Route 1A, Wenham, MA, 01984, United States
We’re open late!
Visit Wenham Museum on the first Wednesday of the month and enjoy extended evening hours and free admission from 4 to 6 PM! Bring the whole family and explore our beloved model train gallery, vintage toy collections, and hands-on history exhibits after school or work. It’s a perfect midweek museum adventure!
PLUS: Visitors on November 5 will enjoy an opening celebration for a playful new exhibit in the Family Discovery Gallery, where imagination takes center stage!

Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe presents One Act Wonders
2025-12-02 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-12-01 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-11-30 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-11-29 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-11-28 19:30 - 21:30 | Gloucester Stage, 267 East Main St., Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe presents “One-Act Wonders”, a program of four modern one-act plays exploring boundaries, loyalties, and the absurdities of life. The program will run for four performances only, at Gloucester Stage Theater, April 17th (7:30pm) 18th (7:30pm), and 19th (3pm + 7:30pm). Tickets are $28.

Deck the Halls: Open House at Beauport Hotel
2025-12-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Beauport Hotel Gloucester, 55 Commercial Street, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Let the magic of the holidays welcome you the moment you arrive! Join us on Tuesday, December 2nd, from 5:00PM-8:00PM, as Beauport Hotel transforms into a seaside winter wonderland. Enjoy live holiday entertainment, festive passed hors d’oeuvres, a special sweets table, and a cozy hot chocolate bar in the lobby. Experience holiday magic by the harbor, where the season shines brightest. Looking to join us for dinner during Deck the Halls? Reserve at table at 1606 Restaurant & Oyster Bar.

Annual Beverly Holiday Parade
2025-11-30 13:00 - 15:00 | MA
A Beverly tradition since 1947, it includes floats, music, candy and Santa. Check it out!

Rocky Neck Art Colony Member Showcase
2025-11-30 12:00 - 17:00, 2025-11-29 12:00 - 17:00 | The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck, 6 Wonson Street, Gloucester, M, 01930, United States
Member Showcase is Rocky Neck Art Colony’s final exhibition of the season featuring seven distinctive bodies of work by RNAC members – John Bassett, Michelle Champion, Eser Costanza, Joanne Hurd, Patricia Scialo, Brian Murphy, R. D. Murphy – selected by juror Shana Dumont Garr. This is exhibit is on display at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck through December 7. Gallery hours are Friday to Sunday, from 12pm to 5pm.
Dumont Garr selected works that “possess remarkable vibrancy of color, composition, and method. Some of this vibrancy emerges through palette and medium; others through a sense of whimsy or the handmade.” This exhibition celebrates artistic excellence and innovation across a wide range of media and subjects. By featuring more work from fewer artists, Member Showcase invites viewers to engage more deeply with each artist’s vision and process.

Self-Guided Fall Orchard Walk at Cider Hill Farm
2025-11-30 08:00 - 14:00, 2025-11-29 08:00 - 14:00 | Cider Hill Farm, 45 Fern Avenue, Amesbury, M, 01913, United States
Bundle up and get out amongst the farm’s 10,000 fruit trees. Enjoy the fresh air and views as you walk through the orchards. Open Saturdays and Sundays 8 a.m. – 2 p.m from Saturday 11/1 – Sunday 11/30. FREE. No registration required. Closed weekdays and weekend afternoons. We want you to have a beautiful space to come and be! Area closures possible.
The farm store is open daily 8 am – 6 pm through December 14.

Zane Christopher at The Cut
2025-11-29 20:00 - 23:00 | The Cut, 177 Main Street , Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Zane Christopher is a 25-year-old singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn, NY. Raised on the Northshore in Beverly, MA, his music plays true to his roots. Before music, he played hockey, and even worked as a lobsterman in high school. He released his debut single “Road Song” in 2020 garnering positive reactions from the masses and 4 million listens. Since then, Zane has put out 10 singles, and his album Awaken comes out in January. He nearly sold out The Cut last year in December and is back with his band Friday, November 29th 2025!
Genre: Alternative/Indie

REWRITE THE STARS: AN EVENING OF TIMELESS DUETS
2025-11-29 19:00 - 20:30 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
Featuring Jacyn Tremblay & Thom Smoker
Celebrate iconic musical pairings in this feel-good evening of legendary duets from Broadway, film, and pop. From Marvin Gaye and Lady Gaga to Ariana Grande, Elton John, and Sonny & Cher, this show brings the music of beloved duos to life with powerful vocals, undeniable chemistry, and a little audience fun along the way. Jacyn and Thom have shared the stage for years, and this concert is all about joy, connection, and timeless tunes.

Newburyport Art presents Abstracts!
2025-11-29 11:00 - 17:00 | Newburyport Art Association, 65 Water St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Newburyport Art (NAA) announces the Abstracts! exhibition with a dazzling and thought-provoking collection of varied mediums, textures, colors and perceptions. This show takes place in the first-floor Sargent Gallery as well as the second-floor Hartson Gallery.
Abstraction is many things. It is an adjective, a noun and sometimes even a verb!
It invites the viewer to interpret form, shape, space and meaning. We entice you to explore your understanding of this particular form of art.
The exhibition coincides with Newburyport Art’s Featured Interest Group, Abstract Artists of New England (AAGNE) show, on view in the first floor Hills Gallery.
Opening reception for both shows will be this Saturday, November 8th from 4-6pm. The public is welcome to attend, meet some of the exhibiting artists, and enjoy light refreshments.
Also featured are Spotlight Artists, Perry McIntosh and Christine Sanford.
Founded in 1948, Newburyport Art is dedicated to promoting and exhibiting members’ work and to providing art education and access to the visual arts for the entire community.
The galleries are free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00am–5:00pm, Sunday from 1:00pm–5:00pm and is handicap accessible. All works are for sale. More information, as well as an online gallery is available at newburyportart.org.

Maple Strolls at Appleton Farms
2025-11-29 11:00 - 14:30 | Appleton Farms, 219 County Road, Ipswich, MA, 01938, United States
Sessions start at: 11, 12:15 & 1:30 Trustees Members $12/Nonmembers $20
Visit the historic maple stand and sugar shack at Appleton Farms and learn all about maple sugaring, its history at the farm and in New England, and how you can try your hand at it at home!
Experience a leisurely stroll along our country farm roads and past several historic landscapes to our Appleton maple grove. You’ll learn some of the history of maple sugaring as well as the science behind what makes maple sap run in our trees. The stroll concludes with a visit to our sugar shack where you will see firsthand how we turn the collected sap into our delicious Appleton maple syrup!
Be sure to wear weather appropriate clothing and boots or shoes that are appropriate for hiking in potentially wet and muddy spots or over uneven hilly terrain. All Maple Strolls are weather permitting and will last approximately 1 hour, walking much of that time. We welcome all ages; however, information is geared towards those 10 and up. Have smaller kids? Check out our family geared maple programming, Maple in the Barnyard!
Space is limited for this event and pre-registration is strongly recommended.
We will have a food station open selling maple baked goods, snacks and treats from 12-3pm by the sugar shack. Make sure to stop by! No pizza service will be available. The Farm Store is open 10am-4pm where you can buy our very own syrup. Make sure to stop by!

Children's Maple in the Barnyard at Appleton Farms, Ipswich, MA
2025-11-29 10:45 - 15:00 | Appleton Farms, 219 County Road, Ipswich, MA, 01938, United States
Sessions @ 10:45-11:30; 12-12:45; 1-1:45; 2:15-3:00
Trustees Member Adult: $9; Trustees Member Child: $9;
Nonmember Adult: $15; Nonmember Child: $15;
Children under 2 are free
Maple Season is here! This special program for ages 3-11 & their families will focus on the magic of maple from start to finish. We will discover this tradition by observing trees, tasting sap, learning the tools involved, and finally, tasting the sweet product. We will make sure to have time to visit our barnyard animals!
This program is for families and will last approximately 45 minutes. Please dress for the weather as the program is held outdoors. Children over 12 may be better suited for our Adult Maple Strolls as the information at Maple in the Barnyard is geared towards a younger audience, however, all are welcome.
Looking for a more adult tour? Sign up for our Adult Maple Stroll instead!
Space is limited for this event and pre-registration is strongly recommended.
We will have a food station open selling maple baked goods, snacks and treats from 11:30-3pm by the sugar shack. The Farm Store is open 10am-4pm where you can buy our very own syrup. Make sure to stop by!

Rhythm of The Saints Tribute to Paul Simon
2025-11-28 20:00 - 23:00 | The Cut, 177 Main Street , Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
ADVANCE
Reserved Seating $35 + $6.95 service fee
GA Standing $20 + $6.95 service fee
DAY OF SHOW
Reserved Seating $45 + $6.95 service fee
GA Standing $30 + $6.95 service fee
7:00pm doors / 8:00pm show
All Ages, Positive I.D. Required, under 18 must be accompanied by legal guardian
Rhythm of the Saints: Tribute to Paul Simon is a richly textured tribute show led by guitarist and vocalist Gary Backstrom, formerly of the influential jamband Jiggle the Handle. Featuring an all‑star lineup—including members of Heavy Metal Horns, Drop Nineteens, and The Grass Gypsys—the seven‑piece ensemble brings Paul Simon’s eclectic catalog to vibrant life, spanning the soulful rhythms of Graceland and the percussion-forward textures of the original Rhythm of the Saints album.
Gary Backstrom Band is a powerhouse Boston-based ensemble led by guitarist and vocalist
Gary Backstrom, whose musical journey began in the late ’80s with the influential jam band
Jiggle the Handle (1989–2001) . Known for blending rock, soul, funk, jazz, and Latin grooves
into tight, unpredictable live performances, the band showcases Backstrom’s melodic
fluency and deft songwriting. With its multi-genre reach and rooted improvisational energy,
the Gary Backstrom Band furthers Backstrom’s legacy as one of the Northeast’s most
engaging live performers.
