North of Boston

Hotel Transylvania
2026-10-31 11:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
Dracula’s luxurious monster resort is turned upside down when an unsuspecting human stumbles into Hotel Transylvania and falls for his daughter, Mavis. Packed with laugh-out-loud comedy, lovable characters, and spooky fun, this animated family favorite is a delight for audiences of all ages.

Sweet Halloween at Cider Hill Farm
2026-10-31 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-10-25 10:00 - 14:00, 2026-10-24 10:00 - 14:00 | Cider Hill Farm, 45 Fern Avenue, Amesbury, M, 01913, United States
Join us for a not-so-spooky, trick-or-treating experience brimming with sweet treats and boo-tiful fall foliage! Break out those adorable costumes and get ready for a fun, festive day at the farm.

Country Fair at Cider Hill Farm
2026-10-31 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-30 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-29 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-28 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-27 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-26 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-25 09:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-24 09:00 - 17:00 and 2 more dates | Cider Hill Farm, 45 Fern Avenue, Amesbury, M, 01913, United States
Join us Labor Day weekend for a quintessential New England celebration welcoming the season’s bountiful harvest! Enjoy summer apple picking, free tastings, hard cider, classic fair foods, fall flower cutting, old time-y games, free live music, tractor rides & more! See event schedule as we add more happenings to the line-up! Free admission (does not include pick-your-own tickets, food or drinks).

SAFETY 80'S - 21+ Halloween Show (The Late Show)
2026-10-30 20:00 - 23:00 | The Cut, 177 Main Street , Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
Costumes encouraged!
SAFETY is not your average 80’s band with 4 lead vocalists! Classic hits by Madonna • Prince • Cyndi Lauper • Devo • Talking Heads • Soft Cell • Janet Jackson • Culture Club • Human League • George Michael • The Cure • Depeche Mode • Joan Jett • Stevie Nicks • Eurythmics • Kim Wilde • Chaka Khan • Pretenders • The Cars • David Bowie • Billy Idol • The Go-Go’s • Pat Benatar and more!

East Nash Grass
2026-10-30 19:30 - 21:00 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
How did East Nash Grass follow up their 2024 International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) award for Best New Artist? By earning a nomination for Entertainer of the Year, IBMA’s highest honor, in 2025, and celebrating fiddler Maddie Denton’s win as Fiddler of the Year. In short, East Nash Grass have quickly established themselves as the fresh new face of Nashville’s storied bluegrass tradition, a supergroup of rising stars: Grand Master Fiddle champion Denton is joined by banjo player Cory Walker (banjo player on the five-time nominated “Carter & Cleveland” album this year, among numerous accolades), 2022 IBMA Momentum Instrumentalist of the Year Harry Clark, and new guitar player Frank Rische. This is an all-star band that harkens back to the sort of talent collected in the original Blue Grass Boys and a powerhouse leader of the next generation in bluegrass excellence.

Captain Elias Davis House Tour
2026-10-30 14:00 - 14:30, 2026-10-23 14:00 - 14:30 | Cape Ann Museum, 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, 01930, United States
What can a house tell us about the people who lived there?
Step inside the Capt. Elias Davis House and discover how architecture, craftsmanship, and everyday objects reveal the lives of one Gloucester family and the changing history of Cape Ann. This docent-led experience invites visitors to look closely at the details that transform a historic building into a story of community, commerce, and home.

Spiritualism Tours by Candlelight at Hammond Castle Museum
2026-10-29 18:00 - 23:30, 2026-10-22 18:00 - 23:30 | Hammond Castle Museum, 80 Hesperus Avenue, Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
From John Hays Hammond Jr.’s attempts to communicate with supernatural entities using a Faraday Cage to Irene Fenton Hammond’s extensive astrological writings under a mysterious pen name, this 55-minute, fully-guided specialty tour sets the stage for a fun and informative seasonal experience unlike any other. The dramatic, Gothic-inspired architecture of the Museum and the twilight atmosphere are enhanced by the light of handheld electronic lanterns throughout your tour.
New in 2026: Extended Hours and Midnight Tours
For the first time, Hammond Castle Museum is offering its popular Spiritualism Tours by Candlelight during extended late-night hours–including a midnight tour–on October 22nd and 29th—a one-of-a-kind experience for those celebrating the Halloween season on the North Shore!
Admission:
July, August, & September: $27.50.
October: $35.
Museum Member savings apply.
Please be mindful when processing your reservation to select the correct reservation date and corresponding admission price.

Josh Ritter
2026-10-28 19:30 - 21:00 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
A Book of Gold Thrown Open
Josh Ritter is a renowned singer, songwriter, musician, artist and best-selling author. One of today’s most thoughtful and prolific voices, he has released eleven studio albums including 2019’s widely acclaimed Fever Breaks of which NPR Music praised, “He remains a hydrant of ideas while embodying an endless capacity for empathy and indignation, often within a single song.”
“Josh Ritter remains at the top of his game two decades into a highlight-strewn career. He’d be forgiven for loosening his grip, but his hand has never felt surer.” NPR Music
His twelfth studio album I Believe in You, My Honeydew is out now. Two-plus decades into his celebrated career, Ritter has written music that has transcended generations including luminaries such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Bob Weir covering his songs.” The Book of Gold Thrown Open tour is meant to encompass the whole of Ritter’s career, versus focusing on any one studio album.
In addition to his work as a musician, Ritter is also a national best-selling author, having released two novels to date: 2021’s “The Great Glorious Goddamn of It All” and 2011’s “Bright’s Passage”. Released to critical attention, Stephen King wrote in The New York Times Book Review that “Bright’s Passage” shines with a compressed lyricism that recalls Ray Bradbury in his prime. This is the work of a gifted novelist.
“Josh Ritter remains at the top of his game two decades into a highlight-strewn career. He’d be forgiven for loosening his grip, but his hand has never felt surer.” NPR Music
“Harking back to Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and maybe a little Mark Knopfler, Mr. Ritter has always been a slinger of serious ideas and high-flown imagery.” The New York Times
“Mysterious, melancholy, melodic and those are only the M’s.” -Stephen King in Entertainment Weekly

Homeschool Adventures: Session 1
2026-10-27 13:00 - 16:00 | Appleton Farms, 219 County Road, Ipswich, MA, 01938, United States
Young explorers are invited to join us in September & October for a 4-part homeschool series that will get them active & moving with nature adventures, exercise, and outdoor skill building. While exploring Appleton Farms & the Crane Estate, participants complete active adventures & design challenges that will exercise both their body & mind. Some potential activities include kayaking, tide pooling, wetland exploration, orienteering, gardening, obstacle course design, and more!
This is a drop-off program that is open to ages 5-11 and will include small group activities based on age and peer mentoring opportunities between age groups.
The class takes place rain or shine, with as much time spent outdoors as possible. Students should arrive dressed for the weather and bring a lunch and water bottle.
Homeschool Adventures: Session 1- This 4-class series program takes place on Tuesday afternoons from 1-4pm on September 15, 22, 29 & October 6.
September 15: Tidepool & Shoreline Exploration at the Crane Estate
September 22: Kayaking Adventure at the Crane Estate
September 29: Ponding & Invasive Species Management at Appleton Farms
October 6: Obstacle Course Design Challenge at Appleton Farms
Tuition for the 4 classes is $275 for Trustees Members and $325 for nonmembers. Registration covers all listed session dates.

Draw The Line
2026-10-24 20:00 - 22:00 | Larcom Theatre, 13 Wallis Street, Beverly, MA, 01915, United States
Draw The Line blazes with 25+ years of homage to rock ‘n roll icons Aerosmith. As the world’s only officially endorsed Aerosmith Tribute Show, it’s earned nods from Aerosmith themselves, top DJs, journalists, and a global fan base.
They channel Aerosmith’s bluesy hard rock, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues with uncanny precision, belting out hits like “Walk this Way,” “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” and “Janie’s Got a Gun.” Lead singer Neill Byrnes, an MTV-recognized Steven Tyler look-alike, brings the magic to life.
This isn’t just a show; it’s a mind-blowing, high-caliber experience that’ll leave you wanting more. Don’t miss your chance to witness Draw The Line as they become Aerosmith, delivering an electrifying journey through rock history.
Thelarcom.org/drawtheline

Hawthorne Hotel Halloween Ball: Phobia
2026-10-24 19:30 - 2026-10-25 00:00 | Hawthorne Hotel, 18 Washington Sq. West, Salem, 01970, United States
The event, introduced in 1990 and hosted by the Hawthorne, features a live band and two djs, interactive experiences, a costume contest, stationed hors d’oeuvres and cash bars on three floors. Dance, people-watch, take selfies in front of our themed backdrops and enjoy being part of a premier bucket-list Halloween event.
The theme, Phobia, will transform classic phobias into a world of shadow, illusion and psychological suspense. This isn’t just about spiders! Think nystophobia (fear of darkness), thanatophobia (fear of death), glossophobia (fear of public speaking), spectrophobia (fear of mirrors) or chronophobia (fear of time passing.)

CAM Talk: From Clay to Bronze, The Making of the Seated Cat, by Robert Shure
2026-10-24 14:00 - 15:30 | Cape Ann Museum, 27 Pleasant Street, Gloucester, 01930, United States
CAM welcomes sculptor Robert Shure for an engaging gallery talk on the Seated Cat, his newly installed bronze in the Museum’s renovated courtyard, an enlargement of Katherine Lane Weems’ iconic work of the same name and modeled in 1941. Shure will reflect on his past work with Weems, the artistic dialogue that emerged between their two cats, and the meticulous sculptural process behind creating this magnificent piece for CAM’s campus. It is a chance to hear directly from the artist about the history, craft, and character embodied in this contemplative feline form.
Upon graduating from college, owner Robert Shure became an assistant at the traditional sculpture studio of Arcangelo Cascieri and Adio di Biccari. From the early 1970s through the 1980s, Shure helped produce many of the public monuments, sculptures, memorials, and restorations completed at the Cascieri-di Biccari studio. He became involved in all the specialties of the sculpture studio, including designing monuments and portraits, creating armatures, mold-making, casting in plaster, creating and replicating architectural ornament, and conserving and restoring plaster, stone, and bronze. As Cascieri and di Biccari gradually retired, Shure continued the tradition of the sculpture studio. In 1990, Shure moved the Cascieri-di Biccari studio to Woburn, Massachusetts and renamed it Skylight Studios. It is one of the largest and most active studios of its type in the country. Robert is currently creating many significant public and private monuments and sculptures. He has accumulated over 40 years of hands-on experience in the field of sculpture. His expertise ranges from the design and creation of monumental sculpture in bronze and granite to the conservation and restoration of historical sculpture and architectural ornament. Robert works with a worldwide clientele of communities, institutions, committees, architects, and museums.

41st Annual Essex Clamfest and Arts Crafts Festival
2026-10-24 11:00 - 16:00 | Shepard Memorail Park Essex MA, 24 Martin St., Essex, M, 01929, United States
11 AM-12 PM K-9 Demonstration by the Essex Police Department
11 AM-4 PM Local Artisans & Crafters
11 AM-4 PM Various Food Trucks
12 PM Beer Truck
12-1 PM Chowder Competition (While supplies last)
12-4 PM Face Painting, Reptiles & Kid’s Activities by CAVPT
12-2 PM Live Music by Uncharted Watahs
2-4 PM Live Music by Brick House
3 PM Chowder Competition Winners Announced!
Join us at the Essex ClamFest, Arts & Crafts Festival from 11 am to 4 pm in Shepard Memorial Park in Essex. Come taste Cape Ann’s finest chowders from Noon to 1 pm and vote for your favorite! (Tasting only while supplies last) Although the highlight of the day is the Chowder Tasting Competition, there is also a great variety of activities, including arts and crafts vendors, live entertainment and plenty of food vendors on-site!
Chowder Competition’s Participating Restaurants:
TBD
Food Vendors to include:
Essex Lions Club
The Lunch Lady Food Truck
Woodman’s on Wheels
*Also Featuring local brews from: Rockport Brewing
* Musical entertainment by: Uncharted Watahs and Brick House
* Kids Activities include: Face Painting by Miss Wendy and Cape Ann Vernal Pond reptiles!
* Over 40 Crafters, businesses, and Non-profit tables!
NON-PROFITS:
TBD
VENDORS:
TBD

Fall Fridays! Live Music & Hard Cider Series at Cider Hill Farm
2026-10-23 14:30 - 17:30 | Cider Hill Farm, 45 Fern Avenue, Amesbury, M, 01913, United States
Kick off each fall weekend from 9/4-10/23 with free live music from 2:30-5:30 pm. Enjoy the outdoor hard cider bar (non-alcoholic sparkling cider available) and grab some farm snacks in the farm store. The farm store is open daily until 6 pm. Apple picking open daily through mid October! See the music schedule: https://www.ciderhill.com/farm-events/live-music

Magic Hunks
2026-10-22 20:00 - 22:00 | The Cut, 177 Main Street , Gloucester, MA, 01930, United States
AUSTRALIA’S MAGIC HUNKS®
Experience the Thunder of Australia’s MAGIC HUNKS!
Get ready — the HOTTEST ladies night event of the year is coming to The Cut!!
This all-male dance revue will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish with heart-pumping music, chiseled bodies, seductive dance routines, cheeky humor, and that irresistible boy-next-door charm that makes hearts melt!
This isn’t a show you just sit and watch — MAGIC HUNKS® is a fully interactive experience that THUNDERS with excitement. So come get a little rambunctious and wild in an empowering, fun-filled atmosphere designed just for YOU!

Virtual Creative Foundations: Bill Crisafi
2026-10-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual, MA, United States
Join us for a virtual conversation and art making workshop featuring the campy, eerie talents of illustrator and artist Bill Crisafi. Hear him talk about his creative process and how he’s inspired by Salem, and enjoy a hands-on art lesson.
Crisafi was previously featured on the PEMcast, the museum’s podcast. Listen to the episode now.

Jerron Paxton and Dennis Lichtman
2026-10-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
Virtuoso multi-instrumentalists Jerron Paxton and Dennis Lichtman celebrate the roots of American music with an energetic blend of acoustic blues, ragtime, traditional jazz, Tin Pan Alley favorites, and original songs. Their masterful musicianship, rich storytelling, and infectious chemistry create an unforgettable concert honoring the enduring spirit of early American musical traditions.
Jerron Paxton and Dennis Lichtman are world-renowned multi-instrumentalists and vocalists whose formal musical partnership began with a video shoot, Just Cross the River From Queens, at the Louis Armstrong House Museum in 2017. Paxton and Lichtman recently released their first full-length duo recording. The duo were Artists-In-Residence at NYC’s Symphony Space for the 2024-25 season and have toured the US and internationally together since 2019.
Smithsonian Folkways recording artist Paxton presents Black folk music from nearly all the idioms that entails: stride piano jazz from New Orleans to New York; deep blues on guitar and harmonica; rural music from the beginnings of Black arrival in America played on fiddle and
banjo; ragtime; and other turn-of-the-century-music that gives the full breadth of pre-WWII Black music without lecturing, but rather inviting you to enjoy that music as it was given to him. Paxton transports his audiences not to a time, but to a state of mind that allows them to enjoy and internalize Black folk music, as has been the American experience for centuries.
Lichtman is a world-traveling bandleader who is best known for running the famed trad-jazz jam sessions at Mona’s Bar in New York City since 2007, which was described in the Wall Street Journal as “ground zero for an emerging late-night scene of young traditional jazz and swing players.” He is a masterful multi-instrumentalist (clarinet, mandolin, violin, and more) who has toured and recorded with David Byrne, The Lovestruck Balladeers, Pokey LaFarge, Ghost Train Orchestra, Jim Kweskin, and his own projects: The Brain Cloud, Mona’s Hot Four,
and his newest all-original album Secret Workshop.
Paxton and Lichtman’s mutual love of the history, stories, and significance behind the music they play is apparent as they romp through an energetic and engaging set of acoustic blues, ragtime, Tin Pan Alley pop songs, 1920s jazz, twin fiddle hoe-downs, and original songs and compositions.
