North of Boston

Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe presents One Act Wonders
2025-12-18 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-12-17 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-12-16 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-12-15 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-12-14 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | 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.

Holiday Wreath Workshop and Wine Night
2025-12-18 18:30 - 21:00 | Marble Ridge Winery, Marbleridge Road 11, North Andover, M, 01845, United States
Spend an evening sipping, snacking, and getting creative at Marble Ridge Winery! Julie from Sweet Thistle Floral Design will guide you step-by-step as you craft your very own holiday wreath. Our customizable wreath bar lets you personalize your wreath with festive touches like fresh greenery, seasonal decorations, ribbons, and other natural decor. Enjoy your favorite Marble Ridge wines or specialty wine cocktails while nibbling on a delicious charcuterie cup from June & Honey Charcuterie.
Ticket includes your own wreath to customize at the wreath bar, a charcuterie cup from June & Honey Charcuterie, and one drink ticket for your favorite Marble Ridge wine or wine cocktail.
Gather your friends and make it a night of holiday fun!

Ornament Paint Night at Salisbury Beach Carousel
2025-12-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Salisbury Beach Carousel, 7 Broadway, Salisbury, MA, 01952, United States
All materials provided! Bring your own snacks and beverages.

The American Revolution: A story of the War in 28 Paintings
2025-12-18 12:00 - 20:00 | Cabot House, 117 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA, 01915, United States
1776 was more than a turning point; it marked the birth of a new world order. A bold line was drawn as ordinary people made extraordinary decisions, declaring independence from the most powerful empire on earth. Driven by youthful fire, they believed in the promise of liberty more than they feared the cost of pursuing it.
Historic Beverly proudly presents The American Revolution: A story of the War in 28 Paintings, a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition of artworks commissioned to illustrate Senator Henry Cabot Lodge Sr.’s landmark book.
These paintings are featured in Ken Burns’ upcoming documentary The American Revolution. The exhibit will be on display at the Cabot House from September 6, 2025 to July 4, 2026. Tickets are free and open to the public

Newburyport Art presents Hometown Stories Exhibition
2025-12-18 11:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-17 11:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-16 11:00 - 17:00 | Newburyport Art Association, 65 Water St, Newburyport, MA, 01950, United States
Newburyport Art (NAA) concludes its year of exhibitions with Members’ Hometown Stories and Great Marsh Meditations, a featured artist show by C. Max Schenk. Both exhibits run concurrently from December 5th to December 21st.
Hometown Stories asked artists to submit work inspired by their hometown, whether a place where they grew up or currently reside. Hometown Stories features work inspired by houses, landscapes, businesses, objects, abstractions, bodies of water, people, and more! The exhibition is on view in the first-floor Sargent Gallery.
Nationally recognized for his work in environmental conservation, education and advocacy,
C. Max Schenk’s worldview and photography are imbued with an appreciation of nature’s cyclical resonance in all things. His Great Marsh Meditations show is the expansion of two portfolios created in 2024, each image is exactly that – a meditation – and features scenes familiar to all who have wandered and marveled at the beauty of our coastal home – its broad gestures of landscape and the ephemeral tableaus created by wind, tide, and time. Great Marsh Meditations is possible through the generous support of the Dr. Kathleen Van Demark Fund for Great Marsh Artists. His show can be viewed in the first floor Hills Gallery.
Opening reception for both shows will be Saturday, December 6th from 4-6pm. The public is welcome to attend, meet some of the exhibiting artists, and enjoy light refreshments.
Additionally, NAA will be hosting free invitation night events! Join us on December 5th for Voices of Newburyport, December 12th for an indoor arts market and December 19th for canvas and ornament decorating! Thank you to the Institution for Savings for sponsoring the Voices of Newburyport.
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.

Mistletoe Madness
2025-12-18 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-17 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-16 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-15 10:00 - 17:00 | Downtown Rockport, 15 Dock Square, Rockport, 01966, United States
Mistletoe Madness is back for a second season! This year, all shoppers participating in Mistletoe Madness will be entered into one Grand Prize Drawing. From December 6 through December 31, 2025, shop at participating Rockport retailers, restaurants, theatres, and recreation spots for your chance to win big in our New Year’s Eve drawing for hundreds of dollars worth of local gift certificates.

Sawyer Free Library Launches Monthly Artist Program with Volume One Exhibition
2025-12-18 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-17 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-16 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-15 10:00 - 17:00 | M

Hammers on Stone: The Granite Industry on Cape Ann
2025-12-18 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-17 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
2025-12-18 09:00 - 15:30, 2025-12-17 09:00 - 15:30, 2025-12-16 09:00 - 15:30, 2025-12-15 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.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE by Tennessee Williams
2025-12-17 19:30 - 21:30 | Gloucester Stage Company, East Main Street 267, Gloucester, M, 01930, United States
Through Tom’s cinematic eyes, his family’s life isn’t the dream he imagined. In a rundown St. Louis apartment the matriarch, Amanda Wingfield, is desperately clinging to a past of parties and endless callers. Her adult children, Tom and Laura, become victims of her delusions as she pushes for Tom to provide for the struggling family and Laura to find a husband. The two seek solace in ways of escaping their mother and their own misery until a visit from a gentleman caller presents the possibility of new opportunities.
Renowned playwright Tennessee Williams opens the 2025 Season with this classic drama, directed by Doug Lockwood. Running from June 5 to 28, all performances are at Gloucester Stage’s Theater 267 East Main Street, Gloucester. Showtimes are Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays & Saturdays at 8:00pm, and matinees Saturdays & Sunday at 3:00pm.

Canadian Brass
2025-12-17 19:30 - 21:00 | Shalin Liu Performance Center, 37 Main Street, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
Celebrate the season with the world’s most famous brass ensemble! The incomparable Canadian Brass brings holiday cheer with dazzling virtuosity, festive favorites, and irresistible showmanship. From Baroque classics to beloved carols, their joyful performance promises laughter, warmth, and world-class musicianship for the whole family.

Jingle Bar: Holiday Pop-Up Bar
2025-12-17 18:00 - 21:00 | M
Jingle all the way to the harbor as our Holiday Pop-Up Bar returns this season on December 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 22nd from 6:00PM-9:00PM. Enjoy champagne, seasonal cocktails, light bites, festive décor, and live music in our oceanfront Grand Ballroom and Pavilion Rooms, with General Admission starting at $15 and upgraded premier seating available.

Gingerbread House Decorating Class at Salisbury Beach Carousel
2025-12-16 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-12-16 08:00 - 17:00 | Salisbury Beach Carousel, 7 Broadway, Salisbury, MA, 01952, United States
Sponsored by Baddass Brands. $95 per person Click here to purchase tickets – Cooking Classes with Chef Chrissy Dolan
