Heritage

Saint Peter's Fiesta | Sunday

Sunday at Saint Peter's Fiesta is focused on Ceremony and Tradition including the blessing of the fleet in Gloucester Harbor!

The Saint Peter's Fiesta is an annual festival in Gloucester, Massachusetts celebrating the city's fishing heritage, close-knit families, community, and religious traditions.  The five-day celebration includes a carnival, live entertainment, and unique traditional events like the infamous 'Greasy Pole' contest and classic seine boat races. The festival is proudly sponsored by the Italian-American fishing community of Gloucester, and has all kinds of family-oriented activities and events, making it a great early Summer destination weekend event.

When: 
Sunday, June 29, 2025 10am-Midnight

Saint Peter's Fiesta | Thursday

Wednesday night is the unofficial 1st night of Saint Peter's Fiesta in Glouceste

The Saint Peter's Fiesta is an annual festival in Gloucester, Massachusetts celebrating the city's fishing heritage, close-knit families, community, and religious traditions.  The five-day celebration includes a carnival, live entertainment, and unique traditional events like the infamous 'Greasy Pole' contest and classic seine boat races. The festival is proudly sponsored by the Italian-American fishing community of Gloucester, and has all kinds of family-oriented activities and events, making it a great early Summer destination weekend event.

When: 
Thursday, June 26, 2025 6:30-11pm

Saint Peter's Fiesta | Wednesday | Opening Night

Wednesday night is the unofficial 1st night of Saint Peter's Fiesta celebration in Gloucester Massachusetts

The Saint Peter's Fiesta is an annual festival in Gloucester, Massachusetts celebrating the city's fishing heritage, close-knit families, community, and religious traditions.  The five-day celebration includes a carnival, live entertainment, and unique traditional events like the infamous 'Greasy Pole' contest and classic seine boat races. The festival is proudly sponsored by the Italian-American fishing community of Gloucester, and has all kinds of family-oriented activities and events, making it a great early Summer destination weekend event.

When: 
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 5-10pm

Abenaki Storytelling at the Farm

Come to Appleton Farms in Ipswich Massaschusetts for a story telling session that celebrate the indegenous people of the North Shore.

Traditional Native American storyteller and historian of European and Abenaki heritage, Anne Jennison will give a performance of Traditional Abenaki stories at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, MA at 1PM. The Crane Estate sits on part of the land also known as Agawam, within the traditional lands of the Pennacook Abenaki confederacy. The Abenaki Peoples have an ancient history and rich cultural heritage, including a vast legacy of stories. Traditional Abenaki stories were, and are, meant for audiences of all ages – the entire community. The stories tell of the world’s creation, the creation of the aki (the land), the nebi (the water), the first awaasak (animal people), the first alnobak (human beings), and teach us how to live in balance with one another. The stories are filled with action, drama, wonder, and even moments of humor.

When: 
Saturday, October 26, 2024 1-2:30pm
Location: 

Friendship of Salem Open-Ship Hours

Experience 400 Years of Maritime History aboard the Tall Ship Friendship at Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!

Presented by the Salem Maritime National Historic Site,explore the FRIENDSHIP OF SALEM, a replica tall ship based on a 1796 Salem vessel. Learn about the voyages of the original FRIENDSHIP and the lives of the crewmembers onboard. The two-decked, three-masted, square-rigged, 342-ton vessel represents New England’s influential role in the development of global and domestic maritime trade.

When: 
Saturdays & Sundays thru August 2, 2024 1-4pm

Essex Arts & Culture Festival

Come join in this vibrant celebration of Essex Massachusetts' culture, heritage and artistic spirit.

Celebrate creativity at the Essex Arts and Culture Festival, brought to you by the Essex River Cultural District and hosted at the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum. Enjoy a day of art, culture and family fun! Come join in this vibrant celebration of Essex's culture, heritage and artistic spirit.

You'll find:

  • Artist Demos
  • Shipbuilding
  • Kid's Fun
  • Exhibitions
  • Food
  • Music
When: 
Saturday, June 22, 2024 11am-6pm

G400+ A Celebration of Place Heritage Festival

Gloucester Massachusetts' Celebration of Place, community, diversity, heritage and culture at Stage Fort Park

Free to the public and hosted at Stage Fort Park, the G400+ A Celebration of Place 2-day extravaganza will showcase the rich and diverse cultural history of Gloucester. Festivities will include performances from local singer-songwriters, cultural dance performances, including those by the Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers, a collaborative community art project, and booths representative of our cultural communities.

When: 
Saturday, October 7, 2023 10am-5pm
Sunday, October 8, 2023 10am-5pm
Location: 

Maritime History Walking Tour

Learn about 400 Years of Maritime History on a walking tour at Derby Wharf in Salem Massachusetts!

Join the Salem Maritime National Historic Site for a 30-minute walking tour on the grounds of Salem Maritime National Historic Site. During the tour, learn about Salem’s rich maritime history, from its earliest days as a fishing village to the height of its global trade empire. Explore the historic wharves and buildings along Salem Harbor. Part of Trails & Sails.

When: 
Saturdays, September 16 & 23, 2023 10:30-11am
Sundays, September 17 & 24, 2023 10:30-11am

Merrimack Valley Ship Model Show

Newburyport Yankee Homecoming Merrimack Valley Ship Model Show

The Merrimack Valley Ship Model club will exhibit a wide range and variety of ship models displaying tiny miniatures, and modest rowing craft in contrast with ocean going vessels. MVSMC members will be at the exhibit demonstrating modeling techniques and sharing back ground stories about the models on display.

When: 
July 29 - August 5, 2023 10am-5pm

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Appleton Farms offers great farm-based Vacation Week Programs for kids ages 5-11

Maudslay in Bloom Self-Guided Walk

 Maudslay in Bloom self guided walk at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport Massachusetts.
Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, Massachusetts, offers a delightful self-guided walk that is perfect for families with children. The park's 480-acre expanse, once the Moseley Estate, is rich with historical charm and natural beauty. Families can embark on a self-guided tour through lush...
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works Park Grounds & Estuary Walk

Take a hike along the Saugus River Estuary ande explore the Saugus Iron Works Park grounds in Massachusetts
Learn about the natural world in Saugus while ecploring the park ground ast the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site in Massachusetts.
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Kids will enjoy this tour of the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry with a focus on its stone-cutting history!
Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!
7:00 am to 6:00 pm

Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit at Pingree School

Pingree School in Hmailton Massachusetts hosts their annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture exhibit each Fall. Sculpture: Phoenix by Robin Tost.
Pingree School hosts the 16th annual Flying Horse Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit on their campus in South Hamilton, Massachusetts .
8:00 am to 6:00 pm

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a self guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Crescent Farm Corn Maze

Crescent Farm corn maze in Haverhill Massachusetts
Imagine the biggest puzzle you’ve ever seen. Now imagine a day in the sunshine with your friends or family. Now add an adventure that takes teamwork and memory skills. All these things and more can be found at Crescent Farms Corn Maze. Crescent Farm Corn Maze trails cut into 9 acres of corn. Inside...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Saugus Iron Works House Tours

Free Ranger guided tours of the Saugus Iron Works House in Massachusetts
Join National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a 30-minute tour of The Iron Works House.
11:00 am

Saugus Iron Works Tours

Free Ranger guided tours at Saugus Iron Works Colonial Industrial Site in Massachusetts
Join the National Park staff at Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site for a tour of the colonial industrial site. On select days, you may be able to stick around and witness pop-up molten iron pour, blacksmithing, waterwheel demonstrations, and take part in hands-on river stewardship activities.
2:00 pm

Happy as a Clam 5k & Kid Fun Run

The Happy as a Clam Road Race invites children and families to race in Essex
The 15th Happy as a Clam 5k Race, Walk and Fun Dashes - powered by Great Marsh Brew Co, our exclusive Flagship Sponsor - is Friday, September 15, 2023!  This event is open to anyone who wants to support a community school and all the wonderful enrichment programs the students hope to enjoy...
5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Saturday, September 13

Salem Witch Hunt Walking Tour

Learn about the true reality of the Salem Massachusetts Witch Trials Salem Massachusetts on a self guided walking tour with Essex Heritage
This self-guided walking tour is designed to help explain the true history behind the Salem Witch Trials. After more than three centuries of storytelling through countless books, movies, and television shows, the line between historical fact and dramatic fiction has become increasingly blurred....
9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Crescent Farm Corn Maze

Crescent Farm corn maze in Haverhill Massachusetts
Imagine the biggest puzzle you’ve ever seen. Now imagine a day in the sunshine with your friends or family. Now add an adventure that takes teamwork and memory skills. All these things and more can be found at Crescent Farms Corn Maze. Crescent Farm Corn Maze trails cut into 9 acres of corn. Inside...
9:00 am to 9:00 pm

Maritime Adventure Days

Maritime Adventure Free Days at Custom House Maritime Museum Newburyport Massachusetts
Maritime Adventure Free Days offers families and kids a unique opportunity to explore maritime history through interactive activities, guided tours, and hands-on workshops. A day of fun and discovery at the Custom House Maritime Museum for the family.
9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Winter Island Tour

Explore the marine creatures that inhabit the tidepool on the rocky shore at Winter Island, Salem Massachusetts
Explore the marine creatures that inhabit the tidepool on the rocky shore! Salem Sound Coastwatch staff will bring buckets, nets, and ID guides and help you identify what we find. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes (no open toes) that can get wet and traverse slippery rocks.
9:30 am to 10:30 am

Blacksmithing Saturday at the Essex Company Forge

Lawrence History Center hosts a day of blacksmithing at the Essex Company Forge in Massachusetts!
Step back in time with us for a day of blacksmithing at the Essex Company forge, the company that built the city of Lawrence! Blacksmith Richard Wright will be demonstrating the craft of traditional blacksmithing methods, forging both iron and mild steel to create items for practical use in our...
9:30 am to 1:30 pm

Step Inside the Historic Custom House

Take in the views of this prominent building where Nathaniel Hawthorne once worked and the U.S. Custom Service operated. This Custom House was built in 1819 and housed offices for the officers of the U.S. Customs Service, as well as an attached warehouse, the Public Stores, used for the storage of...
9:30 am to 4:30 pm

Marini Farm Corn Maze

The 2025 Marini Farm Corn Maze in Ipswich Massachusetts is themed for The Wizard of Oz
Come to Marini Farm for a fun journey through our corn maze! The Maze Park, corn maze, farm stand, bakery and other attractions provide a great destination for kids birthday parties, school trips, corporate team building, scout outings, and family activities. Marini Farm is located in beautiful...
10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Kite Day at Cogswell's Grant

Kite Day at Cogswell Grant is a wonderful fall afternoon event for North Shore families
Come fly a kite at Cogswell's Grant in Essex Massachusetts! Bring your own kite or build one of your own, and watch professional kite flyers from Kites Over New England. Kite-building workshops will be held with all materials included, where kids and adults can make their own kites and learn how to...
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Visit the Manchester-by-the-Sea Museum

Manchester-by-the-Seab Museum tours in Massachusetts. A Trails and Sails event.
Discover Manchester-by-the-Sea’s history, architecture & art through our exhibits, tours & collections.
10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Waterpower at the Saugus Iron Works Tour

Free Ranger guided tours at Saugus Iron Works Colonial Industrial Site in Massachusetts
How did water drive early industries in colonial Massachusetts? Join a park ranger for a special tour focused on waterpower at the Saugus Iron Works in Massachusetts. Hear the crash of the hammer and the bang of the bellows as we demonstrate a variety of waterwheels at the Iron Works. Learn how...
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
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