Story Telling

Lunar New Year Festival at PEM

Families can celebrate the Lunar New Year at Peabody Essex Museum in Salem Massachusetts!

Join PEM as they celebrate the Lunar New Year | The Year of the Horse! Come welcome the Year of the Horse with a vibrant festival heralding new beginnings and the coming of spring! Enjoy a scavenger hunt, art making and guided tours of Yin Yu Tang. Lunar New Year is celebrated in many Asian countries, including China, Vietnam, Korea, Singapore and Malaysia. While some traditions are shared across countries, others are unique to one region, community or national cultural identity. Our programming this year focuses on Chinese cultural traditions.

When:

Saturday, February 21, 2026 10am-5pm

Location:

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Rockport New Year's Eve 2025

Family Friendly New Year's Eve celebration for kids and families in Rockport Massachusetts.

Rockport New Year’s Eve (RNYE) is a family-friendly year-end celebration of the arts held in downtown Rockport, Massachusetts annually since 1996. Halls, churches, town offices, and some streets are taken over by happy revelers celebrating the New Year.

When:

Wenesday, December 31, 2025 4pm-Midnight

Location:

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Maudslay is Haunted

Maudslay is Haunted is a North Shore Kid favorite! Theater in the Open’s notorious annual haunting of Maudslay invites you to join a cast of all ages for a one-hour walk through eerie vignettes, spooky sketches and haunting scenes, all in the autumn grandeur of Maudslay State Park in Newburyport. Bring the whole family for a variety of tricks and treats, this family event is intended for all ages.

When:

Saturday, October 18, 2024 1:30-4pm

Sunday, October 19, 2024 1:30-4pm

Rain Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025 1:30-4pm

Location:

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Kidleidoscope

Maudslay State Park has created this program for their youngest crowd! The park interpreter will lead a weekly nature themed preschool aged program that involves a story time and outdoor exploration of Maudslay trails and gardens!

When:

Thursdays through September 2025 10-11am

Location:

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Firefly Foray

Come Explore Maudslay State Park on a Firefly Expedition in Newburyport Massachusetts!

You’ve always wanted to know about those flashing insects who come out at night. Here’s your chance! Learn about the life of a firefly, then go on a walk to observe firefly behavior and see them close up. Bring a net or jar to catch (and release) fireflies.

When:

Fridays, June 20 & 27, 2025 8:30-9:30pm

Saturdays, July 21 & 28, 2025 8:30-9:30pm

Location:

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Children's Festival in Marblehead

The Children's Festival is just one event of many in the Marblehead Festival of the Arts

The Children's Festival is a fun-filled program of arts and activities designed especially for children aged ten years and younger. All activities are free of charge, providing an excellent opportunity for young children to explore their creativity and engage in interactive fun. It is important to note that all children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

When:

Saturday, July 5, 2025 10am-1pm

Location:

Marblehead Festival of the Arts

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Pajama Story Time at Danvers Public Library

Kids are invited to the pajama time book reading at the Public Library in Danvers Massachusetts.

Wear your jammies and join us for some stories and rhymes! Ages 0-7 with a parent or caregiver.

When:

Monday, March 31, 2025 6:30-7pm

Location:

Peabody Institute Library - Danvers

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February School Vacation at Bradley Palmer

Bradley Palmer State Park has some great acitivities for kids during February vacation week in Massachusetts

Bradley Palmer State Park is located at 40 Asbury St. in Topsfield. All programs are free and open to the public. Reasonable accommodations upon request. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Events outside may include rough, uneven trails that contain ice and snow, warm clothing and sturdy footwear are recommended. Inclement weather cancels events.

When:

Daily Febraury 16-20, 2025

Location:

Bradley Palmer State Park

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Polar Express at the Cabot

Join Santa for a Polar Express themed Christmas Party at the Cabot Theater in Beverly Massachusetts

Join us Sunday, December 8, for this cherished holiday tradition. Bring the family to meet Santa, play games, and relish the timeless Christmas tale, “The Polar Express,” on the big screen. This event is in support of The Isabella Marino Charitable Fund. Don’t forget to wear your coziest PJs! Grab your tickets today before this popular event sells out! A special thank you to Josie and Rich Marino for bringing this magical day to our community!

When:

Sunday, December 8, 2024 Noon-3:30pm

Location:

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MLK Day at PEM

Peabody Essex Museum offers free admission on Martin Luther King Day in Salem Massachusetts. Image: Luis Martin, Harvest of Perpetuity, 2016. © Luis Martin/The Art Engineer, 2016.

Join us as we celebrate the legacy and leadership of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with free admission to the museum! Come explore America, A Hymnal, David Boxer’s The Black Books, Alison Saar’s Weight and other works that examine social justice, identity and freedom across the generations.

When:

Monday, January 20, 2025 10am-5pm

Location:

Martin Luther King Day

Story Telling

Craft

Activity

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Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

The Boston Bruins will be hosting their 19th annual PJ Drive with the goal of collecting 10,000 pairs of pajamas from February 1st - March 15th, 2026. The drive will benefit Cradles to Crayons and Wonderfund MA, two non-profits that ensure positive living conditions for children. Local businesses...

7:00 am to 9:00 pm

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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Wonderful Winter Birding

Halibut Point State Park, along the Atlantic migratory path, is an excellent locale for winter birding species you rarely see anywhere else.Winter brings birds and ducks from frozen ponds up north to our seashore. See Harlequin ducks and loons among the winter visitors at this rocky coastal water’s...

Where: Halibut Point State Park

8:00 am to 10:00 am

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LEGO World: Wonderealms

This all-new experience invites visitors to explore an extraordinary LEGO world where creativity knows no bounds. From enchanted forests and futuristic skylines to pirate coves and steam-powered frontiers, each realm is packed with intricate details, playful surprises, and clever touches you won’t...

Where: Wenham Museum

9:00 am to 4:00 pm

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Quarry Quest Treasure Hunt

Enjoy an outdoor treasure hunt at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations during February Vacation! Halibut Point State Park invites kids and families to follow clues then unscramble to find a treasure box!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

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StoryWalk at Halibut Point

Enjoy this pre-school StoryWalk® at your leisure with the younger set and combine reading and time in nature! StoryWalk®! Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming. Self-guided reading pages posted along a lovely Park trail near the visitor center. Connect with nature and each other while enjoying the...

Where: Maudslay State Park

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

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February Vacation at MIT Museum

Come on your own, with friends, or bring the whole family to the museum for a special week of programming. The museum has a number of activities planned for the week of February 14-22, including extended Maker Hub and Learning Lab hours, tours, gallery cart demos and family workshops. With the...

Where: MIT Museum

10:00 am to 5:00 pm

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Watching the Coastal Edge at Halibut Point

Meet at the Halibut Point State Park visitors center to learn about the role Halibut Point has played in America’s military history. One day after the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, U.S.

Where: Halibut Point State Park

11:00 am to 12:30 pm

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CraneOutdoors: Family Winter Wildlife Walk

A CraneOutdoors Family Winter Wildlife Walk will take you on a stroll through the Crane Beach dunes while learning about the plants and animals that call this special place home. You may be familiar with Crane Beach, but have you ever visited the dune trails? The dunes of Castle Neck are a much...

Where: Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate

1:00 pm to 3:30 pm

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Sunday STEAM Club at North Shore Children's Museum

Join in on Sundays at 2:30 for STEAM Club for ages 5-11. Each week participants will explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math with our NSCM staff! Every STEAM club session will see your kids participating in hands-on activities while exploring a new topic. Space is limited, please...

Where: North Shore Children's Museum

2:30 pm to 4:00 pm

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Monday, February 16

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

7:00 am to 9:00 pm

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Babson Farm Quarry Self-guided Walking Tour at Halibut Point

Take a self guided tour at one of Massachusetts most beautiful locations!

Where: Halibut Point State Park

7:00 am to 6:00 pm

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February Vacation Programs for Kids at Danvers YMCA

Looking for fun plans during February vacation week? The Danvers YMCA is hosting Vacation Break Adventures from February 16–20, offering a full week of engaging, hands-on activities for kids. There are themed days full of arts & crafts, science fun, gym games, swimming, and more. Highlights...

Where: Danvers Community YMCA

9:00 am to 4:00 pm

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February Vacation Week at Appleton Farms

In the winter, many people hunker down to stay indoors, but at Appleton Farms, we make the most of the cold, quiet season. There is no better place to spend winter farm days than in exploring in the snow and learning to love the outdoors in all seasons! This program is for kids who are looking to...

Where: Appleton Farms

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

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