Audubon Nature Festival 2019

This year's Audubon Nature Festival features live owl demonstrations with Eyes on Owls!

Enjoy ongoing activities throughout the day at Mass Audubon's Annual Audubon Nature Festival. This year's special feature will be live owl presentations by Marcia and Mark Wilson of Eyes On Owls. Come see live owls up close, learn about their natural history, and join in a hooting lesson.

At the festival:

  • Live owl presentations throughout the day
  • Insect zoo
  • Native reptiles & amphibians exhibit
  • Face-painting & henna
  • Children's games and activities
  • Craft demonstrations & sales
  • Butterfly plant sale
  • Food! Bake Sale! Ice cream!
  • Raffle with lots of great items to choose from
  • Naturalist-guided walks & pond explorations
  • Guided tours of our butterfly & bird habitat gardens
  • Green Games Alley, featuring games & activities about sustainability
  • Live music all day
  • Local craft artisans

Give monarch butterflies a helping hand! We will once again be selling three species of native plants that will attract monarch butterflies to your garden. These plants were a sell-out last year so be sure to stop by our plant sale early. Sanctuary garden volunteers will be on hand to give guided tours of our nature gardens and advice on plant selection and gardening using native plants to attract wildlife. Check our special event listing on our website the week before the event for a downloadable schedule of the day's activities.

Please note: The Audubon Nature Festival is a fundraising event for Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary will be closed to general visitation on June 2 until 4:00 pm. During this event, we provide special programming, activities, and entertainment.

Because of this unique experience, the sanctuary will only be open to event participants who pay the admission of $20 per car (Mass Audubon members and nonmembers). Your admission provides critical support for our education and conservation programs. Thank you!

When: 
Sunday, June 2, 2019 10am-4pm
Prices: 
$20 per car for the festival
Note: Any car entering the sanctuary until 4pm will be charged.
Phone: 
978.887.9264
Appleton Farms offers great farm-based Vacation Week Programs for kids ages 5-11

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

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ 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

Kidleidoscope at Breakheart Reservation

Kidleidoscope is a program designed for preschoolers at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus Massachusetts
Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately 1 mile, though not accessible for strollers. Appropriate for families with children 3-5 years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
10:30 am to 11:30 am

Fearless | The Taylor Swift Experience

Fearless Taylor Swift Experience at the Sea at Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury MA
Bring your Swifties to Fearless | The Taylor Swift Experience in Salisbury for Fearless | The Taylor Swift Experience—a high-energy, family-friendly tribute that celebrates the music so many kids (and adults) love.
8:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Wednesday, February 18

February Vacation Programs for Kids at Danvers YMCA

February vacation week programs at the Danvers YMCA in Massachusetts
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...
9:00 am to 4:00 pm

February Vacation Week at Appleton Farms

Appleton Farm's February Vacation Week Program is perfect for kids who want to explore the winterscapes of our extensive property!
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...
9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Quarry Quest Treasure Hunt

Kids will enjoy this treasure hunt at the Halibut Point State Park and Quarry in Rockport Massachusetts
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!
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

StoryWalk at Halibut Point

StoryWalk®! Nest Robin Built, by Denise Fleming - a self guided reading tour at Halibut Point in Rockport Massachusetts
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...
10:00 am to 2:00 pm

February Vacation at MIT Museum

Kids will have a blast at the MIT Museum in Cambridge Massachusetts during February Vacation Week!
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

Giant Candy Land at IPL

Ipswich Massachusetts public library hosts a giant Candyland suring February Vacation Week.
Ipswich Public Library invites kids and families toto take part in some February Vacation Fun!  Play a Giant Candy Land game throughout the library! Work your way with your group of family and friends throughout the library on the giant gameboard. Hopefully you won’t spin and land on the black dots...
2:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Dungeons & Dragons at the G.A.R. Library

Dungeons and Dragons at the GAR Memorial Library in West Newbury Massachusetts
Come to this ongoing campaign using The Dragon of IceSpire Peak. Bring your own character, play one of ours,  or we can help you create one. All are welcome.
4:30 pm to 5:30 pm

Stargazing at Mendel Observatory

Mendel Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night
The Observatory, with the support of volunteers from the North Shore Amateur Astronomy Club, hosts public stargazing every Wednesday night (weather permitting) starting at dusk or 7:30 pm, whichever is later.  When special astronomical events of interest occur (total lunar eclipses, etc.) the Obs
7:00 pm

Thursday, February 19

Boston Bruins Annual Pajama Drive

Drop off new pajama donations at libraries across the North Shore of Massachusetts as part of the Boston Bruins PJ 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

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