Family events in Beverly, MA

Explore a wide world of miniature history and nostalgia at the North East Toy Soldier Society’s Toy Soldier Show and Sale at the Hilton Garden Inn. Collectors and curious newcomers will find antique and contemporary toy soldiers alongside a broad range of related items, including civilian, farm, zoo, hunt, and railroad figures, plus cowboys, Indians, knights, Christmas figures, marching bands, military miniatures, plastic figures and playsets. The show also features miniature gardens, military books, action figures, plastic model kits, war movies, badges, artillery, vehicles, dioramas, and other general and antique toys. Makers highlighted include W.Britain, Elastolin, Mignot, Marx, GI Joe, Osprey, King & Country, Dragon Models, Tamiya, and John Jenkins Designs, among others. Admission is $8, or two for $15, and children under 15 are free. Dealer tables are available. For details, contact show chairman Matthew Murphy of Hobby Bunker at (781) 321-8855 or matt@hobbybunker.com.

Explore Melrose Destination Imagination at an information session hosted at the MMTV Studios. Designed for students in grades K through 12 and their parents, this program blends creativity with hands-on experiences in crafting, science, drama, and robotics to keep participants engaged throughout the school year. The session covers how Destination Imagination works, how teams come together, and the steps to get involved. Try sample Instant Challenges and take one home, enjoy acting and improv games, and preview this season’s challenges. There will be opportunities to meet other interested families and speak with experienced DI Team Managers to get questions answered. For inquiries, email di@melrosedi.com.

Presented by The Good Witch of Salem and Witch Apprentices, this children’s tea party brings a touch of magic and charm to the Historic Hawthorne Hotel in Downtown Salem. The Grand Ballroom, styled in shades of pink, creates a delightful setting for treats and activities. Guests can enjoy tea sandwiches, fresh fruit, pastries, and a selection of beverages including coffee, tea, and juice, followed by decadent desserts. Creative fun includes coloring and a teapot craft. A round of BINGO offers a chance to win a prize. The Good Witch of Salem leads an interactive story time featuring her book, The Good Witch of Salem, written by Ashley Tina and illustrated by Zuzana Svobodova, with a book signing to follow. The festivities wrap up with a lively DJ dance party and plenty of upbeat music.

Celebrate the bond between people and their pups at Bark in the Park, a family-friendly gathering for dog lovers and owners. Enjoy a full day of activities that highlight four-legged friends, including dog races, a costume contest, and a canine talent show. Explore booths from local pet-focused vendors and grab refreshments from food trucks throughout the day. Whether entering a competition or simply taking in the festivities, there is plenty to enjoy. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Volunteers will pack 25,000 meals with Rise Against Hunger to help feed people. This fun, family-friendly event welcomes all ages, with roles available so everyone can take part. Friends and families are encouraged to participate together, and those who cannot attend can still support the effort by donating.

Each month, St. John the Evangelist Church hosts a casual gathering after mass in the parish hall, offering coffee, lemonade, and treats. It provides a relaxed opportunity to spend time with friends and family. From time to time, simple craft activities are available for participants of all ages.

North Shore Junction returns to Topsfield Fair with a lively set at the Trianon Stage near the main entrance. The performance spans rock, blues, R&B, and country, along with original songs. Attendees can dance, sing along, or relax and enjoy the music.

Explore Boston’s North End with a local photographer and capture portraits amid historic architecture and old world character. This mini portrait experience includes 15 minutes of photography and one favorite image to download. After the session, choose your favorite during a Zoom video call, and it will be edited and delivered for download. Additional digital images and printed products, including boxed prints, wall art, albums, and cards, are available for purchase. Longer sessions and options that include more time or extra locations are also offered.

Walk through the coastal castle that was once the home of leading 20th century inventor John Hays Hammond, Jr., now Hammond Castle Museum, established to give the Gloucester community access to ancient architecture. Gloucester residents receive complimentary self-guided visits on Tuesdays during the standard touring season, which continues into early November, and also during Deck the Halls, the museum-wide holiday exhibit. Proof of Gloucester residency is required for each reservation at check-in. Advance registration is suggested but not required, and in-person registration is available in the Museum Shop.

Capture portraits in Boston’s Beacon Hill with a local photographer during a guided mini session that moves through cobblestone lanes, brick alleys, and historic rowhouses. Photo stops showcase the character of this National Historic Landmark, including a street celebrated as the most photographed in America. The experience includes 15 minutes of photography and one favorite image to download. After the shoot, select your top pick on a Zoom video call, and that photo will be edited for delivery. Additional digital images and printed products such as boxed prints, wall art, albums, and cards are available for purchase. Longer portrait experiences and options that include extra time or additional locations are also offered.

Create your own bit of magic at a family-friendly potion making experience in Salem, MA. In a self-paced, do-it-yourself format at The Good Witch of Salem Spell Studio, kids and families follow simple steps to blend an enchanting mixture and take the finished potion home. Sessions last about 15 to 25 minutes, making it an easy addition to a day out. Set near the historic Witch House, this creative, hands-on activity offers a memorable Salem stop for visitors of many ages.

Created for little ones under 2, this play-centered group is led by occupational, physical, and speech therapy professionals. Sessions offer themed activities that encourage movement, early communication, and sensory exploration in a caring setting. Children can engage at their own pace while families connect with one another, and everyone is welcomed for who they are. All families are welcome, siblings included, making it a good fit for children with a wide range of developmental needs who benefit from gentle guidance and a nurturing environment.

Celebrate Food Security Awareness Day at the farmers market, featuring an expanded lineup of more than 30 local vendors. Explore offerings from farms, small batch food producers, artisans, and community organizations. Shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, pasta, hummus, coffee, olive oil, and other pantry staples, along with specialty items and ready to eat dishes. Enjoy live music, cooking demonstrations, and activities for kids. SNAP customers can receive a $15 match, and three participating farmers accept HIP benefits.

Informal drop-in chats at Milk Row Cemetery are offered as part of History Unlocked, within History on the Line, a series of exhibitions and programs organized by the Somerville Museum and supported by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism’s MA250 initiative and the City of Somerville. The Powder House, Milk Row Cemetery, and Prospect Hill Tower are open to visitors on designated dates between May and October, creating opportunities to explore these historic places and talk about their stories.

Antarctica performs a three hour set of 1960s and 1970s pop classics on the Picnic Area Stage at the Topsfield Fair, featuring songs that many know and love.

Explore Beauport at an easygoing pace on a special tour designed for deeper discovery. It follows the same route as the regular tour, but allows more opportunities to ask questions, take photos, pause in rooms, take the stairs without rushing, and focus on details that are not typically emphasized. Those interested in accessing additional areas can consider the Nooks and Crannies or Nooks at Night experiences for more time behind the scenes. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead with accessibility inquiries or content requests so the visit can be tailored for comfort and enjoyment. Tickets are $10 for HNE members and $35 for nonmembers.

This event takes place at Topsfield Fair on the Trianon Stage, situated immediately inside the main gate.

Running since 1990, the Stock Farm Tractor Pull at Topsfield Fair invites everyday tractor owners to take part in a friendly contest for antique machines. Entries must be true stock farm tractors with no alterations, kept as they left the factory, and limited to model years 1970 or earlier. Created as a chance for folks with a tractor in the yard to get in on the fun, this pull celebrates classic farm power in a welcoming, down-to-earth setting.

This self-guided tour explores one of the oldest churches in the country, founded in 1629 by the Puritans who settled the area. Follow information stations and view artifacts from the church archives to trace nearly 400 years of history. Learn about parishioners Rebecca Nurse and Giles Corey, accused church members who lost their lives in the hysteria, and hear about a minister remembered for unsettling words spoken at an execution. Take in the treasured stained glass windows and an unexpected connection to the Monopoly board game. Sit in the historic meeting house where Nathaniel Hawthorne once took his place. Volunteer docents are available to welcome and answer questions. Children may attend with their parents. The building is accessible for visitors with mobility needs. There are no restroom facilities on site. Proceeds support the church, with advance booking available and $10 cash at the door appreciated.

Northshore Horror Fest brings a weekend celebration of horror, anime, and pop culture to Danvers. Look forward to appearances by celebrity guests and horror icons, a vibrant marketplace of artists and vendors, cosplay and costume contests, gaming and other interactive experiences, and a wide selection of toys, comics, and collectibles. There will be trick-or-treating on Sunday, and more guest announcements, activities, and surprises will be revealed soon.

Set out on a guided walk with noted author and historian Ghlee Woodworth, beginning at the 1808 Cushing House and continuing down State Street into Newburyport’s commercial and maritime center. Explore how taverns, grand merchant homes, privateering wealth, shipmasters, and public gathering places influenced the community during the American Revolution. Along the route, hear stories connected to figures like Tristram Dalton and Patrick and Nathaniel Tracy, and visit sites such as the Wolfe Tavern, the Marine Society, and Market Square. Learn how later fires, urban renewal, and preservation efforts transformed the very streets where these Revolutionary era events took place. Admission includes a voucher for a future guided tour of the Museum of Old Newbury and entry to the Perkins Art & Research Center.

Salem Main Streets presents a playful pet parade celebrating costumed companions. Attendance is free for those enjoying the costumes, and there is a suggested donation of $5 for Salem residents or $10 for out-of-towners to enter a pet. Pets of any species are welcome as long as they are well behaved and comfortable in a busy environment where many dogs are likely to be present. Advance registration is preferred, and on-site signups will be available on Derby Wharf. Cash is preferred for entry, and Venmo may be an option. The parade will begin after registration. Beware of scam posts offering vending spots or tickets; official information will come from Kylie or Elise. Local businesses help make this event possible, and appreciation for sponsors and supporters is encouraged.

The 7th Annual Falliday Fun Vendor and Craft Fair features a marketplace of handmade goods and services. Organizers are welcoming vendors across a variety of categories, including makers and crafters, candle creators, jewelry makers, sign and home decor designers, mobile food vendors, artisans, crochet and other handmade goods, baked treat sellers, face painting services, and nonprofit organizations.

Step into a whimsical experience at Pettengill Farm, where paths wind through vibrant gardens, a quiet woodland, and views of the marsh. At the heart of the eleventh annual Fairy Gnome Discovery Walk are more than 200 tiny fairy and gnome homes tucked along a one mile wooded loop leading to the marsh and back. These imaginative creations are made by talented professionals, families, schoolchildren, and local businesses. In tandem, the Salisbury Art Stroll fills the farm with artists and fine crafters displaying their work, live music from rotating performers, and plenty of delicious options from food trucks and bakers for lunch and snacks. This family friendly event is rain or shine, and there is no rain date. Ticket information and additional details are to be determined.

A celebratory grand opening marks the debut of Bloch Performing Arts first dedicated studio spaces, with a day focused on exploring the studios, meeting students and faculty, and getting to know the community they have built. The organization’s growth sets the stage for this milestone: founded in 2021 around The Bloch Voice Studio with Jessica Bloch-Moisand, it expanded in 2024 to include The Franklin Voice Studio and Mayer Piano Studio working out of Somerville Music Spaces, then in 2026 added The Reyna Voice Studio, The Coura Voice Studio, and The Soyoz Piano Studio, while Mayer Piano Studio became Mayer Music Production. In the new home, students engage in voice and piano lessons, music production and musicianship classes, studio masterclasses, and performance opportunities. Teaching centers on healthy technique, creative expression, and efficient use of the voice and instrument across styles, with compassionate instruction that supports musical development and personal growth.

A family friendly Viking festival brings rival encampments, combat demonstrations, hands-on crafts, traditional games, music, and Nordic fare to one lively lawn. Two camps recreate daily life, tools, and customs, with warriors forging, training, and sparring throughout the day before a climactic staged battle. Try stone lifting with the New England Stone Lifters, practice skills in the warrior training area, and explore a range of traditional games. Children can design messages in runes, weave colorful creations, and spend time in an interaction zone where they can talk with Vikings and check out their gear. Food highlights include waffle samples and sandwiches from Kaffestugan inside, plus Nordic breads, prepared foods, candies, and other Scandinavian goods. Gunner’s Icelandic Hot Dogs will serve a Reykjavík-style favorite with classic toppings such as crispy onions, sweet brown mustard, and remoulade. Admission is $20 for adults in advance or $25 on the day, and $10 for children 12 and under in advance or $15 on the day. Tickets will be available soon.

Explore history through interactive activities at the Tsongas Industrial History Center inside the Boott Cotton Mills Museum. Presented by Lowell National Historical Park and the Tsongas Industrial History Center as part of the City of Lowell’s Bicentennial and the center’s 35th anniversary, this free, drop-in program welcomes all ages to try weaving on a hand loom, experiment with different water wheels, and construct a model canal system to learn how water powered Lowell’s mills. Discover the workshop spaces and connect the innovations of the Industrial Revolution with everyday life then and now.