Events in Gloucester today

Children ages 7 to 11 can build their chess skills by playing friendly matches with peers in a quiet, focused setting. Online registration is required before attending.

All ages are welcome with their caregivers in the Killam Children’s Room for a take-home seasonal craft. The creative activity supports early literacy through practicing the order of steps and hand-eye coordination. Registration is not required.

Walkers and runners of any pace are welcome. The focus is on getting active and building community. Prizes are available for attendance. If it is your first time, a runner will guide you along the route and match your speed.

The Sea Wych Salem hosts a hands-on workshop that blends lore and creativity in the spirit of Witch City. Learn the background and traditions surrounding the witch ball, then craft your own piece to guard a home or workspace, invite joy, clear negativity, or simply serve as a beautiful keepsake. Each creation is further energized with ocean elements to strengthen your intention. Advance purchase is required and walk-ins are not accepted, since toppers and kits are prepared specifically for each session. Tickets may be bought online or in the shop, and sales close at noon the day before. General Admission is $65 per person plus a $1.63 processing fee and includes all materials and supplies, witch ball toppers accented with crystals made by The Sea Wych Salem, a brief overview of witch ball history, a short meditation and intention-setting ritual, and an introduction to using herbs, sea vegetation, and color correspondences in sea witchcraft. Attendees also receive private shopping access before or after the workshop with a 10 percent discount on all store items. A General Admission plus Ritual Kit option is available for $85 per person plus a $2.13 processing fee. It includes everything in General Admission along with a complete ritual kit valued at $40 that contains a shell, a crystal, a chime candle chosen for the working, herbs, salt, and sea plants selected for the rite, sea glass, an abalone chip, charms, and a full ritual written by The Sea Wych Salem. Participants can choose their ritual kit during checkout or request a custom focus by selecting Other and adding details in the comments.

An open mic brings Gulu-Gulu Café & Bar to life with live music, creative energy, and plenty of surprises. Performers and listeners of all ages are welcome, and there is no cover charge. Please note that it is dedicated to music rather than comedy and is not a comic open mic.

Sing along to favorites from the late 70s, 80s, and 90s in a nostalgic arcade setting. The space glows with the warm light of 60 CRT arcade monitors and gleaming pinball machines, creating a playful backdrop for belting out beloved tunes.

Abbot Public Library hosts a relaxed coffee and tea gathering where visitors can unwind with a hot drink, browse for their next read, chat with neighbors, work on community puzzles, or enjoy a quiet start to the day. Locally brewed Atomic Coffee from Marblehead’s Blue Canoe Cafe will be available, along with add-ins for coffee and a selection of teas. Bringing a personal mug is encouraged. There is no fee and no registration required. Sponsored by the Friends of Abbot Public Library.

Experience Huntertones as they light up the stage with an electric, brass powered sound that fuses genres and flips familiar tunes in surprising ways. Inventive writing and a bold musical approach turn the performance into a shared celebration of music. Expect shape shifting grooves, creative reworks, and a welcoming atmosphere that brings listeners together.

This drag extravaganza features Miz Diamond Wigfall.

A weekly comedy night in Salem pairs plenty of laughs with delicious pizza. Enjoy a friendly, low-key evening of jokes and slices in a casual setting. Just swing by.

Step inside one of the nation’s oldest churches, established in 1629 by Puritan settlers, for a self-guided exploration of its long and storied past. Follow information stations and view artifacts from the archives to trace nearly four centuries of history. Learn about parishioners Rebecca Nurse and Giles Corey, accused congregants who lost their lives during the hysteria, and hear about a minister remembered for unsettling words spoken at an execution. Take in the priceless stained glass and discover the congregation’s unexpected ties to the classic game of Monopoly. You can even sit in the historic meeting house where Nathaniel Hawthorne once took his place. Volunteer docents are available to welcome visitors and answer questions. Children may attend with a parent. The building accommodates mobility needs, however there are no restroom facilities. This tour serves as a fundraiser for the church. Reservations can be made in advance, or a $10 cash contribution at the door is appreciated.

This 25th anniversary presentation at The Cabot showcases The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King in the Extended Edition on the big screen. As the trilogy’s story reaches its conclusion, the struggle for Middle-earth’s future intensifies. Frodo and Sam push into Mordor to destroy the One Ring, while Aragorn leads the forces of Gondor against Sauron at Minas Tirith. The screening caps a celebration that also includes The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers in their Extended Editions.

The Sea Wych Salem hosts a hands-on workshop focused on the history, meaning, and making of witch balls. Participants learn the lore behind this traditional charm, set an intention through a brief guided meditation and ritual, and craft a personalized piece enhanced with ocean elements. Create something to protect a home or workspace, invite happiness, clear unwanted energy, or simply take home a beautiful keepsake. Attendance requires advance purchase, and walk-ins are not accepted because ball toppers and kits are prepared specifically for each session. Tickets are available online through the ticket link or in the shop, and sales close the day before the workshop. Two ticket options are offered. General Admission costs $65 per person plus a $1.63 processing fee and includes all materials and supplies, crystal-adorned toppers made by The Sea Wych Salem, a short history lesson, guided intention-setting, and private shopping before or after with a 10 percent discount on store items. General Admission plus Ritual Kit costs $85 per person plus a $2.13 processing fee and adds a complete ritual kit valued at $40. Each kit is sourced, foraged, and assembled by The Sea Wych Salem and includes a shell, crystal, and chime candle aligned to the working, herbs, salt, and sea vegetation matched to the ritual, sea glass, an abalone chip, charms, and a fully written ritual. Choose a kit at checkout or request a custom focus by selecting Other and sharing details in the comments.

Explore the past in a hands-on way at The House of the Seven Gables through a drop-in Hands-on History activity designed to inspire curiosity and creative thinking. It offers a brief, engaging break during a visit and is included with a Mansion Tour or Grounds Pass at no additional cost.

Lucy hosts a laid back stitching session at Circle of Stitches. Bring a project you are working on, settle in, and enjoy hanging out while you stitch.