Family events in Salem, MA

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.

Enjoy a meal at Qdoba while supporting Peabody Boys Soccer. This dine out event directs 25% of sales to the team, turning dinner into a simple way to contribute to their program.

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.

Hesitant early readers can practice by reading aloud to Fisher the Dog. The experience helps build confidence with reading and offers a chance to meet peers who are also early readers.

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.

Designed for ages 7 to 11, this afterschool chess club provides a quiet and studious setting for friendly matches and skill building among peers. Online registration is required.

Children of any age and their caregivers are welcome in the Killam Children’s Room for a relaxed craft session featuring seasonal projects to take home. The open-ended format encourages creativity while supporting early literacy, giving kids practice with step-by-step sequencing and hand-eye coordination as they make. No registration is needed.

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. The set features familiar hits from those decades, performed live.

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.

Since 1990, the Stock Farm Tractor Pull at Topsfield Fair has celebrated antique farm machines in their original form. Created to give backyard tractor owners a chance to take part and have some fun, this contest features stock farm tractors with no modifications, kept as provided by the manufacturer and from model years 1970 or earlier. It shines a spotlight on authenticity and classic horsepower as these vintage tractors put their pulling power to the test.

Participants can carve or paint a pumpkin, with pre-registration required to ensure enough pumpkins for everyone. After the pumpkin activities, a movie screening will take place at Town Hall. The movie is free and does not require registration. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

A no-cost community run and walk offers routes ranging from 1 to 4 miles. Strollers and kids are welcome, and participants can move at a comfortable pace. The meeting location changes each week, so register through the class schedule to let the organizers know to expect you.

The New England Robotics Derby is a one day off season robotics competition at Billerica Memorial High School in Billerica, MA. Teams compete over the course of the day.

NorthShore Horror & Anime Fest brings a Halloween-season celebration of fandom to Danvers, near Salem. The show features celebrity guests and authors alongside anime and horror highlights, cosplayers, and contests for both adults and kids. Explore artists and vendors offering toys, comics, collectibles, and horror merchandise, plus Pokémon, One Piece, and other TCG dealers. Sunday adds trick-or-treating for an extra seasonal boost. Families can take advantage of free admission for kids under 12 with a paid adult. Free parking and giveaways for early arrivals round out the experience.

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 is hosting a festive pet parade celebrating costumed companions. Attendance is free, and there is a suggested donation of $5 for Salem residents and $10 for out-of-towners to enter a pet. Pets of any species are welcome, provided they are well behaved and comfortable in a lively environment where many dogs may be present. Advance registration is preferred. On-site registration is available on Derby Wharf, with cash preferred and Venmo possible. Be cautious of scam posts offering vending spots or tickets, as official communications will come from Kylie or Elise. This community event is made possible through the support of local businesses, with lead sponsors Salem Bespoke Boutique, Hawthorne Animal Health Care, Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry, and VEG ER for Pets, and additional support from Absolutely Thai Spa, Whimsy's Sweet Life, All Creatures Veterinary Hospital, ThatHouseSalem, Lore Luxury Apartments, Hawthorne Hotel, Black Cat Curiosity Shoppe & Tours, Kakawa Chocolate House, and Wolf Next Door Coffee.

This event is currently accepting vendors across a wide range of categories, including crafters, candle makers, jewelry designers, creators of signs and home decor, food trucks, artisans, crochet and other handmade goods, baked items, face painting, and nonprofit organizations, with additional categories welcome. Prospective vendors can get in touch and share what they plan to sell.

Bloch Performing Arts is marking the grand opening of its first dedicated studio spaces in Lexington. Built to support a growing community of learners, the new home offers voice and piano lessons, musicianship classes, studio masterclasses, and performance opportunities. Visitors can explore the studios, meet current students and faculty, and experience the community that has formed around this program. The day features complimentary demo voice lessons, an audition workshop, and a student and faculty performance, with additional demo lessons later on. The teaching approach emphasizes a creative and healthy foundation for using the voice and instrument across styles, encouraging free, clear musical expression and compassionate, person-centered growth. A free photo booth and merchandise will be available.

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.

Children can gather in the Lynn Public Library Children's Department to swap Pokemon cards, take part in friendly battles, and compare collections. The club welcomes participants of all ages and abilities. For accessibility needs, contact the library at 781-595-0567 ext. 110 or lynchild@noblenet.org in advance.

Hosted by The Good Witch of Salem and Witch Apprentices, this family friendly character breakfast brings a touch of enchantment to the Hawthorne Hotel. The venue will be styled as a playful Halloween wonderland, and guests of all ages can meet and interact with favorite characters such as Jack Skellington, Bluey, a Minion, Poppy the Troll, the Good Witch Unicorn, and surprise visitors. A buffet breakfast is planned with options for both children and adults, including pancakes, pastries, scrambled eggs, bacon, fresh fruit, and more. Plenty of photo moments will help families capture the magic. Interactive fun rounds out the morning with BINGO featuring prizes, a scavenger hunt, dancing, and cotton candy. The Good Witch Pop-Up Shop will be on site with books, witch hats, accessories, capes, and dresses available for purchase. Additional merchandise and experience opportunities are offered at The Good Witch of Salem. Guests with allergies are asked to inform the Hawthorne Hotel of any needs that may affect their party. Due to limited space, strollers and wagons are not permitted. Tickets are non-refundable at this time.

Seaport Smalls is a returning children’s programming series offering free, rotating activities designed for ages 0 to 8. The lineup features partners such as Curious Creatures with live animal education, Little Groove with music and art for kids, Spanish Fun Program for Spanish learning, Little Beats and its musical enrichment classes, Jungle Jim’s balloon magic, Mr. Aaron with music, and the Magic Fred Show. Refreshments are available for purchase from Blue Bottle Coffee, Lakon Paris Patisserie, and Pressed Cafe. Some sessions are held indoors at The Paseo, and convenient parking is available at the Harbor Way Garage. Registration on Eventbrite is recommended to receive program updates and schedule changes, though RSVPs or tickets are not required to participate. The full lineup is free and open to the public. Because sessions may take place on grass, bringing a blanket or mat is welcome. Photography and video may occur, and anyone who does not wish to be photographed can notify the photographer. By registering and attending, participants acknowledge the program’s Release and Waiver. Attendees can also earn points toward rewards through the Seaport Insider App by checking in via the QR next to the bicycle.

Hoopers gather for the Honk! Festival Parade, bringing hoops, friends, and plenty of energy for a lively march from Davis Square to Harvard Square. The group meets in a Davis Square parking lot for a warmup, photos, and lineup before stepping off, then hoops along the route together. After the parade, participants stay with the group to play in Winthrop Park. Costumes follow a rainbow theme, and everyone brings their own hoop. Plan ahead for water and personal essentials, as Boston Hoop Troop will not carry personal items. Meetup details may be updated.

Burlington’s Annual Trunk or Treat turns the Burlington High School faculty parking lot into a family-friendly Halloween stop. This free community event welcomes costumes and invites kids to trick or treat from festively decorated trunks while enjoying activities, music, snacks, refreshments, and visits from local vendors. Attendees are encouraged to bring a bag for candy and, if interested, an optional donation for the Burlington Food Pantry such as granola bars, cereal, fruit cups or applesauce, juice boxes, jerky, or other individually wrapped snacks. The gathering takes place in the faculty lot at the back of the school. Hosted by Kadilak Realty Group, Kadilak Homes, DaMore Title & Closing, and Burlington Girl Scout.

Roll up your sleeves for a pasta themed cooking experience featuring dishes made from scratch. Learn how to mix and knead pasta dough, cut it into fettuccine made fresh, simmer a tomato sauce, and finish by shaping sweet cannoli rolls. Guidance focuses on practical kitchen techniques while keeping the experience enjoyable, with opportunities to explore different flavors and textures as you cook. The menu is vegetarian.

Brian and Andre return to the picnic area with a set of family friendly hits. Expect a lighthearted atmosphere where kids are welcome and everyone can sing along.

Explore Harvard Square on a guided food tour centered on crispy french fries, with each tasting paired with a flavorful non-alcoholic drink. Hear entertaining stories about the 20th century French Fry Wars and humorous lore from around the neighborhood. Harvard Square is known for some of the state's best fries, and this creative walking experience is designed for fry fans of all ages. Please note that the offerings are not gluten-free. Tickets can be purchased on the organizer's website, and the tour is operated by a small, local business.

Shattered Alibi powers the Trianon Stage at the Topsfield Fair with a closing set that blends classic rock, country rock, blues, and Americana into a lively, feel-good show. With punchy guitars and smooth harmonies, the band keeps the energy high and the crowd moving. It is a fitting soundtrack to the fair’s finale, whether you are savoring fried dough, strolling the midway, or dancing up front.

Create a hands-on, three dimensional version of Van Gogh’s The Starry Night in this no school day textured clay workshop. With easy to follow guidance, participants use simple tools and their hands to shape colorful air dry clay, layering and swirling it to build the painting’s luminous night sky in rich relief. No prior art experience is required. There is time to explore and experiment, and everyone takes home a bright, dimensional artwork ready to display. Recommended for ages 6 and older. Children 5 and younger must attend with an adult. The fee is $55 for nonmembers and $40 for members.

Don B takes the New Meadow Stage at Topsfield Fairgrounds in Topsfield, Massachusetts for a live performance.