North of Boston

08/12/2025

Smolak Farms' beloved Whim Dinner Series is wrapping up its 15th season with three unforgettable evenings under the pines. Each Wednesday in August, a guest chef brings their own culinary style to the farm, crafting a multi-course menu inspired by the freshest seasonal ingredients, many grown right at Smolak Farms.

August 13 – Sonsie Boston & Rochambeau Boston: A Taste of Newbury Street, Under the Pines
August 20 – The Smoke Shop BBQ: Smoked, Sauced & Served Under the Pines
August 27 – Vivacino Restaurant: Italian Soul, Farm Fresh Flavor

Each evening begins with cocktails at 5:30 pm, followed by dinner at 6:30 pm in the beautiful Pine Grove setting. Advance tickets are recommended. These dinners sell out fast.

Plan your night and get tickets: https://www.smolakfarms.com/whim

08/12/2025

Discover a slice of Greece right in downtown Gloucester at Kalamata Greek Kitchen. With a warm, family-style atmosphere and generous portions, this charming café serves up classics rooted in cherished family recipes.

Located at 112 Main Street and open daily (except Sunday), it’s the ideal spot for breakfast or lunch in Gloucester.

08/10/2025

Join the North of Boston CVB and Discover Gloucester for a fun night exploring the Harbortown & Rocky Neck Cultural Districts! Connect with the CVB & Discover Gloucester staff at The Salted Cod Arthouse from 5:00pm - 6:00pm for arts, culture, and cocktails.

Let’s make this summer Culture Splash event sizzle with a friendly Instagram Challenge! Post your best photos enjoying Culture Splash on August 14th using . All members who post with both hashtags will be entered to win an exciting prize from the CVB!

Remember Cape Ann Harbor Tours Water Shuttle offers free ferry service between the two districts from 4:00pm - 8:00pm.

We hope to see you there!

08/09/2025

Celebrate community and culture at the third annual Fusion Fest at The House of the Seven Gables on Sunday, August 10 from 12 to 5 PM. This free event honors the diverse backgrounds of students in the ESL and Citizenship programs and the many ways they have enriched Salem. Enjoy an afternoon filled with food, music, and cultural experiences that highlight the vibrant tapestry of the city. All are welcome to join in the festivities.

📸: The House of the Seven Gables

08/08/2025

Join Schooner Thomas E Lannon in Gloucester, Massachusetts for a magical night on the water during the peak of the Perseid Meteor Shower. On Monday, August 11 at 11:55 PM, set sail under the stars with guest astronomers who will guide you through the constellations and cosmic wonders overhead.

Learn about the night sky, watch meteors streak across the horizon, and take in the peaceful beauty of Gloucester Harbor after dark. This late-night sail offers a one-of-a-kind blend of science, sailing, and stargazing.

📸: Schooner Thomas E Lannon in Gloucester, Massachusetts

08/07/2025

Peach season meets peak bloom at Cider Hill Farm. Celebrate sunshine, flowers, and fresh peaches during the Peach & Sunflower Festival, happening August 9–10 and 16–17 in Amesbury.

Enjoy pick-your-own peaches and farmhouse bouquets, live music, hayrides, a hard cider bar, food trucks, and more.

Plan your perfect farm day: https://www.ciderhill.com/

📸: Cider Hill Farm

08/06/2025

Learn more about the fascinating Lynn Murals and the artists behind them 🎨

WBZ TV's Levan Reid spoke to the people behind the "Beyond Walls" program Monday.

08/06/2025

Summer BloomFest is almost here! From August 7 through 10, stroll through peak season gardens, enjoy guided and self-guided tours, and take part in daily activities for all ages at the Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens in Andover.

This weekend-long celebration of flowers, fragrance, and summer charm offers a perfect chance to soak up the season’s beauty.

Plan your visit and enjoy the bloom: https://thetrustees.org/place/stevens-coolidge-house-and-gardens/

📸: Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

08/05/2025

On view at Rocky Neck Art Colony's Cove Gallery August 7-17: Talya Baharal’s "Excavating the Shape of a Language"

This powerful solo exhibition explores abstraction as a visual language rooted in transformation and resilience. Inspired by the overlooked, from cracked asphalt to mended seams, Baharal translates everyday textures into richly layered compositions using paint, ink, and mixed media.

A former sculptor and studio jeweler, Baharal brings a sculptural sensibility to her paintings, creating works that are as tactile as they are emotionally resonant.

Visit Cove Gallery in Rocky Neck to experience these compelling works up close.
Learn more: rockyneckartcolony.org/cove-gallery/

Image: Talya Baharal, "I Am Here Now"

08/02/2025

The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival returns to Salem Willows for its 18th season on Saturday, August 16 and you’re invited!

From 11 AM to 7 PM, enjoy a full day of free live music at the oceanfront Willows Bandshell. Celebrate Salem’s deep-rooted jazz and soul legacy with performances from fantastic bands, music education clinics, local artisans, craft vendors, and more.

Funds raised help support music education across the North Shore. Free and metered parking available, plus shuttle service from Salem Trolley Company (free with Salem ID, $10 without).

Great music for a greater cause. Don’t miss it!

Details: salemjazzsoul.org

📸: Salem Jazz and Soul Festival

08/01/2025

Salem Screams for Ice Cream! The Ice Scream Bowl returns to the Salem Common on Wednesday, August 6 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., rain or shine.

Sample sweet scoops from some of the North Shore’s favorite local ice cream shops, like Cherry Farm Creamery, Holy Cow Ice Cream Cafe, Melt Ice Cream, and more. Just $6 for adults, $4 for kids. Tickets sold on site, cash only. Stick around after the tastings for an outdoor screening of Toy Story at 8 p.m.

Presented by Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem as part of Heritage Days. Bring your blanket and your sweet tooth.

📸: Melt Ice Cream

07/30/2025

Discover why the Massachusetts Whale Trail is one of New England’s most captivating travel journeys. This curated collection from Boston.com connects nearly 40 attractions across the state including museums, historic sites, and whale‑watching excursions all celebrating our deep connection to the sea and nautical heritage.

From Boston Harbor departures backed by New England Aquarium naturalists to cruises out of Gloucester’s Cape Ann Whale Watch and 7 Seas Whale Watch, guests have excellent odds of spotting humpback, finback, minke whales, dolphins, and other Atlantic marine life.

Embark on a whale‑watching outing and dive deeper into the stories, sights, and sounds that define Massachusetts’s maritime past and present.

What you’ll find along the Massachusetts Whale Trail, from whale watches to historic homes to museums with bones.