North of Boston

06/08/2026

Behind every letterpress print is a story, and some of the most fascinating stories are carved in wood.

Join The Museum of Printing on Saturday, June 13 at 3 PM for "The Wood Type Collection of T.J. Lyons," a special lecture presented by James Grieshaber of Typeco Digital Type Foundry.

Grieshaber will explore the remarkable wood type collection assembled by Thomas J. Lyons, now housed at the Museum of Printing and curated by his grandson, Steve Lyons. Learn about some of the collection's rarest pieces, the oversized specimen book that documented them, and the journey to transform that historic work into the Museum's latest publication.

A fascinating afternoon for printers, designers, typographers, and anyone who appreciates the art and history of the printed word!

06/07/2026

Step inside the homes that helped shape a revolution.

On Saturday, June 13, Marblehead Museum’s 2026 Patriot Houses Tour invites visitors to explore four extraordinary historic homes connected to families who risked everything for American independence. This self-guided tour offers a rare opportunity to experience Marblehead’s history from the inside out, at your own pace.

This year’s featured homes include:
• Nathaniel Hooper House
• Jonathan Glover’s Eagle House
• Jeremiah Lee Carriage House
• Benjamin Stacey House

Guests will also have access to the iconic 1768 Jeremiah Lee Mansion. All funds raised support Marblehead Museum’s educational programming and collections. Marblehead Museum is a private non-profit and does not receive local, state, or federal funding except through competitive grants.

Learn more and purchase tickets: https://marbleheadmuseum.org/patriothousetour/

📸: Marblehead Museum/Jeremiah Lee Mansion

06/06/2026

Salem is celebrating 400 years through food, history, and community with Food at 400+, a citywide culinary and cultural festival happening June 11–22.

Presented by Salem Food Tours, this multi-day celebration features historic house open houses, interactive exhibits, food-themed films, speaker series events, restaurant collaborations, and special culinary experiences throughout Salem.

Highlights include a special evening with celebrity chef Scott Conant, historic recipes and food exhibits, and creative programming exploring Salem’s story through farming, fishing, trade, and hospitality.

Learn more and explore the full lineup: https://www.salemfoodtours.com/food-at-400+

📸: Salem Food Tours

06/05/2026

Strawberry season is almost here! 🍓

The beloved Strawberry Festival returns to Cider Hill Farm on June 13–14 and June 20–21 for two weekends packed with summer fun.

Spend the day picking strawberries, listening to live music, sipping hard cider, hopping on hayrides, and enjoying food trucks, lawn games, and homemade strawberry treats throughout the farm. It’s one of the sweetest traditions of the season and the perfect way to kick off summer on the North Shore.

Learn more and plan your visit:
https://www.ciderhill.com/events/strawberry-festival-june-13-14-20-21-2026-06-13-10-00

📸: Cider Hill Farm

06/03/2026

Spend a weekend surrounded by stunning blooms, historic homes, and beautifully designed landscapes at the 47th Annual Old Newbury Garden Tour on June 13 & 14 in Newburyport.

This year’s theme is 250 Years of Growth, an homage to the originality and innovation of American gardens, and the featured gardens in particular. You'll enjoy access to the best there is to offer, from urban pocket gardens to larger, more formal landscapes.

Hosted by the Museum of Old Newbury, the self-guided tour offers rare access to some of the area’s most beautiful private gardens, all set against the backdrop of one of the North Shore’s most picturesque historic communities.

Learn more and purchase tickets: https://www.newburyhistory.org/calendar/2026/6/13/47th-annual-old-newbury-garden-tour-june-13-14-2026

📸: Museum of Old Newbury

06/02/2026

You do not have to travel far to discover something new.

The Essex Coastal Scenic Byway winds through 14 coastal communities across the North Shore, connecting historic downtowns, working waterfronts, scenic overlooks, beaches, marshes, and some of the region’s most beloved landmarks.

As highlighted by Northshore Magazine, this 90-mile route is an invitation to slow down, take the scenic road, and explore the character and history that make the North Shore so special.

Read the full story and start planning your next North Shore adventure.

America might be celebrating its 250th anniversary this summer, but Essex County has been around even longer, created in 1643, nearly a century before George Washington was even born. And […]

06/01/2026

Step into the landscapes that inspired generations of American artists, from Gloucester Harbor and Rocky Neck to Halibut Point, Salem’s waterfront, and Plum Island.

Breathtaking coastal landscapes like Cape Ann Museum, Halibut Point State Park, Rocky Neck Art Colony, Gloucester Harbor, Winter Island Park, and Parker River National Wildlife Refuge Complex continue to inspire visitors just as they inspired some of America’s most celebrated artists.

Read the full story: https://northofboston.org/blog/encounter-landscapes-that-have-inspired-american-artists/

Yankee Magazine

05/31/2026

Celebrate creativity in Salem at the Salem Arts Festival, returning June 5–7!

This free community festival fills downtown Salem with live music, art installations, performances, hands-on activities, local vendors, and an incredible showcase of artists from across the region. From sidewalk chalk art and interactive exhibits to live entertainment and food, it’s a vibrant weekend that transforms the city into one big celebration of the arts.

Learn more and view the full schedule: https://www.salemartsfestival.com/

📸: Creative Collective MA

05/30/2026

Art lovers, mark your calendars! Cape Ann Artisans are preparing for their annual June Open Studios, returning June 6–7 across Gloucester and Rockport.

This beloved self-guided tour invites visitors inside working studios to meet artists, explore the creative process, and shop original work spanning ceramics, jewelry, painting, photography, textiles, mixed media, and more. Celebrating its 43rd year, the Cape Ann Artisans tour remains one of the country’s longest-running and most respected open studio events.

Spend the weekend exploring Cape Ann’s coastal beauty while discovering the artists and craftsmanship that make this creative community so special. Learn more and start planning your route: https://capeannartisans.com/

📸: Cape Ann Artisans