In The News: 10 Things to Do on the North Shore in January and February

January 09, 2023 / A Local Favorite, Art and Music, Food and Drink, History/Maritime, In The News, Outdoor Adventures, Things to Do & See

Excerpt from 10 Things to Do on the North Shore in January and February | Written by Natalie Gale | Published in Northshore Magazine

Instead of hunkering down this winter, take advantage of the quiet off-season here on the North Shore to explore all the offerings we have right in our own backyard. From outdoor ice skating to live music and from art happenings to street festivals, there’s so much to do here even during these frigid months. Check out the list below—you’ll find a little something for everyone.

1. Outdoor Ice Skating

Take advantage of the cold weather all winter long and head to one of the North Shore’s outdoor ice skating rinks. The Rink at MarketStreet in Lynnfield is open on weekday afternoons and evenings and weekends all day until February 28. Admission is $12, and skate rentals are $5. Topsfield introduced its public skating rink to the Topsfield common last winter, free and open to the public daily. Amesbury also brought back its public Town Park skating rink last winter for the first time since before the pandemic.

2. Old Newbury Christmas Tree Bonfire, January 14

Each January, the Newbury Fire Department, Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, and Tendercrop Farm host their annual Christmas tree bonfire. Old Christmas trees light up the night in one giant bonfire, food and drink vendors abound, and parking for the public event is $10 per car. The bonfire is lit around dusk. Find out more information about this year’s event at facebook.com/OldNewburyChristmasTreeBonfire.

Photograph by Sara Willman

3. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem | January 16

Many folks have school and work off on Monday, January 16 in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem is honoring his legacy with a day of performances, workshops, and art-making at the museum, centered around the values of equality, freedom, and civic inclusion. <ore details available at the museum website. Other museums in Massachusetts, including the Museum of Fine Arts and the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, are offering free admission on January 16.

4. Gloucester’s So Salty, Gloucester | January 21-22

Following the footsteps of Salem’s annual winter festival, Salem’s So Sweet, Gloucester puts its own salty spin on the event hosted by the Cape Ann Museum. On January 21 and 22 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., the museum partners with other Gloucester organizations like Discover Gloucester, Dogtown Books, and the Cape Ann Makers’ Market for two days of ice sculptures, salty sweets, kids’ activities, and more in downtown Gloucester. Museum admission will also be free both days. More details available at the museum website.