Explore Gloucester’s Cultural Districts at the Fourth Annual Culture Splash

July 02, 2024 / A Local Favorite, Art and Music, Things to Do & See

Culture Splash returns this July and August with a newly expanded lineup of events inviting you to explore the cultural districts that make up America’s oldest seaport.

Harbortown and Rocky Neck will hose a mix of free and discounted events that center around our rich maritime heritage and arts scene on Thursdays from July 11-August 29, 2024. Included among this year’s events are live music (both outdoors at locations like the Cape Ann Museum courtyard, and inside at locations like the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck), dance performances, light shows, film screenings, free museum admission, artist demos, exhibit openings, and more.

Getting around Culture Splash, specifically between two of Gloucester’s cultural districts (Rocky Neck and Harbortown) will be a breeze thanks to the free water shuttle. Hop on the shuttle with free service provided by Cape Ann Harbor Tours from 4:00 PM-8:00 PM  on Culture Splash Thursdays.

A local favorite event during Culture Splash is the Harbor Loop Concert Series, which brings free concerts right to Gloucester’s Harbor Loop with views of the water and the Fitz Henry Lane House. The lineup for this year’s concerts kicks off with The Carnivals & Lense, and goes on to feature The Boulevard Beats & Eddy’s Show, Silver Heels & Frank Burn’s Band, and a special film night featuring Captain’s Courageous courtesy of Schooner Adventure’s “Movie on the Sails,” just to name a few. Check out the full Harbor Loop Concert lineup here.

New This Year

One addition for this year will be Culture Splash “After Hours” at The Cut with no cover charge, right on Main Street at Gloucester’s newest live music venue. The Cut opened earlier this year and features a vibrant space for concerts, standup, acoustic sets, Bluegrass brunches, and more. As you stop in during Culture Splash, be sure to check their website to see all of The Cut’s upcoming events.

Another new addition for the 2024 Culture Splash is a series of weekly marine pop-ups from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM at Maritime Gloucester. These events will allow locals and visitors alike to connect with Gloucester’s maritime heritage in the midst of exploring local art and culture around town. Inside Maritime Gloucester’s classroom, visitors will find engaging activities that are totally free, including fish printing, plankton safaris, and more.

Additional event schedules will be released weekly, so be sure to check out our Culture Splash page as you plan your visit.