Art, Music, and Coastal Vibes—Every Thursday in July & August!

Culture Splash returns for its 5th summer, offering a fun and easy way to experience Gloucester. Every Thursday evening in July and August, the city’s two cultural districts–Harbortown and Rocky Neck–come alive with local art, music, and performances.

You’ll find gallery openings where you can meet and interact with artists, pop-up exhibits, poetry readings, and interactive activities for all ages. The event is free and open to everyone so you can just show up and explore!

To make getting around even easier during Culture Splash, the Cape Ann Harbor Tours Water Shuttle will be running for free from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Hop on and off between Harbortown and Rocky Neck while enjoying scenic harbor views.

Each Thursday offers something different, so check back here for the weekly lineup and to plan your visit!

View This Week’s Itinerary

Download a Printable Itinerary

Participating Locations:

Upcoming Culture Splash Happenings:

The Shape of Things at The Cultural Center at Rocky Neck

July 10, 2025

Juried by Adria Arch June 5 – July 13 Opening…

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Six Ways of Seeing the World at Cove Gallery

July 10, 2025

Six Ways of Seeing the World July 10-  August 3, 2025…

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SnotBot is turning 10 - and you're invited to the party!

July 10, 2025

Join Ocean Alliance on July 10th from 4–8 PM at…

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Shelly Eager – Pastel Demonstration

July 10, 2025

Join us on Thursday, July 10, for a pastel demo with Shelly…

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Opening Reception for Pop up Artist Bredt Handy at Moxie Gallery

July 10, 2025

Please join us July 10th from 4pm-7pm for the opening…

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Culture Splash--Tripp and Toddy on the Adventure!

July 10, 2025

Are you missing the 18th century festivities? Step aboard the…

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Opening Reception for Bredt Handy Moxie Gallery

July 10, 2025

Please join us July 10th from 4pm-7pm for the opening…

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COLLAGE: music and soundscapes for two violins

July 10, 2025

Scott Moore & Erica Pisaturo, violins 10 July 2025 @…

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An Informal Drop-in Block Printing and Collage Card-making Workshop

July 10, 2025

With Local Colors member artists, Bessie Blum, Susan Alvey, and…

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Cove Gallery

Six Ways of Seeing the World Opening Reception at Cove Gallery

July 10, 2025

Six Ways of Seeing the World July 10-  August 3, 2025…

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Music by Scarlett Ribbons or Sage

July 10, 2025

Enjoy and dance to the live music by Scarlett Ribbons…

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Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series

July 10, 2025

The Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series in Gloucester, MA is…

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GloArts Showcase

July 10, 2025

Mark your calendar for the first ever GloArts Showcase! Join…

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Poetry Reading with Matthew E. Henry and Linda Carney-Goodrich

July 10, 2025

The Bookstore of Gloucester is pleased to welcome poets Matthew…

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Six Ways of Seeing the World at Cove Gallery

July 17, 2025

Six Ways of Seeing the World July 10-  August 3, 2025…

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Meet the Artist: Vivien Tapsoba Gallery Opening

July 17, 2025

Side Street Gallery invites art lovers, enthusiasts, and the public…

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Joe Smith – Scratchboard Demonstration

July 17, 2025

Join us on Thursday, July 17, for a scratchboard demo with Joe…

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Cape Ann Art Haven at Rocky Neck Ice Cream Gallery

July 17, 2025

Cape Ann Art Haven are planning fun & creative art…

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Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series

July 17, 2025

The Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series in Gloucester, MA is…

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Author Talk with Alan Weisman at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck

July 17, 2025

Join the Bookstore of Gloucester at Rocky Neck Cultural Center…

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Shagalot - FREE SHOW - Third Thursday (music) Therapy

July 17, 2025

The Cut Live has a FREE show every third Thursday!…

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Meet the Artist: Vivien Tapsoba Gallery Opening

July 18, 2025

Side Street Gallery invites art lovers, enthusiasts, and the public…

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Six Ways of Seeing the World at Cove Gallery

July 24, 2025

Six Ways of Seeing the World July 10-  August 3, 2025…

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Stapleton Kearns – Oil Demonstration

July 24, 2025

Join us on Thursday, July 24, for a oil painting demo…

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Cape Ann Art Haven at Rocky Neck Ice Cream Gallery

July 24, 2025

Cape Ann Art Haven are planning fun & creative art…

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Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series

July 24, 2025

The Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series in Gloucester, MA is…

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Ellen Wayland-Smith at the Bookstore of Gloucester

July 24, 2025

Ellen Wayland-Smith, author of ‘The Science of Last Things: Essays…

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Six Ways of Seeing the World at Cove Gallery

July 31, 2025

Six Ways of Seeing the World July 10-  August 3, 2025…

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Sam Vokey – Oil Demonstration

July 31, 2025

Join us on Thursday, July 31, for an oil painting demo…

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Cove Gallery

Six Ways of Seeing the World Closing Event & Artist Talks at Cove Gallery

July 31, 2025

Six Ways of Seeing the World July 10-  August 3, 2025…

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Cape Ann Art Haven at Rocky Neck Ice Cream Gallery

July 31, 2025

Cape Ann Art Haven are planning fun & creative art…

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Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series

July 31, 2025

The Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series in Gloucester, MA is…

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July Book of the Month Meet Up at the Bookstore of Gloucester

July 31, 2025

Join the Bookstore of Gloucester to discuss their July book:…

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Rosalie Sidoti – Oil Demonstration

August 7, 2025

Join us on Thursday, August 7, for an oil painting demo…

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Music by Scarlett Ribbons or Sage

August 7, 2025

Enjoy and dance to the live music by Scarlett Ribbons…

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Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series

August 7, 2025

The Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series in Gloucester, MA is…

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Robert Frascella – Pastel Demonstration

August 14, 2025

Join us on Thursday, August 14, for a pastel demo with Robert…

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Music by Scarlett Ribbons or Sage

August 14, 2025

Enjoy and dance to the live music by Scarlett Ribbons…

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Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series

August 14, 2025

The Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series in Gloucester, MA is…

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Music by Scarlett Ribbons or Sage

August 21, 2025

Enjoy and dance to the live music by Scarlett Ribbons…

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Knotted Pink Live Band

August 21, 2025

Live music at the Cultural Center at Rocky Neck.

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Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series

August 21, 2025

The Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series in Gloucester, MA is…

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Line's End - FREE SHOW - Third Thursday (music) Therapy

August 21, 2025

The Cut Live has a FREE show every third Thursday!…

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Marion Hall – Watercolor Demonstration

August 28, 2025

Join us on Thursday, August 28, for a watercolor demo with Marion…

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Cape Ann Art Haven at Rocky Neck Ice Cream Gallery

August 28, 2025

Cape Ann Art Haven are planning fun & creative art…

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Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series

August 28, 2025

The Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series in Gloucester, MA is…

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Getting Around Culture Splash

Events in each cultural district are within walking distance of each other. To travel between Harbortown and Rocky Neck, take the harbor shuttle provided by Cape Ann Harbor Tours, which runs FREE every Thursday night!

The Cape Ann Harbor Tours shuttle runs continuously from 4:00 pm-8:00 pm with stops at the Harbormaster Dock, 51 Rocky Neck Restaurant, and St. Peter’s Square.

Coming from another part of town? CATA on Demand runs weeknights until 8:00 pm. Learn more and plan your trip here.

Cape Ann Harbor Tours

Parking & Public Transportation

Parking is available with payments through the Flowbird app or kiosks on-street and in lots around town. Download the app to see available parking locations ahead of your trip. (Note: Parking is not permitted on Harbor Loop during the Harbor Loop Summer Concert Series on Thursday nights.)

Culture Splash events are within walking distance of the Gloucester stop of the MBTA Commuter Rail. Visit Gloucester on Thursdays from points north on the Rockport line, or pick up the train at stations to the south like Beverly, Lynn, Salem, or Boston’s North Station. Be sure to take a Rockport-bound train as route is shared with the Newburyport line before splitting off toward Cape Ann. View Commuter Rail schedules here.

The annual Gloucester Culture Splash series is made possible in part by grant funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the City of Gloucester, and is powered by generous community volunteers.