Massachusetts, one of the most historically significant states in the union, is a master at throwing a party—and not only tea parties…
The Old Bay State, a major actor in the early settlement and independence struggle of the nation, is a fantastic site to visit, particularly during a festival in one of its charming tiny villages.
This New England state has long embraced festivals as a way to showcase to the world how wonderful it is to live and visit, whether it’s to celebrate centuries-old maritime customs or a plentiful catch of seafood.
There is a town in Massachusetts that is throwing a party specifically for you, regardless of what you consider to be a good time.
Salem
Salem is a fantastic destination, even though it is notoriously linked to the horrifying 1692 witch trials—or maybe because of it.
The Salem Witch Museum and the Peabody Essex Museum are two places to learn more about this sinister and perilous era. The town is a charming coastal town with a thriving cultural scene.
It probably won’t surprise you to hear that Halloween has become a big deal in Salem because of these spooky events.
With a costumed Grand Parade, street acts, and guided ghost tours of well-known sites associated with the witch trials, the Salem Haunted Happenings festival turns the town into a hybrid of a carnival and a theme park throughout the month of October.
Rockport
Rockport is a well-known destination for live music in Massachusetts, situated on Cape Ann, a short distance from Gloucester.
The month-long Rockport Music Festival, which has been a beloved institution since 1981, features performances at the beachside Shalin Liu Performance Center that attract professional artists and spectators from around the globe.
Pre-concert discussions and workshops are among the off-stage entertainment options at this must-attend summer event, which offers a varied program that includes both contemporary and classical quartets.
The picturesque Rockport waterfront serves as the background for this enjoyable festival. Along with its fantastic beaches, this area also has a road called Bearskin Neck.
Gloucester
Gloucester, which is located on Cape Ann only 35 miles northeast of Boston, has a long history of being associated with commercial fishing, which was highlighted in the popular movie The Perfect Storm.
With landmarks like the Gloucester Fishermen’s Memorial, a bronze statue finished in 1925, and the more recent Fishermen’s Wives Memorial honoring seamen and their families, the town’s fishing heritage is celebrated across the community.
The St. Peter’s Fiesta is the main event in Gloucester’s hectic social calendar.
Founded by Sicilian immigrants in the 1920s, this well-known celebration honors the town’s rich Italian American fishing heritage and takes place in late June.
Before the party really gets going, the festival begins with religious processions and the blessing of the local fishing fleet.
North Adams
North Adams, which is situated in the picturesque Berkshire Hills in western Massachusetts, is rightfully considered one of the state’s most picturesque towns due to its broad Main Street surrounded with trees.
Originally a thriving industrial hub, the town’s old mills and commercial buildings have been transformed into elegant stores, galleries, and tourist destinations.
One of the biggest hubs for contemporary visual art in the US is located at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA).
Want a reason to come? Aim for the festival Solid Sound. Launched by the rock band Wilco in 2010, this highly anticipated music festival is held on the MASS MoCA campus every summer.
Great Barrington
Great Barrington is the ideal retreat for anyone wishing to experience some of Massachusetts’ most stunning landscape because of its location along the Housatonic River in the southern Berkshires.
As the focal point of the Berkshire International Film Festival (BIFF), it has also established a reputation in the film industry.
Every spring, this much awaited film festival will celebrate its 19th year in 2025 and will once more entice well-known filmmakers and performers from all around the nation to take part in exclusive screenings and discussions.
The historic Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center serves as the backdrop for much of the action, while other venues throughout the town also screen feature films, short films, and documentaries.
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