Summer on the North Shore is slipping away rapidly—but there’s still plenty of time to get out and enjoy the September weather with community events galore. And if you’re anything like us here at Northshore, you might argue that this month is the most glorious month we get all year. Below, find events that ease the transition from summer into fall, like seasonal festivals, along with can’t-miss art exhibits, and theater performances. Read on for ten things to do north of Boston this September.
“Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson -Apt. 2B” at Gloucester Stage Company
Sept. 4–27
Beginning Sept. 4, Gloucester Stage Company puts on “Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson -Apt. 2B” a new play by Kate Hamill and directed by Rebecca Bradshaw. Holmes and Watson look a little different in this suspenseful and witty classic comedy. Solve the crime with Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they crack the case!
gloucesterstage.com/2025-season
Rockport Celtic Festival
Sept. 11–14
Edinburgh-born harpist and composer Maeve Gilchrist presents the sixth annual Rockport Celtic Festival at the Shalin Liu Performance Center. The festival features a long weekend of music, from Sept. 11 through 14, celebrating Celtic music. Some of the weekend’s highlights include a Chantey sing on Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. and a Ceilidh! on Sept. 13 at 9:45 p.m.
rockportmusic.org/rockport-celtic-festival
Farm Days at Appleton Farms
Sept. 13–14, 12 to 5 p.m.
Appleton Farms’ annual celebration returns this Sept. 13 and 14, kicking off the start of the fall season with a weekend of live music, wood-fired pizza, lawn games, children’s activities, and local beer vendors. Take a self-guided walk through the farm’s nature trails, take a hayride or meet the barnyard animals with the kids, or grab a bite from one of the food trucks while enjoying the weather. Nonmember tickets start at $30 per car, and the event runs from 12 noon to 5 p.m. each day.
thetrustees.org/place/appleton-farms
“Knowing Nature: Stories of the Boreal Forest” at PEM
Through September 27
Discover the biodiversity and global importance of our northernmost forests through first-person stories, commissioned objects, interactive experiences and exquisite photography and videography. The boreal forest is critical to the health of our entire planet. It helps regulate Earth’s climate, is the world’s largest land biome, is a critical water reservoir and holds two to three times as much carbon as tropical forests.
pem.org/exhibitions/knowing-nature-stories-of-the-boreal-forest
Children’s Business Fair
Sept. 27, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
The Acton Children’s Business Fair comes to South Hamilton this Sept. The fair gives kids ages eight through eighteen the opportunity to develop a product or service, come up with a marketing strategy, then serve customers on Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. through 2 p.m. Up to 50 teams or individual entrepreneurs will be selling their wares; the event is sponsored by Acton Academy, the Acton School of Business, and Next Great Adventure.
childrensbusinessfair.org/hamiltonwenham-ma
Salisbury Days
Sept. 18–21
Salisbury Days returns this Sept. 18 through 21, serving as the unofficial end to summer on the North Shore. The weekend-long festival includes plenty of family-friendly events like a car show and a kite festival. BareWolf Brewing will be the featured brew at the Cheer Garden.
salisburyrecreation.com/events.html
Newburyport Documentary Film Festival
Sept. 26–28
The Newburyport Documentary Film Festival returns for its 21st year this Sept. 26 through 28. The festival brings to Newburyport the best in new thought-provoking and educational documentaries for a weekend each September. Many of the screenings are followed by discussions with the filmmakers and other experts. The festival also features films given the YES (Young Emerging Filmmakers Showcase) Award. A detailed schedule will be posted on the fest’s website in the weeks leading up the festival.
Marini Farm – Doggy Maze Daze, Ipswich
Sept. 6 and 7
Take your pup to Doggy Maze Daze at Marini Farm to explore 7 acres of twisting paths through the corn maze to raise money for the Ipswich Humane Group. A portion of every admission goes to cover food and medical expenses for animals of all types in the care of The Ipswich Humane Group. All dogs must be leashed at all times, and owners must clean up after their dogs.
Chris’ Farm Stand – Woofstock, Haverhill
Sept. 27
Celebrate Haverhill’s one and only dog event Woofstock on Chris’ Farm! Dogs are welcomed but it is not necessary to have a dog to enjoy the event. The event includes over 40 vendors that include demos & food, apple picking, live music, dog adoptions by Sweet Paws Rescue, apple baking contest, pet costume contest, and more.
Hammond Castle Museum-Hammond in Italy, Gloucester
Sept. 10-30
The Hammond In Italy exhibit premiers with an opening reception and presentation with Curatorial Director John Leysath. The exhibit explores John Hays Hammond Jr.’s time abroad and the lasting influence Italy had on his life, inventions, and collection. The temporary exhibit runs through January 4. Museum members enjoy free admission, and for non-members entry is included with the regular admission.