December 10, 2025

Holiday Activities on the North Shore

There's so much to do and so much to see during your winter stay with us. Relax at our inn and enjoy seaside scenery without the busy hustle and bustle of a waterfront. From Briar Barn Inn, it’s easy to slip out into our surrounding communities to nearby beaches, coastal trails, and charming town centers.

We'll make the checklist for you. Did you eat at Grove? Did you enjoy a treatment at The Spa already? Did you lounge near the fireplace in our cozy library? If you answered "yes" to all of these, it's time to bundle up, venture out, and see all that the North Shore has to offer, just moments away from Briar Barn Inn. Explore and celebrate the season like a local, and visit the hidden gems below.

A Christmas Carol at North Shore Music Theatre
DECEMBER 1ST  -  DECEMBER 23RD  (BEVERLY)


You don’t want to miss A Christmas Carol! Come along for the ride as Ebenezer Scrooge finds his holiday spirit again. This cast works extraordinarily hard every year to put on a great show!


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Zoo Lights at Stone Zoo
NOVEMBER 14  -  JANUARY 4TH  (STONEHAM)


Enter a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights spanning Stone Zoo’s 26 acres. Visit with Santa, indulge in cookie decorating, or reserve a spot to have hot coco with reindeer. Great for adults and families!


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Christmas at Castle Hill
DECEMBER 5TH  -  DECEMBER 28TH  (IPSWICH)


Visiting Castle Hill at the Crane Estate during Christmas is a time-honored tradition. This year’s event celebrates the beauty of the natural world. You’ll see birds, flowers, snowflakes, and more as you view 18 spaces decorated for the holidays. Go at your own pace and learn from interpreters stationed in rooms. Enjoy freshly baked cookies and hot chocolate, try the Crane holiday eye spy, and shop in the Castle Hill Gift Shop during your visit. An Ipswich gem!


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Amesbury Holiday Market
DECEMBER 7TH - DECEMBER 21ST  (AMESBURY)


The local Amesbury community market has local vendors at Bare Wolf Brewing every sunday during the season! Shop for unique gifts for loved ones, or for yourself!


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Deck the Halls at Hammond Castle Museum
NOVEMBER 21ST  -  JANUARY 4TH  (GLOUCESTER)


“Deck the Halls” at Hammond Castle Museum is anannual holiday installation. The Gloucester castle is transformed with themed trees, garlands, lights, and candlelit décor inspired by medieval and Renaissance Europe. For the 2025 season, visitors can wander the festively dressed rooms during the day!


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Middle Street Walk
DECEMBER 13TH  (GLOUCESTER)

 

Celebrate historic Middle Street of Gloucester, steps away from shops, dining, and tourist attractions! So many events happen all day long. Shop local crafts & books, see the Sargent House Museum (for free!), meet Santa, or tour the City Hall tower. The Middle Street walk always ends with the lighting of the lobster trap tree. Yes, a Christmas tree made out of lobster traps!


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Invitation Nights in Newburyport
DECEMBER 5TH  -  DECEMBER 19TH  (NEWBURYPORT)


Enjoy merchant hospitality, live entertainment, shopping, and dining in beautiful and festive downtown Newburyport, The Tannery, Merrimac Place, and Horton’s Yard.  Spend your evening strolling from shop to shop as you stock up on holiday gifts while enjoying munchies and beverages offered by local merchants.  These Newburyport Invitation Nights will get you in the holiday spirit and will turn any Scrooge into Kris Kringle.


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gingerbread & beer at true north ale
December 16th (IPSWICH)


Join the fun at the Gingerbread House Building event in the True North Ales Taproom! Create the gingerbread house of your dreams while socializing and enjoying great craft beer. Invite your friends, bring the kids, make it a date-night, or come by yourself to allow for undivided attention to your creation. Tickets available for purchase online!


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