December, yikes!
Pick #1: Welcome Back, Santa! Rockport
A hight light of everyone’s holiday season is when Santa comes to town by lobster boat in Rockport Harbor. Events happening between 1:00-5:00 pm. Santa’s arrival, photos with Santa, singing of carols, and the ceremonial tree lighting!
Where else can you see Santa arrive by lobster boat? Santa will arrive at Rockport’s T-Wharf on Rockport Harbor on Saturday, December 1, 2018 at 1:00 PM, following a brisk lobster boat ride across Sandy Bay. Then Santa will climb up onto a Rockport Forest Fire truck and proceed along T-Wharf and Broadway to Spiran Hall (at the corner of Broadway and School Street) led by Rockport cub scouts. This year Santa will be able to linger a while to visit and have photos taken with the children at Spiran Hall until the Tree Lighting Ceremony begins. Then Santa will head over to Dock Square to greet the crowd and kick off the Tree Lighting festivities, before climbing back onto the fire truck to begin his long return journey to the North Pole.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony will get underway at 4 PM welcoming Santa and the public to Dock Square with carols and a stirring rendition of “Christmas in Rockport” performed by the Dock Square Carolers.
The Chairperson of the Board of Selectmen will offer official greetings from the Town and will conclude the ceremony by pulling the switch to light this year’s Rockport Christmas tree.
Pick #2: Castle Hill’s Christmas by the Sea
Friday, 5-8PM
Saturday, 10AM-4PM
Sunday, 12Noon-4PM
Member Adult: $10;
Member Child: $5;
Nonmember Adult: $20;
Nonmember Child: $10;
Ipswich resident: $10 with proof of residency
Visiting Castle Hill at Christmas is a time-honored tradition for many New England families. Don’t miss this year’s spectacular “Christmas by the Sea”. Each room in our 1920s mansion is festively decorated by florists, designers, garden clubs, or volunteers. You’ll find live music and dance, fresh baked cookies and cider, a treasure hunt, family activities, and a visit with Santa.
Make Friday, date night with evening tour hours, a cash bar, light appetizers, and festive music.
Come with friends on Saturday for great decorating ideas, shopping in the Castle Hill gift shop and Harbor Sweets pop up cafe, and more.
Bring the children on Sunday to visit with Santa, take photos, and hunt for sea-themed items in our holiday treasure hunt.
Schedule of Events
Friday, November 30, 5-8pm
Piano music by Robert Allison in the Drawing Room
Cash bar with beer, wine, and our own holiday punch in the Drawing Room
90th Anniversary of the Illyria 1928-1929 South Seas Expedition on the Third Floor
Saturday, December 1, 10am-4pm
Christmas by the Sea treasure hunt
90th Anniversary of the Illyria 1928-1929 South Seas Expedition on the Third Floor
10am Ipswich High School Bel Canto and Chamber Singers directed by Abigail Frost in Drawing Room
11am Ipswich High School Carolers in the Gallery
12Noon Ipswich Middle School Clarinet Choir in the Butler’s Pantry
1pm Ipswich High School Jazz Orchestra directed by Sean Lee in the Drawing Room
2pm String Quartet music featuring Michael Hamill, Carlos Heymann, Alice Newell, and Ann Ward in the Second Floor Bay
2pm Solstice Singers directed by Marybeth Dyer in the Drawing Room
3 pm Ipswich Moving Company’s Youth Dance Ensemble in the Drawing Room, Dining Room, and Stair Hall
Sunday, December 2, 12noon-4pm
Christmas by the Sea treasure hunt
90th Anniversary of the Illyria 1928-1929 South Seas Expedition on the Third Floor
12Noon-2pm Visit with Santa in the Second Floor Bay
12Noon Ipswich High School Honors Brass in the Drawing Room
12Noon Ipswich High School Honors Clarinet Quartet in the Dining Room
1pm Ipswich High School Chamber Orchestra directed by Michael Coelho in the Drawing Room
1pm Venti in the Dining Room
2pm Phoebe Bright in the Dining Room
3pm North Shore Ringers directed by G. Paul Naeger in the Drawing Room
Pick #3: Tree Jubilee at Marini Farm
Browse the holiday cheer and try your luck at winning the tree of your choice! More than 60 beautifully decorated trees will be raffled off to benefit the Ipswich Humane Society!
Marini is proud to host the Ipswich Humane Society’s 5th annual Tree Jubilee. Be a participant in this years Tree Jubilee. Decorate a Wreath or a Tree and donate it to the Ipswich Humane Society to be raffled off during the event at Marini Farm.
This is one of the Humane Society’s biggest fundraisers to help differ the increasing costs of the shelter. Although the event is free to view… 100% of any raffle purchased goes directly to our four legged friends.
Event Details
Tour the gallery of beautifully decorated trees and wreaths donated by local organizations, families, and businesses — then choose the ones you want a chance to win!
More than 60 spectacularly decorated trees and wreaths will be raffled off (decorations and all!) at the end of the Jubilee. You never know what our donors will decorate their trees with!
2018 Gallery Viewing:
Hours:
Friday, November 30th – Noon – 8pm
Saturday, December 1st – 10am-8pm
Sunday, December 2nd – 10am-7pm
Friday, December 7th – Noon – 8pm
Saturday, December 8th – 10am-8pm
Sunday, December 9th – 10am-3pm (EXTRA DAY!!!!)
Winners Pick-Up:
Date: Monday, December 10th
Time: 4pm-7pm
Where:
Marini Farm
259 Linebrook Road
Ipswich, MA 01938Admission: FREE!
Raffle Chances: $5/10 chances
As always, for a comprehensive list of family activities please visit our friends at North Shore Kid
Good Morning Gloucester 