This annual event brings over 2,000 people to the downtown area each January to shop at local stores, enjoy family friendly activities, visit the Museum Courtyard, and find each of the ice sculptures sponsored by local cultural institutions and businesses.

Gloucester’s So Salty will take place on Saturday, January 24 and Sunday, January 25, 2026 from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm!

Activities and Performances

Ice Sculptures, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

While the downtown Museum is temporarily closed for renovations, we welcome you to visit us at the CAM Tent in the Museum’s Courtyard to grab a Brochure map of the weekend’s activities and find all the ice sculptures downtown (Hint, three are right by the tent in the Courtyard!).

Sea Shanties, Saturday, January 24, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Sea Shanties performed by Three Sheets to the Wind. Free and open to the public. Unitarian Universalist Church of Gloucester, Middle Street, Gloucester.

Sawyer Free Library, Saturday 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Meet Mayor Lundberg who will be reading Katy and the Big Snow, by Virginia Lee Burton, at 1:00 p.m. and enjoy free children’s activities and crafts on Saturday with Open Door and Pathways of Gloucester. Free and Open to the Public.

Sawyer Free Library: All events are open to all ages, families and community members!

• Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. on the Second Floor (Children’s Department): Frozen Fun with Elsa: Elsa’s Frozen Ice & Snow show brings stories and the science of ice together for a fun morning of learning for children!
• Saturday 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on the Main Floor (Reading Lounge): Live Music Trio featuring a variety of wintertime fun including Gershwin, Disney, some folk tunes, and classics
• Saturday 1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m. on the Main Floor (Reading Lounge): Mayor Lundberg reads Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton
• Saturday 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. on the Ground Floor (Community Room): Get Salty with fellow Community Partners! The Open Door hosts Crispy Chickpeas (includes samples!!!) and Pathways for Children offers Salt Art Snowflakes (colored salt and glue of pre-cut snowflake shapes).

Businesses Downtown

Check individual locations for days and times including listings for Special Offers as well as Family Friendly Activities!

• The Bookstore of GloucesterFestive window display, 10% off select Salty books, and special ‘salty’ candles for sale courtesy of A Tale of Two Candles! Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. & Sunday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 61 Main St.
• Floating Lotus All weekend: 10% Off storewide. Join us for a Drumming Class: Primal Roots Drumming on Sunday, Jan 25th, 1:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the store. (Bring your own drum or rent one! For tickets visit: www.floatinglotus.net/products/primal-roots-drum. 169 Main Street.
• Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library Sawyer SATURDAY: Free events and activities! 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.: Frozen Fun with Elsa: Elsa’s Frozen Ice & Snow show brings stories and the science of ice together for a fun morning of learning for children! 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. on the Main Floor: Live Music Trio featuring a variety of wintertime fun including Gershwin, Disney, folk tunes, and classics, 1:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.: Mayor Lundberg reads Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.: Get Salty with crafts by The Open Door and Pathways for Children. 2 Dale Avenue.
• Dogtown BooksCreate your own Salty poetry, expressions or silly phrases on our front window! Saturdayand Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 132 Main St.
• Fireflies Boutique Stop in for piece of Saltwater Taffy, free, at Fireflies Boutique. 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, 100 Main St.
• Cape Ann Olive Oil 20% off on all salts and salt related products. Saturday & Sunday, 10-:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 57 Main St.
• Design of Mine, a local boutique, 40% Off storewide Saturday & Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 33 Main St.
• Sweats of Gloucester 20% off storewide Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., 85 Main Street.
• Saluti and The Salted Cod After you find all the ice sculptures, come to Saluti, Gloucester’s new wine bar, located at the end of Main Street and enjoy a $5 mug of mulled wine or spiked cider! Good all weekend, 12:00 p.m. to closing. 272 Main Street. Offer also available at the Salted Cod on Rocky Neck (53 Rocky Neck Ave.)
• Pop Gallery will be serving up Sales & Ales, warming libations and featuring some fun new looks as well as a Gloucester-So-Salty Raffle prize. Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., 67 Main St.
• Local Colors Come paint salt dough fish, while supplies last; see and shop work by local artists too! Saturday & Sunday, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., 121 Main St.
• Design of Mine 40% Off storewide, All Weekend. 33 Main St.
• Happy Tails Shoppe 10% Off All Dog & Cat Treats. Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 186 Main St.
• Masshole & Co Pet Provisions Special:Doggie “Pawgaritas” – $1 with any purchase! A cucumber-based drink topped with whipped cream that pups can’t resist. Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., 137 Main St.
• Mark Adrian Shoes Icy, salty streets getting you down? Stay safe, dry, warm and fabulous in new winter boots! Lots on sale! Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., 103 Main St.
• Gloucester Apparel and Pat Ds Photos Buy-3, Get-One-Free Hat Sale! Includes Fleece Lined Caps. Pat D’s Photos: All notecards $3 each and large banner flags discounted to $25. Plus – free Salted Caramels 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day. 44A Main St., in between the Cave and Caffe Sicilia.
• The Dress Code Stop by The Dress Code to warm up and enjoy 20% Off winter coats! Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 159 Main St.
• Joe’s Fresh Fish Prints Come check out Fish Printing Demonstrations from 11:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., 6 Main St.
• Castaways Vintage Café $2 Salted Caramel lattes!! Saturday & Sunday, 6:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m., 65 Main St.
• Sample This Winter Sale! Saturday & Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., 123 Main St.
• Cape Ann Lanes/Laneside Pub & Brewery Special Offer! Buy-1, Get-one-free hot cocoa in our Winter Wonderland Beer Garden OR 10% off bowling and food after 4:00 p.m. Offer good all weekend! 53 Gloucester Ave.

Pre-Salty! GLO-ARTs – Make Your Own Ice Sculpture, A Children’s Program

Join Sawyer Free Library and Gloucester Center for the Arts (GloArts) to make a collaborative ice sculpture for the 5th Annual Gloucester So Salty Festival! We’ll be making elements for the collaborative ice sculpture using food coloring, natural plants, and more. We’ll also talk about how to assemble our final sculpture. Once the elements freeze, you’re invited to come back on Friday, January 23 from 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. to help put out our ice sculpture art installation outside the library! Patrons ages 11-19 (grades 6-12) are welcome to participate in this event. Space is limited, so registration is required.

Saturday, January 17, 1:30—3:30 p.m.

Sawyer Free Library, 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester

Dottie was a loving mom, wife, teacher, and a familiar face in the Gloucester community, where she was involved with groups like the Gloucester Housing Authority. People admired her for her strength and determination. 

Even as a young woman, Dottie showed real grit and dedication. During the Korean War, she stepped up to serve her country, working for General Douglas MacArthur. Her commitment during that time was just one example of the duty and patriotism that guided her throughout her life. 

After coming home to Gloucester from her military service, Dottie started a long and rewarding career in education. For over 30 years, she taught kindergarten in the Gloucester schools, touching the lives of countless children with her caring and belief in their potential. Many former students still remember the positive impact she had on them. 

Dottie was preceded in death by her husband, Manuel F. Martins, her partner in both family and work until he passed away in 1991. She leaves behind her daughter, Stephanie M. Ingraham of Santa Barbara, CA; her son, Stephen W. Martins of Covington, LA; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. 

Outside of work and family, Dottie loved life and kept busy with painting, drawing, knitting, and volunteering. Friends valued her for her wisdom, sense of humor, and loyal friendship. 

Dottie’s life was a great example of curiosity, perseverance, and faith. She handled tough times with grace and was always thankful for the good things that came her way. She’ll be deeply missed by her family, friends, and everyone who was lucky enough to know her. 

A celebration of Dottie’s life will be held in the spring of 2026 in her hometown of Gloucester, MA

JANUARY 12, 2026 ~ THE CUT LIVE

Wednesday our weekly Celtic Seisiún in the restaurant starting at 6pm. This is intended to be a collaborative music experience so come grab a Guinness and enjoy the cozy neighborhood pub vibes! No cover. 

Thursday we have our monthly FREE Show – Third Thursday (music) Therapy featuring WhiskeyTalk! These shows are a thank you to our community, and a great opportunity to check out the venue if you haven’t had a chance yet! Doors are at 6pm, show is at 7pm. Seating is first come, first serve. 21+, positive ID required. 
We also have a Premier Paint Party happening in the restaurant at 7pm. There are still some seats available. So rally a group of friends and come paint the Winter Moon while sipping a cocktail! 

Friday is a VERY special screening of the film TOWNIE – written by and starring local comedy legend Steve Sweeney! Directed by Ian Barrett and produced by Peter Farrelly this hilarious and heartfelt reflection on growing up in Charlestown is not to be missed. There are still some seats available. You can also purchase a VIP meet & greet for before the show (free for The Cut Diamond Members), or stay after for a Q&A with Steve Sweeney and Ian Barrett. 
We will also have live music in the restaurant with Peter Tintendo from 7-10pm. No cover. 

Saturday is Annie Brobst. We are so excited to have Annie back up on The Cut stage! She’ll be joined by Whiskey-6 and Ross Livermore for a night of country music that you don’t want to miss. Doors are at 7pm. Show at 8pm. Seats are sold out, but there are still some GA tickets available. 

Plus we are throwing it down with DJ Vito & Friends in the restaurant from 9 to close! DJ Vito Ferrara & Friends will be with us every Saturday night. No cover. Follow us on social media for guest DJ updates!

Sunday we’ll have all the NFL Divisional Roundplayoff games on in the restaurant. The Pats game is TBD, but our boys are in it! You still have a chance to enter to win a VIP Super Bowl Party experience in the venue for you and your crew. All you have to do it watch a game at The Cut.

BRAVO² is now officially up and running serving their killer Detroit Style pizzas along with a full menu of other delicious salads, sides, and mains. Come on by and check them out! Updated hours are below. 
Their winter hours are: 
Wed 5pm – 9pm
Thu 5pm – 9pm
Fri 5pm – 10pm
Sat 5pm – 10pm
Sun 12pm – 9pm
Closed Mon & Tue

PREMIER PAINT PARTY RESERVATION

TOWNIE TICKETS

ANNIE BROBST TICKETS

BRAVO² IS OPEN AT NOON ON SUNDAY! COME WATCH FOOTBALL WITH US!! We have NFL Sunday Ticket and we’re the only bar in town that has enough TVs to show ALL the games. You can also scan in each game day for a chance to win a VIP Super Bowl Party Experience! We’ll be hosting the best Super Bowl Party on the North Shore back in the venue!!

Our 2026 The Cut Memberships are now on sale. Sign up for exclusive presales, perks and privileges!

GET MEMBERSHIP DETAILS HERE

HOURS: 
MON CLOSED, TUE CLOSED, WED 5PM, THU 5PM, FRI 5PM, SAT 5PM, SUN 12PM

THE CUT | 177 Main Street | Gloucester, MA

Visit Our Website

Buy Tickets to a Show

Thankful!

Juni Van Dyke.   

 These Beautiful Hands:  A Tribute to Our Elders

Opening reception, Friday, January 16, 5-7 pm | Exhibition dates: January 16-February 14, 2026. at THE AVA GALLERY in Lebanon, New Hampshire

Juni Van Dyke | These Beautiful Hands: A Tribute to Our Elders, A Multi-Media Installation | Elizabeth Rowland Mayor Gallery at THE AVA GALLERY

“They came of age during the great depression and the Second World War and went on to build modern America — men and women whose everyday lives of duty, honor, achievement, and courage gave us the opportunity for a better world.” —Tom Brokaw, The Greatest Generation

Exhibition Statement | Juni Van Dyke’s work seeks to challenge a widespread American notion that equates aging with diminished value and fading beauty. She aims to recast this narrative by honoring the wisdom, grace, and quiet strength that accompany the passage of time. She sought to shift this stereotype by creating a tribute to the wisdom, grace, and dignity of advancing age—indeed, to the marvel of being old. Her project honors elders through a focus on their hands: hands worn smooth like river stones by years of loving, caring, laboring, and living. Wrinkled, callused, arthritic, spotted, and veined, these are the beautiful hands of time. The artist spent many hours visiting with the participants of the projects. Each cast hand represents a soul, and a life lived well. The work unfolds across sculpture, dialogue, painting, drawing, and photography. Gifts (Sculpture and dialogue); Memories (drawing); Gratitude (painting); and Then (photographic imagery).

Gifts: plaster-cast hands. Each plaster cast represents the passage of time, set above each cast, a brief text– an anecdote revealing major life experiences or points of view, which was revealed while chatting with each participant. Plaster-cast hands and handmade paper

Gratitude: acrylic on panel. The small paintings are intentionally composed and represent a gesture of gratitude to the elderly. The artist made these for and about people she has known and loved, in addition to those who have participated in the project. The painting image used in the exhibition postcard is a tribute to her grandmother.

Memories: charcoal drawings: These drawings explore a connection between the artist and her mother. She made them while holding her mother’s hand; together their united hands elicited a variation in mood and emotion that catalyzes her fascination with drawing and bears witness to communication and loving familial connection.

Then: Images of anonymous participants as they were in their youth during the 1930s and 1940s, juxtaposed with music from that era, place the work in a historical context and evoke the inevitability of time passing. Mood for Love, Louis Armstrong

Biography | Juni Van Dyke is a graduate of The School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and holds a BFA and MAT from Tufts University.  Since 1996, she has been the director of the arts program for Senior Citizens in Gloucester, MA. Under her direction, work created by Senior Citizens has been exhibited in museums and public institutions in New England. Van Dyke is the recipient of the St. Botolph Foundation Award, Boston.  Van Dyke’s work is held in the permanent collection of The Cape Ann Museum and in numerous private collections.  Her work was selected by Room & Board for inclusion in its limited-edition art series and is on view throughout the U.S. in Room & Board’s major city locations.

www.sushisanglee.com

Photo credit Katelyn Ciaramitaro

JANUARY 10, 2026 ~ SAWYER FREE LIBRARY

On Saturday, January 17 from 2:00 to 3:15pm take a journey through the roots of American popular music at the Sawyer Free Library in the Community Room. 

A Journey Through the Roots of American Popular Music is a program of songs and stories about the origins of the blues, rock, and country music presented by singer and songwriter Jon Waterman. In the show, Jon is joined by Li Waterman on bass. The program, which also features an accompanying slideshow, explores some of the fascinating characters and events that are part of the history and the role of music in our lives. Register at sawyerfreelibrary.org. 

The program has been described as, “a unique performance experience combining music history, storytelling, and original songs inspired by his research.” And “A must see for anyone interested in American history or American music!” 

Musician and songwriter Jon Waterman has been performing his original songs along with blues, rock and country standards throughout his life. His music is influenced by intriguing characters and stories from history, the roots of the music he loves, and the diversity of the human experience. His song “Sultana” which tells the story of the Civil War steamboat disaster was selected to be featured at the Sultana museum in Marion, AR. Waterman has presented his programs “A Journey Through the Roots of American Popular Music” and “Cro-Magnon Blues: History and Legends Through Song” in venues around the country, both in person and virtually. He has an M.A. in Popular Music History from Prescott College. Li is a classically trained guitarist and singer who formerly fronted the Rhode Island band Alien Tesh. She is also an artist and graduate of Museum School in Boston.

For more information or to register for this exciting program go to sawyerfreelibrary.org.

http://www.sushisanglee.com

Their Mama was an outdoor cat who had her kittens in a flower bed. The finder reached out to rescuers in North Carolina to see if they could keep her safe while she raised her kittens. Joela is on the more shyer side, but once you spend some time with her and she becomes comfortable, you’ll this duo is very playful and love attention. Playing with their toys, snuggling in the hammock, and enjoy feeding time. Take one of these sweet kittens home with you and you won’t be disappointed!

Apply today at capeannanimalaid/catapp

BreedDomestic Shorthair/Mix Age9 months 5 days GenderFemale SizeMedium ColorGrey/White Spayed/NeuteredDeclawedNo HousetrainedYes Adoption Price$275.00 

______________________________________
Cape Ann Animal Aid

Christopher Cutler Rich Animal Shelter
4 Paws Lane
Gloucester, MA 01930

(978) 283-6055

www.CapeAnnAnimalAid.org

www.facebook.com/CapeAnnAnimalAid

GLOUCESTER FISHERMEN VS ALGONQUIN TITANS BOYS VARSITY HOCKEY (REPLAY) 1-10-26

Gloucester Wastewater Treatment Plant Data from BioBot is in. Flu levels are SEVERE this week & COVID levels are VERY HIGH. Stay informed by reading the full nurse report on the City of Gloucester website👉https://tinyurl.com/nursesreport.

Traveling? Consider wearing a mask or taking a COVID-19/Flu test to help protect friends and family.
😷Pick up both masks & tests at the Health Department in the City Hall Annex on 3 Pond Rd in Gloucester!
🧪COVID-19 and flu test kits limited to one box per family.
⏰Office Hours:
Mon-Wed: 8:00am – 4:00pm,
Thur: 8:00am – 6:30pm,
Fri: 8:00am – 12:30pm.

You can also get a free COVID-19 vaccination, along with Flu, RSV, and Shingrix (by appointment only).
Call (978) 325-5266 to schedule.

GloucesterHealthDepartment

We’ll be open in Rockport this Saturday & Sunday 8:00 am – to sellout at 1 Whistlestop Mall in Rockport.

Bagel of the Week: Maple Salt +Pepper!

We will also be at the Downtown Lowell Farmers Market @#thehivepublicmarket 101 Paige Street

on Sunday, 01/11 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm or sellout!

Pre-Order at www.saltysbagels.com