Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Gloucester as Culture Splash gears up for its third year. The event series is set to kick off on Thursday, July 6th, adding an exciting blend of new offerings to its already impressive roster. Culture Splash has also had a light rebrand thanks to local designer Alex Warden, and visitors will notice a new logo and color scheme donned on signage, stickers, and flyers this year.
Home to two of Massachusetts’ designated cultural districts, Rocky Neck and Harbortown, Gloucester has a unique blend of history, fine arts, creativity, maritime tradition, and diverse cultures. Culture Splash brings these elements together for a vibrant, city-wide celebration every Thursday evening in July and August from 4:00 to 7:00pm.
Made possible by funding from the City of Gloucester and Mass Culture Council, each Culture Splash Thursday includes free events in both districts from 4:00-7:00pm, and free rides between districts on the Cape Ann Harbor Tours Water Shuttle from 4:00-8:00pm! This year, we’ve expanded our Harbor Shuttle service to stop at St. Peter’s Park, bringing ‘Culture Splashers’ easy access to more of the Harbortown Cultural District. With stops at Harbor Loop, Rocky Neck, and now St. Peter’s Park, guests can easily traverse and explore the diverse cultural landscape of Gloucester.
As always, participating cultural organizations will open their doors, hosting an array of events that include writing workshops, artist demonstrations, gallery exhibits, admission to museums, performances, and live music – all free of charge! Enjoy the return of Cape Ann Museum’s popular weekly outdoor Courtyard Concerts at the downtown campus on Pleasant Street, live dance performances offered by MAGMA (Movement Arts Gloucester, MA), sail on a local Schooner or take a deck tour of a visiting vessel during the Gloucester Maritime Rendezvous, learn about Folly Cove Sketches at the Sawyer Free Library, see the Cape Ann Big Band at Gloucester Meetinghouse, take in a performance of the Annisquam Village Players’ The Gloucester Story on Maritime Gloucester’s pier, and so much more in Harbortown.
“Whether taking part in the world-class cultural district of America’s oldest art colony on Rocky Neck or experiencing the unique cultural heritage of America’s oldest seaport in Harbortown, your Thursday nights this summer are sure to be memorable. Come explore the first city in Massachusetts to have two designated cultural districts, and find out all that Gloucester has to offer,” said Michael DeKoster, Executive Director at Maritime Gloucester.
On Rocky Neck, programming includes workshops and events with Gloucester Writers Center, the Spongebob Musical & Backyard Dock Party at Gloucester Stage Co., Demos with North Shore Arts Association, Cape Ann Makers Markets at Ocean Alliance, a Good Harbor Play Reading with Rocky Neck Art Colony, and live music featuring local musicians. Plus in 2023, more galleries will be opening their doors to visitors and residents than ever before for exhibits, activities, and demos. From Madfish Wharf to Cripple Cove – there is so much to see and do on Rocky Neck!
“This collaboration is an invitation to guests from afar and in each district’s backyard to come out and celebrate the arts and culture surrounding Gloucester’s harbor. We’re excited for Culture Splash visitors to experience free events in both communities via the free water shuttle across the harbor” said Chris Griffith, Managing Director at Gloucester Stage.
Culture Splash invites you to plunge into Gloucester’s cultural tide, where every wave is a new story waiting to be discovered. Get ready to embark on a journey of music, art, dance, history, and maritime exploration this summer. For more information and regular updates on weekly event activities and local business happenings, visit discovergloucester.com/culture-splash
About Culture Splash
Culture Splash is an annual summer event series hosted by the Rocky Neck and Harbortown Cultural Districts of Gloucester, Massachusetts. The event showcases Gloucester’s cultural organizations, creative groups, galleries, artists, and cultural non-profits. Launched in 2021, Culture Splash aims to celebrate and promote the city’s vibrant cultural community.
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