Essex County Fairs & Festivals 2026

15 events across 9 towns in Essex County, Massachusetts.

Topsfield Fair — Topsfield, Massachusetts
Featured
AgriculturalFamilySeasonal

Topsfield Fair

America’s oldest agricultural fair — 10 days of livestock, rides, and giant pumpkins.

Oct 2–12Topsfield
Rockport Chamber Music Festival — Rockport, MassachusettsRecurring
MusicCultural

Rockport Chamber Music Festival

Five-week summer celebration featuring world-renowned chamber music ensembles and soloists at Shalin Liu Performance…

Jun 12 – Jul 12Rockport
Gloucester St. Peter’s Fiesta — Gloucester, MassachusettsFree
CulturalSeasonalFamily

Gloucester St. Peter’s Fiesta

Gloucester’s Italian fishing festival — processions, fireworks, and the greasy pole.

Jun 24–28Gloucester
Amesbury Days — Amesbury, MassachusettsRecurringFree
FamilyFood FestivalMusic

Amesbury Days

Ten-day summer celebration dating to 1899 with brewfest, 5K race, live bands, and community events.

Jun 25 – Jul 4Amesbury
Marblehead Festival of Arts — Marblehead, MassachusettsRecurring
ArtisanCraftMusic

Marblehead Festival of Arts

Art exhibits, outdoor concerts over Marblehead Harbor, street festival, and artisans marketplace over Independence…

Jul 1–5Marblehead
Peabody July 4th Ward Celebrations — Peabody, MassachusettsRecurringFree
FamilySeasonal

Peabody July 4th Ward Celebrations

Ward-by-ward Fourth of July celebrations throughout the city with parades, games, contests, and refreshments.

Sat, Jul 4Peabody
Yankee Homecoming — Newburyport, MassachusettsRecurringFree
MusicFamilyCultural

Yankee Homecoming

Nation's longest continuously running homecoming festival with music, tradition, and community celebrations.

Jul 25 – Aug 2Newburyport
Salem 400+ Heritage Days Festival — Salem, MassachusettsFree
CulturalFamilyFood Festival

Salem 400+ Heritage Days Festival

Celebrating Salem's 400+ year history with heritage parade, food trucks, craft beverages, artisan market, and family…

Sat, Aug 1Salem
Newburyport Chamber Music Festival — Newburyport, MassachusettsRecurring
MusicCultural

Newburyport Chamber Music Festival

Ten-day chamber music festival featuring intimate performances in churches, libraries, and homes with many free events.

Aug 5–15Newburyport
Rockport Celtic Festival — Rockport, MassachusettsRecurring
MusicCultural

Rockport Celtic Festival

September celebration of traditional Celtic music featuring performances at Shalin Liu Performance Center.

Sep 1–30Rockport
Gloucester Schooner Festival — Gloucester, MassachusettsRecurring
CulturalFamilyFood Festival

Gloucester Schooner Festival

42nd Annual Labor Day maritime heritage celebration with historic schooner parades, races, deck tours, and fireworks.

Sep 4–7Gloucester
Bread & Roses Heritage Festival — Lawrence, MassachusettsFree
CulturalMusicFamily

Bread & Roses Heritage Festival

A free Labor Day festival of labor history, world music, and immigrant culture.

Mon, Sep 7Lawrence
Oysterfest In The Port — Newburyport, MassachusettsRecurring
Food FestivalFamily

Oysterfest In The Port

Waterfront oyster festival featuring 20+ oyster farms with fresh-shucked oysters, craft beer, wine, and live music.

Sat, Sep 26Newburyport
Peabody International Festival — Peabody, MassachusettsRecurring
CulturalFood Festival

Peabody International Festival

Signature 40-year festival featuring 65+ international food vendors, live performances, and cultural celebrations.

Sun, Sep 27Peabody
Salem Haunted Happenings — Salem, MassachusettsRecurringFree
SeasonalCulturalFamily

Salem Haunted Happenings

The Witch City’s month-long Halloween festival of tours, a parade, and haunted houses.

Oct 1–31Salem