Gloucester residents are welcomed for FREE EVERY TUESDAY at the Hammond Castle Museum. Nearly a dozen Christmas trees, dozens of wreaths, garlands and hand-made bows, two Menorahs, and playful 3D printed touches including gumdrop garland and a replica of the castle styled as a whimsical gingerbread house fill the space. Thousands of twinkling lights and flickering candles set the scene while nutcrackers, gingerbread men, and hidden gnomes and elves add a bit of fun for little ones exploring with their families.

Over the last several seasons, we have grown this program, and that tradition of care has long been guided by our Director of Collections, Beth Welin, whose thoughtful eye has shaped its beauty from the start. This year we were also fortunate to have the generous support of Elaine Quinn, of Elaine Quinn Interiors whose time, encouragement, and friendship helped us elevate the experience for the 2025 season.

We invite you to join us and experience the beauty and joy of the season. Proof of Gloucester residency is required at check-in for all those with Gratis Day admission reservations.

– Gloucester Gratis Days Self-Guided Tours are available every Tuesday throughout the entire 2025 tour season from May 6th through January 4th.
– Advance registration is recommended but not required. You may also register upon arrival in the Museum Shop.

Watch a teaser about Deck the Halls here!

Then, reserve your FREE admission here!

Cape Ann favorite and acclaimed singer-songwriter Chelsea Berry returns to the Great Hall at Hammond Castle Museum for two special holiday performances, accompanied by Kristen Miller on cello. Known for her soulful voice and heartfelt songwriting, Chelsea will perform selections from her holiday album Ring the Bells, along with songs that celebrate joy and togetherness.

On Saturday, December 6, (Doors at 6:30 pm | Performance at 7:00 pm), guests have two ticket options. Those with VIP Tickets arrive at 6:00 pm for an intimate Meet & Greet with Chelsea, including a complimentary champagne toast and preferred seating. Capacity is limited for this exclusive experience. General Admission ticket holders are welcome to arrive for the 7:00 pm performance.

On Sunday, December 7, (Doors at 5:00 pm | Performance at 5:30 pm), families are invited to join in festive sing-alongs, creating a fun and memorable night for all ages.

Chelsea has deep roots on the North Shore and Cape Ann, with past sold-out performances at some of the region’s most beloved venues. Her 2019 concerts at Hammond Castle Museum remain among our most memorable evenings. Over a 25-year career spanning twelve albums, she has toured coast to coast, sharing stages with legendary artists including Mavis Staples, Livingston Taylor, Chris Isaak, and Shawn Colvin.

Reserve your tickets at: https://bit.ly/ChelseaHCM

Tickets are selling very quickly. Don’t miss your chance to step back in time without going up the line.

Rain or Shine!

Step into the world of medieval and Renaissance culture at Hammond Castle Museum, where the castle itself provides a uniquely dramatic backdrop for a magical day steeped in history and fantasy in a stunning setting.

Experience the excitement of The Brotherhood of the Arrow and Sword as they return with their high-energy armored combat demonstrations, bringing the medieval battlefield vividly to life. Enjoy captivating performances from the L.I.A.R.s, who will fill the air with sea shanties, alongside a hulahoop artist, a storyteller, a wandering harpist, a bubble faery, and other enchanting entertainers. New this season, our kids’ tent offers little princes and princesses a craft for hands-on fun. With more vendors and food trucks than before, this year’s Faire is bigger, better, and more magical.

We are thrilled to host James B. Jones and Shelley Wolfe of Netflix’s Emmy Award-winning Love on the Spectrum (LOTS) will be joining us as our Honorary King and Queen!  (You may remember that James was featured on a date at the Museum in Season Two, Episode 5  of LOTS! You can read more about that date here!) James and Shelley will be strolling the Museum grounds in full Renaissance spirit, and guests will have the opportunity to meet them and take photos with them from  11:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Your admission includes access to explore parts of the interior of the Museum and free access to all scheduled entertainment. *Vendor services are not included, and cash is recommended due to limited wi-fi. Cosplay is encouraged, but weapons of any kind are not permitted. Little ones ages 4 and under are free but do require a reserved ticket, and kids ages 5 – 12 are only $10! Hammond Castle Museum Member savings apply.

Don’t miss this extraordinary day of music, pageantry, and living history at Hammond Castle Museum, where the past comes alive in spectacular fashion!

Off-Site Parking is Required & Free Shuttles will run all day:
Free parking will be available at Stage Fort Park (24 Hough Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930), with complimentary white Beauport shuttles, generously sponsored by Townsend Energy, running between the park and the Museum from 8:45 AM to 5:15 PM. On-street parking on Hesperus Avenue is prohibited. On-site parking is reserved exclusively for guests with mobility needs and is not guaranteed.

Reserve your tickets before they’re gone at: https://bit.ly/RenFaireHCM

Step back in time to the days immediately following the Stock Market crash, as ruin awaits many and the nation is on the brink of the Great Depression, to attend one of John Hays Hammond, Jr. famed soirees to celebrate All Hallows’ Eve. In his strange fortress that he calls the ‘Abbey by the Sea’, you’ll meet the eccentric inventor and the members of his inner circle who reveal secrets steeped in obsession, dread, and the macabre. Come dressed for a 1920s Halloween gathering, and journey through time and space as you descend into the darkened castle amidst its haunting chambers and your hosts’ descent into madness.

This unique promenade theater performance begins on the drawbridge and winds through multiple rooms within the Castle. It runs just shy of 60 minutes in total. Performances begin at 6 pm and run every 15 minutes through 9:00 pm. Performances are limited to groups of 15 audience members at a time for an intimate experience. Each story is approximately 6 to 10 minutes long.

**Vintage Halloween attire styled from the 1920s is encouraged. ** Not recommended for children under 13 years old.

Internationally acclaimed accompanist Peter Krasinski returns to the Great Hall this Halloween season for two unique performances featuring live improvised accompaniment to classic black-and-white silent films: Phantom of the Opera and Metropolis. Krasinski will perform on John Hays Hammond Jr.’s original Chickering & Sons piano, filling the soaring acoustics of the Great Hall with an unforgettable blend of history, music, and cinematic magic.

Join us in the candlelit Great Hall at Hammond Castle Museum for an extraordinary group reading with Kevin V. Coan, a highly regarded evidential medium with over 35 years of experience. Kevin’s empathetic approach and down-to-earth demeanor have brought comfort and healing to countless individuals, offering profound messages of connection from loved ones who have crossed over.

Enjoy light refreshments as Kevin uses his remarkable ability to interpret messages through photographs of the departed. Witness firsthand the power of his gift to bridge the gap between worlds and provide evidence of the enduring bond with loved ones.

A single printed photograph of those who have passed is needed to help facilitate the possibility of a reading. Learn more and reserve your seats before they’re gone! This event is expected to sell out.

Only a handful of tickets remain!
Museum Member savings apply! Learn more & reserve your seats at: https://bit.ly/FilmNightHCM

Two Music Legends. One String Quartet. A One-of-a-Kind Venue.

Ever imagined hearing the music of global legends performed by an award-winning string quartet inside our Great Hall with soaring ceilings, stone walls, and immersively epic acoustics? Join Boston’s beloved Rasa String Quartet as they reimagine the biggest hits of Taylor Swift & Queen!
Two unforgettable, 60-minute performances,  ticketed separately.

Join us this Sunday, August 24th:

Doors: 5:30 pm | 6:00 pm – RASA PLAYS TAYLOR SWIFT
Swifties:
Get swept away by virtuosic, genre-defying string renditions of her biggest hits—from nostalgic anthems like Love Story and You Belong With Me to chart-toppers like Cruel Summer and I Can Do It With a Broken Heart.

Doors: 7:30 pm | 8:00 pm – RASA PLAYS QUEEN
Queen Diehards: Feel the thrill of lush, heart-pounding arrangements of Queen’s greatest hits, including Bohemian Rhapsody, Don’t Stop Me Now, and more!

World-Class Recognition in Your Own Backyard – Have you visited lately?

Earlier this month, Hammond Castle Museum was honored with three BONS Reader’s Choice awards, including Reader’s Choice for Best Museum. And just last week, we were named among the top 10 percent of attractions worldwide by TripAdvisor, based entirely on guest reviews.

Our August special events lineup includes something for everyone and as always, we’re open daily from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM (last entrance at 2:45 PM).

And don’t forget about Gloucester Gratis Days, our free admission program for Gloucester residents. It’s our way of giving back to the community that has supported us for nearly a century, and it makes visiting the Museum easier than ever.

Have you explored our new website yet or dropped by to see what’s happening in your own backyard? There’s real momentum at the Museum right now. Whether it’s your first time visiting or your first time in years, we invite you to take a look at all the exciting programs underway.