holidays

Middle Street Walk: Events at Sawyer Free Library

~ Sawyer Free Library

Middle Street Walk
Saturday, December 13 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Sawyer Free Library · 2 Dale Avenue, Gloucester, MA

Celebrate the 27th annual Middle Street Walk, a beloved Gloucester holiday tradition where “the past is present!” Enjoy a festive day filled with music, art, community events, and FREE horse-drawn wagon rides along historic Middle Street. The Sawyer Free Library is excited to be part of the celebration with special programs for all ages.

Festivities at the Sawyer Free Library

10:30–11:30 AM — Holiday Music & Card Making for Kids
Drop in for cheerful music and hands-on card-making fun — perfect for children and families.

12:00–2:00 PM — Walker Creek Saxophone Quartet Performance
Enjoy a live performance from this talented saxophone quartet, filling the Library with seasonal favorites and jazzy flair.

1:00–4:00 PM — Tours of the Saunders House Historic WPA Murals
Professional conservator Lisa Mehlin will lead 15-minute guided tours of the newly restored WPA murals in the historic Saunders House. Learn about their remarkable history and the intricate conservation process. Registration required at SawyerFreeLibrary.org.

1:00–1:30 PM — Gingerbread Creation Contest Winner Announcement
Join members of the Middle Street Walk Committee — including Barbara Catalini of Cakes by Barbara — in the Children’s Room as they announce the winners of the 2025 Gingerbread Creation Contest. All gingerbread entries will be on display!

More details on Middle Street Walk festivities city-wide will be shared soon. We hope you’ll join us for this magical Gloucester tradition!

New Year’s Eve at Hammond Castle Museum

~ Hammond Castle Museum

Ring in 2025 in regal splendor! Step into a world of enchantment as Hammond Castle Museum’s Great Hall transforms into the ultimate New Year’s Eve destination with our returning host Bruce Jaques. Dance the night away, indulge in gourmet treats, and uncover the mysteries of the Castle’s unique chambers. As the clock strikes twelve, join us for a spectacular champagne toast and witness our dazzling New Year’s illumination.

So, gather your friends, dress to impress, and create unforgettable memories at Club Castle – the North Shore’s most magical New Year’s celebration. Welcome 2025 in unparalleled style and grandeur! Reserve your tickets now to secure your spot at the North Shore’s most spectacular New Year’s Eve bash.

Doors open at 9:00 pm and the celebration goes to 1:00 am.
21 & Over, ID required upon arrival. Cash bar.

Learn More & Reserve Your Tickets Here!

THIS SATURDAY: THE OPEN DOOR THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE

~ todtheopendoor

Donate and help feed local people, right here on Cape Ann, this coming weekend!

WHEN: Saturday, Nov.23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

WHERE: Participating locations include:  

  • Market Basket at 101 Gloucester Crossing Road, Gloucester MA 
  • Stop & Shop at 6 Thatcher Road, Gloucester MA 
  • Shaw’s at 127 Eastern Avenue, Gloucester MA 
  • Shaw’s at 146 High Street, Ipswich MA 
  • Crosby’s Marketplace at 3 Summer Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea MA 
  • Market Basket at 231 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley MA 

WHAT: The Open Door Thanksgiving Food Drive will have donation locations at six area grocery stores.

Most needed items this year include shelf-stable breakfast foods: cereal, oatmeal, coffee, tea, maple syrup, pancake mix, waffle mix, 100% fruit juice, and granola bars. The Open Door asks people to please avoid donating anything in a glass container.  

The Open Door is also holding a Clothing Donation Drive in conjunction with the Thanksgiving Food Drive. Those that wish to donate gently used clothing at The Open Door’s thrift store, Second Glance, can drop donations off without an appointment from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2 Pond Road, Gloucester MA. Clothing sold at the store helps raise revenue for The Open Door’s hunger-relief programs. 

NEED HELP SETTING THE TABLE FOR THANKSGIVING AND THE DECEMBER HOLIDAYS?

The Open Door has free Holiday Meal Baskets available for local people who need a little extra help setting the table. Order yours today at FOODPANTRY.org. 

Each Holiday Meal Basket includes a turkey (or a special diet alternative) and all the fixings for Thanksgiving dinner. For December, hams will be available.

Want to learn more or donate to help feed our neighbors through the holidays and beyond? Visit FOODPANTRY.org. 

THIS SATURDAY: Holiday Market at Second Glance!

~ todtheopendoor

Shop for clothing, jewelry, handbags, artwork, vintage Christmas, holiday décor and gifts this weekend at Second Glance, Thrift Store of The Open Door.

WHEN: Saturday, December 2 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHERE: Second Glance at 2 Pond Road, Gloucester MA

WHAT: Shop at Second Glance this weekend for a curated selection of one-of-a-kind finds. Sustainable shopping and unique goods make meaningful gifts for the holidays!

Shoppers and donors at Second Glance help raise revenue for The Open Door hunger-relief programs. Learn more at FOODPANTRY.org

This Saturday: Support The Open Door Thanksgiving Food Drive

~ todtheopendoor

The Open Door Thanksgiving Food Drive is this Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Donate and help stock the shelves at The Open Door to feed local people through the holidays and beyond. Participating locations include:   

  • Market Basket at 101 Gloucester Crossing Road, Gloucester MA 
  • Stop & Shop at 6 Thatcher Road, Gloucester MA 
  • Shaw’s at 127 Eastern Avenue, Gloucester MA 
  • Shaw’s at 146 High Street, Ipswich MA 
  • Crosby’s Marketplace at 3 Summer Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea MA 
  • Market Basket at 231 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley MA 
  • NEW THIS YEAR: Clothing Donation Drive at Second Glance at 2 Pond Road, Gloucester MA. No appointment needed, November 18 only.  Clothing donations at Second Glance, Thrift Store of The Open Door, help raise revenue for local hunger-relief programs 

“The Thanksgiving Food Drive is more than just a collection of food. It’s an act of kindness given by a community that cares,” President and CEO Julie LaFontaine said. “Donating an extra couple boxes of your favorite breakfast cereal, pancake mix, or a can of coffee is one tangible way to establish traditions of gratitude and show support for our neighbors not only at the holidays but in the tough winter months ahead.” 

Instead of holiday fixings which have already been secured for the Thanksgiving Baskets, The Open Door is encouraging items of shelf-stable breakfast foods this year, including cereal, oatmeal, coffee, tea, maple syrup, pancake mix, waffle mix, 100% fruit juice, and granola bars. Donors are asked to please avoid donating anything in a glass container.  

Already in 2023, The Open Door has seen more than a 28% increase in visits to its food pantries over 2022. The nonprofit’s kitchen also prepares approximately 3,000 meals each week.  

The Open Door will also be accepting clothing donations only at its thrift store, Second Glance, with no appointment needed on Saturday, Nov. 18. Donations at Second Glance help raise revenue for hunger-relief programs of The Open Door.  

Turkey for Every Table 

Also on Saturday, Nov. 18, The Open Door kicks off its Holiday Basket program. Hundreds of local people will pick-up everything they need to make a special Thanksgiving meal at home, at no cost, at a drive-thru on Emerson Avenue. Holiday Baskets will continue to be distributed by The Open Door right up until the day before Thanksgiving. Holiday Baskets are also available for the December holidays.  

Plenty of Holiday Baskets are available, with a turkey and all the fixings, and can be picked-up by appointment. Many pick-up slots are also available. Sign up today for a Holiday Basket for Thanksgiving and December at FOODPANTRY.org.  

Members of the community who wish to make a monetary donation to help feed local people through the holidays and beyond can do so at FOODPANTRY.org/donate.  

Host a Food Drive for The Open Door this Holiday Season

~ todtheopendoor

Autumn is here, and along with apples and pumpkin spice, it’s time for The Open Door to start preparing for the holidays. The Open Door has seen a 28% increase in the number of requests for food assistance this year at its Food Pantries alone.

Want to help? Please consider hosting a collection site at your workplace, school, place of faith, or other organization for the Thanksgiving Food Drive (November 1-18) to stock the shelves. 

With your support, we can make sure our neighbors have good food for the holidays and beyond.

Life happens. We can help.

Visit FOODPANTRY.org/fooddrive for The Open Door’s Food Drive Toolkit, complete with:

Flyer Template

Facebook Graphics

Instagram Graphics

Tips for a Successful Food Drive

and more!

Please also your group’s collection site here, so that we can schedule a pick-up for your donation.

THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE: Saturday November 18

You can also donate food at The Open Door’s Thanksgiving Food Drive collection sites on Saturday November 18 from 9 a.m to 3 p.m.! Participating sites that day include:

Market Basket
101 Gloucester Crossing Road, Gloucester
Stop & Shop
6 Thatcher Road, Gloucester
Shaw’s
127 Eastern Avenue, Gloucester
Shaw’s
146 High Street, Ipswich
Crosby’s Marketplace
3 Summer Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea
Market Basket
231 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley

A no-appointment needed clothing drive will also be held on Saturday November 18 at Second Glance (2 Pond Road, Gloucester MA).

THANK YOU!

The Open Door Autumn Breakfast 2023

~ todtheopendoor

Life happens. The Open Door can help! Tickets are available NOW for The Open Door Autumn Breakfast on WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 11 from 7:30 to 9:00 A.M. at the Beauport Hotel (55 Commercial Street, Gloucester MA). CLICK HERE to purchase tickets today. Limited spots available.

Each year, The Open Door Autumn Breakfast kicks off the holiday giving season and raises funds for Holiday Meal baskets (and beyond). Each basket provides local people with all the ingredients they will need to make a special meal, and Holiday Baskets are available for BOTH Thanksgiving and the winter holidays.

Autumn Breakfast also honors outstanding volunteers and community partners who have gone above and beyond to connect local people to good food. Learn more at FOODPANTRY.org