Witches’ Night Out Newburyport has become known as one of the top Halloween events North of Boston, an annual tradition that connects friends for a fun evening of sipping, shopping and socializing dressed in their best witch attire. So grab your broomstick and pointy hat and fly over to Witches’ Night Out 2026 on Friday, October 16th from 6 – 9 pm. Witches and warlocks are invited to haunt the streets of downtown Newburyport and the Tannery and group or theme costumes are always enjoyed and encouraged. Plan a wicked girl’s or guy’s night out or have a scary fun date night and paint the town orange for this Halloween celebration.
During Witches’ Night Out, costumed revelers are invited to stroll through town and pop into participating shops that stay open late for tricks and treats. Many stores get creative with eerie decorations and offer up spooktacular snacks and drinks. And while all of town will be frighteningly exciting, there are a few shops that always outdo themselves. The Newburyport VIP top three must visit destinations are: Design of Mine at 53 Pleasant Street, Simply Sweet at 12 Inn Street and Partridge in a Bear Tree at 17 Market Square.
Design of Mine, Owner Melissa Tarr knows how to get the party started! Be warned, she will grab your attention with live window dancers and funky tunes. Many witches report being lured into this shop with an uncontrollable desire to dance while sipping and shopping the night away and feeling mesmerized by amazing fashions and must have accessories. Warlocks should also beware as Design of Mine is known to capture them in an enticing area of the shop featuring Best of Newburyport Warlock fashions.
In recent years, Simply Sweet has become one of the must-visit stops during Witches’ Night Out. Just outside the shop on Inn Street, crowds gather as witches dance and sing along to the lively tunes of Soundbridge Union—a talented duo featuring Wendy’s cousin Karen Kearley on vocals and Bernadette Curran on keyboard. Owner Wendy Smith, known throughout the community for her hand-crafted chocolates and welcoming spirit, first invited her cousin’s band to join the festivities a few years ago, and it’s since become popular highlight. While the music keeps the energy high outside, don’t miss the chance to step inside Simply Sweet to sample Wendy’s decadent creations and experience the local charm that makes this stop so special.
When you think of Halloween in Newburyport and Holiday shopping events, Partridge in a Bear Tree has been a retail shop leader for decades, inspiring the expansion of these cherished traditions in both Newburyport and Salem. The late owner of Partridge in a Bear Tree, Kevin Riley will always be remembered for his strong commitment to community, and for motivating other local business owners to participate in Newburyport’s shopping events. Kevin got genuinely excited for Witches’ Night Out greeting guests in front of the shop wearing his Halloween best amongst his many spooky decorations. Kevin worked hard to stock Partridge in a Bear Tree with unique novelty items and of course you could always count on an alluring selection of fashionable witch hats!
In addition to being a highly respected local small business owner, Kevin had a substantial following of loyal customers who prioritized Partridge in a Bear Tree as a top Newburyport shopping destination. Kevin didn’t need witch spells to mesmerize customers, connections were natural to a shop owner who’s passion for the holidays began as a childhood dream inspired by his Mother.
There are so many local Newburyport shop owners who enjoy this fun Newburyport tradition. Make sure to visit as many as you can! Although costumes are not required, all witches, warlocks and anything else that goes bump in the night, are encouraged to attend Witches Night Out in their best Halloween attire!
To find even more fun events happening this Halloween season, visit our Newburyport EVENTS CALENDAR.
on fast-paced rides while families with younger children can hit the kiddie section filled with pint-sized entertainment like small merry-go-rounds and driving cars. The Midway is also home to classic carnival games. Rides and games are not included in admission. You can purchase ride packs in advance for a discount or just pay as you go at the fair.
The Topsfield Fair was founded by the Essex County Agriculture Society back in 1818 so it comes as no surprise that farming and animals are a major part of this county fair. Visit with tiny piglets, sheep with their lambs, and other farm animals at the Farmyard tent and stop into the multiple barns throughout the fairgrounds that house cattle, goats, rabbits, chickens, and more. There is even a beekeeping exhibit with observation hives to watch the bees in action. Along with live animals, visitors can also shop fresh produce from local farmers and goods made by local artisans.
Pumpkin Weigh-Off—which is exactly what it sounds like. Farmers from all over compete to earn the title of the heaviest pumpkin and fair visitors get to check out these massive fruits on display. All pumpkins must weigh a minimum of 300 Lbs to enter and the heaviest to date weighed in at a whopping 1,689 Lbs!
Topsfield Fair Tickets:
regional artists displaying and selling their amazing original work on Bartlet Mall. You can enjoy 
will also be old-fashioned candy and popcorn available for purchase. That’s right, there will be tasty candy and snacks. Enjoy the beginning of Yankee Homecoming week and all the fun events for people of all ages at Yankee Homecoming Olde Fashioned Sunday!
The Chocolate Tour needs and greatly appreciates volunteers interested in helping run this wonderful event. If you are available to be surrounded by smiles and sweet treats, visit the website to sign up.
big upgrade in the fall of 2020. The wooded boardwalk was replaced with synthetic plastic planks and widened to make it more accessible. Along with upgrades to the Hellcat Trail, The Marsh and Dune loops, which were previously two separate paths, are now connected with a new portion of the trail.
Oktoberfest events are the perfect way to celebrate the fall season in Greater Newburyport and throughout North Shore MA. Plan your social calendar with our Newburyport VIP feature summary highlighting upcoming local celebrations happening in the Newburyport and Amesbury community. The events featured are hosted by amazing local small businesses and organizations and they are referenced in chronological order for reader convenience. Enjoy fun times at Oktoberfest 2024 events and feel good about supporting local! Check the 
wildlife, not on recreational fun. Unlike some other local coastal areas, the beaches on the refuge also have a very narrow shoreline. This makes keeping humans and their impacts on the environment at a safe distance from the plovers much more difficult. It is recommended that people stay at least 55 yards from piping plover habitats. At high tide, many stretches of Parker River are only 15 yards wide, making keeping a safe distance impossible.
a generous $250K donation from Newburyport Bank—a true 
The carousel, one of only 300 of its kind, is made up of 44 hand-carved and painted wooden animals—including horses, giraffes, camels, and goats. As part of the fundraising for the project, families and local businesses have been given the opportunity to 
and Newbury police. Residents and tourists were invited to line the 
A visit to the 
this team is back and serving us again! Becky Colby, the longtime beloved former Manager of Native Sun for over a dozen years, is the most recent and very welcome addition to the Nauti Pearl team!
stunning pearl necklace with bling. In Darke’s signature line, interchangeable rhinestone pins adorn traditional layered pearl necklaces and bracelets which allows for playful elegance and personality. The fashionable wardrobe pieces in this shop are equally interchangeable, versatile and classic. Located at 18 State Street in downtown Newburyport, Nauti Pearl features top women’s designer clothing and accessories by Michael Stars, Bailey 44, Nic & Zoe, Margaret O’Leary and Colby Davis of Boston. Carefully curated gifts and artisan items round out the options for gift giving and self-indulgence. Visit 
Do you enjoy an exceptional cocktail with your breakfast or brunch? 
Poloma welcome and take care of guests.
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Everyone loves 
operated by Viken Dumeciyan. The pizza, (featured in image to the right) pastas, oven-baked sandwiches, and wings at Domino’s are consistently fast, fresh, and satisfying. If you leave room for dessert Domino’s also has a few delicious sweet treat options such as the chocolate lava cake. 
them a devoted following in Greater Newburyport. Order a specialty pizza such as the one featured here, or try some of their Greek offerings such as spinach pie and baklava! It’s also a great place to enjoy beer or wine with your meal. 
Plum Island Airport enables local licensed pilots to significantly decrease travel time to regional destinations such as Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard and Cape Cod. If they are planning a vacation or have a need to schedule business travel, the Plum Island Airport can turn a 2-4 hour car/ferry trip into a 30-45 minute flight. Featured here is Rob Ciampitti, Newburyport Pilot and Partner in 
important details, dates and times of special tours and events for student groups, seniors, and artists as well as a number of fun social events.
erved until her retirement in 1966. She is not a replica, a ship built to emulate the style of past generations, but rather a design of Thomas F. McManus, a man widely regarded as the best designer of all the Gloucester fishing schooners. Alabama’s second phase of her life began when the Coastwise Packet Company and its owner, Robert Douglas purchased and brought her to Vineyard Haven in 1967. Never fitted out as a sailing vessel by the Mobile Pilots, she was finally given this opportunity thirty years later when it was decided to put her back to work in 1994. The rebuild that was a result of this decision lasted over three years and replaced almost 90% of her original form. As with the Shenandoah, Captain Douglas gave every consideration to her construction and the result is a vessel true to the era and design of McManus. The fishing schooner was an American invention, and the Alabama represents the finest vessels from this area when ships like her were relied on to provide the country with the staple of its economy, codfish.
merican Yacht Club fired a salute to welcome the tall ship, and Rosario Fernandez, Captain of El Galeón, rang the ship’s bell to return the salute, while the crew sounded their bosun whistles from up in the ship’s sails. Onlookers that purchased their own copper and brass bosun whistle souvenirs from the Custom House gift shop, joined in the salute from shore.
