Holidays by the Sea - Make Merry this Holiday Season, Cape Ann-Style

From Santa's arrival by boat to lighting the Lobster Trap Tree - announcing the 2013 holiday events line-up on Cape Ann, Massachusetts

News provided by

PR for Gloucester

Nov 04, 2013, 10:00 ET

GLOUCESTER, Mass., Nov. 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- PR for Gloucester, the travel and tourism media outreach campaign started by local business owners and working in partnership with the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, is excited to announce the coming of the holiday season on Cape Ann, filled with festivities.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131104/PH09577-a )

Lobster Trap Tree, Gloucester, MA. (PRNewsFoto/PR for Gloucester) (PRNewsFoto/PR FOR GLOUCESTER)

Santa Arrives in Rockport, MA. (PRNewsFoto/PR for Gloucester) (PRNewsFoto/PR FOR GLOUCESTER)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131104/PH09577-b )

"No matter what time of year you visit, there's always fun to be had on Cape Ann," said Peter Webber, Senior Vice President, Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. "From restaurants serving the freshest seafood, to a thriving music scene and an active arts community – not to mention beautiful parks and beaches – there's something for everyone."

Starting with Gloucester's reason to skip the mall, its very own "Shop Local Black Friday" on November 29 featuring downtown shops opening at 6:00am with special discounts, the 2013 holiday season includes traditional events that are fun for the whole family – with a seaside twist!

Where else can you see Santa Claus arrive by lobster boat? Santa will arrive at Rockport's Bradley Wharf on Bearskin Neck on Saturday, December 7^th at 3:45 p.m., following a brisk lobster boat ride across Sandy Bay. Then Santa will climb up onto a Rockport Forest Fire truck and head to Dock Square to kick off the Tree Lighting festivities, before beginning his long return journey to the North Pole.

On Saturday, December 14^th, Gloucester lights up its famous Lobster Trap Tree, made up of Lobster Traps and Lobster Buoys, decorated by the children of Cape Ann Art Haven.

A highlight of the season, the highly anticipated Middle Street Walk, is on December 14^th, 10:00am-3:00pm. Open houses, concerts, special programs and traditional decorations will be featured throughout the afternoon, focused in and around postcard-perfect Middle Street. Gloucester's historic neighborhood welcomes visitors for a number of special events throughout the day, from arts to music to dance.

Wind up the holiday season at New Year's Rockport Eve with six hours of continuous entertainment in downtown Rockport. 6 pm – midnight. Clowns, cowboys, magicians, musicians, dance, drama, puppets – a great start to the year for the whole family!

Located 35 miles north of Boston, Cape Ann is easily reachable by car (multiple exits off of a major highway), rail (commuter rail from Boston), air (between two major airports) and sea (ferries from New England locations north and south; cruise port). The largest city on Cape Ann, Gloucester, features a walkable downtown, centered on a historic Main Street and filled with museums, restaurants and cafes for every palate, boutiques and antique shops, bookstores and more.

To learn more about the events listed above, including lodging options during the holiday season such as the Blue Shutters Beachside Inn, Vista Motel and the elegant Julietta House, please visit www.gloucesterma.com and www.capeannvacations.com. Prefer to speak with a local source directly? Call the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce at (978) 283-1601.