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Festival Events
May 29, 2026, 5:00 PM – Jul 05, 2026, 9:00 PMBid OnlineAfter the First Look Party, visit local businesses around town and bid on your favorite Cod and Whale!
Jun 07, 2026, 3:30 PM – 5:30 PMMeet at Tower School parking lot, 75 W Shore Dr, Marblehead, MA 01945, USAWith Katie Naoum Rogers and Zoe Culbertson
Jun 13, 2026, 9:00 AM – 11:00 PMReynolds Park, 80 Hoods Ln, Marblehead, MA 01945, USAThe Marblehead Festival of Arts is thrilled to bring back last year's stand-out event, featuring activities and surprises designed especially for the dogs of Marblehead!
Jun 20, 2026, 7:30 AM – 12:00 PMMarblehead Post Office, 27 Smith St, Marblehead, MA 01945, USAOn your marks, get set, GO! Support the MFoA by running for fun, or test yourself with a 5K or 10K road race if you have the need for speed.
Jun 28, 2026, 5:00 PMFort Sewall, 8 Fort Sewall Ln, Marblehead, MA 01945, USAThe annual Champagne Reception is one of the highlights of summer in Marblehead and the kickoff of the Festival. A carefree gala on the ocean at beautiful Fort Sewall, this is the place to see and be seen, dance to favorite tunes, meet new friends, reconnect with old friends, and have a great time.
Jul 01, 2026, 10:00 AMJeremiah Lee Mansion Upper Grounds, 161 Washington St, Marblehead, MA 01945, USAWhen Elizabeth de Veer's daughter was little, they watched 1950s animated Disney Cinderella movie together. Growing up, it had been de Veer's favorite movie. This time, however, she found the story flat, lacking—and decided to fix it.
Jul 01, 2026, 12:00 PMJeremiah Lee Mansion Upper Grounds, 161 Washington St, Marblehead, MA 01945, USAProfessor Janet McIntosh will be joined by two Vietnam veterans and authors, Marc Levy and Doug Anderson, who will share the powerful stories of their war experiences through poetry and prose.
Jul 01, 2026, 2:00 PMJeremiah Lee Mansion Upper Grounds, 161 Washington St, Marblehead, MA 01945, USABoston-based etiquetteer Robert Dimmick looks at examples of beautiful letters through history, discusses efforts in this century to cultivate handwritten correspondence, and provides tips for writing a letter your recipient will want to read.
Jul 01, 2026, 4:00 PMJeremiah Lee Mansion Upper Grounds, 161 Washington St, Marblehead, MA 01945, USARegardless of the genre in which we’re writing, we need to open the door that invites our readers to step into our real-life (memoir), imagined (fiction), or poetic settings. Áine Greaney will give you the skills to brainstorm, evoke, and craft detailed and memorable settings and scenes.
Jul 01, 2026, 5:59 PM – 7:00 PMAbbot Hall, 188 Washington St, Marblehead, MA 01945, USAJoin us for the official start of the 2026 Marblehead Festival of Arts as we announce this year's award winners with a special ceremony at historic Abbot Hall!
Jul 02, 2026, 10:00 AMJeremiah Lee Mansion Upper Grounds, 161 Washington St, Marblehead, MA 01945, USAAuthor and longtime public relations professional Norman Birnbach will guide authors of fiction, non-fiction, and poetry through the intricacies of pitching their work, developing a launch timeline, and crafting key messages for—and conducting interviews with—the media.
Jul 02, 2026, 10:00 AM – Jul 05, 2026, 3:00 PMMarblehead Historic District, 1727 Town House Square, Marblehead, MA 01945, USAA fun scavenger hunt takes our youngest festival goers through Marblehead's Old Town. Learning history, and seeing art along the way. Complete all 5 clues and claim your 2026 commemorative pin! (200 limited edition)
Multiple DatesJul 02, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMSt Michael's Episcopal Church, 26 Pleasant St, Marblehead, MA 01945, USAEnjoy the talents of master musicians performing small-ensemble classical music in some of Marblehead's most beautiful venues.
Multiple DatesJul 02, 2026, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PMAbbot Hall, 188 Washington St, Marblehead, MA 01945, USAEnjoy the talents of master musicians performing small-ensemble classical music in some of Marblehead's most beautiful venues.
Jul 02, 2026, 12:00 PMJeremiah Lee Mansion Upper Grounds, 161 Washington St, Marblehead, MA 01945, USAFor all writers who share the dream to publish, Steven M. Rubin’s personal account of one story and its road to publication is certain to inspire and elicit questions. Through his own anecdotal reflections, he will walk us through what so many of us view as a daunting process.
Jul 02, 2026, 2:00 PMJeremiah Lee Mansion Upper Grounds, 161 Washington St, Marblehead, MA 01945, USAIn this workshop, tweens and teens will work on plotting and character development as a fun and supportive group. We will also discuss story elements such as setting, voice, dialogue, and point-of-view. Participants may bring something they’re already working on or they can start something new.
Jul 02, 2026, 4:00 PMJeremiah Lee Mansion Upper Grounds, 161 Washington St, Marblehead, MA 01945, USAPatterned after NPR’s popular Moth Radio Hour, we are delighted to bring back last year’s wildly successful storytelling event. Audience members will once again regale us with true stories, told live and without notes, in five-minute increments. Free Event!
Jul 02, 2026, 6:00 PM – Jul 02, 2027, 8:00 PMKing Hooper Mansion, 98-2 Hooper St, Marblehead, MA 01945, USAWishing you had more time to read? Looking to meet fellow book enthusiasts? This year's Silent Book Reading Party is perfect for you! Get tickets now!
Multiple DatesJul 02, 2026, 8:00 PM – 10:30 PMLocation is TBDSee a collection of exceptional short films under the stars!
Jul 03, 2026, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AMJeremiah Lee Mansion - Upper Gardens, 161 Washington St, Marblehead, MA 01945, USAThere's no better way to gear up for a day filled with festival fun than with a great morning workout!
Past
Fri, May 29Abbot HallSee this year's fresh catch before these one-of-a-kind works of art are auctioned off in support of the MFoA.
Sun, May 17Meet at State Street LandingAn MFoA Literary Walking Tour
Fri, Apr 17Marblehead Arts Association TavernIt's about what you're reading, not romance! Meet new friends, discover new books, and enjoy some great conversation!
Wed, Apr 01Submit your application onlineWriters who reside, work, or belong to an literary group in Essex County are welcome to submit their poetry or prose for juried exhibition.
Wed, Apr 01Submit Your Film OnlineAspiring and seasoned filmmakers: Submit your short film to the 2026 MFoA Film Festival!
Mon, Mar 23Bid OnlineBid now to own a piece of Marblehead history with this once-in-a-generation auction event!
Sat, Mar 07Abbot Hall - Second FloorJoin us for the 2nd speed puzzling competition of the year! Bring a friend and be the fastest to complete a 500-piece puzzle. The fastest times will also qualify for our November Invitational event!
Tue, Jan 20The Landing RestaurantBe among the first to see the 2026 logo for this year's exciting 60th Marblehead Festival or Arts!
Sat, Jan 10Abbot Hall, Second FloorA brand-new winter event benefitting the MFoA
Multiple DatesSun, Dec 07Abbot HallGive your loved ones special, handmade gifts this year and create festive, lasting memories!
Tue, Dec 02Submit your design onlineEnter your design for the chance for it to be selected as the official logo of the 60th Marblehead Festival of Arts!
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