Weekend Calendar Includes Gabe's Run, Plus Gazebo and Tree Lighting

You can both celebrate Thanksgiving and get ready for Christmas during the long weekend coming up in Hamilton and Wenham.

Typically, each Friday morning Hamilton-Wenham Patch’s brings you a quick guide to local events and activities. This week it’s being delivered a day early because of Thanksgiving.

Things kick off on Thanksgiving with the football tilt versus Ipswich, move into Gabe’s Run on Friday and are followed by plenty of Christmas-themed events  during the weekend. 

The weekend calendar also includes many other things to do and we encourage you to look past this weekend guide into our full calendar of events, where we have other events listed.

Remember, if you have great ideas of your own that you want to share, please feel free to add them in the comments section at the bottom.

1.

Where/When: Ipswich High School, 134 High St., Ipswich; Thursday, 10 a.m.

Why Go: It’s the big Turkey Day game against the Tigers on Thanksgiving for bragging rights for the coming year. On Wednesday, we told you . Cheer on the Generals before your big turkey dinner.

Pricing: $5 adults/$3 students and seniors

2.

Where/When: ; Friday, women’s race, 9 a.m., men’s race, 9:45 a.m., 1-mile fun race, 10:30 a.m.

Why Go: Gabe’s Run has become one of the top community events of the year in Hamilton and Wenham, with more than 800 runners registered online before the cutoff earlier this week. In-person registration continues on race morning too. All the proceeds go to benefit the Gabriel Pacione Memorial Scholarships, which go to  students and Cape Ann League runners.

Pricing: $25

3. CHRISTMAS FAIRS

Where/When: and ; Saturday, 9 a.m.

Why Go: It’s an annual Christmas tradition – all the local holiday fairs. This weekend we are lucky to have two great events right here in Hamilton – a and a . At the Grove, breakfast and lunch will be served in addition to the traditional fair tables. At the Community House, Swedish and American holiday music and food will be featured.

Pricing: Free

4. BEVERLY HOLIDAY PARADE

Where/When: downtown Beverly; Sunday, 1:30 p.m.

Why Go: It’s the start of the holiday season on the North Shore with the arrival of the Holiday Parade in Beverly. The theme of the 63rd annual parade is“Winter Wonderland.” The parade starts and finishes at the Cummings Center, and works it way down Elliott Street to Cabot Street and across on Broadway to Rantoul Street and back to the Cummings Center. And don't forget to keep your eyes open for what's coming down the road at the very end!

Pricing: Free

5.

Where/When: and ; Sunday, 4:40 p.m.

Why Go: The holiday season begins on Sunday in Hamilton with the annual lighting of the gazebo at Patton Park and the Christmas tree at People’s United Bank. The fun starts with carolers at the Community House, who then head over to the park to light the gazebo and then down Bay Road to light the tree. There will be hot chocolate and cookies, too, to keep you warm.

Pricing: Free