The Vila - right in downtown Haverhill

Washington Square captures the pulse of what’s happening in Haverhill. It’s where residents catch up with each other—at the post office, stores, banks, restaurants and taverns.
Antique collectors hunt for treasures at the antique marketplace then explore the extending numerous antique shops that dot the city. Shoppers browse the growing number of specialty stores that reside in the city’s brick-walled business district.

Downtown Haverhill is home to restaurants offering many types of cuisine, from Italian to traditional American pub fare. You can grab a quick lunch or linger over a quiet dinner while enjoying a pleasant river view.

Northern Essex Community College is a hub of educational and cultural activity in Haverhill. Students, alumni, and the general public enjoy exhibits, plays, concerts, dance and choral performances, and lectures by renowned authors. Music lovers from throughout the region tap their feet during free summer “concerts on the lawn.”

High atop a hill overlooking Kenoza Lake and Winnekenni Basin sits the medieval-style Winnekenni Castle, home to indoor and outdoor cultural events from April until November. Soak up some sun with cool blues and jazz on a summer Sunday afternoon, or catch a mystery dinner theater production inside the 125-year-old castle.

Children and adults hone their artistic skills with workshops on painting and drawing, ceramics, sculpting, and more at the Pentucket Arts Center. And the world awaits you in books, online, or at events and lectures at the Haverhill Public Library.

Teens, children and adults watch movies and enjoy dinner at the cinema pub, view arts films and live performances at a cozy theatre, or hear live music at several nightclubs.

Each year, thousands of families delight in Haverhill’s events. Children rule the day at KidsFest in May, a celebration featuring free entertainment, including amusement rides, games, food, and activities. The city’s Fourth of July celebration and exceptional fireworks display draw families from throughout Greater Haverhill. The community welcomes fall with SeptemberFest, a downtown gathering of performers, vendors, and kids’ activities. And Haverhill ushers in the holiday season with two events: the popular Santa Parade, which winds down Main Street just before Thanksgiving; and the Christmas Stroll, an early December evening of caroling, hot cocoa, and cookies that’s topped off with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in their sleigh.