Tourism Council Update – November 2026

Fall is now solidly established as an important tourism season on Greater Cape Ann, with a unique lineup of events, activities, and programs attracting visitors to the region, and 2026 is no exception.  This was the focus of the October 16 meeting of the Chamber’s Tourism Council, as members of the tourism community came together to discuss topics ranging from the freaky – including Halloween and Widow’s Bay – to the festive.

Halloween has emerged as a cornerstone holiday for Greater Cape Ann, as visitors travel to the North Shore for Salem’s Haunted Happenings and other holiday activities in our own communities.  Local attractions, accommodations, and restaurants hosted many Halloween fans, and one need only watch the costumed crowds at the train stations to appreciate the numbers flocking to Greater Cape Ann to celebrate Halloween throughout the month of October, and even as early as mid-September.

This year, fans of the supernatural had another reason to come to our communities with the growing popularity of Widow’s Bay, the Apple TV series filmed in Rockport and Gloucester.  In our October meeting, the Tourism Council shared ideas on how to tap into the interest in Widow’s Bay this year and in 2027, when the cast and crew will return to film a second season. Already, tours of filming locations, Widow’s Bay-related offerings, and several online resources are available across Greater Cape Ann. More to come on this topic.

The other driver of fall tourism on Greater Cape Ann is more festive, celebrating the arts, food, and fruits of the season.

Cape Ann Plein Air, which is now an annual highlight of the season, once again drew artists and art lovers here in early October. As in recent years, CAPA events and activities across the region incorporated restaurants and other businesses and spotlighted not only visiting artists but our own arts community as well.

Later in the month, we celebrated Harvest Fest in Rockport and Essex Clamfest, and the Chamber helped to keep the momentum building through year-end with the launch of a new Harvest to Holidays campaign.

In addition to all that has been created to attract visitors, the natural beauty of Greater Cape Ann – including our fall colors and this season’s quieter times –  is another reason why tourists come here throughout September, October and November. 

As fall gives way to the final weeks of the year, the holidays will take center stage, with a full schedule of events, activities and programs that are expected to again draw visitors to Greater Cape Ann in late November and December 

We’ll address holiday happenings and the highlights from the final weeks of the fall season at our next Tourism Council meeting, set for November 20. Anyone involved in or interested in Greater Cape Ann’s visitor-based economy is invited to join us for these meetings, held on the third Friday of each month at the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce offices — and via Zoom.  If you’d like to join these discussions, please reach out to me or contact the Chamber staff.

Tony Sapienza
Co-owner, Blue Shutters Beachside Inn
Chair, Tourism Council
tsapienza@gmail.com

Learn more about the Greater Cape Ann Chamber’s Tourism Council