Essex County's Trails & Sails Offers More Than 200 Free Events For 25th Anniversary

SALEM, MA — Essex County's parks, waterways, historic sites and cultural institutions will be in focus starting this weekend when Trails & Sails begins its 25th anniversary celebration.

The annual Essex National Heritage program runs for 16 days, from Sept. 12 to 27, and includes free programs across 34 communities in northeastern Massachusetts.

This year's event includes four themes: Essex County Revolution 250, Outdoor Explorations, Life by the Water, and Stories We Share. According to the event information, a full calendar is available on the Trails & Sails website.

More than 200 events are listed on the calendar this year.

All events are free, though some require registration. The lineup includes guided hikes, behind-the-scenes tours of historic and cultural sites, boat trips, cultural celebrations and family-friendly adventures for all ages.

Trails & Sails uses community partnerships to offer accessible experiences that connect people with the stories, landscapes and traditions that define the region.

The program encourages people to explore 500 square miles of historical, cultural and natural sites in Essex County. Organizers said that the event attracted more than 30,000 visitors in 2025.

Since 2002, Trails & Sails has welcomed more than 175,000 visitors, according to Essex Heritage.

Printed copies of the 2026 Trails & Sails guidebook are available at local libraries and host sites.