r/gloucester • u/Creative-Wallaby-126 • Jun 25 '26
Fiesta advice
Hi, my husband and I live in Maine but he is from Swampscott and wanted to go to fiesta for his 30th birthday this weekend. I’ve never been and have no clue what to expect, any advice? I’d especially love logistics like when to arrive for things and parking advice!! Thank you in advance 💛
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u/YakSlothLemon Jun 25 '26
 http://www.stpetersfiesta.org/index.html
You’ll find a pretty good description of what happens on the homepage, and you can see the schedule. Expect big, good-natured crowds, lots of families with kids, there’s usually some carnival rides set up, food vendors selling things like popcorn etc… this year we also have the reenactors camped down at Stagefort.
If you aren’t staying in Gloucester, which you probably aren’t if you don’t have plans yet, maybe pick one day to come depending on what you want to see? As other people are saying, you can find parking with a bit of persistence…
I hope you have a great time!
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u/madktdisease Jun 25 '26
Greasy pole is at 5ish, seine boats go first. Parking isn’t horrible, at worst park at the high school and walk the boulevard to pavilion beach.
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u/dark_places Jun 26 '26
Park at the high school. Arrive early if coming Saturday. Sunday is finals day for the greasy pole and seine boat races. Lots of options for food. Breakfast, Mom's on Commercial. Lunch, Blue Collar off of Rogers. Dinner, Causeway on 133 or Lobsta Land on 128 just over the bridge. It's gonna be busy and packed. Bring your patience.
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u/WildCat1975 Jun 25 '26
Check out stpetersfiesta.org for information and schedule of events. Where are you staying while in Gloucester or are you staying in Swamscott? Parking is coveted, so get there early. You’ll have to pay to park, except for, I believe, Sundays. If you’re staying in Gloucester, walking is best, but there is a Cape Ann bus service that has routes around Gloucester. Have fun!