What you need this time of year is a safe harbor – a safe harbor for fun, that is. All along coastal Massachusetts, that’s just what you’ll find.

Our harbor towns and cities love to celebrate their beauty with festivals that not only highlight their ports, but keep visitors entertained all day with fun, food and more.

Consider these in the coming weeks.

Gloucester Waterfront Festival: The Gloucester Waterfront Festival , set for Aug. 19-20 this year, has been celebrating their culture and location for 42 years.

This year, the show is back and bigger than than it was pre-pandemic.

The day starts out early for those who want to make it a full experience with the town’s delicious Rotary Club pancake breakfast, taking place from 7:30 – 11 a.m. at  Stage Fort Park, where the entire weekend of events are centered.

The breakfast, a fundraiser for the organization, is $9 for adults and $5 for children six and under. Tickets can be pre-purchased at www.gloucesterrotary.org, or purchased at the door. A bonus: free parking.

There will be more than 200 booths of juried artists coming from 16 states.  Many, including oil and acrylic painters, leather workers and jewelry designers, will demonstrate their craft live.

There’s live music all day, and this year a new addition of roaming performers. As you mingle, shop and nosh, you’ll come across Mary Poppins, Pirate Man Dan and if you get lucky, Elvis himself (or a close rendition).

Food is plentiful, with an amped up food court this year featuring international flavors like elote (Mexican street corn), Brazilian coxinha and empanadas.

The classics will still be on hand, like Gloucester’s fresh seafood, lobster and of course, chowder.

Parking is at a premium. If you don’t attend the breakfast, consider purchasing a spot ahead of time. You’ll find details and a link, as well as more event information here: https://castleberryfairs.com/41st-annual-gloucester-waterfront-arts-and-craft-festival/.

Plymouth Waterfront Festival: Plymouth’s waterfront always offers entertainment. From the Mayflower II to the great dining and shopping and the fun of boat watching, it’s definitely worth a visit.

On Aug. 26, it all goes up a notch for the 37th iteration of their Waterfront Festival (https://plymouthwaterfrontfestival.com).

With 200 exhibitors, you’ll find arts, crafts and fun purchases galore. There are two stages featuring live bands, a fun rubber duck race along the lovely Brewster Gardens, more food trucks than you could partake in, all in a beautiful setting.

There’s a Rebels & Rods Car show along the waterfront from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. where you can spot your dream car or harken to memories of that car you drove long ago.

You’ll find a map with parking options on their website, along with an exhibitor map so you can plot your purchases ahead of time. But no stress there; a big part of the fun is meandering along and discovering.

There’s plenty to keep you busy all day – as well as well fed – but if you want to stretch it out even more, plan a visit to the Plimoth Pawtuxet living museum, and stay for dinner after. Plymouth’s waterfront and downtown is bustling with food choices, including the new waterfront 71 Degree West Atlantic Steakhouse, where you can look down on the waterfront and across the harbor while dining on great steak and seafood.

Boston Public Market Pop Up: Who doesn’t love the Boston Public Market? Local sourced and created food and crafts under one roof is just perfect. What could make it better? How about a Pop Up Day on the Tall Ship Boston (https://www.tallshipboston.com)?

It’s all happening on Aug. 20 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Tall Ship, docked at Pier One in East Boston.

On this day, you can savor the setting while savoring local fare including George Howell Coffee, Laurel Greenfield Art, Beantown Pastrami Company, Red Apple Farms (it’s practically illegal to not eat a few on site and take even more home when visiting the BPM; same for this pop up) and more.

There’s no fee to attend, but they do ask that you make a reservation by visiting https://bostonpublicmarket.org and their events page.