Scenes from Marblehead’s 2026 Epiphany tree burning
From massive flames lighting the beach to intimate moments among families and firefighters, photographer Paula Muller captured the many sides of the Epiphany fire.
Newly hired Marblehead firefighter Jeremy Gillis helps a young attendee aim a fire hose during the Epiphany bonfire at Riverhead Beach, giving families a hands-on look at firefighting as the community celebrated the annual tradition. INDEPENDENT PHOTO / PAULA MULLER
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Flames lit up the Marblehead shoreline Tuesday night as hundreds gathered at Riverhead Beach for the town’s annual Epiphany tree burning. With discarded Christmas trees stacked high and set ablaze, the longtime tradition marked the close of the holiday season and brought families, firefighters and first-time onlookers together on a calm winter evening.
Photographer Paula Muller captured scenes from the fire, from towering flames and drifting embers to quiet moments among the crowd.
Firefighters use flares to ignite the Christmas tree pile during Marblehead’s annual Epiphany bonfire at Riverhead Beach Tuesday night. INDEPENDENT PHOTO / PAULA MULLERResidents watch from behind barricades as the Epiphany bonfire burns at Riverhead Beach in Marblehead, braving the cold to take in the longtime winter tradition. INDEPENDENT PHOTO / PAULA MULLERFirefighters stand silhouetted against towering flames as the Epiphany bonfire burns at Riverhead Beach, fueled by dozens of discarded Christmas trees. INDEPENDENT PHOTO / PAULA MULLERMarblehead firefighters Liam Gilliland, Aidan Gillis and Chris McGrath stand near the flames during the town’s annual Epiphany bonfire at Riverhead Beach Tuesday night. McGrath, a guest igniter, helped start the Christmas tree fire as hundreds gathered to mark the end of the holiday season. INDEPENDENT PHOTO / PAULA MULLERA Marblehead firefighter tosses a Christmas tree onto the blazing pile as the Epiphany bonfire intensifies at Riverhead Beach Tuesday night. INDEPENDENT PHOTO / PAULA MULLERA young attendee, Cassidy O’Callaghan, watches the flames of the Epiphany bonfire at Riverhead Beach in Marblehead, bundled against the cold as the annual Christmas tree fire marked the end of the holiday season Tuesday night. INDEPENDENT PHOTO / PAULA MULLERSpectators line the edge of Riverhead Beach as flames roar from the annual Epiphany bonfire in Marblehead Tuesday night, with hundreds gathering to watch the Christmas tree fire light up the shoreline. INDEPENDENT PHOTO / PAULA MULLER
Firefighters stand silhouetted against towering flames as the Epiphany bonfire burns at Riverhead Beach, fueled by dozens of discarded Christmas trees. INDEPENDENT PHOTO / PAULA MULLER
A firefighter is silhouetted against the towering flames of the Epiphany bonfire at Riverhead Beach in Marblehead Tuesday night as the annual Christmas tree burning marked the end of the holiday season. INDEPENDENT PHOTO / PAULA MULLER
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Sharon K. Heim, last of her line, is giving Marblehead paintings of a mother, daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter married into the town's fishing and privateering trades.
Building Commissioner Stephen Cummings details a four-phase renovation, in-house boiler work at fire headquarters and what comes next for the Old Town House and Abbot Hall.
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