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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Approximately 50 demonstrators lined the snow-covered sidewalks of Humphrey Street on Tuesday afternoon, joining a nationwide wave of "Free America Walkout" protests
A new six-week community education series designed to build understanding of addiction and substance use disorders launches Feb. 3, with sessions held on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom.
The free program aims to reduce stigma and support healthier responses
A snow emergency will be in effect from 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18, through 7 a.m. Monday, Jan. 19, due to a forecasted winter storm mix of snow, ice and freezing rain, according to Marblehead Department of Public Works.
All vehicles must be removed from public streets during
A 3-1 vote backed higher charges for athletics, buses within 2 miles and tuition programs, generally about 3%. One member warned costs already outpace neighboring towns and strain families.
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Approximately 50 demonstrators lined the snow-covered sidewalks of Humphrey Street on Tuesday afternoon, joining a nationwide wave of "Free America Walkout" protests
A new six-week community education series designed to build understanding of addiction and substance use disorders launches Feb. 3, with sessions held on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom.
The free program aims to reduce stigma and support healthier responses
To the editor:
Can we all agree that the situation with the tree on Thomas Circle is absurd?
Here is a tree that is clearly a public nuisance because its roots have smashed the surrounding infrastructure beyond all recognition. But it cannot be cut down because it is a shade
LWVM observer: Tom Krueger
Members in attendance: Andrew Petty, Tom McMahon, Dr. Tom Massaro, Dr. Amanda Ritvo
Chair's report
Expanded Board of Health
Massaro opened the meeting by reporting that he had received a letter from state Rep. Jenny Armeni stating that the Massachusetts House signed a bill
