Venues • Vendors • Cakes • Photographers & More
Planning a graduation party in the Merrimack Valley? Whether you're hosting a backyard bash or booking a venue, this guide has everything you need to celebrate your graduate in style!
🎉 Party Venues (Indoor & Outdoor Spaces)
🌿 Parks & Outdoor Spaces
Perfect for casual, budget-friendly celebrations:
- Pomps Pond – Andover
Andover Recreation - Ward Reservation – North Andover
The Trustees - Winnekenni Park – Haverhill
Winnekenni Park
🍽️ Restaurants & Private Event Spaces
Great for stress-free hosting:
- Salvatore’s Riverwalk – Lawrence
Salvatore’s - Tuscan Kitchen – Salem, NH (short drive)
Tuscan Kitchen - Michael’s Function Hall – Haverhill
Michael’s Function Hall - Lenzi’s Catering & Function Facility – Dracut
Lenzi’s
🍔 Catering & Party Food
🥪 Easy Crowd Favorites
- Ninety Nine Restaurant Catering
99 Restaurants - Joseph’s Trattoria Catering – Haverhill
Joseph’s Trattoria - Boston Chicken & Seafood (Methuen/Lawrence)
Boston Chicken & Seafood
🍕 Local Party Classics
- Pizza shops, sub shops, and BBQ trays are always a hit—perfect for casual parties and teens!
🎂 Graduation Cakes & Desserts
Make your dessert table shine:
- Heav’nly Donuts (multiple locations)
Heav’nly Donuts - Top Shelf Cakes – Methuen
Top Shelf Cakes - Buttermilk Baking Co. – Newburyport (worth the drive!)
Buttermilk Baking - Market Basket Bakery (budget-friendly option!)
💡 Tip: Order early—graduation weekends book fast!
📸 Photographers
Capture this once-in-a-lifetime moment:
- Jessica Lauren Photography (North Shore & MV)
Jessica Lauren Photography - Erin McGinn Photography
Erin McGinn Photography - Local Facebook/Community Groups
Great place to find affordable mini sessions and up-and-coming photographers!
🎈 Party Rentals & Extras
Take your party to the next level:
- Party Vision – North Andover (tents, tables, décor)
Party Vision - J&L Tent Company – Merrimack Valley
J&L Tent - Balloon arches, yard signs, and photo backdrops are trending for graduation parties!
🎯 Entertainment Ideas
Keep guests entertained:
- 🎧 Hire a DJ or create a fun playlist
- 🎲 Lawn games (cornhole, giant Connect 4)
- 📸 Photo booth station
- 🍦 Ice cream truck or dessert cart
🎁 Final Tips for a Stress-Free Party
✔️ Book vendors early—June fills fast
✔️ Keep it simple—guests are there to celebrate your graduate
✔️ Personal touches matter most (photos, memories, school colors)
✔️ Don’t forget to enjoy the day!
🎓 Celebrate Big, Celebrate Local
The Merrimack Valley has everything you need to create a meaningful and memorable graduation celebration. Whether you go all out or keep it simple, your graduate will remember this milestone forever.
