|
(SALEM, Mass.) — Salem Haunted Happenings returns this October with a month of signature events, family activities, live entertainment, and Halloween festivities throughout the city. This year’s celebration takes on added significance as Salem marks its 400th anniversary, with a special attempt to make history as hundreds (or even thousands) of people wearing witch hats gather along the city’s historic waterfront.
One of the world’s largest Halloween celebrations, Salem Haunted Happenings draws more than 1 million visitors from around the globe for a uniquely Salem blend of history, culture, creativity, and Halloween fun. The festivities kick off October 1 with the traditional Salem Chamber of Commerce Haunted Happenings Grand Parade and continue throughout the month, culminating on Halloween night with a spectacular 400-drone show commemorating Salem’s 400th anniversary.
“We’re especially excited for this year’s Salem Haunted Happenings as we celebrate Salem’s 400th anniversary and welcome visitors from around the world to experience everything that makes October in Salem so special,” said Ashley Judge, Executive Director of Destination Salem. “One of the highlights will be Witch Hats on the Wharf, when we invite residents and visitors to fill Derby Wharf with witch hats for an unforgettable community photo and world record attempt. It’s a fun and uniquely Salem way to bring everyone together and make a little history during this milestone year.”
Highlights of Salem Haunted Happenings 2026:
Salem Chamber of Commerce Haunted Happenings Grand Parade
Thursday, October 1 at 6:30 p.m.
The Salem Chamber hosts the annual Haunted Happenings Grand Parade along its traditional route, beginning at Shetland Park, traveling through downtown Salem and ending at Salem Common. www.salem-chamber.org/haunted-happenings-grand-parade
Howl-o-ween Pet Parade
Saturday, October 10 at 10:30 a.m.
Salem Main Streets presents one of October’s most adorable traditions, featuring costumed pets and plenty of creative competition. The event is free for spectators, with pet registration available for $5 for locals and $10 for out-of-town participants. www.salemmainstreets.org/events/howl-o-ween-pet-parade
Salem Night Faire
Fridays & Saturdays, October 16 & 17 and 23 & 24, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Presented by The Black Veil, the Salem Night Faire transforms the darkened pines of Pioneer Village with art, clothing, jewelry, and oddity vendors, performances, ghost stories, hot cider, food trucks, a Biergarten, and more. www.salemnightfaire.com/
Witch Hats on the Wharf
Saturday, October 17 at 11 a.m.
In honor of Salem’s 400th anniversary, residents and visitors are invited to help make history during a one-of-a-kind community gathering and world record attempt on Salem’s historic waterfront. Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite witch hats and gather on the wharf for a spectacular drone photograph capturing hundreds (and potentially thousands) of witch hats. www.hauntedhappenings.org/event/witch-hats-on-the-wharf/
Hosted by the City of Salem, Salem Maritime National Historical Park and Destination Salem, the event will also feature special-edition Salem 400 witch hats sold by the City to benefit HAWC.
Salem Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival
Saturday & Sunday, Sept 19 &20, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Prepare your taste buds for a mouthwatering lineup from some of the area’s most popular food trucks. Enjoy creamy mac and cheese, decadent cookie ice cream sandwiches, bold Venezuelan flavors, and fresh wood-fired pizza—all serving up delicious bites with a little Halloween spirit on the side on the iconic Salem Common. www.foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com/salem
The Salem Glass Pumpkin Patch
Saturday & Sunday, Sept 26 & 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Discover a pumpkin patch unlike any other on Salem Common! Browse a colorful array of handcrafted blown glass pumpkins in a variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. Watch live glassblowing at their mobile glass studio while you hunt for the perfect pumpkin. No two are alike, making each one a one-of-a-kind piece of autumn magic to take home and treasure.
wwww.NorthShoreGlassSchool.com
Haunted Speakeasy
Saturday, October 24, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Step inside 221-year-old Hamilton Hall for a decadent Roaring ’20s-inspired Jazz Age ball featuring live music by Tricky Niki & The Grave Diggers, burlesque, cocktails, dancing and interactive ghostly encounters. www.thehauntedspeakeasy.com/
Wicked Night on the Wharf
Saturday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Salem Waterfront Hotel hosts its Untamed Wicked Night on the Wharf party for an evening of Halloween revelry along Salem’s waterfront. www.salemwaterfronthotel.com/hotel-events/comic-nightmare/
Halloween Night Live Music
Saturday, October 31, beginning at noon
Live music takes over stages throughout downtown Salem leading up to the Halloween Night Finale. Performance schedules and locations will be available at HauntedHappenings.org and through the Destination Salem app.
Halloween Night Finale: Drone Show
Saturday, October 31 at 10 p.m.
Salem Haunted Happenings concludes with a spectacular drone show over the North River with 400 drones marking the 400th anniversary of Salem.
New Places to Discover in Salem
October visitors will also find several new businesses adding to Salem’s year-round mix of independent shops, restaurants and gathering places.
Haunted Warren Museum
Encounter the REAL Annabelle and discover more than 1,000 of the world’s most haunted objects, true-crime items, and cursed artifacts through immersive flashlight tours and paranormal investigations at the Warren Occult Museum. www.hauntedwarrenmuseum.com
Meander Coffee and Matcha, located inside Couch Dog Brewing, serves hand-whisked matcha drinks and specialty coffee from local roasters, featuring house-made syrups, in a comfortable space with plenty of seating. www.meandercoffee.com
Lil’ Zitelle offers freshly brewed coffee, sweet treats and a wide selection of confections for visitors looking to add a little more indulgence to their Salem experience.
Eternal October keeps the Halloween spirit alive year-round with original apparel and merchandise inspired by vintage Halloween, neon haunts and horror nostalgia. The shop is located in North Shore CDC’s Incubator Space. www.eternaloctobersalem.com/
The Midnight Bookseller is an independent bookstore specializing in fantasy, dark fiction and gothic literature, along with immersive community events for readers who like their stories with a little magic. www.themidnightbookseller.com/
Plan Ahead
Download the Destination Salem App for maps, parking, restrooms, events, and attraction info. Begin your trip at the Visitor Information Center at 245 Derby Street for guidance on how to make the most of your visit. Reservations are strongly recommended for attractions, tours, and events, especially on weekends. The City of Salem encourages visitors to utilize public transit, including trains, ferries, and satellite parking with shuttles.
About Salem Haunted Happenings
Salem Haunted Happenings began in 1982 as a weekend festival and has grown into a month-long celebration that draws visitors from around the world. Each October, the city welcomes families, couples, history buffs, and Halloween lovers for ghost tours, psychic readings, costume balls, haunted harbor cruises, and more. Salem’s modern Witch and Pagan communities also celebrate Samhain, sharing their traditions with locals and guests alike. As the Halloween Capital of the World, Salem offers something for everyone. For complete information, visit HauntedHappenings.org.
About Destination Salem
As the official destination marketing organization for the City of Salem, Destination Salem promotes Salem as one of the world’s most captivating destinations — a city where history, culture, and enchantment converge. Welcoming travelers from around the globe, Salem offers an authentic New England experience rich with American history, cultural discovery, exceptional dining, one-of-a-kind shopping, and year-round fun. For more information, visit Salem.org.
Image credit: Visitors to Salem enjoy the Haunted Happenings Parade (2024). This year’s parade will happen on October 1. Photo by Jess Shada.
High-resolution images available HERE.
|
