Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts
In the mood for a good scare? Consider spending Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts, New England’s witch capitol.

Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts
Photo Credit: Heidi Besen/ShutterstockThe witch trials of 1692 cast a shadow over Salem, Massachusetts, that has spanned centuries, seeping into the city’s collective consciousness and shaping its character. Yet what was once only a source of infamy for this historic coastal city is now a highly profitable tourist draw. For the most part, Salem’s status as “Witch City” has been embraced, or at least tolerated, by those who live here. But for visitors, it’s downright fascinating — and never more so than at the spookiest time of year. Here’s a look at my experience of Halloween in Salem.
At the city’s annual monthlong Halloween festival, Haunted Happenings, events kick off with a grand parade in early October and come to a close with fireworks display over Salem Harbor on Halloween night. In between are Halloween-themed theatrical productions, carnival rides, psychic fairs, haunted attractions, costume balls, and more. Haunted Happenings lures thousands of tourists to the city, many of whom don colorful and festive witch hats.
But while I enjoy the festival’s aura of spooky fantasy and fun, I begin my own experience of Halloween in Salem at the Witch House on Essex Street, getting reacquainted with the real tragedy that occurred in this town back in the late 17th century. Despite its name, this landmark building wasn’t the home of a witch, but rather it belonged to the wealthy and upstanding Corwin family — most notably Jonathan Corwin, one of the magistrates responsible for investigating the allegations of witchcraft and sentencing the accused.

Photo Credit : Alyson Horrocks
Thought to have been built in the 1660s, the Witch House is not only a stunning example of early New England architecture but also an intriguing link to the witch trials. Each room features information and displays highlighting the Corwin family, witchcraft, and the history of the trials.
One of the Witch House artifacts that draws me in is a 17th-century poppet. Poppets were simple, even crude, dolls that many in colonial New England believed to have mystical powers. As with voodoo dolls, it was thought that what you did to a poppet would be felt by the target of your malice; anyone found in possession of one of these dolls would almost certainly be suspected of witchcraft. During the witch trials, the discovery of poppets was testified to in court and played a role in the downfall of the first person to be executed, Bridget Bishop.

Photo Credit : Alyson Horrocks
After getting a fascinating lesson on politics and history at the Witch House, I find the human tragedy of the witch hysteria brought into sharp focus at my next Halloween-in-Salem stop. Dedicated in 1992, on the 300th anniversary of the trials, the Salem Witch Trial Memorial sits next to the old Burying Point Cemetery. The memorial features granite benches bearing the names of the 19 people who were hanged and one who was pressed to death. The victims’ chilling pleas of innocence are carved into stones at the entrance to the memorial.

Photo Credit : Alyson Horrocks

Photo Credit : Alyson Horrocks
The Burying Point, next to the memorial, predates the witch trials by several decades, but don’t look for the victims’ headstones here. According to Puritan belief, those found guilty of witchcraft were in league with the devil and could not be buried in consecrated ground. The final resting places of almost all the witch trials’ victims remain unknown. (However, one of the judges from the witch trials, John Hathorne, is buried here.)

Photo Credit : Alyson Horrocks
After a visit to the Witch House and a stroll through the memorial and cemetery, I feel I’ve gained an understanding of the true historical events of the past — and now it’s time to explore the spooky, carnival-like atmosphere of today’s Halloween in Salem. The transition from serious history to celebratory fun isn’t hard to make: As soon as I step out of the cemetery, I am greeted with the smells of fried dough, apple cider, cinnamon buns, and other festival food. Fog machines pump clouds through the narrow streets as displays of skeletons, witches, ghosts, and monsters entice visitors to various attractions.

Photo Credit : Alyson Horrocks
Salem has plenty of year-round and seasonal museums already devoted to the macabre, but even these places go the extra mile during Halloween in Salem. Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery, for instance, transforms its exhibit of full-size movie monsters and horror film memorabilia into an interactive haunted attraction for part of each day.

Photo Credit : Alyson Horrocks
Meanwhile, Salem’s historic cobblestone streets are filled with vendors selling kitschy souvenirs, makeup artists offering gruesome makeovers, and costumed monsters posing with tourists. Providing a dramatic backdrop to the Halloween madness is the world-renowned Peabody Essex Museum.

Photo Credit : Alyson Horrocks

Photo Credit : Alyson Horrocks

Photo Credit : Alyson Horrocks
A staple of any Halloween celebration worth its salt is a costume ball, and in Salem you can take your pick. The biggest is hosted by the Hawthorne Hotel on the Saturday before Halloween, when the hotel’s normally elegant interior is transformed into a fantasyland of colorful lights, giant pumpkins, and delightfully gory decor.

Photo Credit : Alyson Horrocks
Each year, the Hawthorne chooses a theme for the party. During my visit it’s “Mardi Gras Masquerade,” and I see many guests dressed perfectly to the theme, complete with flashy masquerade masks and stacks of bead necklaces to throw out to fellow party guests. The majority, however, are wearing whatever Halloween disguise struck their fancy.
Speaking of costumes, I’ve never seen as many creative and jaw-dropping costumes as I have at the Hawthorne costume balls I’ve attended. Some of this creativity is fueled by the Hawthorne’s extravagant costume contest, but most attendees seem motivated only by the fun and fantasy of the night.

Photo Credit : Alyson Horrocks

Photo Credit : Alyson Horrocks
In addition, the Hawthorne ball features a live band to keep the guests dancing all night. Food is provided throughout the hotel and libations can purchased for an additional fee. Psychic readings on the top floor are also popular with party guests.
As the party comes to a close at midnight with a rollicking rendition of “Thriller,” guests slowly make their way to the exits and out into the Salem streets. And I’m among those hesitant to step out into the night air, reluctant to say goodnight to the magic of another Halloween in Salem.

Photo Credit : Alyson Horrocks
Have you ever enjoyed Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts?
This post was first published in 2014 and has been updated.
My 8 th great grandmother is Sussanna North Martin. Hung in Salem. My great grandparents were Pickering s, pierces, Nicholas, Rope and my 4 th granddad was half owner of the Friendship. Not on Gallow hill. Would have to be taken by ship. Water was everywhere. My great great grandmothers home is on Federal st. Had ship going g water behind it. Not now. Sally Pierce was my great grandmother. My grandmother started first Episcopalian church in Mass. Mary White and her sister. Writer around 1903
It seems you have a lot of history to offer! You should consider doing extensive research on your family history, then write a book. I would love to read it!
Do you write or speak publicly about this history? I’m so curious about your family history and your thoughts and feelings about it. I feel so much energy and emotion reading it. I’d love to know more. How interesting.
I love this place because it’s a nice touch of scary not only the fact the wonderfully tasting food,but the awesome decerations.Also,the wonderful Halloween touch!!!!
That’s awesome……. but not the fact they were hung!!!!
I always look forward to visiting Salem. My husband and I travel from central Michigan every year. We feel it calling us, as if your mother is calling you home. The cobblestone streets, the heart wrenching history, the delicious smells from the street food vendors. No matter how many times we’ve visited, I still find myself getting lost in the old buildings, the cemetery where the old trees grow in twists and turns. To stop and breathe, close my eyes to only imagine Salem as it was all those years ago. We love to shop at all the unique little shops on Essex Street, to hopefully find that one little treasure to bring back home. The street performers are amazing, and worth every tip we have given. This last trip, just a week ago, we found a violinist playing the most beautiful, heartbreaking music we’ve ever heard. It was just as the shops were closing for the night, and as this man played for us, I had taken several pictures of him but they all turned out blurry. One of many strange occurrences that happened during our visit. If you haven’t visited Salem, I encourage you to go and just stand still, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and try to imagine what it was like all those years ago.
Great time in Salem a couple of Halloweens ago. Just don’t try to park anywhere. Spent over an hour driving around looking for parking!
Visited Salem on September and definitely want to visit again. Lots to see yet. Had hoped some of the shops would have had something from the movie “Hocus Pocus”; but alas could find nothing!
My sisters and I spend our summers with our grandparents on Daniel St. Spending many days at Derby Warf, Salem Willows, Peabody Essex Museum and many other places in Salem. It was such a charming little town back then. I feel focusing on the Witch Trials has taken away from that charm. There are so many things in Salem to bring people there to see its history with out so much emphasis on Witches. I have been back to Salem as an adult and your focus on the Witch Trials has destroyed the charm of the other history that is the true Salem.
It’s our first time coming here can’t wait to see all the fun.
Went to Salem for Halloween in 2011. LOVED it! You have to do the ghost walk. Spent the day and it was the best Halloween ever
Been many times to salem. Took my girl friend now my wife of 31 years to salem on Halloween. She took lots of pictures no phones at that time making plans to go back with our family of 4
We’re flying out from the UK to MA to visit our son who is studying at AIC this Friday Oct 25th. Can’t wait to experience all the Halloween activities New England has to offer!! My youngest son who’s 12 has put Salem at the top of his ‘Must Visit list.’ Thanks for all the info. Looking forward to our countdown 🙂
Love Halloween in Salem, the all day costume parade, the Witch House, memorial & cemetery. But I leave before 10PM, some drink too much & get destructive.
My wife and I went to Salem this year on 10-28-19. We stood at Danvers in the Comfort Inn. We checked in and went to the Salem Witch Museum. Picked up some gifts, went to dinner and back to the hotel for the one night we stayed. But that night when my wife got up to go to the bathroom, she saw two draws from the dresser open. She closed them and when she came out of the bathroom they were opened again. She woke me up and I closed them. Then when I got up later that night, there was only the middle draw open. She was freaking out. We left early that morning to go to Kennebunk. I tried to look for a scientific explanation but it wasn’t like the floors were tilting forward. That was our excitement from the area of Salem, Mass.
Had the best time ever, so much fun , interesting and you cannot help but get caught up in it. We all got Witches Hats that flashed and had pictures made in costume of witches, when I get well again I will be going back every year.
OCTOBER 2020: Due to the ongoing Pandemic, ALL Salem, MA Halloween Events HAVE BEEN CANCELLED. Sorry. Maybe next year!
From the City website: https://www.salem.com/home/news/city-salem-announces-additional-public-safety-measures-october-16-29
Salem is begging people not to come there for Halloween, even has signs on Rte 128 saying that everything is closed. They don’t want an influx of people from all over the place, impossible to test on arrival, possibly carrying the virus.
Please please please do NOT go to Salem this year. There are many closures and restrictions and they have asked the public to stay home. https://www.salem.com/safehalloween
Enjoy safely at home and go in 2021!
Please be aware that Salem has asked visitors this year to stay away due to the problems of Covid 19 in the town.
Thank-you!!! Being in and from California was really ignorant of these scrumptious details of real Salem, Massassachusettes'(sp.) history, even the details of everything of the trials wasn’t known,….