ONGOING EVENTS
IN OCTOBER
Festival Of The Dead Event Series
Oct. 1 to Oct. 31. Locations include: 184 Essex St, Witch City Mall, Hawthorne Hotel, Salem Common. Festival of the Dead is an annual event series that explores death’s macabre customs, heretical histories, and strange rituals. Listing of events: Festival Of The Dead
Salem Psychic Fair
Witch City Mall – 176 Essex St. 10am-10pm Oct. 1- Oct. 31
Explore the future with a psychic reading at Salem’s longest-running psychic fair! The Salem Psychic Fair and Witches’ Wander an emporium of magical gifts, meet real practicing Witches, and make an appointment with one of Salem’s talented psychic readers! Salem Psychic Fair
The Good Witch Of Salem Event Series
Various locations. The Good Witch of Salem is a positive role model represented by the vibrant color “pink.” Events, workshops, educational resources, and storytelling are just a few of the ways in which the Good Witch shares her magic. More information
Cry Innocent: The People Vs. Bridget Bishop
Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square. It’s 1692. Bridget Bishop is accused of witchcraft and YOU are the jury. Hear the evidence, cross-examine the witnesses and determine the outcome. The actors respond as Puritans, revealing much about the Puritan mind. Is Bridget Bishop capable of witchcraft? You decide. Tickets and Information
Haunted! : An Immersive Dinner with Blackcraft
The Hotel Salem, 209 Essex St. Join us in the Cellar at The Hotel Salem for a four-course HAUNT!-inspired meal featuring scare actors, immersive theming, and a storyline you won’t want to miss to uncover the mystery of the Driver family! Event is All Ages.
Tickets and Information
Hocus Pocus at Cinema Salem
1 East India Square Mall. It’s 1692. That’s right Salem, Disney is letting the classic film Hocus Pocus out of their vault for Cinema Salem to screen for the entire month of October! Screenings run through September 26th through November 1st. ***Please check our website for actual showtimes!!*** Showtimes and tickets coming soon!! Tickets and Information
Eerie Stories On Salem Sound
193 Derby St. Escape the crowds this fall and take to the sea, where haunting tales and harbor views await! Join us on Saturdays in October at 2:00 pm & 4:00 pm to dive into the dark side of Salem’s history. On this 90 minute boat tour, your guide will relate tales of murderous plots, public executions, and strange sightings. You’ll find that the facts of Salem’s past are stranger than any fiction you could dream up. Come ride the waves of history – just keep a weather eye for privateers! Tickets
The Shadows Of The Seven Gables
The House of the Seven Gables, 115 Derby St. 978-744-0991. Embrace the spookier side of The House of the Seven Gables with an after-hours candlelit journey through the mansion. Experience the home as it was described by Salem author Nathaniel Hawthorne in his 1851 novel – an old Salem mansion that is haunted by a family curse, mysterious deaths, and ghosts of its past. Tickets
Haunted Fables At The Gables
The House of the Seven Gables, 115 Derby St. 978-744-0991. Join Salem’s master storyteller, Nathaniel Hawthorne, for a frightful evening of thrills and chills in the gloomy shadow of The Gables! The famous author performs his most frightening tales, as well as the terrifying works of fellow writer, Edgar Allan Poe. Experience the greatest Gothic horror stories ever written, brought to life by one of the authors himself! Tickets
Haunted Happenings Marketplace
Weekends in October at Salem Common and Old Town Hall in Derby Square. Over 250 artisans and creators will showcase their unique Halloween crafts gothic jewelry eerie artworks oddities and one-of-a-kind hand crafted items. Costumed characters live music and spine-tingling décor set the scene.
Haunted Happenings Marketplace
The Salem Night Faire
Pioneer Village, 98 West Ave. October 17th, 18th, 24th, and 25th. Featuring over 50+ local and distant artists, clothing, jewelry, and oddity vendors, live performances, fireside ghost stories, photo ops, hot cider, a Biergarten & more. Lose yourself in a spellbinding daze – the time awaits, and magick fills the air this October Salem night. Salem Night Faire
Wicked Wednesdays At Phillips House
Phillips House, 34 Chestnut St. Oct. 15, 22, 29. Get wicked at Phillips House! Join us in the backyard at Phillips House for relaxed, family-friendly afternoons that feature games, fall crafts, and a retreat from more intense October activities in Salem. Included in admission is a family-themed tour of the house, offered every half hour from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wicked Wednesdays
Hollowed Harvest Wicked Labrynth
45 Congress St. Hollowed Harvest returns for its 5th season with more ways to experience the magic of Salem than ever! One ticket now unlocks two epic attractions: the Wicked Labyrinth, a twisting walkthrough packed with dazzling Jack-O’-Lanterns, animated spirits, and eerie surprises, and the all-new Madam Flim-Flam’s Psychic Emporium, where haunted theatrics and glowing gourds blur the line between this world and the next.
Hollowed Harvest
The Making Of A Witch – A Play In One Act
St Peters-San Pedro Episcopal Church, 24 St. Peter St. Saturdays Sept. 27th-Nov. 1. Join us for the truth about Philip English, the man who not only built a successful career in young Salem, but also narrowly escaped the witch trials with his life and founded a church that still stands and serves today.
Tickets
SAW The Musical – The Unauthorized Parody of Saw
Ames Hall, 290 Essex St. Oct. 10 – Nov. 9. One of the most thought-provoking horror films of all time now is…a musical. SAW The Musical hilariously captures the events of the first movie parodying the Saw that started it all. ‘SAW The Musical The Unauthorized Parody of Saw’ is Little Shop of Horrors meets Avenue Q, pushing the boundary on sexuality and how to love. [Parental Advisory: Explicit Content] Tickets
Salem Haunted Magic Show: Hysteria! – The Ghost Magician
Emerson Hall Theater, 50 Washington St. Starting Sept. 23. An immersive haunted magic show where every moment challenges your perception of reality. In this cutting-edge production, audience members step into a transformed theater that blends atmospheric lighting, practical effects, and interactive illusions to create an experience unlike any other. Tickets
Hocus Pocus At Ropes Mansion & PEM Halloween Events
Ropes Mansion, 318 Essex St. Oct. 23-Nov. 3. Get into the Halloween spirit and take a walk over to the Ropes Mansion (318 Essex Street) to see it decorated in the style of the ‘90s cult classic Hocus Pocus. You won’t have to bob for apples during this visit to Allison’s house, but it’s a must-see for any fan this October! Free; no reservations required. Hocus Pocus Ropes Mansion
Gallows Hill Events and Attractions Gallows Hill Museum And Theatre – 7 Lynde St. 978-825-0222 A variety of performances and attractions throughout October including: Gallows Hill Main Show, Lost Museum, Ghosts and Legends Trolley Tour, Daytime Walking Tours, Tales and Ales, Guilty! A Salem Witch Trial, After Hours Ghost Hunt and other entertainment events Oct.1-Oct.31. Details and schedules: Gallows Hill Museum and Theatre
Food Trucks On Salem Common In October
N. Washington Sq. Weather permitting. Fiesta Shows provides their fairground food wagons.
EVENTS BY DATE
Sept.
26
Mayor’s Night Out
5:30pm, Big fountain at Essex St. Mall. Join Mayor Dominick Pangallo to trick-or-treat downtown. Participating businesses will be handing out candy to costumed children. “October is a busy time for our businesses, and this is their way to say thank you to our citizens, offering a day that lets our locals enjoy Halloween before the month officially kicks off.”
More information
Oct.
2
18th Annual Haunted Happenings Grand Parade
6:30-8:30 pm. The Salem Chamber of Commerce Haunted Happenings Grand Parade will follow the normal route from Prime Group Shetland Park to Salem Common. The Parade is a special nighttime tradition that officially kicks off Salem’s Halloween season. This year’s theme is “Stronger Together – The Magic Of Us” promising a night full of color, pageantry, music, and the enthusiasm of thousands of Salem’s students from kindergarten to college plus many local business owners. Haunted Happenings Parade
Oct.
2,3,4
Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy – Chapter 2
6:30-8:30 pm. Cinema Salem, Witch City Mall, Essex St. The doors have opened once more, inviting you to step deeper into the shadows of Poe’s most harrowing tales. Step into a night of literary horror as you explore the dark worlds of Edgar Allan Poe once more. Prepare for an immersive experience that will transport you into the chilling tales of The Cask of Amontillado, Annabel Lee, The Pit and the Pendulum, and The Fall of the House of Usher, each brought to life with eerie detail. Tickets and Information
Oct.
2-5
It’s Just A Buncha Halloween 2025
Join actors Larry Bagby, Vinessa Shaw, Jason Marsden, Omri Katz, Tobias Jelinek from Disney’s Halloween classic movie “Hocus Pocus” for a weekend of howling activities.
Brunch, trolley tours, photo experiences, autograph meet ‘n greet, fireside chat, trivia, movie screening with commentary and more.
Tickets and Information
Oct.
3
Lanterns In The Village – Benefit Collins Middle School
Salem Pioneer Village, 98 West Ave. 6:30. Come stroll through historic Pioneer Village for this 13th annual family-friendly event. You will be enchanted by the soft light of jack-o-lanterns while listening to spooky tales. (Flashlights Optional) FREE Parking. RAIN OR SHINE. Children 3 and under are admitted FREE. This fundraiser event sustains all positive events for the students of Collins Middle School located in Salem. One hundred percent of the proceeds support our school! Tickets and Information
Oct.
4
Salem Zombie Walk 2025
Salem Common N. Washington Sq.
Once again, zombies gather themselves to Salem Common at 11AM for a jaunt around town at 12PM! This is a FREE, family-oriented event!
All ages are welcome! All costumes are welcome, the gorier the greater!
Spread the plague! errrrr, word!
Salem Zombiewalk 2025
Oct.
4
Witch City 5K Road Race
Salem Willows Park, 165 Fort Ave. Run through the haunted streets of Salem – the ghouls, ghosts and goblins will be with you in spirit this year! Step into a world where the historic charm of Salem meets the adrenaline of a road race. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner with a spark, this course through scenic Salem Willows Park will cast a spell on you. Information and Signup
Oct.
4, 5
Haunted Biz Baz
Salem Common, Saturday Oct. 4, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm, Sunday Oct. 5, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm. Shop dozens of unique vendors selling handmade art, crafts, gift, apparel, and more. Haunted Biz Baz
Oct.
4,5,
11,12
Misfortune: Salem’s Parlor Magic Experience
Salem Athenaeum, 337 Essex St. 7-8pm. Misfortune is an hour‑long theatrical magic show created by magician Evan Northrup. Based in Salem, it explores the eerie world of superstitions and (un)luckiness, blending immersive storytelling with astonishing sleight‑of‑hand. The show is mysterious, a little spooky, but always magical and fun. Intended for adults, but children over 13 are welcome. Tickets
Oct.
11
Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade
11am Derby Wharf, 160 Derby St. Save the date! Salem Main Streets is hosting our most terrifyingly adorable event of the year! This event is free to attend for costumed pet appreciation and there is a suggested donation of $5 (Salem Residents)/$10 (out-of-towners) for entering your pet. Pets of all species are welcome, but should be well-behaved and comfortable at a busy event where there are likely to be many dogs. Start working on your looks and practicing your struts, scuttles, or slithers! Information and Registration
Oct.
11
Silent Movies At Grace Church – Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde
12:00pm. Grace Church, 385 Essex St. Classic Silent film in a Gothic setting accompanied by an original score on pipe organ. Love Gothic buildings and silent movies accompanied by LIVE organ music? Haunted Grace presents the original 1922 John Barrymore “Dr. Jekyll And Mr. Hyde” with an original score, played on the historic organ at local Gothic Grace Church. Can you say “spooky ambiance”? Silent Movies At Grace Church
Oct.
16,
17, 18
Haunted Histories: Condemned
Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St. You came to Salem to enjoy the Halloween season, but have you enjoyed yourself a little too much? Enter a prison existing in liminal space, holding murderers, cult leaders and madmen. Tonight you will find yourself “locked” in the courtyard until sunrise, unless you can assist the Warden to find a crucial piece of evidence to tie a murderer to the most dastardly of crimes, which took place steps away from where you stand… Information – Tickets
Oct.
18
Devil’s Chase 6.66 & Creepy Clown 3.33 Race
The Devils Chase 6.66 Mile Run is the best and most unique event you will run in all year long. 98% of participants dress up in costume, majority Devil Theme costumes and attracting more than 1000 Devils donning their favorite horns with pitchforks in hand for a scenic 6.66 mile race past a variety of Salem’s well-known landmarks. Information and Signup
Oct.
24, 25
Chilling Tales For Chilly Nights At Gedney House
21 High St. Join local poets and storytellers for an evening of chills and delights at one of Salem’s oldest houses. Gedney House comes alive with the classic and original pieces that embody the spirit of the season. The program will be about 2 hours, so please dress for the weather!
Chilling Tales
Oct.
25
Silent Movies At Grace Church – Nosferatu
7:30pm. Grace Church, 385 Essex St. Classic Silent film in a Gothic setting accompanied by an original score on pipe organ. Love Gothic buildings and silent movies accompanied by LIVE organ music? Haunted Grace presents the original 1922 F.W. Murnau German vampire classic “Nosferatu” with an original score, played on the historic organ at local Gothic Grace Church. Can you say “spooky ambiance”? Silent Movies At Grace Church
Oct.
25
Nosferatu Screening With Live Orchestra
1:00pm. Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex St. Experience the 1922 silent film Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror with a live performance of the original score for theater orchestra. In the 1920s, silent films weren’t silent: They were accompanied by a live piano player, organist or full orchestra. Arpeggione Ensemble will be performing on historical instruments from the early 20th century, including harmonium, flute, clarinet and strings.
Nosferatu Screening
Oct.
31
Undercover Band
7:00pm. 10 Hawthorne Blvd. Live outdoor entertainment stage on Halloween Night with performance by the Undercover Band.
Oct.
31
Halloween Celebration Finale
10:00pm. Bridge St. overlooking the MBTA terminal. Salem’s Halloween celebration finishes with a Drone show featuring a fleet of drones equipped with LED lights and programmed to fly in synchronized formations creating various patterns and images in the night sky, guided by 3D software and GPS coordinates from a ground control station. After the show, central downtown will be cleared and access to this area may be restricted. Restaurants and attractions will continue to operate.
