Unearth the hidden frights of Salem this Halloween with our in-depth guide, offering a treasure trove of spine-tingling events and supernatural experiences to uncover. Explore Salem's dark corners with our all-inclusive guide.
Popular events include the Witch Mansion, an immersive experience that transports visitors into a world of eerie narratives and chilling encounters. Unique features await at the Haunted Happenings Marketplace, where local artisans blend crafts with the season's haunting spirit. And the Official Salem Witches' Halloween Ball is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring an extravagant celebration of witchcraft and community. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Salem
- **Festival of the Dead**
- **The Official Salem Witches' Halloween Ball**
- **Haunted Happenings Marketplace**
- Witch Mansion
- Gallows Hill Museum Theatre
- Family Movie Nights
- **Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade**
- Salem Zombie Walk
- Wicked Wednesdays at the Phillips House
- Blackcraft Haunt
See these and even more events listed below!
Salem Area Haunted Experiences
Witch Mansion
What to Expect:
High-tech animations and creepy ghost illusions create an immersive twilight world of ghosts, beasts, and banshees.
Description:
Witch Mansion in Salem, MA, is a walkthrough haunted house designed by a professional haunted house firm. It offers an eerie adventure filled with witches, ghosts, vampires, and other creatures of the night. The attraction features high-tech animations and creepy ghost illusions, making it a thrilling experience for visitors. With its ghoulish ghost-host and surprises around every corner, Witch Mansion is Salem's most visited haunted house.
Where: Salem | More Info: Witch Mansion
Gallows Hill Museum Theatre
What to Expect:
An immersive haunted experience combining historical facts with thrilling special effects and ghost hunting activities.
Description:
Gallows Hill Museum Theatre offers an immersive experience that brings the history and terror of the Salem Witch Trials to life. The main show features holograms, live-action, ghostly projections, and 4-D effects, creating an interactive and thrilling experience. Additionally, the After Hours Ghost Hunt event allows visitors to join a late-night ghost hunting adventure with EMF detectors, infrared thermometers, and audio recorders to collect evidence inside The Lost Museum.
Where: Salem | More Info: Gallows Hill Museum Theatre
Blackcraft Haunt
What to Expect:
Immersive and theatrical haunted house experience with live scare actors.
Description:
Blackcraft Haunt is a highly immersive and unique haunted house experience located in downtown Salem, Massachusetts. It offers a thrilling walkthrough experience during the off-season, allowing guests to take photos and videos. Starting in September 2024, the haunt will feature full performance scare actors, with pre-sale tickets available for purchase. The event is known for its theatrical settings and ambiance, making it a must-visit for Halloween enthusiasts.
Where: Salem | More Info: Blackcraft Haunt
Haunted Happenings Harbor Cruise
What to Expect:
A fun-filled 75-minute cruise with haunted décor, spooky photo ops, and live storytelling of local pirate tales and haunted islands.
Description:
Embark on a spooky 75-minute cruise with Mahi Cruises, where you'll experience Halloween magic on the water. Enjoy haunted décor, spooky photo ops, complementary tarot card readings, face-painting, and festive music. Live stories of local pirates, haunted islands, and living monsters will keep you enthralled. Savor local craft beers, strong cocktails, and Grandma’s Spiked Hot Apple Cider while indulging in backyard barbecue favorites.
Where: Salem | More Info: Haunted Happenings Harbor Cruise
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Salem
**Haunted Happenings Marketplace**
What to Expect:
A diverse marketplace showcasing hundreds of Halloween-themed vendors in Downtown Salem.
Description:
Haunted Happenings Marketplace is a premier Halloween event in Salem, MA, featuring hundreds of curated vendors in Downtown Salem. This marketplace offers a diverse array of Halloween-themed goods, including art, retail items, and creative collectibles. It is an ideal destination for those seeking unique gifts and souvenirs to commemorate their Halloween experience.
Where: Salem | More Info: **Haunted Happenings Marketplace**
**Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade**
What to Expect:
A fun and festive parade where pets and their owners can show off their Halloween costumes while supporting local community programs.
Description:
The Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade is a family-friendly event where pets of all species, including dogs, cats, lizards, and bunnies, are encouraged to participate in a fun-filled celebration. The parade will take place at Derby Wharf on October 12th at 11 am, featuring costumes, contests, and prizes. All proceeds support special community programs in Salem, making it a delightful and charitable event for both pets and their owners.
Where: Salem | More Info: **Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade**
Wicked Wednesdays at the Phillips House
What to Expect:
A family-themed tour of the historic Phillips House is included in the ticket, offering a unique blend of history and fun.
Description:
Wicked Wednesdays at the Phillips House offers a family-friendly experience with games, fall crafts, and a family-themed tour of the historic house. These relaxed afternoons take place in the backyard, providing a fun and accessible environment for all attendees.
Where: Salem | More Info: Wicked Wednesdays at the Phillips House
Salem Zombie Walk
What to Expect:
A fun, family-friendly zombie-themed walk through the streets of Salem, MA.
Description:
Join the Salem Zombie Walk 2024, a family-friendly and free event where participants gather at Salem Common to walk as zombies. This annual event is a fun experience for all ages, celebrating Halloween with a lively procession through the streets of Salem, MA.
Where: Salem | More Info: Salem Zombie Walk
Halloween Museum Of Salem
What to Expect:
Interactive exhibits featuring fortune-telling and vintage Halloween artifacts.
Description:
The Halloween Museum Of Salem offers an interactive and family-friendly experience with exhibits featuring fortune-telling, vintage Halloween artifacts, Halloween-themed movies, and Salem's witchcraft history. Visitors can explore the museum daily in October.
Where: Salem | More Info: Halloween Museum Of Salem
**The Good Witch Of Salem’s Halloween Costume Ball**
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween celebration with a DJ dance party and a North End dinner buffet.
Description:
The Good Witch of Salem's Halloween Costume Ball is a magical event for children of all ages, taking place on October 19, 2024, at the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites. The evening promises enchantment, surprises, and Halloween family fun with a DJ dance party, a North End dinner buffet, and a cash bar. Children can come dressed in their spookiest, silliest, or most glamorous costumes and meet surprise character guests.
Where: Salem | More Info: **The Good Witch Of Salem’s Halloween Costume Ball**
Junior Ranger Program
What to Expect:
The program offers both in-person and virtual participation options, allowing flexibility for visitors.
Description:
The Salem Maritime National Historic Site Junior Ranger program is an activity-based initiative that allows visitors to join the National Park Service family. Participants complete a series of activities in the Junior Ranger booklet, either during a park visit or virtually, and receive an official Junior Ranger badge upon completion. This program encourages learning about historical sites, objects, and documents while fostering a sense of responsibility to protect parks.
Where: Salem | More Info: Junior Ranger Program
Other Halloween Activities Near Salem
**The Official Salem Witches' Halloween Ball**
What to Expect:
A night of magic, music, and powerful rituals celebrating the spirit world.
Description:
Join Christian Day, Brian Cain, and the Witches of Salem with guests Dragon Ritual Drummers for a night of magic, music, and powerful rituals at Salem's most magical Halloween party. This event honors the dead, divines hidden secrets, and celebrates magic with sumptuous hors d'oeuvres, live performances, and interactive experiences.
Where: Salem | More Info: **The Official Salem Witches' Halloween Ball**
**Festival of the Dead**
What to Expect:
An immersive exploration of death's mysteries through various rituals and customs.
Description:
Festival of the Dead is an annual event series in Salem, Massachusetts, that explores death's macabre customs, heretical histories, and strange rituals. Hosted by Salem Warlocks Christian Day and Brian Cain, this event beckons guests to step through the veil into a realm where spirits await. It includes daily activities such as authentic psychic readings, the Witches Market, and nightly events like Graveyard Magic and the Mourning Tea.
Where: Salem | More Info: **Festival of the Dead**
Witch Pix Good Witch Photo Shoots
What to Expect:
Immersive themed photo shoots with extensive handmade costumes and custom-designed sets.
Description:
Witch Pix offers a unique and immersive experience with its award-winning costume photography studio. Visitors can choose from five themed photography sets, including "Autumn 1692," "Salem Shipyard," and "At Home Magick." Each set provides a journey into art, Hollywood, and history. The experience includes personalized costume styling, a fun and engaging photo session, and a high-resolution digital gallery. Digital and print packages are prepared immediately, making it a memorable experience for all participants.