About Salem Haunted Happenings

Salem Haunted Happenings is a festive celebration of Halloween and fall in New England running annually, October 1-31. Events include a Grand Parade, artisan vendors, family friendly events, costume balls, ghost tours, haunted houses, live music, and chilling theatrical presentations.

In 1982, the City has planned the first Salem Haunted Happenings Festival during Halloween weekend. The festival was an effort to provide family-friendly events for guests who were interested in visiting the “Witch City.” Following the first festival’s success with about 50,000 guests in attendance, the annual event has continued to grow each season, drawing everyone from families, couples, history buffs, and Halloween enthusiasts from all over the world.

Today, members of the modern Pagan and Witch communities have a home in Salem, where Samhain is celebrated each October recognizing the end of the harvest season and the coming of winter. The City’s modern witches have the unique opportunity of being able to share their beliefs and celebrations with both locals and out of town guests who come to celebrate the Halloween season in Salem.

Salem Haunted Happenings has evolved into a month-long celebration encompassing everything from family-friendly magic shows, to costume balls, psychic readings, haunted harbor cruises, ghost tours, and more. Whether you come to Salem seeking history, spooks, shopping, live music, or even a vibrant food and “spirits” scene, you are sure to find your own adventure this October at our Halloween Capital of the World.

Places to Stay

Where to Stay

All of the Salem hotels, motels, and inns/B&Bs listed here and on salem.org are in walking distance to Haunted Happenings events. Regional accommodations are also available in nearby towns, including Beverly, Danvers, and Peabody, which border Salem. If you are staying in Boston, or north of Salem on the Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail line, Salem Haunted Happenings will only be a short train ride away.

Statement of Inclusion

Salem’s tourism community is dedicated to promoting acceptance of diversity and combating discrimination. We are committed to the wellbeing of our community and encourage everyone to challenge bigotry and to promote a prejudice-free environment in which all people are respected, understood, and appreciated for who they are and how they identify. Destination Salem reminds our visitors, employees, and residents to hold each other accountable, take care of one another, and be kind.