Haunted Happenings in Salem, Massachusetts
The city of Salem attempts to balance the embarrassment of the historic and tragic witch trials with the current commercial value its history brings through tourism. It’s an odd dichotomy when one can visit a memorial which stands to remind us of “the lessons of tolerance and understanding learned from the Salem Witch Trials” and then experience the psychic fair or the Salem seance during Salem’s Haunted Happenings in the month of October.
Salem History
Salem was settled in 1629 and was renamed from Naumkeag to Salem. The actual Salem witch trials of 1692 occurred in Salem Village, a parish town of Salem, which is now the town of Danvers. The Salem Witch Trials were provoked by the bizarre behavior of the minister’s daughter and his niece. Twenty-four people died during the Salem Witch Trials, nineteen were hanged on Gallows Hill in Salem Town, others died in prison.
Salem Haunted Happenings
Today, the city of Salem celebrates Halloween from October 6-October 31, 2006 with many events, including a costume ball, an international food court, dramatic productions, psychic fairs and games and places to visit including museums and haunted houses.
Haunted Happenings Events
There are many events during October to celebrate Halloween in Salem. This is a select list of the top events. For the complete list, visit the official Salem Haunted Happenings web site.
Saturday October 14 and Sunday, October 15: Shoppers and outdoor street fair lovers won’t want to miss the Bizarre Bazaar, which takes over the Essex Pedestrian Mall in downtown Salem. Enjoy shopping for unique items and crafts, food, and entertainment. For more information call the Salem Chamber of Commerce at 978.744.0004.
Another bizarre event is the Boo-tiful Pets outdoor Halloween costume contest for dogs, cats, and small animals (ferrets, rabbits & guinea pigs only) on Satuurday the 14th. The contest begins at 11am. For more information call 978.744.2615.
Saturday October 28: The Annual Children’s Halloween Costume Parade and Party for ages 3-10. The parade begins at Salem Commons, 89 Margin Stret and begins at noon. Family Fun Days run Saturday the 28th through Sunday the 29th and feature “ghoulish games, creepy crafts,” rides, food, entertainers and surprises. For more information contact the Salem YMCA at 978.744.0351.
Tuesday, October 31: There is a Halloween costume party and contest with a $200 prize at Victoria Station Restaurant, Pickering Wharf for ages 21 and up. There will also be a Halloween dance on the Salem Common from 6-10pm. And don’t miss the 14th Annual Samhain Magick Circle Ceremony for the turning of the Wheel of the Year at Gallow’s Hill Park. Time TBA, call 978.745.8668.
Salem Walking Tours
The best way to explore Salem and its Halloween offerings to walk the city.
Salem Historical Tours offers the following tours: Cemetery 101: Grave Matters, Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour, and the the Salem Witchcraft Walk. Contact: 8 Central St., call 978.745.0666.
Derby Square Tours also offers tours related to Halloween, including the The Witch Trial (no reservations) and The Terror Trail. For information, times and reservations (for The Terror Trail): call 978-745-6314 or email jim@nii.net.
Salem Attractions
Salem attractions offer tours, exhibits and live dramas depicting the Salem Witch Trials.
Griffen Theatre Presents “a live, frightening and factual show about witchcraft, ghosts and unexplained events in Salem.” Contact: 7 Lynde Street, Salem, MA, 01970, 978.825.0222.
Salem Witch Museum will have extended hours during the month of October. An interesting current exhibit is “Witches – Evolving Perceptions” which “examines the pagan midwife, stereotypical witch, modern witchcraft and the phenomenon of witch hunts.” Contact: Washington Square Salem, MA , 01970, 978.744.1692.
Salem Wax Museum of Witches & Seafarers See wax figures of Salem’s own Nathaniel Hawthorne, the pirates of New England and the merciless Witch Trials judge – Colonel John Hawthorne, among others. Contact: 288 Derby Street, Salem, MA, 01970, 800.298.2929.
Witch Dungeon Museum Contact: 6 Lynde Street, Salem, MA 01970, 978-741-3570, info@witchdungeon.com.
The Witch House “is Salem’s only remaining building with direct ties to the tragic events of 1692.” (Salem.org) Special events during October include storytelling of eerie tales featuring costumed actors in an authentic setting. Contact: 310 Essex St. (corner of Essex & North Streets), call 978-744-8815, or visit www.salemweb.com/witchhouse.
Not many cities can claim that their name is synonymous with Halloween. With a dark history of trying accused witches and a current 25-year-old Halloween celebration, Salem, Massachusetts can confidently stake that claim.
If You Go: Salem is located 16 miles north of Boston. For more information about Salem or for directions, visit the Salem Office of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. For questions about Salem’s Haunted Happenings, e-mail them at halloween@salem.org.
