Salem Haunted Happenings

Salem's next festival is going to be sweet!

2012-01-13T11:41:00.000-05:00

10th Annual Festival celebrates Valentine's Day with Chocolate, Wine, and Ice Sculptures

More than 15 beautiful ice sculptures will grace downtown Salem starting February 11 as part of the 10th annual Salem's So Sweet Chocolate and Ice Sculpture Festival. Ice Sculpture Themes include a dragon, Marilyn Monroe, the SSU Viking, TinTin and Snowy, a crystal snowflake, a one room school house and the Salem Witch. Many downtown businesses will offer discounts and free chocolate during the weekend as well.

The festival officially kicks off with a Chocolate and Wine Tasting, on Friday, February 10 from 6:30 - 8:30 pm, at Hamilton Hall, 9 Chestnut Street. This luscious tasting event features wine and chocolate samplings from premier Salem restaurants, stores and sweet shops. The Chocolate and Wine Tasting is sponsored by the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance at the Salem Chamber of Commerce starting January 13, 265 Essex Street.

The Salem Trolley will be offering trolley rides around the festival route weather permitting on February 11 & 12 from 12 - 4 for Adults $1, children are free. Pick up locations include the Salem Visitor Center, Pickering Wharf and Washington Street near Eastern Bank.

With over 60 places to eat, downtown Salem is the perfect place to have a romantic dinner or casual lunch. In celebration of the chocolate weekend, many of Salem's finest restaurants will feature special chocolate offerings on their menus, including desserts, cocktails, and inventive sauces. Participating Salem retailers will offer in-store promotions, innovative displays and items geared toward chocolate and Valentine's Day ranging from a chocolate fondue fountain to Valentine inspired dog treats. Once again, Golden Tickets will be available in downtown Salem for a chance to win the Salem's So Sweet Gift Basket. Pick up your Golden Ticket and have it validated at participating businesses (no purchase necessary) then enter to win a Salem's So Sweet gift basket which features many fine items from area retailers.

There are numerous special events during the festival. The Salem Theatre Company is offering a discount on their hit performance: The Real Thing. The National Park Service Visitor Center will have a historic display on ice and chocolate.

Salem Main Streets, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, and local retailers, restaurants and businesses invite you to attend the 10th annual Salem's So Sweet, Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival. A decadent tradition of delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures and Valentine's Day shopping... don't miss Salem's sweetest event of the year! For more information and details about the festival contact (978)744-0004 or visit the website salemmainstreets.org or salem-chamber.org.

A double feature to warm a cold January night

2012-01-04T08:29:00.000-05:00

Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery is adding a few jitters to your January with a "Creature Double Feature" this Saturday, January 7th. Ring in the new year with Nosferatu and Night of the Living Dead!

You can see Nosferatu at 6pm for $6 per person and Night of the Living Dead at 8pm for $8 per person. Stay for both for just $11 per person. Admission includes a tour of Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery, which is usually closed at this time of year.

Visit the Facebook Event Page for more information.

Ooh, a contest!

2011-12-08T11:32:00.000-05:00

The historic Hawthorne Hotel has already started thinking about Halloween 2012 - What can I say? We're always thinking about Halloween in Salem! - and they have launched a "Name the Ball" contest!

Name submissions need to be inspired by or related to the ball's theme. The person who submits the winning name for the ball will receive an overnight in a suite, with breakfast, for two people (based on availability)!

They have already chosen the theme, which is:
Explore lost worlds, ancient civilizations, mysticism, rites and ritual of early societies and cultures, the dark and mysterious Halloween gods and goddesses, a feast of souls, an exploration of lost empires. . . a realization of the deep roots of the Halloween mystique.

And they have a few rules:

You may only enter once
Please no graphic or suggestive names.
Contest will end on December 31, 2011
Winners will be notified over Facebook and asked to email the Hawthorne Hotel for confirmation
The management of the Hawthorne Hotel has the right to use any or none of the suggested names for the Ball.
In case of a tie, a drawing will be held to determine the winner.

Visit the Hawthorne Hotel on Facebook to enter and learn more. Good luck!

Join us during Salem Holiday Happenings

2011-11-23T09:10:00.000-05:00

Holiday Happenings Brochure

Thanksgiving marks a day of gratitude. The day after Thanksgiving is the beginning of a season of cheer.

Celebrate, shop and dine in Salem during Salem Holiday Happenings this year. There are dozens of events - if you were a fan of the Tales & Tombstones Trolley Tour in October, you'll love the Trolley Christmas Carol in December. If you got one of the sold-out seats to the Woman in Black at Salem Theatre Company in October, you'll love An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf during the holidays.

If you swoon over Salem's stunning architecture, be sure to check out the Christmas in Salem Historic House Tour on December 3-4. And if you loved Spirits of the Gables, they have a Christmas program perfect for you, A Classic Christmas at the Gables.

And don't forget the shopping and dining (without the 90-minute waits for a table!). Join us December 16 for the Salem Shopping Open House Night, when businesses will be open late and serving up cheer and promotions.

Visit Salem.org/holidays for the full list of events, and join us this December. It is a magical season for one and all.

Celebrate the Craft of Cooking at Salem Restaurant Week

2011-11-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

Visit Salem.org/RestaurantWeek

Rediscover dining in Salem and celebrate the craft of cooking during Fall Restaurant Week in Salem, November 6-10 and 13-17, 2011. Twenty-one restaurants are participating with affordably-priced Prix-fixed meals, so you can revisit a favorite, and try something new. Participating restaurants will offer a two-course prix-fix dinner menu for $15, and/or a three-course, prix-fixe dinner menu for $25.

Restaurant Week is produced by the Salem Chamber of Commerce.

Halloween Night Photos

2011-11-01T11:36:00.000-04:00

Pictures from the weekend

2011-10-31T11:41:00.000-04:00

Dress for the occasion with Witch Tee's

Loved this family walking to the train.

You may need some ear flaps with your witch hat today (brrr).

Hats of all shapes and sizes for sale on Essex Street.

One of our many buskers.

You may run into these lovely ladies on the Pedestrian Mall.

Friday night on the Radio 92.9 Stage

The crowds on Sunday.

The Whiskey Brothers on the Fountain Stage on Sunday.

"You can go with this, or you can go with that."

Evan Goodrow Band on Sunday.

You know you want a Witch Hat

2011-10-29T21:00:00.000-04:00

Witch hats and Witch balls... the two most popular souvenirs in Salem. I love seeing all of the visitors in their new hats exploring Salem. There is a huge variety and price range for Witch Hats - you can get colorful hats and matching aprons at Pamplemousse, authentic hats at Hex, or elegant hats at Sophia's.

I stopped into Sophia's, where Maria decorates the hats herself. I especially liked the ties... it's always good to have something for the gentlemen!

Sophia's is a fantastic store at 105 Essex Street across from the Hawthorne Hotel. It may be the most romantic store in Salem.

Weather Cancellations and Updates

2011-10-29T09:50:00.001-04:00

Oh, this is so depressing. I can't believe I'm beginning a blog post for weather cancellations because of a potential SNOW storm.

That said, we are still optimistic that we will get mostly rain and a wintery mix in Salem, and that it won't come in until this evening. We are hoping that all daytime events will go off without a hitch, and most nighttime events (because they are inside) will also be unaffected.

Please drive safely tonight if there is a wintery mix falling in Salem.

CANCELLATIONS

Radio 929 Stage on Washington Street - Music has been cancelled for Saturday night (due more to the anticipated winds than to the precipitation). The Shock Top Beer Garden will be OPEN from 4pm-11pm (with heaters).

The Haunted Film Series on Salem Common, featuring Beetlejuice tonight, has been cancelled.

The Salem Ferry shut down for the day after the 1pm departure from Salem. For alternate transportation, please use the MBTA Commuter Rail Newburyport/Rockport line. Schedules are available at MBTA.com.

Halloween Guidelines

2011-10-28T22:51:00.000-04:00

The City of Salem anticipates tens of thousands of revelers to visit this weekend for the annual celebration of Halloween, and the culmination of the City’s month-long Haunted Happenings Festival. Dozens of costume balls and parties hosted by Salem’s restaurants and hotels will be supplemented by a street party atmosphere that attracts visitors from around the world.

With Halloween falling on a Monday, both Saturday, October 29, and Monday, October 31 are expected to draw the most visitors. Friday, October 28 and Sunday, October 30, will also be busy. While the questionable weather forecast may keep some people away, many of the balls and parties on Saturday night are sold-out, so those revelers are expected to visit Salem regardless of weather.

In preparation for the busy weekend, City Officials encourage visitors to:

Take public transportation. The MBTA and Salem Ferry have expanded service for the weekend. Taking public transportation is the best way to avoid traffic snarls coming into Salem. Expanded MBTA service schedules are available online at http://bit.ly/mPUg8B. Salem Ferry schedules are available at www.salemferry.com.
Be prepared to pay for parking. Parking in downtown Salem is a premium, and visitors who do drive should plan to pay $20 cash per day for parking. MBTA lots in Beverly and Lynn have ample parking, and are less than a 10 minute train ride from the Salem depot. Salem’s walkable downtown makes personal vehicles unnecessary once visitors have arrived.
Be aware of street closures. Downtown street closures are planned for Monday after 5:00 PM, and closures will be executed on Saturday if deemed necessary for public safety. Street closure and parking ban information is available at http://bit.ly/w2adar.

Click here for the downtown Salem parking map.

Once in Salem, visitors are urged to bring their common sense, and be aware of the following rules and regulations that will be enforced during Halloween weekend:

Disorderly conduct will not be tolerated. Salem has tougher sanctions and will be issuing tripled fines, up to $300 per violation, for infractions including public drinking, vandalism, littering, and disorderly behavior.
Leave weapons – real or fake – at home. They will be confiscated by police.
Public drinking will not be tolerated. Public consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited in Salem.
Know when the party’s over. The event ends at 11:00 PM on Saturday night and 10:00 PM on Monday night. Visitors who are not inside restaurants or private parties will be asked to depart Salem following the fireworks on Monday night. Police and Public Works Department staff will begin clearing the streets at 10:30 pm.

There will be more than 200 police on the ground this weekend, including the Essex County Tactical Unit and the Plymouth County Mounted Unit. Surveillance cameras are installed throughout the downtown and will be monitored by police officials throughout the weekend.

Salem is a historic, residential community, and city officials are working diligently to mitigate visitor impacts to residents, provide effective crowd control, and encourage an orderly exit out of the City when festivities conclude. Visitors to Salem who respect the City of Salem, its residents, businesses, and law enforcement officials will have a great time celebrating Halloween and Haunted Happenings.

Free public entertainment will be provided on the Haunted Happenings Main Stage, presented by Radio 92.9, on Washington Street at Federal Street from 5pm – 10:00pm on Friday, 5pm – 11pm on Saturday, 4pm – 10pm on Sunday, and 4pm – 10pm on Monday. On Monday night, bands and DJs will provide free music on Salem Common, Hawthorne Boulevard, Front Street, and Derby Street. The month-long Haunted Happenings celebration will conclude with a brilliant fireworks display over the North River at 10:00 pm on Monday.

Radio 929 is in the house!

2011-10-28T14:53:00.000-04:00

The stage and tents are going up on Washington Street! The Radio 92.9 Street Team is decorating their hearts out, and the music begins at 6:00 PM.

The weekend has officially begun!

Top Five Costume Balls in Salem this weekend

2011-10-27T16:57:00.000-04:00

Are you ready? Is your costume ready? Here's the short list of the TOP FIVE Costume Balls in Salem. They vary in price and intensity, so one of them is sure to fit your Halloween expectations. Wherever you go, take pictures... and send them to me at kfox@salem.org. I just might share them on the blog next week!

5. The Zombie Prom at Vic's Boathouse on Pickering Wharf. Any party that merges zombies with high school prom dresses and ruffled tuxes has a bright future in my book. 9:30 PM on Friday, no cover, VictoriaStationSalem.com

4. Bridget Bishop Costume Ball at 43 Church. 43 Church, located in the former Lyceum, is located on the land that belonged to Bridget Bishop, who was condemned during the Salem Witch Trials. This was her apple orchard, and some say they can smell apples... when there are none being cooked. Toast Bridget's spirit with some hard cider on Saturday night. 8pm - 12am. 43Church.com

3. Wicked Night on the Wharf at the Salem Waterfront Hotel boasts a costume competition, awesome music, and TV Diner host and Kiss 108 personality Billy Costa. What more could you ask for? Saturday night, 6pm - 12am. SalemWaterfrontHotel.com

2. The Official Salem Witches' Halloween Ball, the edgiest of the balls, this year the Witches' ball has a Lords of the Underworld, theme. The costumes for this ball are always fantastic, as is the entertainment. Friday night, 7:30pm - 12:30am. FestivalOfTheDead.com

1. The Hawthorne Hotel's Costume Ball has a Saturday Fright Fever theme this year, which leads me to believe there will be zombies doing the hustle. John Travolta should be watching his back, because I suspect his white leisure suit is going to be in high demand. Three floors of music and entertainment await at this, the grandest ball of them all. 8pm - Midnight on Saturday. HawthorneHotel.com

There are other balls, parties, and live music events throughout the weekend. Visit HauntedHappenings.org for all of the details. So much fun, so hard to choose. Which ball will you choose?!

Music Line-up for this weekend

2011-10-26T08:00:00.000-04:00

Radio 92.9 has announced the band schedule for this weekend. We have some terrific local talent coming to perform this weekend. In addition to the music, Radio 92.9 will be running themed costume contests in the Shock Top Beer Garden all weekend.

Here's the schedule:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28

Sinners & Saints Night - $250 for the best costume!
6pm-7:15pm . . . Kitchen Jams
7:45pm- 9:00pm . . . Silhouette Rising
9:30-11:00pm . . . Life Electric

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29

Monster Ball - $250 for the best costume!
4:00-5:15pm . . . 51 Shortfalls
5:45-6:45pm . . . Will Dailey and the Rivals
7:15- 8:45pm . . .Girls, Guns and Glory
9:15pm -10:00pm . . . The Replicas

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30

Football Funday - Wear your best sports costume. $250 prize if it's really THE best!

4:00pm-4:45pm . . . Luke Mulholland

5:15pm-6:30pm . . . Jackson Wetherbee
7:00pm-8:15pm . . . Evan Goodrow Band
9:00pm -10:30pm . . . Drop Zone

MONDAY, OCTOBER 31 ~ HALLOWEEN!

It's a Halloween BASH! $250 prize for the best costume!
5:00-6:15pm . . . Jeff Conley Band
6:45-8:10pm . . . Adam Ezra Group
8:40-9:50pm . . . Drop Zone

10:00pm . . . FIREWORKS!

And don't forget about the final Family Film Night on Salem Common - This Saturday at 6:30 PM we will be watching Beetlejuice (Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice). It looks like it's going to be chilly, so bring a blanket and gloves!

Magic on Stage at Salem Theatre Company

2011-10-25T08:00:00.002-04:00

Salem Theatre Company has opened their stage to a bit of magic for October. The show, "Tricks and Treats," is a grin-from-ear-to-ear kind of performance that includes sleight of hand, escapism, levitation, and a whole lot of laughter.

Magician Evan Northrup poseses a perfect mix of actor and comedian, and his presentation and tricks are perfect for all ages. He integrates the audience into several tricks, so if you don't want to end up on stage you may not want to sit in the front row.

Tricks and Treats is running through Saturday, October 29. Shows are on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm. Shows sold out last week, so buy tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. Tickets are $10 each for all ages. Visit SalemTheatre.com for more information.

Midweek Burlesque at The Witches Cottage

2011-10-24T10:43:00.000-04:00

We have a late addition to the Haunted Happenings schedule! This week, Tuesday and Wednesday nights only, you can catch The Betsi Feathers Halloween Burlesque Special on stage at The Witches Cottage.

Terrorize and tantalize your senses as these spooky seducers scare their own pants off! This is a classic-style burlesque with a creepy twist! Get up close and personal in this interactive scare show of stunning beauties!!

Tuesday October 25 at 9pm
Wednesday October 26 at 9pm

As if the Betsi Feathers wasn't enough, the bill includes spook-tacular guest performers: Jimi Half-Dead and the Die Alongs, The Boston Babydolls, Pandora Fox, and Bryson Lang.

And, it's for a good cause! 20% of all proceeds benefiting the Northeast Animal Shelter in Salem. All tickets $15.

What do you mean you haven't been working on your costume for weeks?!

2011-10-21T13:43:00.000-04:00

The countdown is on! There is one week remaining until the Hawthorne Hotel's annual Halloween Costume Ball. Three floors of entertainment and jaw-dropping costumes add up to a night to remember at the "Saturday Fright Fever" themed event on Saturday, October 29.

Tickets are still available, but they are going fast. Don't be left out in the cold on Salem's biggest weekend!

Live music in the ballroom by HUSH, DJs in Sophia's and The Library (these are rooms, by the way), and Halloween decor to knock your socks off. If you wear socks, that is. Get out your best Disco zombie, your Studio 54 Frankenstein, your Discotheque Morticia. Let's see those costumes do the Electric Slide!

Here are a few pictures from past Hawthorne Hotel Halloween Balls to get you in the mood and spark your creative juices.

Do not pass GO! Go directly to Jail.

Amazing effects.

Oooh, creepy. But can she do the Hustle?

The Hotel misses no opportunity for awesome decor!

Pumpkins on Parade

2011-10-20T08:00:00.000-04:00

If you find yourself visiting Salem Common over the next two weeks, be sure to pay a visit to the Painted Pumpkin contest. The pumpkins, submitted by school children, offer a delightful display of mixed media approaches to gourd decoration!

Competition was fierce (especially for the pirate on the bottom row)

We are suckers for the Muppets, so Miss Piggy gets high marks.

The Haunted Happenings Parade theme was "Honoring those who serve," which has been well-carried over to pumpkin decorating.

MBTA Offers Extended Schedule for Haunted Happenings

2011-10-19T08:00:00.003-04:00

With three weekends down and two to go, it is time to announce the MBTA's expanded Commuter Rail service between Boston and Salem. We are delighted that the T is able to provide additional trains to help get everyone in and out of Salem.

We've said it before, and we'll say it again... Leave your broomstick at home and take the T to Salem Haunted Happenings!

CLICK HERE FOR MBTA EXPANDED TRAIN SERVICE

There will be expanded service on October 22nd and 23rd as well as the 29th, 30th and 31st. Please note that the MBTA parking lot in Salem will be closed on Halloween night from 8pm - Midnight in order to accommodate the crowds.

The Salem Ferry will also offer expanded service on Halloween, giving you two great options for public transportation that will get you to Salem Haunted Happenings safe-and-sound!

Ghostly stories make for Eerie Evenings at the Witch House

2011-10-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

I hate to jump to the punch-line and ruin the suspense, but if you haven't gotten your tickets for Eerie Evenings at the Witch House, you should probably click over to their online ticketing right now, because tickets are going fast, and space is, indeed, limited.

We love (absolutely love!) the mixture of history and ghost story that is baked into an experience just spooky enough for Haunted Happenings. The show features several actors, we saw three, who tell stories steeped in true history and wrapped in details that are culled from the Salem Witch Trials and beyond. Each actor spoke from a different era and perspective, and each story was connected with common elements.

Well-told ghost stories steeped in history leave you looking over your shoulder and wondering if those two kids behind you are the kids, and is that elderly woman hiding something under her cap? It may take a shiver or two before you shake the feeling that strange things may be afoot in Salem.

Eerie Evenings tickets cost $11. Performances are on October 21, 22, 28 and 29. Click here for online ticketing, or call (978) 744-8815.

Family Fun Days on Salem Common

2011-10-17T08:00:00.000-04:00

If you are bringing children to Salem for Haunted Happenings, make sure to check out the Family Fun Days on Salem Common on October 22-23 and 29-30. Family Fun Days will give parents and kids a chance to unwind in a fright-free zone!

Alive after 5 this Weekend

2011-10-14T16:26:00.001-04:00

"What's open after 5pm?" the concerned visitor asked.
"Well, let me tell you..." the cheerful info booth volunteer replied, "There's plenty to do after five in Salem during October!"

Here's the list...

EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS

13 Ghosts' 3-D Haunted House and Ghost Tours
Open until 9pm
131 Essex Street, Salems13Ghosts.com

Authentic Salem Séance at OMEN
Friday and Saturday 8pm - 9:30pm
184 Essex Street, 978-666-0763, OmenSalem.com

Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery
Friday until 8pm, Saturday and Sunday until 10pm
285 Derby Street, 978-740-0500, NightmareGallery.com

Eerie Evenings at the Witch House
6pm - 10pm
310 Essex Street, witchhouse.info, 978-744-8815

Fiesta Shows Carnival
289 Derby Street
Open until 10pm

Fright Nights at the Witches Cottage
Friday and Saturday until 10pm
7 Lynde Street, 978-825-0222, WitchesCottage.com

Ghosts & Legends Trolley Tour
Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm
7 Lynde Street, 978-825-0222, WitchesCottageSalem.com

Haunted Harbor Cruise, Mahi Mahi Cruises - Pickering Wharf
Evening departures from Pickering Wharf at 5pm and 7pm. 978-825-0001, MahiCruises.com

The Haunted Movie Series presents Casper on Salem Common
Saturday at 6:30pm
FREE to the Public. Presented by Radio 92.9. myRadio929.com

Haunted Neighborhood at the Salem Wax Museum
Friday and Saturday until 10pm
288 Derby Street, 978-744-2929, SalemWaxMuseum.com
Includes the Salem Wax Museum, Frankenstein’s Laboratory, the Haunted Witch Village, Candlelit Ghostly Tour, Within the Witching Hour spell casting.

Legacy of the Hanging Judge at the House of the Seven Gables
Friday and Saturday, 7:15pm - 11pm. Runs continuously, 35 minutes long.
978-744-0991 ex. 104, 7gables.org

Salem Harvest Fest—21+
Saturday, 2pm - 4:30pm and 5:30pm - 8pm (two sessions)
Knights of Columbus 94 Washington Square, 978-745-2900, SalemHarvestFest.com

Salem Witch Museum
Friday and Saturday until 10pm
19 1/2 Washington Square North, 978-744-1692, SalemWitchMuseum.com

Spirits of the Gables at the House of the Seven Gables
Friday and Saturday, 7:15pm - 11pm. Runs continuously.
978-744-0991 ex. 104, 7gables.org

Summon the Dead Theatrical Séance
Friday and Saturday 9:15pm
7 Lynde Street, 978-825-0222, TheWitchesCottage.com

Surrealist Film and Game Night
Friday night 7pm - 9pm
Peabody Essex Museum, 978-745-9500, pem.org

Tales & Tombstones Trolley Tours
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 6pm - 8:30pm Tour is approximately 1 hour
8 Central Street, 978-744-5469, SalemTrolley.com

Witch City Cruise & Glow Costume Event
Friday until 8:30pm
Essex Street between Hawthorne Boulevard and New Liberty Street

EVENING WALKING TOURS

Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tours—7pm & 8pm
8 Central Street, 978-745-0666, SalemHstioricalTours.com

Salem Night Tours—8pm
127 Essex Street, 978-741-1170, SalemGhostTours.com

Salem Witch Walk—7:30pm
125 Essex Street, 978-666-0884, WitchWalk.com

Witch Trial Trail—7pm
Old Town Hall at Front Street, DerbySquareTours.com

And, if that's not enough, look for live music at Green Land Café, Finz, Gulu Gulu Café, Rockafellas, and Vic’s Boathouse (21+)

Visit Salem.org and HauntedHappenings.org for additional events.

Haunted Happenings for Kids this Weekend

2011-10-14T09:25:00.003-04:00

Haunted Happenings has events, programs and attractions for all ages, but sometimes it’s tough to find the family-friendly, gentler scares. Here’s a quick list of attractions and events scheduled for the weekend of October 14-16 that may work for your kids.*

This list was created for the average 10-and-under visitor.

Special Events

16th Annual Children's Day on Salem Common
Saturday, 10am - 5pm. Costume contest at noon, Rides, games, pony rides, free entertainment by Wayne from Maine at 1pm. Salem Common | SalemGathering.com

Ask a Witch-Make a Wand
Saturday and Sunday, 11am - 6pm, Sponsored by the Witches Education League this event allows children to make a wand and ask questions about witches and witchcraft! $1.00. Pickering Wharf, 978-745-0065, WitchesEducationLeague.com

Eerie Evenings at the Witch House
Friday, Saturday, Sunday 6pm - 10pm
Featuring all new ghostly stories performed by costumed actors in a darkened, authentic setting. Performances every 20 minutes. 310 Essex Street, 978-744-8815, WitchHouse.info

Fiesta Shows Carnival
Mon-Fri 3-10pm, Sat-Sun and Halloween Noon to 10pm, 289 Derby Street

The Haunted Movie Series on Salem Common - Featuring Casper 6:30pm. October 15 feature is Casper. FREE! Salem Common. MyRadio929.com

Sea Shanties at the Ship Stage on Derby WharfSaturday, 11am and 1pm, Join National Park staff and performers in singing rousing Sea Shanties at "Ship Stage" at the Salem Maritime National Park. 193 Derby Street. nps.gov/sama

Witch City Cruise & Glow Costume Event
Friday, October 14, 6pm - 8:30pm, Essex Street (between Hawthorne Boulevard and Liberty Street)

Witch City Car Show on Central Wharf Saturday, 10am - 3pm, Salem Maritime National Historic Site, 193 Derby Street

Wizardly Wonders at the Witches CottageSaturday and Sunday, 10am, 7 Lynde Street, 978-825-0222, WitchesCottageSalem.com

Haunted Houses & Attractions

Griswold’s Ghostly Grove
Haunted house for children. Museum Place Mall

New England Pirate Museum
Visit a re-created dockside village and pirate ship and experience the adventures of New England’s sea-robbers. Arrh! 274 Derby Street, PirateMuseum.com

Peabody Essex Museum
It’s not haunted or scary, but Ripple Effect, the Art of H20 exhibit is interactive and fun for all ages. 161 Essex Street. pem.org Pioneer Village: Salem 1630
At forest river park. Presenting a “haunted Salem Village” during October. PioneerVillageSalem.com | 978-606-7426

Playground on Salem Common
There’s no better free fun than letting the kids run around on a playground! Southeast corner of the Common.

Salem’s 13 Ghosts 3-D Haunted House
Will temper the haunted house experience for younger kids. 131 Essex Street, Salems13Ghosts.com

Children's Day this Weekend

2011-10-13T13:47:00.000-04:00

If you are traveling with kids, you won't want to miss the 16th Annual Children's Day on Salem Common this weekend, Saturday, October 15 from 10am - 5pm.

The costume parade and musical entertainment are free, and there is a small fee for the rides and games. The weather looks good for Saturday, so this will be a fun-for-all-ages kind of day.

Stick around after Children's Day for the FREE film on the Common, featuring Casper, presented by Radio 92.9. Nearly 300 people turned out last Saturday for Monsters, Inc., and everyone had a great time! This weekend should be just as great.

Images from Biz Baz Weekend

2011-10-11T10:57:00.000-04:00

Many thanks to the thousands of people who made Salem your destination this past weekend. We hope you enjoyed the Biz Baz, movie on the Common, Spirits of the Gables, walking tours, museums, shopping and dining.

Here are some pictures from the weekend. If we didn't see you this weekend (or even if we did!), we hope to see you soon. Twenty days remain in Salem Haunted Happenings - plenty of time to join us for Halloween fun!

Music on the Fountain Stage presented by The Gathering

Glass pumpkins for sale at the Biz Baz Street Fair

ALL SOLD OUT! (Make sure you make reservations!)

Mortuary Art by The Gravestone Girls

Day of the Dead art

Witch hats and butterfly wings

We saw a lot of happy Segway tours this weekend!

Monsters being nice at Frankenstein's Lab in the Haunted Village

A Cappella serenade by Salem High School's "Witch Pitch" group

Macaroni Kid loves Salem

2011-10-10T10:38:00.000-04:00

The popular New Jersey parent blog Macaroni Kid took a road trip to Salem this weekend, and they had a great time! You've been listening to me enough lately... here's what Macaroni Kid had to say about Salem.

Road Trip: Salem, Massachusetts
One of my very favorite trips is going to Salem, Massachusetts in October. The town is rich with history, tradition, and fun! This is a trip I highly recommend for families because there is so much to do! Click for more...

Salem's 13 Ghosts

Haunted houses aren't exactly kid friendly, from what I have experienced. But, my kids have been dying to go to one, as they are a bit older. We definitely wanted to see if we could find one in Salem and what we found was perfect! Click for more...

Salem 1630: Pioneer Village
...Down the path was a blacksmith's cabin, where he demonstrated his trade. Beautiful gardens, thatched huts, and wigwams are also located throughout the three acre plot of land. It was fun to be taken back in time and this was something our kids really enjoyed. Click for more...

Cry Innocent: The People Verses Bridget Bishop
You can't make a visit to Salem and ignore the Witch Trial history. There are reminders everywhere. But, if you are looking for an interesting way to learn about it, going to see Cry Innocent is a must! Click for more...

Thanks, Macaroni Kid, for such glowing reviews of our family-friendly attractions, programs and museums! We hope you come back to Salem soon.

Trick or Treating on Essex Street

2011-10-08T08:34:00.000-04:00

Hundreds of children swarmed the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall last night to Trick-or-Treat with Mayor Driscoll. A great time was had by all! Here are a few pictures...


This guy was having a great time scaring the kids.

I hope you can see the expression of delight!

A beautiful evening

Anyone hiring?

Mud Puddle Toys handed out small toy treats and pencils

The Biz Baz Street Fair is today and tomorrow, and don't forget about the free Family Film Night on the Common tonight. So much to do!

Happy Haunted Happenings!

A Grand Parade

2011-10-06T22:25:00.000-04:00

2011 Haunted Happenings was ushered in by thousands of school children, families, businesses and friends who paraded through the streets of Salem tonight. Themed to "Honor those who serve," costumes and floats recognized military, fire fighters, police, and doctors.

There was plenty of humor and horror to go around, as well. I especially liked the person dressed as Ronald McDonald, with the sign "Billions served" on his chest. Clever.

Thanks to the Salem Chamber of Commerce for a fantastic event! Here are some pictures from the evening.

Please remember that all photos are property of Destination Salem.

Halloween isn't complete without...

2011-10-05T09:15:00.000-04:00

a midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Damn it, Janet. Get out your toilet paper and newspapers and get ready to take a step to the left. Cinema Salem will have your midnight showing this Friday, October 7th.

A new haunted house for kids

2011-10-04T14:14:00.001-04:00

Griswold's Ghostly Grove opened in Museum Place Mall over the weekend, and it is a great addition to Salem's spooky and scary haunted houses. Griswold's is a family-friendly haunted house that is designed with kids in mind.

Geared for kids under 12, the Ghostly Grove allows the visitor to activate animation and character movement. Putting the kids in charge alleviates the anxiety some children feel in a haunted house, due to the suspense that good haunted houses build (you know, that "what's going to jump out at me next?!" feeling). There are several characters who move and talk and glow, as well as a cave that the kids can walk through, and a few static characters that just hang out and add to the ambiance.

I took my official Haunted House-testers, ages 10 and 7, through and they gave it big thumbs up. Perhaps your family will be entertained at Griswold's as well.

Harvest Fest. A perennial favorite.

2011-10-02T08:00:00.000-04:00

Mark your calendars for October 15th and plan to stroll across Salem Common to the fourth annual Salem Harvest Fest. There are two sessions to accommodate as many craft beer enthusiasts as possible, and each session will feature craft beers, mead, wine, music (by Salem's own The Dejas!), and door prizes.

Buy tickets online, in advance, and you'll save some cash. If you're in Salem, you can buy tickets at Pamplemousse on Essex Street, as well.

Cheers to four years of Salem Harvest Fest!

The True 1692 at CinemaSalem

2011-09-30T16:17:00.000-04:00

We got to see the premier of the new 3-D film, The True 1692, at CinemaSalem on Thursday. If you are interested in the Witch Trials of 1692, you may want to add The True 1692 to your itinerary.

The film leads you, via first-person narration, into the world of Salem Village and Salem Town in 1692. It talks about the social and political (and economic) atmospheres that caused unrest before the hysteria began. It presents the afflicted and the accused, and gives the viewer a three-dimension perspective on the trials that happened so long ago, yet affect us in Salem every day.

Paul Van Ness, who produced the film, said at the premier that they chose the 3-D platform because 3-D requires the viewer to focus more on the film, and thus be more involved in the story. It's true. The film is incredibly rich, and some of the scenes truly "pop" via the 3-D. It immerses you in 1692 via the preserved landscapes at Salem 1630: Pioneer Village and the Rebecca Nurse Homestead, and draws you into the lives of colonists.

Particularly touching is the portrayal of Mary Eastey, who was hanged on September 22, 1692. She writes a heartfelt letter to the courts, and her plea is rarely featured by other interpretations of the Witch Trials.

If you see The True 1692, consider visiting the Witch Trial Memorial on Liberty Street afterward to pause for a moment of remembrance of what happened in Salem in 1692. And think about the final words of those who were condemned, which are inscribed on the entrance stones to the memorial, disappearing under the stones on either side, unheard, just as Mary Eastey's words went unheeded.

Visit CinemaSalem.com for tickets and information.

Explore Salem with the Witch City Adventure Pass

2011-09-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

This is for everyone who is calling, and emailing, with one question on their mind: "Where's the deal? Where's the discount? Are there any coupons?"

With your requests in mind, I am pleased to present "Your ticket to fear - the Witch City Adventure Pass." You can buy tickets online, or at any of the three participating attractions, including The Witches Cottage (main show), Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery and the Nightmare Factory.

The adult Adventure Pass costs $22 and the child pass costs $11, which, as the graphic tells us, is a $6 savings per person.

So get out there and get scared!

A "nerve shredding" thriller takes to the STC stage

2011-09-28T08:00:00.000-04:00

The Salem Theatre Company will kick off their Season Nine Main Stage programming by shredding some nerves and chilling some spines with Stephen Mallatratt’s adaptation of the Susan Hill novel The Woman in Black.

A classic of the thriller genre, The Woman in Black has an unusual framework: a lawyer hires an actor to tutor him in recounting to family and friends a story that has long troubled him when he attended the funeral of an elderly recluse. There he caught sight of a woman in black, the mere mention of whom terrifies the locals, for she is a specter who haunts the neighborhood where her illegitimate child was accidentally killed. Legend says that anyone who sees her dies. As a means of catharsis the lawyer has invited some family and friends to watch as he and the actor recreate the events of that dark and stormy night with unforeseen results.

Time Out New York says The Woman in Black “...provides a pleasurable ripple of fear down one's spine and an uncomfortable lurch in the pit of one's stomach."

The Woman in Black
September 29 - October 15
STC Theater
90 Lafayette Street
Wednesdays through Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., Sundays at 3:00 p.m.
Tickets: salemtheatre.com, 978-790-8546, or info@salemtheatre.com
Online ticketing ends 24 hours in advance of each performance.

The production is directed by Catherine M. Bertrand of Salem and features Salem State University theatre professor and Actors Equity Association member David Allen George of South Hamilton and Allen Vietzke of Salem. Marcie McKenzie of Beverly serves as Assistant Director and Emma Cavaliere of Salem serves as production stage manager.

STC‘s Season Nine is devoted to Grand Delusions, exploring the foibles, eccentricities and boundaries of human imagination.  The company is led by Artistic Director John Fogle, Executive Director Gary LaParl, and Board President Peg Howard.

Details about tickets, the theater on Lafayette Street, and Season Nine are at salemtheatre.com.

Need free transportation in Salem? Your search is over!

2011-09-27T08:00:00.008-04:00

There's a new way to explore Salem, and it's free and available to residents and visitors!

A new bicycle sharing program, provided by the City of Salem and Salem State University, opened near the Hawthorne Hotel and at the Salem State Central Campus on Monday.

Called Salem Spins, the program makes bikes available for free (a credit card and valid ID are required for security purposes) to residents, visitors and students.

There are two hubs in Salem, one at Salem State University, which is available only to students and faculty with a Clipper Card, and the other at the Hawthorne Hotel (near Essex Street and Hawthorne Boulevard). To borrow a bike, simply visit the front desk at the Hawthorne Hotel, where you’ll be supplied with a key to unlock one of the bicycles. Although there is no charge to borrow a bike, you will need to show a credit card and valid ID for security purposes. It’s an easy transaction, and an easy and unique way to explore historic Salem…and it's FREE!

Salem Spins will be offered from September through November and will re-open after the winter season in March. Rental schedules are weather permitting and the program is active only during daylight hours.

Program underwriters and sponsors include the Green Communities Division of the MA Department of Energy Resources, the Hawthorne Hotel, and Salem Cycle.

Get Ready for A Wicked Weekend!

2011-09-26T08:00:00.001-04:00

The Haunted Neighborhood is kicking off Salem Haunted Happenings with a wicked good deal! On October 1 and 2 you can experience all FIVE of the October weekend attractions in the Haunted Neighborhood for just $20 per person!

That deal includes...

The Salem Wax Museum
Salem Witch Village
Frankenstein's Laboratory
Witching Hour Spellcasting
Candlelit Ghostly Tour

It will cost you more than $33 (for adults) to buy all five admissions later in the month. This is a great deal!

You can buy tickets when you get here, or beat the lines by purchasing tickets in advance at SalemWaxMuseum.com.

Walk with Witches

2011-09-23T10:46:00.000-04:00

We got out of the office here at Destination Salem to experience the relatively new walking tour, "The Witch Walk." Created by local witches Christian Day and Lorelie, the Witch Walk is a guided tour of modern witchcraft entwined with Salem's history.

The tour began at Crow Haven Corner, 125 Essex Street, with a spell casting demonstration. Our guide, Tom, talked about the elements on a witch's altar and the ceremonial use of tools including candles and knives (no tourists were harmed in the making of this tour).

From Crow Haven Corner we began a walk around Salem, which talked about Salem history, stopping at the Roger Conant Statue, the location of the old Salem jail, 43 Church, Hex, , the Bewitched statue, Omen, the Old Burying Point, and back to Crow Haven Corner.

The tour made interesting connections between Salem's history and Witches, identifying some of the magic (and even the curses) that can be found in stories of Salem both old and new.

I don't want to say too much, because then you won't want to take the tour. This 90-minute tour is a great option for anyone looking to learn more about Witches and Witchcraft in Salem. Visit WitchWalk.com for more information.

43 Church celebrates its grand opening

2011-09-22T09:59:00.000-04:00

There's a new restaurant option on the block in Salem. 43 Church, formerly The Lyceum, celebrated its grand re-opening last night. We are really excited about the new menu and updates to the historic location.

Check out the Haunted Happenings events at 43 Church, including a Children's Halloween Party on October 23 and Bridget Bishop's Ball & Costume Party on October 29.

Salem Patch shot video at the opening, which we're happy to share. If you can't see the video, click here to see it on the Patch site.

Congrats to 43 Church!

Witch Trial History, Giles Corey rememberd 319 years later

2011-09-19T11:37:00.001-04:00

Today is the day that Giles Corey succumbed to being pressed to death, a torture inflicted upon him because he refused to stand trial. He refused to enter a plea, and in the 17th Century, a person who refused a plea could not be tried.

Giles Corey refused to plea because in those days, you were damned if you did (plea innocence) and damned if you didn't (and plead guilty). Either way, you would lose all of your worldly possessions, which was less appealing to Giles Corey than death. The Salem Witch Museum Miscellany suggests that Corey "was a stubborn old man who perhaps did not understand fully the results of his actions."

His refusal to stand trial, and agonizing death, has made Corey a bit of a folk hero from the Witch Trials. I'm not sure the status is warranted, though, as most accounts I have read paint him as a bit of a curmudgeon. Corey testified in the Witch Trials against his third wife, Martha Corey, who was hanged on September 22nd, and was found guilty of murdering a farm worker in 1675.

His motivations aside, Corey deserves a moment of remembrance for the horrible, torturous death he endured, and for the conviction to stand up to the Court of Oyer and Terminer.

You can learn more about Giles Corey on the University of Virginia's Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project web site. We don't know for sure where Giles Corey was pressed to death, but respects can always be paid at the Witch Trials Memorial on Liberty Street between Charter Street and Derby Street, behind the Old Burying Point.

The Germans are Coming! Oktoberfest in Salem to benefit Salem YMCA

2011-09-15T08:00:00.000-04:00

On Saturday, September 17th from 5 – 10 pm , Munich comes to town at SALEM OKTOBERFEST , a benefit for the Salem YMCA, at Old Town Hall in Derby Square.

Enjoy a German beer hall with live performances by Salem favorites Clay Ventre & The Bond Girls, The Dejas, Richard the Accordian Player and from Boston, The Riffnicks and Mighty Tiny. Prizes will be awarded for best German outfit as well as other contests and fun games taking place on stage.

Guests will sample craft beer from Notch American Session Beer, Narragansett, Salem Beerworks, Blue Hills Brewing, 21st Amendment, Penn Brewing, Uinta Brewing, Konig Brewing as well as mead from local producer Isaak’s of Salem.

Traditional German fare, as well as some American classics will be available for plates between $1 and $5 from Café Polonia, The Lobster Shanty, Polonus, The Upper Crust as well as sampling of seasonal desserts from Rita’s Ice.

Mari Matt, the new Director for the Salem YMCA is “thrilled to have this event happening in support of the Y.” “It is a great opportunity to enjoy a great night in Salem and help support our commitment to the community through providing Y services to all of its residents.”

Tickets are $20 and include a German hat and kazoo (to the first 300 guests) a tasting glass, beer sampling and entertainment. Tickets are available at Pamplemousse (185 Essex St) Café Polonia (118 Washington St) Salem Cycle (72 Washington St) and also at the door. This is a 21+ event.

Salem Oktoberfest is sponsored by Pamplemousse, Café Polonia and Eastern Bank. For more information, please call 978-745-2900.

Bill Johnson at Count Orlok's. A match made in horror.

2011-09-14T09:50:00.000-04:00

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Horror Fans! Bill Johnson, known as Leatherface from Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, will be in Salem on October 14th & 15th, signing autographs and meeting fans at Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery.

Bill Johnson is one of several horror film stars who will be stopping by Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery in October. Check out the full schedule on HauntedHappenings.org or NightmareGallery.com.

I've mentioned here before, and I'll mention again, Count Orlok's is one of my favorite spots in Salem. Part cinematic voyage, part labor of love, visiting Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery on Derby Street is always an awesome experience. There are new characters since last year, so even if you can't stop in for the Bill Johnson event, stop in to see the characters from your favorite nightmare-inducing films.

It's a jump to the left...

2011-09-08T12:39:00.000-04:00

...and a step to the right!

Salem State University Center for the Arts have dug into the archives and exchanged Thriller for the Time Warp, giving us The rocky Horror Zombie Dance on Salem Common!

Learn and perform “Time Warp” from The Rocky Horror Picture Show with faculty and student dance instructors. Each Halloween the dance program takes to downtown Salem to add some dance moves to the Halloween spirit. All ages are encouraged to join the workshop, don your zombie best, and share your dance moves with the crowds of Salem on the Common at noon. Reservations recommended for the workshop. Prizes for the best dancer and the best zombie. Let’s do the time-warp again!

Saturday, October 29, 10 am workshop, Noon performance
Boys & Girls Club, 13 Hawthorne Boulevard, Salem
$15 general / $8 students and seniors
Free with Salem State student ID
Purchase tickets online: salemstatetickets.com
Ticket information line: 978.542.7555

October Availablity at the Amelia Payson House

2011-09-07T17:13:00.000-04:00

This just in! October availability at the Amelia Payson House, one of the historic B&Bs in downtown Salem.

Sept. 29th, 30th, Oct. 1st
Three night minimum: $175 per night.October 3rd, & 5th. $175 per night. No minimum stay required.

October 10th, 11th, & 12th
$175 per night. No minimum stay required.

October 16th, 17th, and 18th
$175 per night. No minimum stay required.

October 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22nd
Four(4) night minimum. $195 per night. One room left.

October 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th
$175 per night. No minimum stay required.

See website for deposit and cancellation terms. www.ameliapaysonhouse.com

Find your inner witch or wizard at Remember Salem

2011-09-04T11:31:00.000-04:00

Harry Potter fans, rejoice! We have a little piece of Diagon Alley right here in Salem. You can shop for wands, your house uniform, and even a sorting hat at Remember Salem at 127 Essex Street.

A unique shopping experience that makes fact out of fiction, Remember Salem has an amazing amount of Harry Potter memorabilia, as well as other magic-inspired gifts.

Wands are made on site.

Perhaps you're interested in Harry's wand? Or Luna's?

The Sorting Hat. It speaks to you.

Shop for your house uniform in Salem!

Mark your map for the Visitor Info Booth in October

2011-09-01T14:59:00.000-04:00

Each October Salem Main Streets colaborates with the Naitonal Park Service, the City of Salem, the Chamber of Commerce and Destination Salem to produce an information booth in Town House Square. Town House Square is the intersection of the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall and Washington Street, just two blocks from the MBTA train station.

The info booth is staffed by volunteers on weekends in October, and they answer thousands of questions, which range from, "Where's the bathroom?" to "What should we do today?" to "What's good for kids?" They also answer the occasional, "Where do we park?!" screamed from a passing car.

If it's questions you have, it's answers they've got, as well as maps, brochures, and program listings.

Oh, and the closest (public, indoor) bathroom to the info booth is at the National Park Service Visitor Center at the corner of Essex and New Liberty Street.

Emerson Inn by the Sea Halloween Package

2011-08-30T15:53:00.000-04:00

Here's a Halloween package for anyone and everyone who has not made reservations for Halloween night yet! This is a great one - and it will sell out, so call now if you're interested!

The Emerson Inn by the Sea is a beautiful Historic Hotel of America located on the coast in Rockport, Massachusetts. Rockport is a 30 minute trip from Salem on the Commuter Rail (read: no traffic!).

The Halloween Package includes:

A 2 night stay. Also Includes:
Hot American Breakfast
2 Tickets to the Costume Ball at the Hawthorne Hotel on Saturday, October 29
Transportation for two to and from the Ball
$50 certificate for dinner at their award winning restaurant

Visit EmersonInnbytheSea.com for more information on the Inn, and call (800) 964-5550 to check rates and availability.

2011 Haunted Happenings Guides are here!

2011-08-29T10:45:00.000-04:00

The 2011 Guide to Haunted Happenings has arrived! You can request your copy (if you haven't already - and many of you have!) by emailing us at info@hauntedhappenings.org.

We will have the PDF on HauntedHappenings.org shortly!

Radio 929 Movie Series on the Common

2011-08-10T10:00:00.002-04:00

We were pretty excited to add the Radio 929 Haunted Movie Series to the schedule of Haunted Happenings events last year, and we're even more excited that our partnership with Radio 929 continues to grow.

They will be showing films on Salem Common on all four Saturdays in October this year. Here's the line-up:

October 8: Monsters, Inc.

October 15: Casper

October 22: Hocus Pocus

October 29: Beetlejuice

This is the one time of the year that you can watch Hocus Pocus on the Common near where it was filmed. Bring on the Sanderson Sisters!

Movies start at 6:30 PM and are free, so bring your blankeys and snacks and join us on Salem Common in October.

Family Fun on the Farm

2011-08-08T11:38:00.001-04:00

Connors Farm 2011 Corn Maze: "Salem Village Headless Horseman"

Connors Farm in Danvers is gearing up to open its annual corn maze on September 10th. In addition to the Corn Maze, Connors Farm is a great destination for families, featuring the farm activities, games and attractions for the young and the young at heart.

This year, Connors Farm is featuring a Cow Train for kids, pig racing on weekends, and a giant spider web for kids to climb on. In addition, the 7-acre corn maze will have new interactive games this year.

Connors is now picking their own sweet corn and vine ripened tomatoes, and you will find plenty of both in their stand. If you are looking for a place to pick-your-own fruit, at Connors you can pick peaches, apples (mid-September - end of October), and pumpkins (October 1-31).

Connors Farm

30 Valley Road (Rt. 35), Danvers, Massachusetts 01923

tel 978-777-1245

Finding a place to stay

2011-08-05T16:31:00.000-04:00

I've just updated the accommodations listings on HauntedHappenings.org. There are still a few rooms to be had for October weekends in Salem. Mid-week is also a great time to come to Salem in October, especially if you're coming for the ambiance and the foliage, but would prefer smaller crowds.

There are several accommodations in the region listed, as well. Here's a cheat-sheet for neighboring communities...

Beverly is north of Salem. The Wylie Inn is about a 15 minute drive.
Danvers is northwest of Salem, those hotels are a 15-20 minute drive.
Peabody is west of Salem, and most Peabody hotels are also a 15-20 minute drive.
Rockport is 30 minutes northeast of Salem. While it's a bit farther away, it is on the MBTA Commuter Rail (think "Last Stop!"), which makes car-free travel very easy between Rockport and Salem, especially on Halloween weekend.
Wakefield is on Route 128 west of Salem, and a 20-25 minute drive.

All drive times are estimates, and traffic could throw my estimates out the window. That said, the regional accommodations are not far away, and once you're in Salem you can park your car and walk between nearly all of the attractions (or buy a Salem Trolley ticket, which is good all day for a shuttle between sights as well as their narrated tour of the city).

Also worth noting... we've been updating the calendar of events on HauntedHappenings.org constantly. If you haven't checked it out lately, it's time! Remember to check the list of October Programs, too.

New Children's Events Planned for Haunted Happenings

2011-08-04T14:22:00.000-04:00

New children's events are being planned for Salem Common on October 22-23 and 29-30. This is the perfect place to let your kids shake out their wiggles with entertainers, interactive games, a petting farm, fun food and contests.

The kids' events are scheduled from 11am - 5pm on the final two weekends of October. A portion of the proceeds raised from the events will benefit the Salem Common Neighborhood Association and Salem Main Streets.

The Witches Cottage releases their Haunted Happenings Schedule

2011-08-02T10:39:00.001-04:00

If you aren't already excited for October in Salem, you will be after you see all of the awesome events and promotions being organized at The Witches Cottage. Whether you are traveling with kids, or with friends who want a bit of a fright, you will find multi-dimensional entertainment at The Witches Cottage.

Make sure to scan all of the listings - you wouldn't want to miss a seance that is "not for the faint of hear," or your chance to have a picture taken with Hellboy.

All of these special programs are in addition to the regular Witchcraft and Ghost show scheduled at the Witches Cottage in October.

Wizardly Wonders!

Enter The Cottage and meet a friendly Wizard as he teaches you the basics of magic, complete with fun magical special effects. Every child gets a magical glow ring before the show. Free pictures with the wizard. A perfect event for families with young children

Oct. 1,8,15,22,29 at 10:00 AM

Oct. 2,9,16,23, 30 at 11:00 AM

$10 adults, $8 kids

Call 9788 825-0222 to reserve, or purchase tix on line at witchescottagesalem.com

Dark Times: Excerpts from The Crucible

Experience the fear that surrounded Salem during that year with a thrilling 45 minute theatrical program detailing the events of 1692 and how it relates to Arthur Miller's classic book. Advisory: This presentation has startling moments and some frightening visual effects. Q&A session after the presentation.
this show is a must see to round out your educational visit.
Tickets: $15.00

Call 978 825-0222, or purchase tix on line at witchescottagesalem.com

Oct 5,6,12,13,19,20,26,27at 7:00 PM

Ghosts & Legends Trolley

You'll hear supernatural stories on wheels and at the Witches Cottage. This tour tells the eerie tales of Salem's past with a mix of wit and humor, and, while you are inside the Witches Cottage, startling special effects.

Oct: 7,8,9,14,15,16,21,22,23,28 at 7:00 PM

Oct. 6,7,8, 13,14,15, 21,22,23,27,28 at 8:00 PM

Call 978 825-0222, or purchase tix on line at witchescottagesalem.com

Summon The Dead Seance

Experience a sinister paranormal seance in the darkened theatre of The Witches Cottage. Complete with ghostly appearances and startling moments, this theatrical seance is sure to make a believer out of anyone. Limited seating, allow 45 minutes. Not for the faint of heart. Tickets $15 per person. Call 978 825-0222, or purchase tix on line at witchescottagesalem.com

Oct 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 at 9:15 PM

Fright Nights at The Witches Cottage

Stop in evenings Thursdays Thru Saturdays when the witchcraft and ghost show becomes even more frightening with extra scares and surprises. Advisory: This presentation has startling moments and some frightening visual effects. Tickets: $12 adults, $8 kids. Call 978 825-0222, or purchase tix on line at witchescottagesalem.com

Oct 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29,

5pm-10pm (NOTE: Regular show runs 10-4:30, daily.)

VIP Pass Day

Visitors with a VIP pass will get to go ahead of the line and pick a seat FIRST for the next performance. No need to wait in line!! Includes at Witches Cottage tshirt, priority seating and admission to the Witchcraft and Ghost show. Tickets are $35 per person. Call 978 825-0222, or purchase your VIP pass on line witchescottagesalem.com

Oct. 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30

Pagan Day at The Witches Cottage. 10-6pm

Witches, Pagans, Wiccans and folks who just like to dress as magical people get $2 off the admission price for The Witches Cottage. Just show your pentacle or come in a magical costume on any Monday. This includes you, Harry Potter fans! Does not apply to The Witch City Adventure Pass. Call 978 825-0222.

Oct 3, 10, 17, 24, 31. Halloween Monday included!

Costume Day at The Witches Cottage. 10-6pm

Celebrate the season by wearing your favorite costume on any Tuesday and get $2 off the admission price. Does not apply to The Witch City Adventure Pass.

Call 978 825-0222

Oct, 4, 11, 18, 25

Hell Boy! Live at The Witches Cottage. Noon- 6pm

Meet Hell Boy, the monster fighting devil with a big heart and an ugly mug, along with his demon pet. Outside The Witches Cottage from noon to 6pm, Saturdays and Sundays. Pictures with Hell Boy are always free. Call 978 825-0222

Oct 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30

The True 1692

2011-08-01T09:00:00.000-04:00

For more information on this intriguing new film, visit CinemaSalem.com/thetrue1692. We can't wait to see it.

Special October Programming

2011-07-29T14:26:00.000-04:00

Part of the fun of October in Salem is the special programming that is organized by our wonderful year-round attractions. Here's a cheat sheet of some of this year's special programs.

The Witch House presents...

Eerie Evenings

Tales at the Witch House, 17th century mansion of a Witch Trials judge features all new ghostly stories performed by beautifully costumed actors in a darkened, authentic setting. Fridays and Saturdays, October 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 6pm - 10pm. Performances every 20 minutes. Call 978-744-8815 for more information. WitchHouse.info

Mahi Mahi Harbor Cruises present...

Haunted Harbor Cruise

Come learn about the haunted happenings of Salem Sound on this 1 1/2hr cruise by the shores of Salem, Marblehead, Beverly, Manchester and mysterious Misery Islands. Passengers will enjoy a fun filled informative cruise loaded with spooky stories of ruthless local pirates, haunted lighthouses, mansions, abandoned mental wards, tails of local ghosts, ocean demons, and living monsters who reek havoc on local ships to this day! Departs 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 7pm October 1-16th. Mahi sails out of Salem Willows during the summer months, and in October they will sail out of Pickering Wharf. Call 978-825-0001 or visit MahiCruises.com for more information.

The House of the Seven Gables presents...

Legacy of the Hanging Judge

Named one of the 2005 Top 100 Group Events by the American Bus Association! In 1692 the Salem Witch Trials wrought havoc on a small New England Community. Relive these events - in their own words! This show takes place in the Nathaniel Hawthorne House, where you will be interrogated by magistrate, John Hathorne, Hawthorne's great-great grandfather, who is infamous for his role in the condemnation and deaths of so many people. From there, encounter the tormented, the accused and their accusers in this interactive theatrical experience. Beware, you may find yourself being accused of "writing in the devil's book!" October 7, 8, 9, 2011 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM; October 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 2011 7:15 PM-11:00 PM, October 31, 2011 7:15 PM - 10:00 PM. Performances begin every ten minutes in The Nathaniel Hawthorne House and last approximately 35 minutes. Last performance begins at closing. Reservations highly recommended call for tickets: 978.744.0991 ext. 104. 7gables.org

The House of the Seven Gables also presents...

Spirits of the Gables

Guilt! Greed! Revenge! Enter the world of Nathaniel Hawthorne's burdened characters from his classic The House of the Seven Gables, as they haunt the hallways of their eerie mansion. Witness two families entangled in a curse as Matthew Maule condemns Colonel Pyncheon with the very words destined to become his fate and follow his family for nearly 150 years; "God will give you blood to drink!" Travel through this house at your own risk, for as long as there is a Pyncheon descendant inside, only darkness and death will fill its walls. October 7, 8, 9, 2011 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM; October 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, 29, 2011 7:15 PM-11:00 PM, October 31 2011 7:15 PM - 10:00 PM. Performances begin every five minutes in The House of the Seven Gables and last approximately 35 minutes. Last performance begins at closing. Reservations highly recommended. Call for tickets 978.744.0991 ext. 104. 7gables.org

Salem Trolley presents...

Tales & Tombstones Trolley Tours

Dusk transforms the city of Salem. As the city of renown seafarers and distinguished architecture fades into the shadows, a new Salem of the occult and paranormal emerges.Visit scenes of grisly murders and ghastly executions, hear tales of ghosts, both mischievous and malevolent, of Salem's haunted hotels and restaurants of long forgotten underground passageways, ancient curses and legends of ghost ships and haunted islands.

You will experience all of this and more as you ride the Salem Trolley's Tales & Tombstones Tour and explore Salem of the Shadows. Tour is approx 1 hr. Adults $20, Seniors (60+)$15, Children (6-14) $10 Reservations recommended Tour is NOT available on Halloween. 6:30 pm - 8:30pm Thursdays, Fridays, Saturday and Sundays on weekends in October. Tickets are available to purchase on line! Call for more information 978-744-5469. SalemTrolley.com

Plan your visit to the Witch Dungeon, Witch History, and New England Pirate Museums

2011-07-06T11:22:00.001-04:00

Hot of the presses - here are the October hours for the Land of Witches & Pirates! You can save $5 per person by purchasing the combination ticket to all three museums.

These three museums are open daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM now through October, with extended hours in October (listed below).

WITCH DUNGEON MUSEUM

Watch a live reenactment of one of the witch trials, and learn what afflicted the girls and why they were crying out against their friends and neighbors, and then explore the recreated dungeon downstairs. You won't believe the horrible conditions where they kept the accused.

Extended Hours for October!

Saturday, Oct 15: 10am - last performance starts at 6pm
Friday, Oct 21: 10am - last performance starts 6pm
Saturday, Oct 22: 10am - last performance starts 8pm
Sunday, Oct 23: 10am - last performance starts 6pm
Friday, Oct 28: 10am - last performance starts 7pm
Saturday, Oct 29: 10am - last performance starts 9pm
Sunday, Oct 30: 10am - last performance starts 9pm

Monday, Oct 31: 10am - last performance starts 9pm

WITCH HISTORY MUSEUM

Learn more stories from the Trials of 1692. A live presentation is followed by a tour downstairs through a recreated Salem, with life-sized animated scenes.

Haunted Happenings: Extended Hours for October!
Saturday, Oct 15: 10am - last presentation and tour starts at 6pm
Friday, Oct 21: 10am - last presentation and tour starts at 6pm
Saturday, Oct 22: 10am - last presentation and tour starts at 8pm
Sunday, Oct 23: 10am - last presentation and tour starts at 6pm
Friday, Oct 28: 10am - last presentation and tour starts at 7pm
Saturday, Oct 29: 10am - last presentation and tour starts at 9pm
Sunday, Oct 30: 10am - last presentation and tour starts at 9pm

Monday, Oct 31: 10am - last presentation and tour starts at 9p

NEW ENGLAND PIRATE MUSEUM

Your guide at the Pirate Museum will tell you tales of pirate exploits, and pirate captures in Salem and New England history. Visit a recreated wharf, pirate ship, and pirate cave.

Haunted Happenings: Extended Hours for October!
Saturday, Oct 15: 10am - last tour starts at 6pm
Friday, Oct 21: 10am - last tour starts at 6pm
Saturday, Oct 22: 10am - last tour starts at 8pm
Sunday, Oct 23: 10am - last tour starts at 6pm
Friday, Oct 28: 10am - last tour starts at 7pm
Saturday,Oct 29: 10am - last tour starts at 9pm
Sunday, Oct 30: 10am - last tour starts at 9pm

Monday, Oct 31: 10am - last tour starts at 9pm

Lighthouses, Foliage, Chowda... and Ghosts... on Salem Harbor

2011-06-22T09:53:00.000-04:00

Mahi Mahi Harbor Cruises has announced their fall cruise schedule. Mahi Mahi is a great way to see Salem and the surrounding towns. The crew is fantastic, the drinks are cold, the grill is hot, and the views are lovely. If you haven't done a harbor cruise, this is the year!

Mahi Mahi sails from Salem Willows during through September, and from Pickering Wharf near Finz in October.

Lighthouse, Foliage and Chowda Cruises

Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 9-30

Daily October 1-31

A photographer's dream! Join us to take in the changing colors of fall as we seek out five historic lighthouses on this hour and forty-five minute narrated cruise. Throughout the cruise informative details will be revealed as passengers closely cruise by Salem?s Pickering and Derby Light, Beverly?s Hospital Point Lighthouse, Marblehead?s Chandler Hover Lighthouse, and of course the famous yet isolated Bakers Island Light of the Misery Islands that can only be closely seen by boat. Warm up with a complementary cup of fresh clam chowder while you comfortably view the beautiful transition from summer to winter. (*please note - although September is one of our favorite months to be out on the water, there is little foliage color. Salem's best foliage is often see mid October).

Adults: $25, Kids: $15.

Cruises depart from Salem Willows Park Pier in September and Pickering Wharf in October.

Please reserve by calling 978 825 0001.

Haunted Harbor Cruises

October 1 - October 16: 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 5:00pm, and 7:00pm
October 17 - October 31: 11:00am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 5:00pm, and 7:00pm

One of our most popular cruises of the year! Come learn about the haunted happenings of Salem Sound on this 1½-hour cruise by the shores of Salem, Marblehead, Beverly, Manchester and mysterious Misery Islands. Passengers will enjoy a fun-filled informative cruise loaded with spooky stories of ruthless local pirates, haunted lighthouses, mansions, abandoned mental wards, tails of local ghosts, ocean demons, and living monsters who reek havoc on local ships to this day! This cruise is an unbeatable way to see North Shore?s breathtaking autumn beauty while revealing some of its most mysterious secrets!

Adults: $25, Kids: $15.

All Haunted Harbor Cruises depart from Pickering Wharf.

Please reserve by calling 978 825 0001.

For more information on all Mahi Mahi Cruises, visit www.mahicruises.com.

Salem Trolley releases Tales & Tombstones Dates!

2011-06-01T08:00:00.002-04:00

Salem Trolley has just released their special October Tales & Tombstones trolley tour schedule. This ghostly nighttime tour takes you through Salem after dusk, showing you a Salem of occult and paranormal.

You will visit scenes of grisly murders and ghastly executions, hear tales of ghosts, both mischievous and malevolent, of Salem's haunted hotels and restaurants of long forgotten underground passageways, ancient curses and legends of ghost ships and haunted islands.

Experience all of this and more as you ride the Salem Trolley's Eerie Evening Tour and explore Salem of the Shadows. The tour is approximately 1 hour long and departs from 8 Central Street. Tickets cost $20.00 for adults, $15.00 for Seniors (60+) , and $10.00 for Children (6-14).

Reservations are required for this tour. Buy tickets online at SalemTrolley.com.

Here are the tour times:

Thursdays 7:00 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:00 PM & 8:30 PM
      (Thursday, October 6th only 8:00 PM & 8:30 PM shows)
Fridays 6:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 7:00 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:00 PM & 8:30 PM
Saturday 6:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 7:00 PM, 7:30 PM, 8:00 PM & 8:30 PM
      (Saturday, October 1st only 6:30 PM, 7:30 PM & 8:30 PM shows)
Sundays 6:00 PM, 6:30 PM, 7:00 PM & 7:30 PM
      (Sunday, October 2nd only 6:30 PM & 7:30 PM shows)

*Tour is not available on Halloween. Tour is only available in October (Private Group Tours available upon request)

Reservations are required - Tickets are available online as of June 1, 2011 Click here to purchase tickets

Haunted Happenings Images

2011-05-17T13:24:00.000-04:00

We're getting excited about Haunted Happenings and October. Here are some photos to get you excited, too! All images were taken by Jared Charney.

141 Days and Counting!

Travel to Salem on WatchMojo.com

2011-03-29T10:36:00.000-04:00

I liked this quick travel piece on Salem. We can't wait for fall!

Travel Channel's Ghost Adventures Features Salem!

2011-03-01T13:26:00.001-05:00

Zak, Nick, and Aaron from the Travel Channel's popular show, Ghost Adventures, came to Salem last fall to film at The Lyceum and The Witch House. The episode aired in February, with some spooky revelations!

Click here to see Aaron's Vlog about The Witch House, which was home to Witch Trials Judge Jonathon Corwin.

Here's a segment of the show where Christian Day and Kelly Spangler lead the Ghost Adventures team in a ritual to communicate with the spirits.

(((Spooky!)))

Pictures from Noelle

2010-11-17T10:34:00.000-05:00

I received these pictures from Noelle, who visited Salem on October 23rd with her parents and friend. They dressed as pirates ("As always," Noelle wrote!) and "had a blast."

Thanks for sharing your photos with us, Noelle! I hope you can come back again soon.

Now we need your feedback!

2010-11-04T14:56:00.000-04:00

The City of Salem and Destination Salem are seeking feedback regarding your experience at the 2010 Salem Haunted Happenings. Here is a link to a brief survey of twelve questions, which should take less than ten minutes to complete:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HauntedHappenings2010

Thanks for your time and input.

Thanks for coming! Hope we see you next year.

2010-11-01T09:31:00.000-04:00

What a great Haunted Happenings! Five whole weeks of celebrations, walking tours, ghost stories, theatrical events, historical presentations, beautiful foliage, and Halloween in Salem.

We had a great time, and hope you did, too. It's not too soon to start planning your visit to Salem for 2011, especially if you would like accommodations in Salem (visit HauntedHappenings.org and Salem.org for contact info). In the meantime, however, come back and see us throughout the year!

You'll find year-round information on Salem.org, including our blog, which you can subscribe to, and a year-round calendar of events. If you have only seen Salem in October, you haven't seen all of Salem.

Hope you had a happy Halloween!

Tickets are still available...

2010-10-29T15:50:00.000-04:00

We are hearing that tickets for some of the tours, programs, and events this weekend are selling out. Here is what we know still have tickets. This is not a complete list, so please call ahead or check online where applicable. HauntedHappenings.org has many links and listings to send you in the right direction!

These tickets will sell out, so make reservations where you can!!

The House of the Seven Gables, 7gables.org
Spirits of the Gables
Legacy of the Hanging Judge

Salem Theatre Company
Chilling Tales on the Tall Ship Friendship, salemtheatre.com

The Official Salem Witches Ball, FestivaloftheDead.com

The Hawthorne Hotel, HawthorneHotel.com
Bedlam Behind Bars Halloween Ball, Tickets on TicketWeb.com

Mahi Mahi Cruises & Charters, MahiCruises.com
Haunted Happenings Harbor Cruise
Lighthouse & Foliage Cruise

Witches Cottage at the Griffen Theatre, WitchesCottageSalem.com
Fright Night at the Witches Cottage

The Witch House, WitchHouse.info
Eerie Evenings Tales at the Witch House

Happy Halloween! Have fun this weekend!

Salem Witch Christian Day talks Halloween with Fox 25's A.J. Burnett

2010-10-29T13:29:00.000-04:00

If you want to learn more about witches, visit any of the Witch Shops in Salem, or visit WitchVox.com. They have a great FAQ page.

Tickets are still available for the Salem Witches Ball, and the Festival of the Dead Psychic Fair runs through Sunday.

Fox 25 Broadasts live from Salem... talking about the Salem Witch Museum

2010-10-29T11:27:00.000-04:00

Stacy Tilney from the Salem Witch Museum did an awesome job this morning on Fox 25! She spoke with A.J. Burnett from Fox 25 about the Salem Witch Museum and Salem Haunted Happenings.

For information on the Salem Witch Museum and all of Salem's museums and attractions that tell the stories of Salem in 1692, visit HauntedHappenings.org.

Food, Music, and Carnival Hours

2010-10-28T14:10:00.000-04:00

You can't get into Salem too early this weekend - the earlier you arrive, the easier your travel will be. The Salem Regional Visitor Center (2 New Liberty Street) is open 9am-5pm daily. Most museums and attractions open at 10am, and most have extended hours.

The Salem Witch Museum is open until midnight on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend! Midnight!

The Witch Dungeon, Witch History, and New England Pirate Museums will be open until 7pm on Friday and until 9pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Radio 92.9 will be setting up their Main Stage on Saturday morning, and there will be live bands performing from 4:00 pm- 10:15 pm on both days, including Ernie and the Automatics at 8:30 pm on Saturday. The Radio 92.9 Main Stage Music is FREE! Yes, Free!! The stage will be on Washington Street near Federal Street, near the MBTA train station.

The Anheiser-Busch Beer Garden will be open from 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm (last call at 9:15 pm) on Saturday and Sunday. The beer garden will be on Federal Street, adjacent to the Main Stage. There is no cover charge, but you must be 21+ to enter with proper ID.

The carnival on Derby Street will be open until 9:00 pm on Thursday, Noon - 10pm on Friday and Sunday, and Noon - 11pm on Saturday. There is not charge to enter the carnival, and ride tickets are available on site.

The food court on Salem Common will be open until 9:00 pm on Thursday, and 11:00 am - 10:00 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Food concessions on the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall will be open until 10pm on Thursday and 10:00 am - 10:00 pm on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Last, but not least, here are the times for the bands performing on the Radio 92.9 Mainstage on Saturday and Sunday. These are open-air concerts, and they are free.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30

4:00… 51 Shortfalls

5:15… Fire Hazard

6:45… Honors

8:30… Ernie and the Automatics

SUNDAY,OCTOBER 31

4:00… Streight Angular

5:30… Ashlands Attic

7:00… 51 Shortfalls

8:30… The Replicas

There will also be bands performing on Salem Common, Hawthorne Boulevard (Grateful Ted and Britannica), and Front Street (Undercover Band) on Sunday evening. Does your costume include dancing shoes?!

All of this information is, of course, subject to change. But we hope it won't!

Photos from a visitior...

2010-10-28T10:31:00.000-04:00

I'm not kidding when I ask you to send me your pictures of Salem! I would love to feature your pictures in a future blog post!

Today, we have pictures from Kathy, who visited with her husband from Hudson Valley, New York. They were here over Columbus Day Weekend, and clearly caught a bit of the Zombie walk!

Email your pictures to me at destinationsalem@gmail.com, and you could be featured in a future blog post! If you have a really fantastic image, enter it in Destination Salem's photo contest. The submission deadline is December 1st!

Thanks, Kathy! Glad you had fun!

Halloween visitors to Salem are urged to arrive via train or ferry

2010-10-27T11:27:00.001-04:00

Authorities anticipate record numbers, excellent weather,and considerable traffic during this Halloween weekend

Authorities urge people planning to celebrate Halloween weekend in Salem, Massachusetts, to leave the cars at home, take advantage of public transportation, and bring their common sense. Increased visitation during the first four weeks of October and a good forecast for Halloween weekend are expected to result in record numbers of people visiting Salem on Halloween and October 30th.

Parking will be at a premium throughout downtown Salem this weekend, with public and private lots charging an average of $20 cash per car per day. Visitors are encouraged to take the MBTA Commuter Rail or Salem Ferry to Salem from Boston and points north, avoiding the search for parking and the traffic backlogs that occur once garages and lots are full. MBTA stations at Beverly and Lynn have ample parking, and are less than a 10 minute ride from the Salem Depot. Salem’s walkable downtown makes personal vehicles unnecessary once visitors have arrived.

The MBTA has expanded commuter rail service to Salem for the weekend, and created a dedicated web page with schedules and ticket information at mbta.com/riding_the_t/haunted_happenings/. The Salem Ferry has also expanded service for Halloween weekend. Information and the expanded schedule can be found at SalemFerry.com.

Public Safety will be a top priority of the City of Salem, and a strong police presence will be noticeable all weekend. Downtown street closures are planned for Sunday, and closures will be executed on Saturday if deemed necessary for public safety. Street closure and parking ban information is available at http://salempd.net/HalloweenOperationalPlan.htm.

Visitors are urged to bring their common sense, and be aware of the following rules and regulations that will be enforced during Halloween weekend:

Disorderly conduct will not be tolerated. Salem has tougher sanctions and will be issuing tripled fines, up to $300 per violation, for infractions including public drinking, vandalism, littering, and disorderly behavior.
Leave weapons – real or fake – at home. They will be confiscated by police.
Public drinking will not be tolerated. Public consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited in Salem.
Know when the party’s over. The event ends at 10:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday night. Visitors who are not inside private parties will be asked to depart Salem following the Ernie and the Automatics Concert on Saturday night and following the fireworks on Sunday night. Police and Public Works Department staff will begin clearing the streets at 10:30 pm.

Salem is a historic, residential community, and city officials are working diligently to mitigate visitor impacts to residents, provide effective crowd control, and encourage an orderly exit out of the City when festivities conclude. Visitors to Salem who respect the City of Salem, its residents, businesses, and law enforcement officials will have a great time celebrating Halloween and Haunted Happenings.

Free public entertainment will be provided on the Haunted Happenings Main Stage, presented by Radio 92.9, on Washington Street at Federal Street from 4pm – 10:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Additional satellite stages will feature free entertainment on Salem Common, Hawthorne Boulevard, Front Street, and Derby Street. The month-long Haunted Happenings celebration will conclude with a brilliant fireworks display over the North River at 10:15 pm on Sunday.

For more information on Salem Haunted Happenings visit www.hauntedhappenings.org or call Destination Salem at (978) 741-3252.

Indian Summer weather is perfect for getting out on the water

2010-10-26T16:01:00.000-04:00

The weather forecast for this weekend looks fantastic! Perfect for exploring Salem on foot or on the water. Here are some quick ideas for how to maximize what we imagine is the last of the good weather before winter blows in, and what we know is the last week the fantastic fall season on Salem!

Ride the Ferry! 55 minutes from Boston to Salem, and your ticket stub is good for discounts and deals on both ends through their Cruise & Play program! SalemFerry.com

Take a Harbor Cruise! Mahi Mahi Cruises is cruising out of Pickering Wharf during October, and their Foliage Cruises and Haunted Happenings Harbor Cruises have been selling out (so make your reservations in advance). They've added extra foliage cruises to accommodate the demand, so you know it's a great experience! MahiCruises.com.

Ernie and the Automatics will Headline the Haunted Happenings Main Stage on Saturday!

2010-10-25T12:24:00.000-04:00

It's almost here! Halloween is six days away,and we have programming in place for the whole weekend. The Haunted Happenings Main Stage will be set up on Saturday morning on Washington Street at Federal Street, and the music will start at 4:00 PM.

Here's Saturday's line-up, presented by Radio 92.9, and headlined by Ernie and the Automatics.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30

4:00 PM . . . 51 Shortfalls

5:15 PM . . . Fire Hazard

6:45 PM . . . Honors

8:30 PM . . . Ernie and the Automatics

And here's Sunday's line-up, featuring the winners of the Second Radio 92.9 Battle of the Bands!

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31

4:00 . . . Streight Angular

5:30 . . . Ashlands Attic

7:00 . . . 51 Shortfalls

8:30 . . . The Replicas

Followed by FIREWORKS at 10:15PM!

New this year: Radio 92.9 and Anheiser Busch have partnered to bring you the first Haunted Happenings beer garden. Located on Federal Street near the Washington Street stage, people of legal drinking age are invited to stop by for a cold beer! The beer garden will be open from 2pm-10pm (last call at 9:30pm) on Saturday and Sunday.

Remember to take the train into Salem this weekend! Avoid the traffic jams and parking woes! Visit the MBTA's special Haunted Happenings page for expanded service information.

What's Planned for Saturday, October 23

2010-10-22T14:58:00.000-04:00

If you stop by the Visitor Information Booth at Essex and Washington Streets this weekend, you may find yourself holding this information. Print it out today, and you won't have to wait in line!

Here are some highlights of what's planned for Saturday, October 23 in Salem. These events are in addition to all of the walking tours, attractions, museums, restaurants, parties, and shops that are hoping to see you! For complete information, visit HauntedHappenings.org.

Food Court, Children's' Pumpkin Display & Mini Hay bale Maze

Salem Common – 11:00AM – 10:00PM

Come take a break and treat yourself to a whole host of food choices, from chicken fingers to French fries to some cotton candy or a candy apple! Check out the pumpkin display created by Salem youngsters and let your little ones find their way through a hay bale maze

Providence Grays vs NH Granite - 19th Century Base Ball
Salem Common - 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Experience base ball the way it was played in the 19th century! Shout Huzzah! at one of the two games on the Common.

Ask a Witch-Make a Wand

Pickering Wharf (outside Victoria Station) – 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sponsored by the Witches Education Bureau this event allows children to make a wand and ask questions about witches and witchcraft! All donations go to local charities. Every weekend in October.

Carnival – 289 Derby Street – Noon – 10:00PM

Come ride the giant Ferris wheel, take a spin on the carousel, ride the crazy bus, or for the more adventurous, checkout the Polar Express. Games, food, fun for the whole family.

Live Music at Fountain Stage – Essex Street Pedestrian Mall – Noon- 10:00PM

Stop by the stage in the big fountain on the pedestrian mall, enjoy the music and have a cup of free hot cocoa.

Zombie Monster Mash – Salem Common – 1:30pm

Come see Michael Jackson's Thriller performed by costumed zombies. Do you want to do the mash? Join the dance workshop from 10 am to noon at the Salem Boys and Girls Club at 13 Hawthorne Boulevard.

Family Fright Night Movie – Salem Common – 6:00PM

Join Radio 92.9 and come get in the spirit of Halloween with your whole family. 'The Adams Family' will be on the big screen at the Salem Common gazebo tonight, so grab a blanket or chair and don't forget to dress warm. Lots of free give-a-ways by Radio 92.9, Metro PCS & Boston Canine.

Eerie Evenings - The Witch House – 310 Essex St. - 6:00PM-10:00PM

Come listen to eerie tales performed in the darkened rooms of this 17th century mansion.

Chilling Tales – Salem Maritime Site – Derby Street – 5:00PM – 9:00PM

The Salem Theatre Company presents a collection of eerie legends performed by professional actors in period costumes.

The House of the Seven Gables – 115 Derby Street –7:15PM – 11:00PM

Legacy of the Hanging Judge ––Scenes from the Witchcraft Hysteria are reenacted in this presentation acted in the rooms of Hawthorne's Birthplace.

Spirits of the Gables – Witness two families entangled by a curse in this presentation of the House of the Seven Gables acted in the mansion that inspired the story.

Illusions and Delusions at the PEM tonight!

2010-10-22T12:03:00.000-04:00

Devil Music Ensemble presents The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari at the Peabody Essex Museum

8–9:15 pm | Atrium

Devil Music Ensemble returns to PEM to perform its original, haunting score during The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Noted as a masterpiece of German Expressionism, the 1920 silent film's use of distorted set design, illusion and gripping suspense set the standard for horror film making for decades to come.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari recounts the story of traveling magician Dr. Caligari and Cesare, his sleepwalking assistant. Their arrival in small German town coincides with savage killings. Francis, the narrator, describes his friend's murder and his fiancée's abduction by Cesare. Who is Dr. Caligari? Does he hypnotize Cesare to do his evil bidding? And who are the real inmates of the local insane asylum?

Featuring percussion, electric violin, vibraphone, guitar and lap steel guitar.

Tickets Available at the Door, first come, first served. Doors open at 6:30pm. Film starts at 8pm.

Thrill the Common!

2010-10-21T20:23:00.000-04:00

Salem State University is hosting its third annual Thriller Monster Mash. I love this event. It began in 2008 as part of the global a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Thriller. Today the event stands on its own as a highlight of Salem Haunted Happenings.

So, join the Salem State dancer in an instructional session at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 23 at the Boys & Girls Club on Hawthorne Boulevard. You'll learn all of the super-cool moves of the undead, and at 1:30 PM you will reconvene (after a break for sustenance) to do the dance for the public on Salem Common.

But wait! There's more! Prizes for the best Zombie costumes!

If you aren't up for putting on your Zombie best and dancing, stop by the Common at 1:30 to watch Thriller be performed. For complete information, visit SalemState.edu/arts. Advanced reservations to participate in the dance are required.

Hope to see you on the Common on Saturday!

NOW CASTING! "The Marriage Ref" is back, and they're looking for you!

2010-10-20T11:07:00.001-04:00

SALEM AUDITIONS!!!

New location! Between 210-216 Essex Street on the Pedestrian Mall!
OCT. 21^st- OCT. 23^rd

12pm-6pm

"The Marriage Ref" is a comedy panel show where celebrities help squabbling couples make peace. Created by Jerry Seinfeld himself, this is relationship advice... with a comic twist.

"The Marriage Ref" casting team is searching the country for outgoing and opinionated married couples that have a long-standing argument or issue that must be resolved. No problem is too small or too strange!

Whether you argue about stuffing your family pet or installing stripper poles in the bedroom, we want to hear from you. Tell us why you absolutely NEED a MARRIAGE REF to weigh in and proclaim, for once and for all, who is RIGHT and who is WRONG.

Couples across America … we want to hear what absolutely makes you nuts when it comes to your partner! Tell us your beef and you might just get the chance to state your case on TV in front of your favorite celebrities!

"In every episode, the featured spouses who win their arguments will compete for $25,000 and the distinction of being judged the 'most right' of the night."

For more information: If this sounds like you or someone you know, please contact the Casting Team IMMEDIATELY at: Dominique@TheMarriageRef.TV. Please send ONLY your email address so we can give you instructions on how to apply. Nothing else will be accepted or reviewed so make sure you only send your email address.

Click on the link below to watch hilarious episodes of the "The Marriage Ref":

http://www.nbc.com/the-marriage-ref/episode-guide/

Coffee Time Bakeshop is a SWEET stop!

2010-10-19T16:57:00.000-04:00

Look at this cake! Isn't it the best?

This is one of the many creative creations of Coffee Time Bake Shop on Bridge Street. Their apple cider donuts are the big draw in the fall. (I'm told the cinnamon dusted are the most popular, but I prefer the glazed - yes glazed - cider donuts.) Other seasonal specials include pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cheesecake, homemade gingerbread and short-dough jack-o-lanterns.

Yum.

Coffee Time, at 96 Bridge Street, is open 5am - 11pm daily. Stop by for take-out, or hang out at the counter sipping coffee and eating delicious treats. It's definitely worth at stop!

Pumpkin Decorating Contest on Salem Common

2010-10-18T14:19:00.000-04:00

Pumpkins decorated by Salem school children were submitted to the third annual Decorated Pumpkin Competition and Display on Salem Common, presented by Fiesta Shows and the City of Salem. There are some impressive guord creations, so if you find youself near Salem Common, stop by to check it out.

The pumpkin display is adjacent to the Haunted Happenings food court, which has all of those necessary festival treats including fried dough, french fries, apple crisp, cotton candy, and hot dogs.

There's a haybale maze for kids on the Common for the rest of the month, as well. Good wholesome fall fun!

The hours for the haybale maze, food court, and pumpkin display are 12pm-6pm Sunday through Thursday and 12pm - 9pm Friday and Saturday through Halloween.

Leave your broomstick at home and ride the T to Salem!

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The MBTA has released its schedule for October 23-24 and 30-31. Each year the T enhances their service to Salem to accommodate everyone coming in for Haunted Happenings, and we appreciate it!

If you're coming up for Halloween, look for the double-decker trains again this year!

Visit http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/haunted_happenings/ for all of the information!

Traffic in and out of Salem for Haunted Happenings can get pretty tedious. Take the train and you won't have to worry about it!

(Once you arrive in Salem via train, step off the train and turn to your left. There is a stairwell at the end of the platform that will take you up to the top of Washington Street. Follow Washington Street to Essex Street, and you will find yourself at Town House Square, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and our temporary visitor information booth. Everything in Salem is walkable, just wear comfortable shoes!!)

Salem Haunted Happenings featured in "La Presse" in Quebec

2010-10-18T11:47:00.000-04:00

We hosted a delightful travel writer in Salem last week. The writer, Stephanie Morin, was working on a feature about Salem Haunted Happenings for La Presse. The feature ran on Saturday, October 16, and it is a lovely travelogue of Stephanie's experiences in Salem. Her photographs, including this one of Erik Rodenheiser from The Witches Cottage and Ghosts & Legends Trolley Tours, are wonderful, too.

You can read Stephanie's story, Salem Bewitched, (in French) here: http://www.cyberpresse.ca/voyage/etats-unis/201010/14/01-4332497-salem-envoutee.php.

3-D Frights at Salem's 13 Ghosts!

2010-10-15T11:49:00.000-04:00

It's a haunted house time of year! For a truly unique experience, include Salem's 13 Ghosts at 131 Essex Street on your itinerary this October. 13 Ghosts is not your ordinary haunted house - this is a 3-D experience, and it's a bit freaky.

When I wasn't being scared to scream by ghosts and ghouls hopping out of nooks and crannies, I was admiring how incredible the painting and artwork is. There is a definite technique and art to creating an effective 3-dimensional experience, and Salem's 13 Ghosts has it.

Just like at the movie theater, you have to wear the 3-D glasses, and you meet a few ghouls who help you find your way in the maze. There are a few self-guided moments, including one through a darkened hallway (I was very happy just not entering this hall, but apparently there was a schedule to keep, and I had to go forward), and then there was the room with the river... even the floors are 3-D in a few of the rooms, and I wasn't sure where to step. That was about the point when I wanted to ditch the 3-D glasses so I could see what was where, but I was a good sport and kept them on.

Two ghosts wishing us well as we left 13 Ghosts

In addition to the Haunted House, Salem's 13 Ghosts also has a Ghost Tour that is led by costumed guides who tell stories from the town's witch trials history and the Puritan spirits that are said to still haunted Salem today.

Combination tickets are available for the haunted house and the ghost tour, and 13 Ghosts has extended weekend hours in October. Visit Salems13Ghosts.com for more information and to buy tickets online.

Monsters Be Nice! Family fun at the Salem Wax Museum

2010-10-13T09:27:00.000-04:00

My boys and I stopped by the Haunted Neighborhood at the Salem Wax Museum on Sunday. I admit, I was looking for the Kettle Corn (she was at the Fryeburg Fair and will be arriving this week) and cinnamon buns (present and accounted for!), but my 4th grader thought Frankenstein's Laboratory looked much more interesting than the food vendors.

So, we got in line. The staff advised us that if things got too frightful, just say, "Monsters be nice!" and the monsters would let us be. We had to wait about 10 minutes, and while in line I was able to talk a lovely couple from Connecticut. Empty-nesters, they were in Salem doing as many Haunted Happenings as possible. They had just emerged from the Haunted Witch Village (adjacent to Frankenstein's Laboratory, combo tickets are available) and they said it was a great scare!

Frankenstein's Laboratory was a great maze of black lights, smoke machines, and monsters. It was very scary for my son, who did use "Monsters Be Nice!" before we reached the end, and they did listen to him and back off, which I appreciated.

After the haunted house, all three of us went into the Salem Wax Museum, which is an historical museum that presents scenes from Salem history. It is self guided and fully lit, which gave me the opportunity to interpret the scenes for my 1st grade in a way that I felt was appropriate. Scenes include Nathaniel Hawthorne, Giles Corey (standing up, not lying beneath the weight of the stones), Roger Conant, who founded Salem, some of Salem's pirate hooligans, and scenes from the Salem Witch Trials.

Giles Corey, who was pressed to death during the Salem Witch Trials

After we brushed up on our history at the Salem Wax Museum, we went downstairs into the Souvenir Factory, which is one of our favorite stops in Salem. Not only do they have a Salem Penny Machine, but there is an opportunity to make grave rubbings (free), practice knot tying (free), stand in a jail cell (free), make spin art ($2), make a wax hand ($8.95), build a Salem bear (for a fee), and do sand art (for a fee).

Making grave rubbings

Trying out the jail cell.

Spin Art (remember, "less is more" when applying paint!)

We left the Salem Wax Museum with unique souvenirs in our hands, a bit of Salem history under our hats, and a chill up our spine. It was a great stop for the family!

For more information on the Salem Wax Museum and the Haunted Neighborhood, visit SalemWaxMuseum.com. Combination tickets are available for the Wax Museum, Witch Village, Haunted Witch Village, Frankenstein's Laboratory, Spellcasting, and their evening walking tour.