SALEM — The popular Salem Haunted Happenings event program will return this October with plenty of Halloween-themed activities, including street fairs, film screenings, costume events, walking tours and brand-new events.
“Salem has planned for a safe and enjoyable Halloween season by making modifications such as changing the footprint of the events to allow for more space,” said Kate Fox, executive director of Destination Salem. “We are excited to welcome back our Halloween visitors with new events while keeping safety top of mind.”
The month-long celebration will begin with the 25th annual Grand Parade at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7. This year’s parade will be themed “Upside Down and Inside Out” and will feature stationary performances and displays, with spectators moving from station to station.
The opening weekend will also include Mayor’s Night Out on Friday night, with downtown businesses offering trick-or-treating, and the Howl-o-ween Pet Parade on Saturday.
New events this year include an exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum about the Salem Witch Trials, featuring works by artists with ancestral links to the trials, and an installation of more than 1,000 carved pumpkins titled “Hollowed Harvest: Wicked Labyrinth” at The Bridge at 211. This exhibit will be open from Sept. 24 through Halloween.
In addition, Salem’s Old Town Hall will host a series of 1920s-themed haunted “speakeasy” parties with live music and burlesque on Oct. 9, 16, 23, 29, 30 and 31.
Other offerings over the course of the month will include free family film nights, the Kiddie Carnival, ghost tours, as well as the weekend Haunted Happenings Marketplace. The market will feature vendors, photo stations and performances. The finale fireworks display will be held at 10:15 p.m. on Halloween night.
For a full schedule of events, visit www.hauntedhappenings.org.
