SALEM — Santa Claus is coming back to town in 2023! Join Salem Main Streets and the City of Salem as we celebrate two of our most beloved annual traditions – Santa’s arrival and the lighting of Salem’s Holiday Tree – all in one evening. Bring the whole family out for carols, festivities, and fun!
Santa Claus will arrive at the top of the Hawthorne Hotel (18 Washington Square West) promptly at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 24, with assistance from the Salem Fire Department, of course. Organizers recommend arriving to the Salem Common by 5:45 p.m. to catch the arrival. Brass carols will be provided by Coventry Brass.
Santa’s arrival will be followed by a procession down the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall to Lappin Park (next to the Bewitched Statue at the intersection of Essex Street and Washington Street) for the Holiday Tree Lighting and carols by History Alive performers. Participants are encouraged to bring lanterns (store-bought or homemade) to carry in the procession. Safety first, though — electric candles are highly recommended!
One change in this year’s celebration: To facilitate the larger crowds, Washington Square West will be closed to traffic, and Santa will be coming off the front of the hotel above the front door.
The tree this year has been generously donated by Rebekah H. Murphy and Jozef R. Kluczkiewicz of Salem. The tree was secured and decorated by the Salem Department of Public Works, and installed with help from Iron Tree Service and Quinn Brothers Iron Works. Lights and decorations for the Holiday Tree were made possible in part by contributions from our local business community, including Black Cat Curiosity Shoppe, Coon’s Card & Gift Shop, Harrison’s Comics, Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry, and Witch City Walking Tours. Salem Main Streets would like to thank the City of Salem, the Hawthorne Hotel, and the many other community partners who make these special events possible.
For more information about any of these events, contact Salem Main Streets Executive Director Kylie Sullivan at (978)-744-0004 or [email protected], or visit http://salemmainstreets.org/
