City of Salem Releases Guide to Visiting on Halloween 2026

The City of Salem has released updated informational resources and a map outlining road closures and safety measures for Halloween, Friday, October 31, 2026. These materials are intended to help residents and visitors plan ahead and enjoy a safe, fun Halloween experience in downtown Salem.

“We extend an extra special welcome to those visiting us from throughout the region and around the world this year as Salem celebrates its 400^th anniversary. Visitor trends throughout October indicate that we are expecting especially large crowds for Halloween night,” said Mayor Dominick Pangallo. “We encourage everyone to plan ahead, take public transportation, respect our rules and our residents, and enjoy a safe and fun visit to Salem.”

For ongoing updates, follow the City of Salem and My Salem MA apps, and visit HauntedHappenings.org for visitor information and events throughout October.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Lisa Peterson
Chief of Staff, Mayor Dominick Pangallo
City of Salem
978-619-5600 | [email protected]

Schedule of Public Events

Haunted Happenings Marketplace
by Creative Collective
10 AM – 9:45 PM – Salem Common vendors
10 AM – 9:45 PM – Derby Square vendors
11 AM – 9:45 PM – Old Town Hall Food Market

Salem Common
presented by Salem Night Tour and Legion Salem
12 PM – 4 PM – VANTABLAK
1 PM– 1:30 PM – Baechtold and Abel Aerial Artistry
3 PM – 3:30 PM – Baechtold and Abel Aerial Artistry
4:15 PM – 5 PM – Studio Two
5 PM – Salem Witches’ Magic Circle
5:30 PM – 6:15 PM – Studio Two
6:45 PM – 10 – PM DJ Cheetah

Washington Street at Federal Street
presented by Salem 400+
2 PM – 6 PM – DJ Francois Flow
6:30 PM – 8 PM – Undercover Band
8:30 PM – 10 PM – Pretty Rotten

Front Street Stage
sponsored by Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM – Midtown Horns
8 PM – 10 PM – Not Bad Pretty Good

Charlotte Forten Park
sponsored by Salem Wax /Haunted Neighborhood
12 PM – 2 PM – Monkey Knife Fight Lite, with Felipe Collazo
6 PM – 10 PM – DJ Andrea Stamas

Hawthorne Boulevard Stage
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM – Foo Family
8 PM -10 PM – Hello Newman

North River
10:10 pm – Halloween Drone Show
brought to you by Witch City Walking Tours and Salem 400+
Watch from MBTA platform or Washington Street. Please note that the City of Salem’s public address announcement system will be activated at approximately 10:00 pm to signal the beginning of the drone show.

Final Trains

To Boston: 11:14 PM
To Newburyport: 12:26 AM
To Rockport: 11:56 PM
View the schedule at MBTA.com/destinations/salem

The City of Salem strongly discourages disorderly behavior, including drinking in public, littering and random acts of vandalism. Offenders will be penalized to the maximum amount allowed under the law both civilly and criminally. Please help us maintain a FUN and SAFE downtown environment on Halloween evening.

Be Smart, Be Safe, Have Fun: Guidelines for a Happy Halloween

Seek Alternative Routes. Halloween is no time for driving into Salem. Park in Beverly and take the MBTA Commuter Rail or the Salem Ferry if coming from Boston right into Salem. There are numerous road closures and details on October 31. If you must drive, expect delays.
Avoid Fines and possible tows by not parking in “Resident” zones.
Don’t get stuck! Entry to the MBTA garage will be restricted beginning at 6 pm. Access out of the garage will be restricted until 11:30 pm (or when festivities are over).
Review Salem’s Halloween Rules. Public consumption of alcohol is prohibited and weapons will be confiscated. The party ends after the drone show. Plan to depart at 10:30 pm as police and the public works department will be clearing the streets at this time.
Triple fines are in effect. Citations for illegal behavior, including public drinking, vandalism, and littering could have fines up to $300.
Please be considerate of other visitors, Salem residents, and downtown property.
Check the weather ahead of time so you don’t find yourself caught in unpredictable New England weather.

Halloween Safety

See something, say something.

Call the Salem Police at (978) 744-1212

Please remember:

Be safe, considerate, and use common sense.
Be prepared to leave at the end of the evening. The party concludes after the drone show.
Do not bring weapons, real or fake, to Salem on Halloween.