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Santa’s Arrival at the Hawthorne and Holiday Tree Lighting

Santa Claus is coming back to town in 2024! 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 W) promptly at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, 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, hot cocoa, and the Grinch will be popping up around 5 pm, so feel free to come early to get a little festive with us. Electric candles and a small craft can be purchased onsite via cash or Venmo to support Salem Main Streets’ holiday initiatives.

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.

The tree this year has been generously donated by the Guy family of Salem. The tree was secured and decorated by the City of Salem Department of Public Works. Lights and decorations for the Holiday Tree were made possible in part by contributions from our local business community, including Annie’s Asian Mart, Circle of Stitches, Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry, Salem Bespoke Boutique, the Salem Witch Museum, Village Tavern, Witch City Wicks, and many more! 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 Kylie Sullivan, Salem Main Streets Executive Director, at (978)744-0004 or kylie@salemmainstreets.org, or visit the event page and follow Salem Main Streets at @salemmainstreets on Facebook and Instagram.

About Salem Main Streets

Salem Main Streets’ mission is the continued revitalization of downtown Salem as a vibrant, year-round, retail, dining and cultural destination through business retention, recruitment, and the promotion of the downtown district.  SMS provides support to downtown businesses and initiatives, and produces numerous community events and initiatives throughout the year, including the Salem Farmers’ Market, Salem Arts Festival, Salem’s So Sweet, and the October Information Booths.  SMS operates thanks to the generosity and partnership of the City of Salem and Mayor Dominick Pangallo, the Mass Growth Capital Corporation, the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Destination Salem, and many other local business sponsors and community volunteers.