Above Photo Credit – @CreativeCollectiveMA
April in Salem has a character all its own. There are longer days on Essex Street, blooms returning to the Ropes Mansion Gardens, and the harbor sparkling along Pickering Wharf. April is full of ways to explore the magic of Salem, from trolley tours to pirate festivals and everything in between.
Easter Egg Hunt at the Pickering House – April 4
Celebrate the start of spring with an Easter egg hunt at the historic Pickering House, one of Salem and New England’s oldest surviving buildings. The yard opens at 10:30 AM, the hunt begins at 11, and little ones may even get a chance to meet the Easter Bunny. Free for kids under 16.
Easter Brunch Buffett – April 5
Celebrate spring with Easter Brunch at the Hawthorne Hotel, where holiday gatherings have been part of the tradition for 100 years. Enjoy a grand buffet, comfortable seating, and the warm atmosphere that has made the Hawthorne a longtime part of Salem’s celebrations.
Salem Main Streets Fashion Show – April 8
Lights, camera, catwalk! Join Salem Main Streets at the Peabody Essex Museum for a lively evening of local fashion, sparkling jewelry, and runway-worthy looks modeled by community personalities.
3rd Annual Salem Brewery Crawl – April 11
Celebrate Salem’s beer and cider scene with a weekend dedicated to local pours and the makers behind them. Grab a passport, collect stamps with a full pour at East Regiment, Notch Brewing, Couch Dog Brewing Co., and Far From The Tree, then earn a commemorative prize when you hit all four.
Wicked New England – Half Way to Halloween Festival – April 19
For those already counting down to October, this festival features a curated spooky vendor market, roaming monsters, and fun for all ages. Enjoy presentations from Halloween businesses across New England, themed photo ops, and trick-or-treating for little ones.
Live Animal Encounter with Joy Marzolf – April 20
Join the Peabody Essex Museum and get up close with forest animals from New England and beyond during this live animal encounter. Learn how different species find food, avoid predators, and adapt to changing seasons and challenging environments, all while meeting a few fascinating animals face to face.
Devils Lettuce: Smokin’ Jokes – April 20
Head to the Lost Library Black Box Theater for an evening of sharp jokes, hazy observations, and Salem-style comedy from Witch City Comedy.
Pirate Festival: Pirates! The Battle For Derby Street – April 24 – 25
This spring, Derby Street comes alive with pirate rivalry, waterfront mischief, and family-friendly fun during this swashbuckling festival. Expect live skirmishes, treasure hunts, music, roaming performers, and plenty of chances to cheer on the playful clash between Captain John Turner and “Black Sam” Bellamy.
Fiber Witch Festival – April 24 – 26
Centered around a market at Old Town Hall, this festival brings together yarn, handmade goods, and art inspired by fiber craft and magical tradition. Along with the market, visitors can enjoy special tours, workshops, and a gathering at The Hotel Salem, all woven into a creative weekend in downtown Salem.
Salem Horror Festival – April 30 – May 3
Salem Horror Fest returns for its 9th year, celebrating diverse voices and inventive filmmaking in a genre that reflects our deepest fears and cultural anxieties. Expect bold, thought provoking programming that goes beyond the surface of horror.
📆 Click Here to Browse More Events!
Things to Do ✨
Salem Kids Tours 🏴☠️
School vacation plans, sorted! Salem Kids Tours returns for the season starting in April, offering interactive, educator-led experiences that make Salem’s history engaging for kids and families.
Plus, a special adventure sets sail April 24 & 25 🏴☠️ In partnership with Real Pirates Salem, this themed tour dives into pirates, ghost ships, and Salem’s sea legends. Costumes encouraged for brave young sailors and their crews!
Stained Hourglass Escapes 🗝️
Find clues, solve puzzles, and uncover hidden secrets at Stained Hourglass Escapes, where visitors step into the story as the heroes of their own fantasy adventure. These private, one-hour escape room experiences in downtown Salem invite friends and families to work together to follow the trail of clues and unlock the mysteries waiting behind every door. The Witch’s Hollow room just earned a Best of Morty Award, recognizing it as one of the standout escape rooms in the industry.
Photo by Ben Rekemeyer
Returning to Salem April 1st ✨
Some of Salem’s most iconic experiences return for the season. The Salem Trolley is back on the streets, and the Witch Dungeon Museum and Witch History Museum reopen to bring Salem’s history to life. Whether you’re taking in the sights or stepping into stories from 1692, there’s plenty to look forward to this spring.
Plan Ahead – Coming Soon!
Food at the 400+ – June 11 – 22
A new festival created in honor of Salem’s 400th anniversary, Food at 400+ celebrates the city’s history through food, fishing, farming, trade, and hospitality; while looking ahead to its evolving cultural and culinary future. Presented by Salem Food Tours, this multi-faceted event runs June 11 – 22 and includes a mix of free public programming and ticketed experiences.
🔮 Click here to View More Things To Do!
✨ Click here to read the Blog!
🛌 Click Here to See Places to Stay!
🛍 Click Here to Browse Places To Shop!
🍻 Click Here to View Food & Drink!
Visit Salem.org to begin planning your visit today!
Tags: Battle for Derby, Couch Dog Brewing Co., Creative Collective, East Regiment, Far From The Tree, Fiber Witch Festival, Food at 400+, Halfway to Halloween, HausWitch, Hawthorne Hotel, House of the Seven Gables, Lost Library, Notch Brewing, Old Town Hall, Peabody Essex Museum, Pickering House, Pirate Festival, Real Pirates Salem, Salem Food Tours, Salem Horror Fest, Salem Kids Tours, Salem Main Streets, Salem Trolley, Stained Hourglass Escapes, The Hotel Salem, Wicked New England, Witch City Comedy, Witch Dungeon Museum, Witch History Museum
