Above Photo Credit – Witch Pix
Winter in Salem brings a different kind of magic, with seasonal experiences that invite you to explore, indulge, and linger. From sampling inspired dishes during Salem Restaurant Week to wandering downtown amid sparkling ice sculptures and sweet treats at Salem’s So Sweet, January and February offer plenty of ways to make the most of the season.
Salem Restaurant Week 2026 – January 18 – 22 & January 25 – 29
Salem Restaurant Week returns for two delicious weeks of winter dining! It’s the perfect excuse to revisit your favorite spots – or try somewhere new – with special multi-course menus from restaurants like Adriatic Restaurant & Bar, Dire Wolf, Ledger Restaurant, Mainstay Social at the Salem Waterfront Hotel, Tavern in the Hawthorne Hotel, Rockafellas, Sea Level Oyster Bar, The Babe, Trade House, Turner’s Seafood – Salem, Village Tavern, Counter at the Hotel Salem, and more. Gather your friends, make a reservation, and enjoy the flavors that make Salem’s dining scene shine all year long. Brought to you by The Salem Chamber of Commerce.
Ben & Jerry’s Beer Pairing – January 18
Join East Regiment Beer Company for a deliciously fun beer + ice cream pairing event with Ben & Jerry’s! Enjoy custom-crafted pairings, test your dessert knowledge with Ben & Jerry’s trivia, and win swag.
Character Treasure Hunt – January 18 & January 25
Set sail on a fun winter adventure with a costumed Character Treasure Hunt at Real Pirates Salem! Kids ages 4 and up can meet pirate characters and hunt for hidden treasures – an easy, indoor weekend activity for young explorers. Reservations required.
Salem Comedy & Spirits Festival – January 21 – 25
Warm up your winter in the most delightful way – with laughs and locally crafted spirits! This lively celebration brings top local and national comedians to historic Salem for a night of big laughs, good company, and delicious sips to keep the chill away.
Panorama Queer and Trans International Film Festival – Jan 30 – Feb 1
Returning to the Peabody Essex Museum, this festival showcases bold new work from emerging queer and trans filmmakers under 30 across six continents. Join this vibrant, community-led celebration of storytelling, creativity, joy, and resilience.
Savor Chocolate and Spark Joy! A Mindful Eating Experience – February 5
Indulge your senses at this deliciously unique mindful-eating experience held at Whimsy’s Sweet Life. Learn the science and history behind why chocolate tastes so good while enjoying three gourmet chocolates in an intimate, guided tasting.
Anti-Valentines Tour – February 5 – 15
The most exciting way to spend the worst holiday is with the Salem Night Tour. With The Anti-Valentine’s Tour guests can bring a Valentine, friends, or go solo! This February, they will focus on ghostly and darker stories of love gone wrong throughout Salem’s past. This year it will be on the Salem Trolley again!✨
Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Wine Kickoff Event 2026 – February 6
Begin at the PEM Connect Space to pick up your commemorative glass, enjoy a complimentary wine pour, and grab a bag of sweet treats before exploring downtown for wine tastings, illuminated ice sculptures, live music, and late-night shopping. Please note: alcohol must stay inside tasting locations.
Salem’s So Sweet – February 6 – 8
Salem’s So Sweet returns with a full weekend of chocolate treats, glittering ice sculptures, and Valentine’s-ready shopping. Enjoy 25+ sculptures (illuminated at night!), the interactive Chocolate Hearts Challenge, and plenty of sweet deals from local shops and eateries all weekend long. Brought to you by Salem Main Streets & The Salem Chamber of Commerce.
Love Letter Artisan Market – February 7
Fall in love with local creativity at the Love Letter Market, returning to the historic Hawthorne Hotel as part of Salem’s So Sweet Festival. This thoughtfully curated Valentine’s Day market brings together 30+ regional artisans, chocolatiers, and makers offering handcrafted jewelry, candles, art, ceramics, sweet treats, and heartfelt gifts – perfect for your Valentine, your best friend, or a little self-love.
Boozy Book Fair at Notch Brewery & Tap Room – February 15
Sip, browse, and shop at this Boozy Book Fair! Wicked Good Books pops up with a curated selection of reads, games, and gifts – perfect for pairing with your favorite Notch Brewing pour.
Witch City Comedy at The Satanic Temple – February 21
Laugh the night away at Witch City Comedy inside The Satanic Temple, where standup takes center stage in an intimate gallery setting. This rebellious evening pairs sharp humor with charcuterie, beverages, and a one-of-a-kind atmosphere.
Lunar New Year Festival: Year of the Horse – February 21
Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a lively festival held at the Peabody Essex Museum welcoming the Year of the Horse and the arrival of spring. Enjoy hands-on art making, a family-friendly scavenger hunt, and tours of Yin Yu Tang, with programming that highlights Chinese cultural traditions and the rich diversity of Lunar New Year celebrations.
Fashioning for Freedom: Layers of Liberty – February 28
Celebrate Black creativity and activism with this vibrant historical runway highlighting abolitionists, artists, and entrepreneurs – including members of the Remond family, Anna Douglass, Charlotte Forten, and Edmonia Lewis – who used creativity to “fashion” their own expressions of freedom.
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Things to Do ✨
Located on Salem’s historic Essex Street, the Witch Board Museum is the world’s first museum dedicated entirely to the history and mystery of the Ouija board. Explore how this curious object evolved from parlor game to pop-culture icon, examine haunted boards and legendary tales, and decide for yourself whether its dark reputation is myth, media, or something more.
Bit Bar 🕹️
Level up your Salem plans at Bit Bar, where classic arcade and pinball games meet great food, local craft beer, and specialty cocktails. With 50+ games, playful menu favorites (including Tetris Tots), and a high-energy vibe, it’s a go-to spot for nostalgia-fueled fun. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick round or settling in for the night, Bit Bar brings big personality and nonstop entertainment – 21+ after 8 PM.
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Visit Salem.org to begin planning your visit today!
Tags: Anti-Valentine's Tour, Bit Bar, Black History Month, Comedy & Spirits Salem, Notch, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem in February, Salem in January, Salem Night Tour, Salem Things to Do, Salem Witch Board Museum, Salem's So Sweet, Wicked Good Books
