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About
Celebrate the Holidays in Salem, Massachusetts with Tree Lightings, Holiday Window Contests, and so much more! Make sure to check out our full calendar of events to see a our full list of city wide events. Click HERE for more.
Santa’s Arrival and Holiday Tree Lighting
Friday, Nov. 25
5:45 pm
Hawthorne Hotel/Salem Common and Lappin Park
http://salemmainstreets.org/festivals/holiday-happenings/santa-arrives-in-salem/
A beloved annual tradition, Santa Claus will arrive at the top of the Hawthorne Hotel at 18 Washington Square – with assistance from the Salem Fire Department, of course! Santa’s arrival will be followed by a procession down the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall for the annual lighting of Salem’s Holiday Tree at Lappin Park (next to the Bewitched Statue at the intersection of Essex Street and Washington Street).
Holiday Window Contest
Starting Saturday, Dec. 3
Downtown Salem
http://salemmainstreets.org/festivals/holiday-happenings/holiday-window-contest/
Every year, downtown businesses decorate their windows especially for the holidays. Judges
nominated by Salem Main Streets make the rounds to vote on the best windows, and the
competition is always fierce!
Candle Making Night at the Coach House
Saturday, Dec. 10
6pm – 9pm
The Coach House
Join us at The Coach House for a holiday candle making night. Drinks & Food will be available while creating your very own Christmas Decorative Candle.
Candle Making at the Coach House
Winter Walk on the Wharf
Saturday and Sunday, December 10 -11
Sat. 11am – 8pm
Sun. 11am – 6pm
Merchants of Pickering Wharf coming together to celebrate the holiday season! The shops and restaurants at Pickering Wharf are hosting a spectacular Holiday Winter Walk on the wharf. Stop by and join in for a weekend filled with fun, raffles, food, and Santa!
The Holiday Trolley with the Good Witch of Salem
Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 10 – 11
10:30 am, 12:30 pm, 2:30 pm
The House of the Good Witch
The Holiday Trolley with the Good Witch of Salem
Join the Good Witch of Salem on a quest to find the Gingerbread Man aboard the Holiday Trolley! The race through downtown Salem will begin at The Good Witch of Salem with a story-time all about the Gingerbread Man! Attendees will take part and interact with the story through the use of motions, props, and baking tools.
Meet Santa
Sunday, Dec. 11
11am – 3pm
Salem Waterfront Hotel and Suits
Take pictures with Santa arriving on the lobster boat, watch the tree lighting, shop local at the Pickering Wharf businesses, and enjoy holiday cheer! Santa will arrive next to the Marina Beer Garden and will be available for pictures.
The Petticoat Pages
December 14 at 2pm and 16 at 7pm
Old Town Hall
The Petticoat Pages
Following this kickoff event, The Petticoat Pages will perform a one woman show of “A Christmas Carol” at Old Town Hall on December 14 at 2 pm and December 16 at 7 pm. “Although the title contains the word, ‘Christmas’, we want to make sure everyone feels welcome, regardless of their personal beliefs,” says Jennifer Emerson, founder of Petticoat Pages. Throughout the performance, members of the audience will be invited to participate as helpers. The show on Dec. 14th is schedule on a Salem Public School Early Release Day to encourage student participation but both shows are open to everyone. For younger audience members, iPads and sketchbooks are encouraged to be brought along, so that they can draw or write what they think throughout the show, adding another level of interaction to the performance. This show is suitable for all ages and free to the public, though in the spirit of the reformed Scrooge, donations of non-perishable food items are encouraged. Bring a can good and join the fun!
Salem Main Streets Holiday Stroll
Sunday, Dec. 18
Downtown Salem
http://salemmainstreets.org/festivals/holiday-happenings/holiday-stroll/
Salem Main Streets wants to help you with your holiday shopping! Load up on sustenance at one
of our many fine downtown breakfast and brunch establishments, then hit the bricks for great
finds and specials at local retailers around town, all while serenaded by festive roaming carolers.
Keep your eyes peeled for Santa! Follow along online for the latest list of participants and
shopping details.
New Year’s Eve LAUNCH!
Saturday, Dec. 31
4:30 pm to 6 pm
http://salemmainstreets.org/festivals/new-years-eve-salem/
Location TBD
Come ring in the New Year at Old Town Hall! The City of Salem and Salem Main Streets are
teaming up to throw a New Year’s Eve party, with live music and family-friendly activities.
There will be an early countdown promptly at 6 pm.
Salem Trolley & The Gallows Hill Theatre Presents “A Christmas Carol” By Charles Dickens
December 1st – 23rd
Times vary
Salem Trolley
Salem Trolley schedule
Now entering into it’s 36th Season, this humorous & whimsical interactive performance reanimates Dickens’ timeless seasonal holiday classic. Experience Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol with a twist. Ride along with Scrooge on the Salem Trolley as the classic tale is brought to life in a completely unexpected way. Shows sell out quickly and seats are limited. Tickets go on sale Monday, September 12, 2022. Tour departs from Salemdipity, 86 Wharf Street (Pickering Wharf), Salem. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to show time. Show starts inside Salemdipity.
