Discover What's New in Salem, MA for 2021: Events, Shops & Experiences
2021 is bringing lots of new events, shops, and more to Salem, Massachusetts! With even more ways to explore our city while wandering through downtown historic districts or from home with virtual events, you are sure to discover something new or re-discover an old favorite this year in Salem.
Special Events
Salem Winterlude started during the holidays and will continue through the winter with seasonal public art displays all around downtown Salem. Find your favorite selfie spots by checking out murals by local artists, see additions to displays throughout the season, and more while you shop and dine downtown.
This year’s Salem Comedy & Spirits Festival has gone virtual, so you can tune in to watch the best local comedians from wherever you may be January 14-16. If you are local, be sure to pick up spirits, for the event at a Salem cidery, brewery, or distillery. Visit salemcomedyfestival.com for a full schedule and tickets.
Salem Film Fest (March 19-28) brings the largest documentary film festival in New England to Salem, or for 2021, right into your living room! This year’s festival has gone virtual, so you can stream the festival’s selection of full length documentary films and shorts from home. Find a film schedule, tickets and more at salemfilmfest.com.
During Salem Ancestry Days, residents and visitors are invited to celebrate their ancestral and immigrant connections to Salem, April 30-May 1. The weekend will feature lectures, tours, research opportunities, and information on the people who connect us all to Salem. Updates will be shared at salem.org/ancestry closer to the event
New & Expanded Businesses
Moody’s Home & Gifts moved to a new location further down Essex Street across from the Hawthorne Hotel. Their new bright and sunny storefront stocks all the gifts and decor items from their previous location and then some, and allows for easier contactless curbside pickup. Check out their new location next time you’re downtown and order online at moodysgifts.com.
Derby Street is the new home of Jolie Tea Company! Their new space is currently offering pickups for online orders, and later on will see the return of afternoon tea. Order online at jolieteaco.com and make plans to visit once they open to browse hundreds of loose leaf teas right here in Salem.
Hermetic Arts is now located on Essex Street, and the store is stocked with magical items, books, jewelry, decor, and more. In addition to shopping, Hermetic Arts offers psychic readings (both virtual and in person), and hosts virtual events and classes on understanding Tarot, mastering birth charts, and more. Learn more at hermeticarts.com.
Pentagram, Salem’s newest Witch shop, recently opened across from the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, with a storefront full of candles, crystals, books, and more plus readings by Salem psychics Leanne Marrama and Timothy Reagan.
Beverly Bees is new to Salem’s Artists’ Row, offering locally sourced honey, beeswax candles, skincare and more. Artists’ Row is open seasonally, but Beverly Bees has an online shop available all year long at beverlybees.com.
Coven Beauty is one of the newest additions to Salem’s Pickering Wharf, offering cosmetics plus accessories, jewelry, and apparel. Ritual items are also available including candles, incense and crystals. Shop their collection online at covenbeautycompany.com and don’t miss the store next time you walk through Pickering Wharf.
The newest accommodations in Salem, the Hampton Inn located right downtown offers stylish modern accommodations in walking distance of favorite attractions, shops, and restaurants.
For more uniquely Salem apparel and gifts, head to District Trading Co. on Essex Street. The shop features a variety of Salem designs on shirts, sweatshirts, cards, and more with new designs debuting all the time. Visit their website to shop online, districttrading.com, and plan to stop in the store while on Essex Street.
Odd Meter Coffee is one of Salem’s newest coffee shops. Set to open very soon on Washington Street, Odd Meter will be a cozy little coffee shop built on community values. While waiting for them to open, be sure to follow them on Instagram or learn more at oddmetercoffee.com.
Another new Salem coffee shop, Wolf Next Door Coffee recently arrived on Derby Street by Diane Wolf, owner of the Lobster Shanty. Stop by on your next stroll down Derby Street to pick up some fresh coffee, tea, or espresso to enjoy on the go or indulge by the waterfront. Learn more at wolfnextdoorcoffee.com.
These new businesses are each a great compliment to Salem’s small business community. Whatever businesses you plan to visit this year, we recommend checking their website or social media for any changes due to coronavirus restrictions.
