Discover Fall & Winter Holiday Magic in Salem, Massachusetts
Explore Salem this holiday season and make your own magic with holiday attractions, special events, comfort food, and pop-up shops.
Museums & Attractions
The House of the Seven Gables
This winter, learn about the 1668 mansion that inspired the famous novel and explore four centuries of Christmas celebrations in New England. The House of the Seven Gables is open year-round for guided tours with the special Four Centuries of Christmas Tour offered November 24 through December 31.
The House of the Seven Gables is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The museum is closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and closes at 2:00 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Visit 7Gables.org for admission rates and additional information.
Peabody Essex Museum
The Peabody Essex Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Admission rates and exhibition details are available on PEM.org.
Salem Witch Museum
The Salem Witch Museum provides a year-round opportunity to learn the history behind the Salem Witch Trials with a presentation designed using actual trial documents, and an exhibition focusing on the changing perceptions of witches over time.
The Salem Witch Museum is open until 3:00 pm on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. The museum closes for annual maintenance January 2 – 5 and January 8 – 12. If visiting during this time call before you visit to confirm operating hours. Admission rates are available at SalemWitchMuseum.com.
Witch Pix
Witch Pix offers year-round photo shoot experiences to embrace your inner witch or wizard, with special Awkward Holiday photo shoots. With a variety of backdrops to choose from including sleigh rides, cozy living rooms, and wintery lights, along with festive holiday sweaters and accessories, Awkward Holiday shoots at Witch Pix offer winter fun for the whole family.
Awkward Holiday photo shoots are available November 3 – December 30. Appointments are encouraged and walk-ins are welcome, visit WitchPixofSalem.com for details and hours before your visit.
Walking & Tours
To learn more about Salem’s history, take to the streets on a walking tour. Year-round walking tours like Hocus Pocus Tours and Salem Night Tour offer historical tours with information on the Salem Witch Trials, maritime history, Revolutionary history, and more, while Salem Food Tours offers A.M. Coffee Walks and tours focusing on Salem’s foodie scene and spice trade history. The Salem Trolley also runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekends in November and the Friday after Thanksgiving. Additional tours are offered on select dates in the winter months, so be sure to check the complete list of walking tours while planning your visit.
You can also embark on your own tour by following the Salem Heritage Trail or by picking up a self-guided walking tour brochure from the Salem Regional Visitor Center. During the winter months, the visitor center is open Wednesday – Sunday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, and visitor information is also available Waite and Peirce at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, which is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Self-guided tour brochures can also be viewed online at NPS.gov/SaMa.
Special Events
Festivals take place all year in Salem! Salem Holiday Happenings take place November 23 – January 1, 2018, and include the annual Christmas in Salem Historic House Tours, Santa’s Arrival, and Launch! New Year’s Eve Celebrations. January brings the Salem Comedy and Spirits Festival which features stand-up comedy by the best local comedians and locally made spirits, and February features Salem’s So Sweet, Salem’s annual Valentines celebration with chocolate, ice sculptures around town, and more. View our Festivals page to see what’s going on each month in Salem.
Restaurants
Salem’s restaurants are open year-round, with many offering seasonal entrees perfect for a winter outing like warm soups, comfort food, hot teas and chocolate, and more. Check websites or contact restaurants in advance to confirm winter or holiday hours before your visit.
Bring your appetite with you for Restaurant Week! Organized by the Salem Chamber of Commerce, Restaurant Week runs December 2 – 6 and offers guests the opportunity to dine at local restaurants and enjoy multi-course meals at a pre-fixe price. Warm up throughout winter by embarking on your own hot chocolate crawl through downtown Salem or by reserving a holiday-themed high tea experience at Jolie Tea Company.
Shop
Get some holiday shopping done at some of Salem’s local small businesses during Small Business Saturday, or shop the Salem Winter Market for your favorite winter-season farmers’ market finds on November 17 and December 15, 2018. Salem Main Streets organizes Festive Fridays, which encourages shops to stay open late each Friday in December to help with your last-minute holiday shopping, and holiday pop-up shops can be found throughout the season at Ocean Chic Boutique and Waterbar, Jolie Tea Company, J.Mode and Curtsy, and you can also visit the Peabody Essex Museum’s gift shop during regular museum hours and on Mondays in November and December.
