Salem Is One of Massachusetts’s Best Halloween Towns to Visit This Fall

When it comes to Halloween, one town in Massachusetts does it bigger and better than anywhere else in the country. We’re talking about Salem, of course. This historic town has a spooky history that goes back hundreds of years, and is a community that isn’t afraid to embrace the weird side of life. Every year, this charming seaside town transforms into a terrifying wonderland. Get ready to experience the best Halloween town in Massachusetts!

Any Halloween enthusiast can’t miss the Haunted Happenings festival in the "Witch City" of Salem, Massachusetts. This month-long celebration of all things Halloween is packed with creepy, crawly, and ghoulish events. During October, the whole town transforms into a festively spooky wonderland of things that go bump in the night. Come see why this is the best place to celebrate Halloween in Massachusetts!

There are spooky events for every taste in Salem throughout the entire month. Attend The Salem Psychic Fair and Witches' Market, open daily from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day in October, where you can get a psychic reading and pick up some witchy gifts for yourself or someone else. You can take a 75-minute Haunted Harbor Cruise through Mahi Cruises (includes a free tarot reading), visit a haunted speakeasy inside Hamilton Hall, catch a horror film screening, hop aboard The Ghosts and Legends Trolley for an unforgettable ride through town, and so much more! There's a reason people consider Salem to be the scariest Halloween town in Massachusetts.

Those looking for not-so-scary events have options, too. Wander through the jack o’ lanterns at Pioneer Village, visit The Good Witch of Salem's Potion Bar to create your own magic potion, and visit filming locations of the beloved witchy film, "Hocus Pocus." When it comes to Halloween events in Massachusetts, no other town has more fun than Salem.

There are plenty of historical and supernatural tours to take in Salem as well. Book a spot on a Tales of Salem Halloween Tour to check out some of the town's hstoric locations where paranormal actvity has been reported; check out the Haunted Footsteps tour for your chance at a ghostly run-in; or simply explore spots like Howard Street Cemetery and the Witch Trials Memorial on your own.

Head to the Witch Dungeon Museum for an award-winning live reenactment of a 1692 witch trial, followed by a guided tour of the witch dungeon. Afterwards, stop by Count Orlok’s Nightmare Gallery, a cinematic museum that honors famous horror films and characters with life-size models, props, and creepy movie magic. Dropping into Frankenstein’s Castle in the Salem Wax Museum is a surefire way to contract a case of the shivers. Descend to the museum's deepest and darkest level to witness the horrors of Dr. Frankenstein in a thrilling immersive experience.

Besides the spooky and campy fun of Halloween, there’s actually a flourishing community of modern practicing witches in Salem. The town is dotted with shops that cater to those who believe in and practice magic. Check out Artemisia Botanicals for all your apothecary needs; stop by Crow Haven Corner, "Salem's Oldest Witch Shop," for books, spells, and psychic readings; head to HEX Old World Witchery for cauldrons and potions; and don’t forget to spend some time at Salem Witch Village to learn about the facts and myths surrounding witches and their craft.

You'll also find there are plenty of options for old-fashioned fair food and autumn treats on hand. You can also check out the finer dining options around town, but what could be sweeter than wandering through the crisp fall air with a big caramel apple in hand?

If you visit Salem on Halloween, be prepared for the biggest party of the season. Visit the Haunted Happenings website event calendar and links to download the Haunted Happenings app so you can easily find an event when in Salem this October. And you can learn more about the Witch City's storied history when you visit some of Salem's most historic buildings, like the House of the Seven Gables, a National Historic Landmark.

What are your favorite Halloween events in Massachusetts? Please tell us all about them by sending a message through our nominations page.

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