Haunted Happenings for Families & Kids

Salem Haunted Happenings started as a day of Halloween celebrations for children. That was 27 years ago. Today it is a month-long celebration of the spooky and the fun, and events are geared toward both children and adults.

Here are the events for this year that promise perfect haunted entertainment for your family. All of these are listed in the Guide to Haunted Happenings, and on HauntedHappenings.org. There are 22 events, and a number of them happen multiple times.

The important thing? Trick-or-treating in Salem starts this Friday - so get your costumes out!

Grand Opening Haunted Happenings Parade
Thursday, October 2 | 6:30 PM
Welcome in the Halloween season with our 'Never Never Land' theme and our Grand Marshals Mayor Kimberley Driscoll & Salem State College President Dr. Patricia Maguire Meservey. Route begins at Shetland Park on Congress St. travels Derby Street, Lafayette Street, Front Street, Washington Street, and Essex Street before it ends at the Salem Common. 978-744-0004.

Mayor’s Night Out
Friday, October 3 | 3:00 – 8:00 PM
Salem residents, with identification, are admitted free to attractions and museums. Please look for the “Mayor’s Night Out” sign on the door of participating businesses. There will be free parking in the East India Mall garage after 4:00pm. 978-745-9595, ext. 5676

Trick-or-Treat with the Mayor, East India Fountain, Essex Street
Friday, October 3 | 5:30 PM
We will trick-or-treat up and down the pedestrian mall, through the shops at Museum Place Mall and beyond. Trick-or-Treat Bags will be provided. Costumes are encouraged.

Maritime Stories & Songs, Salem Maritime NHS, Derby Street
Thursdays October 9, 16 & 23 | 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Come listen to strange tales and songs associated with New England's maritime history. Admission: $3.00 (limited to 25 people. First come, first serve. 978-740-1633

Annual Halloween Children’s Day, Salem Common
Saturday, October 11 (Rain date: Oct. 12) | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Entertainment, rides, vendors, costume parade and contest. 978-744-8444.

Curious Creatures, Salem Maritime NHS, St. Joseph's Hall
Saturday, October 11 | Shows at 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM
Live tortoises, snakes, parrots and lizards visit. Discover how these exotic animals are connected to Salem's 19^th century maritime trade. 978-740-1663.

Haunted Biz Baz, Essex Street Pedestrian Mall
Saturday October 11 & Sunday, October 12 | 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Street festival featuring entertainment, crafts, food, and more!

Bootiful Pets, Salem Common
Sunday, October 12 | 10:30AM – 2:00PM
An outdoor Halloween costume contest for dogs and cats. Owners will be asked to tell our judges why their cat should be named the Official Cat of Salem (must be a Salem cat resident). Prizes for the winners. Registration fee $5. Cat registration begins at 10:30am and contest begins at 11:00am. Dog registration begins at 12:30pm. Dog contest at 1:00pm. 978-744-2615.

Ms Firefly’s School of Spirit Conjuration, Museum Place Mall
Sunday, October 12 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Join Salem’s own Ms. Firefly as she teaches kids to conjure their own friendly ghosts! Ice cream buffet! 800.595.4TIX • FestivalOfTheDead.com

Eerie Evenings, The Witch House, 310 Essex St.
October 17 & 18, 24 & 25, 31 & Nov. 1 | 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Come listen to eerie tales performed in the darkened rooms of this 17^th century mansion. For tickets & info, call 978-744-8815.

Pumpkin Display & Food Court, Salem Common
October 17- November 2 | 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Daily (10:00 PM Fri. & Sat.)Don't forget to stop by the Common and see how are talented young residents decorated their holiday pumpkins, wind through the hay bale maze or take your picture next to a 1,000lb. pumpkin or just sit down, relax and try some delicious seasonal fair foods.

Salem Youth Hockey Pumpkin Sale & Festival, Salem Common
October 18 & 19 | 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
One Stop Shopping – Buy your holiday pumpkin and decorate it right there. Don't miss the opportunity to get your picture taken with a 1,000 lb. pumpkin. Find your way through a hay bale maze, get your face painted and play some holiday games.

Wind over Wings, Salem Maritime NHS, Custom House, Derby Street
Saturday, October 18, 1:30PM & 3:00PM Shows
Skywalker, the Golden eagle, and three of his fellow raptors (owl, hawk & falcon) will visit the maritime site. Programs will be presented outdoors behind the Custom House. 978-740-1663.

Fiesta Shows Carnival, 289 Derby St.
Oct. 20 – November 2 | Noon – 9:00 PM daily (10:00 PM Fri & Sat.)
Come ride on an old fashioned merry-go-around or on the crazy bus! Try your skill at one of the game booths or just have some fair food favorites.

Trick-or-Treat, Pickering Wharf
Friday, October 24 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Parents with children in costume, age 14 and under are encouraged to visit all stores in Pickering Wharf with balloons outside their doors. 978-740-2877.

Pumpkin Festival, Salem Common
October 25 & 26, November 1 & 2 | 10:00 AM-5:00 PM
One Stop Shopping – Buy your holiday pumpkin and decorate it right there. Don't miss the opportunity to get your picture taken with a 1,000 lb. pumpkin. Find your way through a hay bale maze, get your face painted and play some holiday games. Proceeds benefit the Salem Common Neighborhood Association.

Thrill the World: Michael Jackson's Zombie Dance, Salem State College, O'Keefe Center Saturday, October 25 | 1:00PM
Take a lesson to learn the Thriller Zombie Dance and then dance in sync as part of the world's largest performance of Michael Jackson's hit with the Thrill the World destinations across the planet from Madrid to Los Angeles to Singapore. Prizes for best dancer and best costume. $12/general/$7 students and seniors/children under 12 free. 978-542-7890.

Annual Children’s Halloween Party & Costume Parade, Salem Common
Saturday, October 25 | Registration at 11:00 AM, Parade begins at Noon
Costume contest with prizes to be awarded at Old Town Hall, followed by the Phoenix School's Halloween Party at the Phoenix School at 89 Margin St. $10 for both events. 978- 741-0870.

Kids Fun Run, Salem Common
Sunday, October 26 | 11:00 AM
Come enjoy a fun run! Prizes awarded for the scariest costume, funniest costume & the most creative costume. For children ages 2-12. 978-744-0351.

Stop by for a Spell Children’s Costume Brunch, The Hawthorne Hotel
Sunday, October 26 | 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Children are welcome to come in costume. Meet our entertaining characters, decorate pumpkins, & receive Halloween treats. Tickets $28.95 for adults & children 11 & under are $15.95. Reservations by calling 978.825.4311 • HawthorneHotel.com
(Photo is from last year's costume brunch. )

Neighborhood Trick or Treating
Friday, October 31 | 5:30PM – 8:00PM