Salem Haunted Happenings 2026: Grand Parade Kicks Off a Month of Halloween in the Witch City

<a href="https://www.hauntedhappenings.org/events/">Salem Haunted Happenings</a> runs October 1 to 31. This month-long Halloween celebration takes over the Witch City with costume balls, haunted harbor cruises, ghost tours, haunted houses, magic shows, psychic readings, live music, and theatrical performances all across downtown. This year it coincides with Salem's 400th anniversary, adding historical programming to the usual Halloween festivities. 🎃 Key events:<ul><li><a href="https://www.salem-chamber.org/haunted-happenings-grand-parade">Haunted Happenings Grand Parade</a>: Thursday, October 1 at 6:30pm. The free parade starts at Shetland Park and ends at Salem Common. The 29th annual parade has an "Old-School Halloween" theme.</li><li>Haunted Happenings Marketplace: Weekends from September 26 to November 1 at Salem Common, Derby Square, and Charlotte Forten Park. You'll find independent makers, artists, and vendors, plus a free indoor food marketplace at Old Town Hall.</li><li>Howl-o-ween Pet Parade: Saturday, October 10 at Derby Wharf.</li><li>Halloween Night: Saturday, October 31. This is the busiest night of the year in Salem, so plan ahead for crowds.</li></ul>Haunted Happenings began in 1982 as a Halloween weekend event organized by the Salem Chamber of Commerce and the Salem Witch Museum, drawing about 50,000 visitors that first year. Now it brings more than 1 million people to Salem every October. Salem is about 30 minutes from North Station on the Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail line, and weekends are just $10 for unlimited rides with the <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/10-commuter-rail-weekends-and-holidays--92">$10 Commuter Rail Weekends</a> pass. 👻

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Salem Haunted Happenings 2026: Grand Parade Kicks Off a Month of Halloween in the Witch City

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