TL;DR: Saturday at 11 AM on Derby Wharf there is a free, all-ages world record attempt with witch hats and a drone for Salem’s 400th. The Salem Night Faire opens Friday at Pioneer Village.

🎩 Top pick

Witch Hats on the Wharf. Saturday Oct 17, 11 AM to 12 PM, Derby Wharf, 160 Derby Street. Free, all ages. Destination Salem is attempting a world record for the city’s 400th anniversary, with a drone shot of hundreds or thousands of witch hats on the waterfront. One hour, no ticket, and most of us already own the hat.

🎪 Art, theatre and unique

• Salem Night Faire. Fri Oct 16 and Sat Oct 17, 5 to 10 PM, Salem 1630: Pioneer Village. Presented by The Black Veil. Oddity vendors, performances, ghost stories, hot cider, food trucks, a biergarten. It also runs Oct 23 and 24.
• The Making of a Witch, a play in one act. Sat Oct 17, 2 PM, St. Peter’s-San Pedro Episcopal Church, 24 St Peter Street. How the merchant Philip English became one of the accused, written out of the church’s own archives. Proceeds go to the church.
• Becky Nurse of Salem by Sarah Ruhl. Fri Oct 16 and Sat Oct 17 at 7:30 PM, Sun Oct 18 2 PM matinee, Sophia Gordon Center, 356 Lafayette Street. Public ticketing through Salem State.
• PEM Reads: Cards on the Table with Jilly Gagnon. Sun Oct 18, 2 to 4 PM, Peabody Essex Museum. Talk plus signing.
• Casper, The Guinness Experience. Fri 2 to 7, Sat 1 to 7, Sun 12 to 5, Daniels House, 1 Daniels Street. The certified world’s largest Casper the Friendly Ghost collection, which I did not know was a thing.

🎵 Live music

• Couple of Wanderers, Faith Kelly and Caswyn Moon. Fri Oct 16, 8 PM, Gulu-Gulu. No cover.
• Rick Berlin with the Nickel and Dime band. Sat Oct 17, 8 PM, Gulu-Gulu. Orchestra Luna and Berlin Airlift, still going.
• Molly Pinto Madigan. Mon Oct 19, 7 PM, Gulu-Gulu. No cover. Salem State alum, won WUMB’s Boston Folk Festival songwriting contest.

🍸 Nightlife

• Salem Witch Fest’s Hellfire Cabaret. Fri Oct 16, 7 to 11 PM, Hawthorne Hotel Grand Ballroom. Drag, burlesque, sideshow. First hour has appetizers and complimentary wine, beer and soft drinks.
• Terror Ticket: Raveyard. Fri Oct 16, 8 to 10 PM, The Lost Library. A live DJ inside the haunted house.
• Scream Queens Costume Party Drag Show. Sat Oct 17, 6 to 8 PM, Far From The Tree.
• The King & Thing Fling. Sat Oct 17, 9 PM, Bit Bar. Drag king showcase hosted by Buster Pants. Free, 21 and over.
• Rat Cult Meet Up. Wed Oct 21, 7 to 9 PM, Bit Bar. The listing reads, in full: “Local Boston Rat Legend: Rat Queen. Rat costumes and cheese offers encouraged.”

🍻 Food and drink

• Pumpkin Carving Night at Notch. Tue Oct 20, 6 to 8 PM, Notch Brewing. $30 includes a pumpkin and the tools. Beer not included.
• Sips and Myths: Dare to Indulge. Sun Oct 18 and Thu Oct 22, 5:30 PM, Salem Wine Imports. Mead, wine and cider with the mythology behind them. Paired snacks, non-alcoholic options.
• Sam’s Southern Food Pop-Up. Sun Oct 18, 2 PM, Far From The Tree.
• Free Bingo Night with Will Pottorff. Wed Oct 21, 6 to 8 PM, Gulu-Gulu. No cover.

👨‍👩‍👧 Kids and families

• Kids’ Fun Fest. Sat Oct 17 and Sun Oct 18, 10 AM to 5 PM, Salem Common.
• Chronicles and Crafts in the Cove. Wed Oct 21, 10:30 to 11:30 AM, House of the Seven Gables. Ages 0 to 6, free with registration.
• Slime Potion Brewing Class. Sat Oct 17 and Sun Oct 18, 10 AM, The Lost Library. All ages.

👀 Just past the window

Hamlet, free, by Elsewhere Shakespeare at Far From The Tree, Fri Oct 23 at 7. PEM Presents Nosferatu with a live orchestra, Sat Oct 24 at 1. The Hawthorne’s Halloween Ball: Phobia, Sat Oct 24 at 7:30.

I just moved to Salem for reasons unrelated to tourism. I figure I might as well take advantage of the city since I live here but the events seem pretty expensive. Is there anything in October worth it for locals or should I just stay far away from the area?

THE SISTERS ARE BACK, SALEM!

Rock Cauldron Cabaret returns with TWO spellbinding experiences!

All-Ages: A theatrical rock concert for the whole family!

Adults-Only: Wicked comedy, music, and a little extra mischief!

Catch your favorite Sirens of Salem at Shetland Park & The Cove this October and November!

Sponsored by Creative Collective MA & The Cove at Salem!

Get your tickets at www.rockcauldroncabaret.com

Salem local here, my friend is coming in from out of town and wants to do some of the haunted houses. I’ve never done any of the ones in town. Which ones are halfway decent, which ones are terrible, are there any that are actually scary? 👻

Hi everyone ! I’m vending for haunted happenings in Salem common October 24-25th. I sell oddities ranging from 5-500 dollars. I’m writing this because I’m traveling from southern WV and super nervous but really excited. I’m just wanting to get an idea on what to bring and expect whether that’s smaller items or larger items or a mix of both. I also wanted to know if I should offer shipping to those that are traveling. I have small framed butterflies, accessories and larger ticket frames and antiques etc. any advice or input would be appreciated!

Hi!

So I'm a Salem local and I collect cool Salem merchandise. Salem 400 is basically like a wonderland for me, because so many places are releasing cool Salem 400 items.

If you guys could please send along any cool Salem 400 items and where to find/buy them, I'd really appreciate it. I don't really leave my house this time of year and I totally missed out on the spooky Dunkin Doughnuts stuff before it sold out. I'm hoping somewhere eventually or currently sells like Salem 400 Christmas ornaments, because I'd love to make a Salem 400 themed Christmas tree this year.

Thank you all!

Registration link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/geya-jendas-puzzle-and-a-pumpkin-pie-tickets-2002304430452?aff=oddtdtcreator

Don’t forgot to register for a speed puzzle and a pie competition! First to finish a 500 piece puzzle and a pumpkin pie wins! It’s a fun time for everyone!

Like the title says. My heat is broken and it’s starting to get chilly out.

Good morning neighbors! Wondering if anyone has a recommendation for Thanksgiving takeout? We are hosting this year and I do not have the bandwidth to cook/plan a meal. Would like to avoid sitting at a restaurant if possible.

When I see a Coffee Time employee in their majestic magenta polos walking down bridge street going to/from their shifts at this time of year, as a veteran myself, I can’t resist the urge to stop whatever I’m doing to stand at attention and give them a hearty salute.

I can’t believe that place is open from 5 AM to 11 PM and they deal with clowns like me blocking both doors trying to decide between a strawberry Bismarck and a classic cider donut for every minute of that.

THANK YOU TO THE FEW THE PROUD THE BRAVE COFFEE TIME EMPLOYEES. WE SALUTE YOU DURING THIS TOURIST INVASION.

Does anyone know any excellent plumbers that can do work in Salem Ma? I recently got some work done for my bathroom remodel, but the contractor messed up. The remodeling hasn't started, and he said he can't fix it. Please DM if anyone can assist.

So when will the owner(s) finally clean this place up?

We’ve got a carpenter ant problem and would love any recommendations on exterminators based on personal experiences. Thanks for your input!

Does anyone have an internet provider that isn’t Xfinity? How are they?

I was walking by the dog park next to the canal at 9am on the dot. Saw this lady with a whole bunch of dogsbwho looked to be in her late 40s-early 50s with dark red dyed hair. She was outright yelling at all of the dogs because she was trying to corral them to take them out of the park, like I am talking RED faced at the top of her lungs. Kept screaming at them and using abusive language. I only caught 2 of the dog's names, there was what looked like smallish yellow lab named Maggie and a small fluffier pale dog who she called Lonzo. She aggressively manhandled the Lonzo, and was particularly verbally nasty to Maggie. Some of the dogs had their tails between their legs and were clearly afraid. I did not feel safe confronting her because she was bigger than me and we were the only 2 people in the park or even within eyesight. I was also afraid of one of the dogs getting loose because none of them were leashed and it looked like the gate latch was open to the outside. If you know ANYONE with dogs that match those descriptions please show them this post. She made like she was gonna hit one of the dogs, she didnt but she scared the dog real bad. Please don't hesitate to reach out or comment because this lady should not be working with animals. I am sorry that I didn't record any proof, had 2% on my phone and couldn't.

Just playing a pic every morning at the pier. This really is a beautiful place.

Hi neighbors and visitors! I’m posting on behalf of the cast and crew - this weekend is the FINAL WEEKEND of THE WOMAN IN BLACK at Ames Hall on Essex St! This is an 80-minute stage play (theater in the round) with a cast of all local Salem actors (including my husband). We’d love to see more locals in the audience!

Filled with suspense, mystery, and theatrical ingenuity, Susan Hill's classic thriller has captivated audiences around the world for decades. This immersive production transforms Ames Memorial Hall into the eerie world of Eel Marsh House, creating an unforgettable theatrical experience.

Schedule
Friday October 16 – 7:30 PM
Saturday October 17 – 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Sunday October 18 – 2:00 PM

You can buy tickets here: https://ameshall.ludus.com/show_page.php?show_id=200540097

Or here (scroll down): https://ameshall.ludus.com/index.php?sections=events

And read about it here (apologies, I don’t have a gift link, maybe a kind soul can post the text in a comment?): https://www.salemnews.com/news/local_news/ymca-hosts-ames-hall-gothic-series/article_ba162c5d-03b8-48dd-b2fc-64a2f48c0be5.html

Thank you to those who have seen it so far and have posted kind words on other Reddit posts!

Hey everyone! Salem local here, wanted to share this. I filmed a new music video for my friend Anne Bennett, also a Salem local. This was done at Central Antique in Beverly, owned by the same folks who own Diehl Marcus. While this isn’t the first video I’ve personally been in (I have plenty of my own music videos), this is the first that I’ve directed, filmed and edited on my own. And this was such a fun experience I wanted to share it.

Hope you enjoy it 😎

Does anyone know of and can recommend a pet sitter or boarder who specializes in senior dogs? My 16 year old dog needs some extra attention, has wonky legs and is a little bit incontinent. He’s a sweet, loving dog but he can be alot of work.

I may have to go out of town in a few weeks, and I usually have a relative look after him but she’s not available.

There’s a chemical scent. By the wharf!

The House of the Seven Gables tour

Trying to decide between OB/GYNs for labor and delivery at Salem or Beverly hospital. If you picked one over the other, why?

I’ve mostly seen doctors at MGH so I’m inclined to pick Salem… but curious if Beverly is a better experience/ has some pros that Salem lacks