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A year filled with special events celebrating heritage, arts, food, and fun
Released: December 15, 2017
Images Available
Salem, Massachusetts has a robust annual festival schedule that compliments its museums, attractions, tours, and year-round activities. All of our favorite festivals will return in 2018, including the Salem Film Fest in March, Salem Arts Festival in June, and the biggest event of the year, Salem Haunted Happenings in October.
2018 also marks the 350th anniversary of The House of the Seven Gables, and there are several programs throughout the year planned for the celebration. In addition, the Peabody Essex Museumhas several exciting exhibitions on tap for 2018 including Georgia O'Keeffe: Art, Image, Style and XYZT: A Journey in 4 Dimensions, both of which opened at the end of 2017.
This list of annual festivals is a starting point for the programming planned throughout the year. For complete information, contact Destination Salem or peruse the pages of Salem.org, where you can create your own Salem adventure.
Salem Comedy & Spirits Festival | January 11-13
Warm up winter with laughter and spirits at the first annual Salem Comedy & Spirits Festival. Top area co
medians and delicious locally-made spirits highlight this weekend celebration.
SalemComedyFestival.com
Salem's So Sweet | February 9-11
Chocolate, ice sculptures, and a Golden Ticket take center stage at Salem's annual Valentine celebration
in February. Featuring a Chocolate & Wine Tasting, Ice sculptures - at least a dozen of them, and a
Golden Ticket Raffle. Downtown businesses offer promotions, events, tastings, and great shopping throughout the festival. SalemMainStreets.org, Salem-Chamber.org, Facebook.com/SalemSoSweet
Salem Film Fest | March 22-29
Come to Salem, see the world during the largest all-documentary festival in New England. Film screenings and talkbacks with the directors are the highlights of the week-long film fest.
SalemFilmFest.com
Salem Spring Restaurant Weeks | March 18-22 and 25-29
Salem Restaurant Week is the perfect time to dine out at the dozens of excellent eateries. There will be a wide variety of delicious foods, including steak, seafood, Italian classics, contemporary cuisine, American favorites and exotic ethnic treats. Restaurants will offer multiple choices for appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Salem-Chamber.org
Massachusetts Poetry Festival | May 4-6
Massachusetts Poetry Festival offers rare opportunities to hear the nation's best poets read and discuss their work in intimate and engaging forums. The Festival showcases nearly 100 poetry readings and workshops, a small press and literary fair, panels, poetry slams, visual arts, and open-air performances. MassPoetry.org
Salem Arts Festival | June 1-3
For three days each summer, this free festival transforms downtown Salem into an opportunity for the local arts community to showcase their talents. Featuring scores of artists, a juried art show, outdoor performances, interactive art presentations, vendors who feature local arts and crafts. People of all ages and backgrounds enjoyed viewing art, participating in art making and purchasing art. SalemArtsFestival.com
Salem Farmers' Market | June 7 - October 11
Every Thursday, Derby Square turns into a convenient means to purchase locally grown or prepared food products and support local agriculture and producers. With new vendors every
year, the Salem Farmers' Market always has something new to offer. SalemFarmersMarket.org
North Shore Pride Parade | June 23
Join dozens of local businesses, faith groups, and community organizations for the fourth annual North Shore Pride Parade and Festival. All are welcome to attend this day-long event celebrating unity in the community. NorthShorePride.org
Salem Celebrates the 4th | July 4
Bring your beach blankets and folding chairs to enjoy the 42-piece Hillyer Festival Orchestra on Derby Wharf at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site for a grand celebration of our nation's Independence Day. Featuring a Pops concert, a Kid Space play area, and fireworks launched over Salem Harbor, this is a quintessential celebration of the 4th of July. Salem.org
Salem Heritage Days | August 3-12
Celebrate the past and the present during the annual Salem Heritage Days. Featuring
food, fun, and activities for all ages, highlights include live music, free movies on Salem Common, the Essex Street Fair, the Ice Cream Bowl, and the Car Show on Chestnut Street. Salem.org
Salem Maritime Festival | August 4-5
Celebrate ships, sailors, sawdust and song at this annual free family festival. Hosted by the National Park Service, the festival features live music, historical re-enactors, tall ships, demonstrations, and interactive programs and crafts for families.
Salem Jazz & Soul Festival | August 18-19
The Salem Jazz and Soul Festival recreates and renews the vibrant jazz scene that began at the Salem Willows in the 1920s when Duke Ellington and other musicians from the Big Band era played at the seaside park. The festival adds soul, blues, and funk to the mix and shines the spotlight on talented musicians from Boston's North Shore and beyond. SalemJazzSoul.org
Antique & Classic Boat Festival | August 25 - 26
A rare chance to see vintage motor yachts and sailboats, board vessels, meet skippers and crews and vote for your favorite boat! A crafts market, artists, old-time band music, children's activities, the Blessing of the Fleet and more! The vessels will be on display to the public over the weekend at Brewer Hawthorne Cove Marina. BoatFestival.org
36th Annual Salem Haunted Happenings | October
A festive celebration of Halloween and fall in New England, more than 50,000 people come to Salem Haunted Happenings each year. Events include a Grand Parade, the Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair, Wicked Wednesdays family fun, Film nights on Salem Common, costume balls, ghost tours, haunted houses, live music, and chilling theatrical presentations. HauntedHappenings.org
Salem Restaurant Week | December 2-6
Salem Restaurant Week is the perfect time to dine out at the dozens of excellent eateries. There will be a wide variety of delicious foods, including steak, seafood, Italian classics, contemporary cuisine, American favorites and exotic ethnic treats. Restaurants will offer multiple choices for appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Salem-Chamber.org
Salem Holiday Happenings | November 25 - January 1, 2019
Celebrate, shop, and dine in Salem during the holiday season. Festival highlights include Historic Salem, Inc.'s annual Christmas in Salem Historic House Tour and Santa's arrival atop the Hawthorne Hotel. Don't miss the annual Launch! family-friendly celebration on New Year's Eve. Salem.org
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