About Salem Haunted Happenings
A month-long celebration of Halloween and fall in New England, people travel from around the world to visit Salem during October. Created in 1982, the festival features hundreds of special events in addition to attractions, museums and tours that are in Salem throughout the year. Nearly 1 million people participated in Salem Haunted Happenings in 2022.
About Salem
Salem, Massachusetts, is a destination recognized around the world for its rich history, which includes the tragic Salem Witch Trials of 1692, the glorious maritime era that left its indelible mark on Salem through architecture, museums, and artifacts, and for its month-long celebration of Halloween.
About Destination Salem
As the destination marketing organization for the City of Salem, Destination Salem cooperatively markets Salem as one of Massachusetts’ best destinations for families, couples, domestic, and international travelers who are seeking an authentic New England experience, cultural enrichment, American history, fine dining, unique shopping and fun. For more information, visit Salem.org.
Press Contact: Ashley Judge, Executive Director, ajudge@salem.org
Address: 245 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970
Media Visits
Destination Salem assists journalists on assignment for travel-related stories about Salem and/or Salem Haunted Happenings throughout the year. Visiting journalists must be a credentialed member of the media. A letter of assignment and/or direct links to previous work samples may be required. Destination Salem is not able to arrange hosted media visits in October.
Press Releases
Please visit Salem.org for general Salem press releases and clips.
City of Salem Strongly Urges Public Transportation for Last Weekend of October and Halloween, October 25th, 2023
Special Events and Tips to the Make the Most of Salem’s Haunted Happenings, October 5th, 2023
Destination Salem to Open New Visitor Center. October 6, 2022
Salem, Massachusetts to Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Salem Haunted Happenings in October 2022 – August 12, 2022
Tips for a Safe and Fun Halloween in Salem, October 28, 2021
Five Things to Know When Visiting Haunted Happenings in October, September 29, 2021
Salem Haunted Happenings Makes Highly-Anticipated Return to Salem, Massachusetts after the Pandemic Pause in 2020, August 19, 2021
Salem Haunted Happenings in the News
Here’s what it’s like to run a bookstore in Salem in October – Boston.com (October 21, 2024)
Salem Has Become A Witchy Hotbed for Women-Owned Businesses – Fodorś Travel (October 8, 2024)
Everything you need to know about Halloween season in Salem – Boston.com (October 7, 2024)
4 things you should know before visiting Salem this fall – Boston.com (October 7, 2024)
Plan your leaf peeping getaway with our fall foliage guide – Boston.com (October 2, 2024)
Five things: New schizophrenia drug, clean energy jobs, Mass. bank deposits and it’s holiday season in Salem – Boston Business Journal (September 27, 2024)
Discover the Best Small Towns to Celebrate Halloween – HGTV
Salem predicts record number of visitors this October, urges use of public transportation – CBS News (September 23, 2024)
Why Coolcations are the Next Big Travel Trend, Plus Where to Go and What to Do – USA Today (September 19th, 2024)
The Best (and Spookiest) Things to Do in Salem, Massachusetts – Vogue (September 13, 2024)
15 Best Fall Festivals to Celebrate Harvest Season – The Pioneer Woman (September 13, 2024)
One of America’s Hottest ZIP Codes Offers Bang for Your Buck—and Is a Halloween Lover’s Paradise – Realtor.com (September 3, 2024)
9 Places The Young & Cool Are Traveling This Fall — And It’s Not New York Or California – Your Tango (August 23, 2024)
Incredible Halloween Destinations You Must Visit – Travel Goals Podcast (October 30, 2022)
Thousands Flock to Salem on Halloween Eve – AFP News Agency (October 30, 2022)
Frightening and funny, ghosts and goblins take over Salem for their annual celebration – The Boston Globe (October 30, 2022)
The best things to do in Salem in October and beyond, according to an astrologer – Today.com (October 28, 2022)
Nightly News: Kids Edition (Featuring Salem Kids Tours) – NBC News (October 27, 2022)
How Salem, Massachusetts Becomes America’s Halloween Capitol – Today Show (October 2022)
The Witches of Salem: A Travelers Guide to America’s Spookiest Towns – Wall Street Journal (October 2022)
Salem is the Halloween capital of American – But it wasn’t always that way – WGBH (October 2022)
Northeast Traveler – (October, 2022)
Fall Day Trips – Connecticut Magazine (October, 2022)
October in Salem: Your Guide to Events, Street Closures and Where to Park – 10 Boston (September 28th, 2022)
10 Most Haunted Cities in America and the Ghosts That Call Them Home – Travel + Leisure (September, 2022)
Visiting Salem: Tour Hocus Pocus Filming Locations, The Salem Witch Museum and More – MassLive (September 19th, 2022)
All of the Halloween Movies on Hulu in October for Huluween – The Wrap (September 14th, 2022)
13 Best Places to Visit for Halloween Around the World – Travel Leisure (August 23rd, 2022)
FYI, You Can Totally Visit Some of the Hocus Pocus Filming Locations – Cosmopolitan (July 25th, 2022)
10 Real Life Disney Halloween Locations You can Visit – All Ears (July 23rd, 2022)
For Salem’s ghosts and witches, goblins and ghouls, vaccinations are the most coveted treats – The Boston Globe, October 16, 2021
Visiting Salem for Halloween? Check out these other places to visit while you’re in town – MetroWest Daily News (September 30, 2021)
Photo Galleries
High resolution images and B-roll are available on request. Please email Ashley Judge for Dropbox links.