Spooky Salem in October

Spooky Salem in October

Danielle Corey, Staff Writer

Trick or Treat! Are you ready to get spooked?!

Throughout all of October, Halloween took over Salem, Mass. October is the best month to go to Salem if you’re into spooky things.

Every day there are ghosts and goblins walking around up and down the streets, and there’s always something to do and see.

Salem has very detailed haunted houses. Things pop out at you or hang down from the ceiling, and noises make them sound like they are right behind you. Creepy right?

Across from the witch museum is the witch grave. If you’re lucky in the pictures you take of the tombs at night you can see a spirit.

Want to know how Salem became so famous?

It all started with the Witch Trail, in 1692. There were 19 victims who lost their lives. They were accused of being witches when they actually weren’t. The victims pressed to death or hung because the commoners thought they were evil or witches.

By the year of 1982, Salem had the first Salem Haunted Happenings Festival during the week of Halloween. The festival was an effort to provide family-friendly events for guests who were interesting in visiting the “Witch City.”

Following the first festival’s success with about 50,000 guests in attendance, the annual event has continued to grow each season, drawing everyone from families, couples, history buffs, and Halloween enthusiasts from all over the world.

Today, members of the modern pagan and witch community have a home in Salem, where Samhain is celebrated each October recognizing the end of the harvest season and the coming of winter.

The city’s modern witches have the unique opportunity of being able to share their beliefs and celebrations with both locals and out of town guests who come to celebrate the Halloween season in Salem.

Since 1982, Salem Haunted Happenings has evolved into a month-long celebration, encompassing everything from family-friendly magic shows, to costume balls, psychic readings, haunted harbor cruises, ghost tours, and more.

Whether you come to Salem seeking history, spookiness, shopping, live music, or even a vibrant food and “spirits” scene, you are sure to find your own adventure this October at our Halloween Capital of the World.